Taste Old San Juan & La Perla: 4-Course Local Food & History Tour

5.0 (24 reviews) Puerto Rico
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Duration3h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 8 travelers

Overview

Discover the real flavors and history of Puerto Rico on an authentic food walking tour through Old San Juan and the iconic community of La Perla.

Led by a certified Puerto Rican guide, this small-group experience blends delicious local cuisine with the stories that shaped the island.

As we explore the colorful streets of Old San Juan, you’ll learn about the Taíno, African, and Spanish influences behind Puerto Rican food.

We’ll stop at locally owned spots to taste classics like mofongo, arroz con habichuelas, tostones, alcapurrias or empanadillas, and Puerto Rican coffee, paired with island drinks.

The highlight of the tour is La Perla, the colorful oceanfront neighborhood known worldwide as the filming location of Despacito. Here we’ll dine at a local restaurant with stunning ocean views, walk along the malecón, and learn about the history of this resilient community.

This experience supports local businesses while offering a deeper look at the real culture of Puerto Rico.

What's included

  • A traditional tasting of mofongo with amarillos, tostones, and rice and beans.
  • A piña colada, a mojito, and a pitorro shot or local beer (non-alcoholic options available).
  • 100% Puerto Rican coffee or tea
  • A tasting of classic Puerto Rican fritters including alcapurrias or empanadillas.

What to expect

  1. Plaza de la Catedral
    10m · Admission ticket included
    Begin the tour in the heart of Old San Juan at Plaza de la Catedral, one of the oldest and most historic plazas in the city. Here we’ll take a few minutes to introduce ourselves, get to know the group, and set the stage for the experience ahead. While surrounded by centuries-old architecture, you’ll learn about the origins of Old San Juan and the role this plaza has played in the city’s history.
  2. Pass by
    Learn the history of catedral San Juan Bautista.
  3. 30m · Admission ticket included
    Step inside the historic Hotel El Convento, a beautifully preserved former convent that dates back to the 1600s. Here we’ll visit a coffee shop and local food market located inside the hotel to enjoy Puerto Rican coffee while learning about the island’s agricultural traditions, including coffee, sugarcane, and tobacco.
  4. 30m · Admission ticket included
    Learn about the favorite drink of the pirates! Have a FREE mojito and try the delicious alcapurria. (Local puertorican Fritter)
  5. Calle San Sebastian
    10m · Admission ticket included
    End the tour on Calle San Sebastián, one of the most lively and historic streets in Old San Juan. Here we’ll wrap up the experience with a refreshing mojito, while learning about the famous Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, the largest cultural festival in the Caribbean.
  6. 1h 20m
    Visit the iconic oceanfront community of La Perla, located just outside the historic city walls. This is where we’ll enjoy our main Puerto Rican food tasting, dining at a beautiful local restaurant with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Taste traditional comida criolla such as mofongo while learning how Taíno, African, and Spanish influences shaped Puerto Rican cuisine. We’ll also walk along La Perla’s famous malecón, hear the story of this unique neighborhood, and see Old San Juan’s historic walls from a completely different perspective.
  7. 15m
    Stop on this lively street to taste traditional Puerto Rican fritters such as alcapurrias or empanadillas while enjoying a cold local beer and learning about the island’s vibrant street food culture.
  8. Castillo San Felipe del Morro
    Pass by
    As we make our way toward La Perla, we’ll pass by the famous Castillo San Felipe del Morro, one of the most iconic fortresses in the Caribbean and part of the San Juan National Historic Site. Along the walk you’ll enjoy views of the dramatic coastline and see other historic landmarks that help tell the story of Old San Juan.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Plaza de la Catedral
153 Calle del Cristo
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Please meet your guide in Plaza de la Catedral, directly in front of the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. Your guide will be waiting next to the large tree in the center of the plaza, wearing a gray shirt with the Bori Local Tours logo.

End point

End point:
Calle San Sebastián
San Juan, Puerto Rico

The tour ends on Calle San Sebastián, one of the most vibrant streets in Old San Juan, where guests can continue exploring nearby bars, restaurants, and historic sites.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

5.0 (24)
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Operated by Bori Local Tours · Booked through Viator
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