Talking Buildings of Old San Juan: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
3.6 / 5 · 21 traveler reviews
Created by a dedicated Social Studies educator and her students, this immersive audio tour allows the historic structures of San Juan to speak for themselves. While standard tours stick to dry scripts, this digital journey invites you into the narrow, colorful side streets where the buildings recount their own 500-year history. The narrative flows from the formidable Castillo San Cristóbal to the elegant La Fortaleza, passing through the vibrant Plaza de Armas and the sacred halls of the San Juan Bautista Cathedral. Using GPS technology, the charming first-person accounts and local insights play automatically as you walk, functioning entirely offline to ensure your exploration is never interrupted by data concerns. By the time you reach the iconic gates of El Morro and look out over the Atlantic, the architecture will have transformed from stone into a living story. You will leave the walk feeling like a true insider, connected to the spirited heart of Puerto Rico's capital.
Your experience
Stop 1
The tour starts outside Castillo de San Cristóbal.
Stop 2
The tour passes by Teatro Tapia.
Stop 3
The tour passes through Plaza de Armas.
Stop 4
The tour makes a brief stop outside La Fortaleza.
Stop 5
The tour passes by the Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Salud.
Stop 6
The tour passes by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Stop 7
The tour passes by the Paseo de la Princesa.
Stop 8
The tour passes by the Puerta de San Juan.
Stop 9
The tour passes by the San Juan Bautista Cathedral.
Stop 10
The tour passes by the San José Church.
Stop 11
The tour passes through the Cuartel de Ballajá.
Stop 12
The tour passes the Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzi
What’s included
- VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
- Lifetime access to this tour in English
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Not included
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
- Smartphone and headphones
- Transportation
- Food and drink
Meeting and pickup
Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
Check dates and book on Viator →Confirm the meeting point, inclusions, cancellation policy and final price on Viator. We may earn a commission from your booking.