Under $100: Old San Juan

San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a common stop for cruise ships from America, perfect for a cheap daytrip off the boat. Viejo San Juan, the historic part of the city, is a walled district made up of multiple forts built by the Spanish.

Like most historic tours, you’re going to do a lot of walking. The entire area is easily accessible by foot, but it can get tiring traversing the hills and cobblestone roads. A free trolley stops at most of the tourist attractions.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro © Ivan Santiago | Dreamstime

Start your day at San Juan Cathedral, one of the oldest buildings in the city and the second-oldest cathedral in the Americas. Visitors often come to see the tomb of Ponce de Leon, the Spanish conquistador who became the first governor of the island. The cathedral also enshrines Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago, the first Caribbean-born person beatified.

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes spread around Old San Juan, many of them tapas-style places directed for tourists with menus displayed outside. For a quick and cheap breakfast or lunch, stop by La Mallorca for a pastry and sandwich as well as a cup of their highly praised coffee.

Old Town San Juan, Puerto Rico © Mihai Coman | Dreamstime

With a coffee in hand, head west toward the coast to see San Juan Gate, the ceremonial entrance way into the city. From there you can see a variety of historic structures, from La Fortaleza, which served as the governors mansion, to Casa Blanca, the ancestral home built by the Ponce de Leon family, though Juan never got to live there.

Close out the day by going to Parrot Club. It’s a bit of splurge, but it has great Puerto Rican fusion cuisine, plus live bands with dancing.