See San Juan in style on a private deluxe sightseeing and Bacardi Rum factory excursion. Get away from the crowds and enjoy the personalized service for just you and your selected group when you dock in Puerto Rico. You’ll meet your guide outside your Puerto Rico cruise terminal and will be chauffeured in a car, van or minibus, depending on the size of your party. Your knowledgeable guide will fil
l your day with information and interesting stories about the area. Drive through old San Juan, originally a military stronghold, and founded by the Spanish in 1521. This small square consisting of 7 square blocks is now home to commercial enterprises and residences. The old town still has the narrow cobblestone streets and over 400 lovingly restored 16th and 17th-century Spanish colonial structures. The buildings in this walled city were built around small plazas. You’ll see the Governor’s Palace (called the Fortaleza) which is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico and the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the New World. It was constructed in the mid-1500s to defend San Juan’s harbor. The San Juan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista) is being restored for its 500th anniversary in 2021. It’s the oldest cathedral in the US and one of the oldest building in San Juan. The tomb of the Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon, is housed in this cathedral. See the tiny chapel built on a cliff on top of the stone walls, Capilla del Santo Cristo. It was constructed to celebrate a miracle when a rider and horse went over the cliff in a race and the rider survived. It’s decorated inside with silver charms of body parts hung up by those visiting and praying for a miracle themselves. The San Cristobal Fort (Castillo de San Cristóbal) was built by the Spanish in the late 1700s to protect the city from land attacks. It’s the largest fort built in the new World by the Spaniards. 5 impressive cisterns used for water storage were later used as bomb shelters in WWII. The Condado is a luxury oceanfront community with tree-lined streets and pedestrian walkways. The community has a variety of luxury hotels, casinos, upscale shops and fine dining restaurants. The beautiful beaches line the sparkling Caribbean. You can’t see San Juan without a visit to the Bacardi Rum Factory. On your guided walk thru, learn about the history of the business, how the rum is made and the Bacardi family, through a video and a company guide. Enjoy 2 complimentary rum drinks and have the opportunity to purchase some bottles of delicious rum. You'll spend about 1 - 1.5 hour in the Bacardi Factory. Time permitting you can do some shopping or sightseeing on your own before returning to your private guide returns you to your Puerto Rico cruise terminal.
