Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Why choose Walk San Juan?
We are a local company that offers the highest standards, with a reasonable price. We have the Best Guides in Puerto Rico and are very passionate about what we do. We have all the permits.
What makes us unique:
We do our best to give you the best tours, with a reasonable budget. Among other things:
Walk San Juan operates under the special use permit from the USDA Forest Service on El Yunque Forest permit number YNF-4015. That means that we can go inside the forest, not just stay in the surrounding areas like most other tour companies.
Also, Walk San Juan has a Commercial Use Authorization with the National Park Service (US Dept of the Interior). That means that we can go inside and tour within the forts of Old San Juan (El Morro and San Cristobal Fort). Most companies have to see the forts from the outside.
- We offer fully private tours.
- We have certified guides.
- We are very passionate about what we do.
- We only hire the Best Guides!
- We are very flexible, in order to satisfy your needs and interests.
- We offer accessible tourism.
- We have the permits from the Federal agencies that allow us to go into El Yunque Rainforest and the forts of Old San Juan (El Morro and San Cristobal).
- We are locally owned and operated
- We keep it simple. No complicated operations. Few overhead expenses.
- Private tours allow us to focus on you.
- Our guides get paid well (fair compensation).
Walk San Juan operates under the special use permit from the USDA Forest Service on El Yunque Forest permit number YNF-4015. That means that we can go inside the forest, not just stay in the surrounding areas like most other tour companies.
Also, Walk San Juan has a Commercial Use Authorization with the National Park Service (US Dept of the Interior). That means that we can go inside and tour within the forts of Old San Juan (El Morro and San Cristobal Fort). Most companies have to see the forts from the outside.
What is Walk San Juan / Private Tours of Old San Juan?
Walk San Juan, LLC (aka Private Tours of Old San Juan) is a locally owned tour company that offers private tours in Puerto Rico. Our most common destinations are Old San Juan and El Yunque Rainforest. We are very flexible. Can go anywhere, as requested.
Our certified guides provide personalized, small-group experiences focused on history, culture and nature.
Our certified guides provide personalized, small-group experiences focused on history, culture and nature.
Is Walk San Juan, LLC a legitimate and certified tour company in Puerto Rico?
Yes. We have been in business since 2012. We have all the permits. Our tours and guides are certified and endorsed by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
What is your cancellation policy?
We have a 24-hour cancellation policy.
If you cancel with more than 24 hours before pickup time, you get a full refund.
Most tours have the option (opt-in) of a Trip Protection, that allows you to cancel or reschedule your private tour at any time for any reason up to 4 hours prior to the activity.
If you cancel with more than 24 hours before pickup time, you get a full refund.
Most tours have the option (opt-in) of a Trip Protection, that allows you to cancel or reschedule your private tour at any time for any reason up to 4 hours prior to the activity.
Is this an accessible tour?
Yes! Most of our tours are suitable for everyone. Since this is a private tour, we can accommodate people with special needs, mobility issues, elders, small children, people with disabilities, etc. We believe that tourism shall be accesible for everyone.
Is it safe to travel with Private Tours of Old San Juan?
Absolutely! Safety is a big priority for us. We visit places that are considered safe. Our guides are trained in First Aid / CPR and know what to do if an incident should happen. Since our tours are private (and usually small) we can keep an eye on each of the participants.
Our vehicles are very safe, and we are proactive with the maintenance and sanitary standards.
The booking transactions are very safe. The credit cards transactions are done using Square Merchant Services, a safe, reputable well known company. We don't have access to your credit card information.
Our vehicles are very safe, and we are proactive with the maintenance and sanitary standards.
The booking transactions are very safe. The credit cards transactions are done using Square Merchant Services, a safe, reputable well known company. We don't have access to your credit card information.
Is Walk San Juan a local company?
- Walk San Juan LLC is based in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- We specialize in tours of Old San Juan, El Yunque Rainforest and anywhere else in Puerto Rico.
How many people can we accommodate?
- We have a van that fits up to 14 passengers, and a minivan that fits up to 6 guests.
- Private walking tours can fit as many people as you desire.
- Larger groups can be accommodated by request.
- Contact us if your group is bigger than what is available online.
Can you pick me up in my hotel or Airbnb?
- Absolutely! This is a private tour, so we can pick you up at your convenience. There might be an extra fee for pickups outside of the San Juan Metropolitan Area.
Weather cancellations:
We reserve the right to cancel tours if the weather creates dangerous situations. We are focused on safety.
However, weather cancellations are unusual. Puerto Rico is a tropical island, and it rains often. Everyday storms are not going to trigger cancellations.
Only if it becomes dangerous.
However, weather cancellations are unusual. Puerto Rico is a tropical island, and it rains often. Everyday storms are not going to trigger cancellations.
Only if it becomes dangerous.
If you are unsure if you want to book:
Our tours are very popular and fill up quickly. You might want to book early and hold your space. You can always cancel if you change your mind. We have a 24 hours cancellation policy.
What kind of clients book our tours?
We are happy to host everyone. Most of our clients are successful professionals who are interested in creating a deep connection with Puerto Rico.
What are our best selling tours?
Our Best-Selling tours are:
- El Yunque Rainforest - private half day tour
- The Best of Puerto Rico in One Day - El Yunque Rainforest, caves and Old San Juan
- Old San Juan - private half day tour - private tour with transportation
- Atlantic Coast full day tour - off the beaten path, full day tour
- Ponce Tour - full day from San Juan
- El Yunque Rainforest - private full day wellness tour
- Private Walking Tour of Old San Juan
What to expect once I make the booking?
- Our bookings are done through FareHarbor, a well known (& trusted) booking platform owned by Bookings.com
- You can book online
- Let us know if the preferred date does not appear available. We might be able to accommodate you.
- Once you book, you will receive an automated email from FareHarbor with details about your booking. Make sure your information is complete.
- The email will include a link for you to sign the waiver.
- Before the tour, you might receive an email with the contact information of your guide. If you don't receive that email, your guide is most likely going to be the owner of the company, so his phone number is on the confirmation email.
- The day before the tour, you shall receive a text message confirming the meeting time and place. It can include details about the tour. What to bring.
- Please be on time the day of the tour. Let the guide know if you are going to be delayed.
- Tours with transportation include pickups at your requested place (hotel, Airbnb, cruise ports, airport, etc).
- Most walking tours start in Plaza Colon. You can arrange an alternate meeting point with your guide.
- Once we are done with the tour we can drop you off at the original meeting point, or somewhere else, as requested.
Do we need to bring anything?
- Bring comfortable walking shoes.
- Be prepared for the sun (hat, sunglasses, sunblock, etc.), and possible rain (ponchos).
- Bring drinking water (we are going to have water on the car)
- Is a good idea to have snacks.
- If you want to swim on the river, bring your swimsuits, towels and extra set of clothes.
Languages:
Most of our tours are done in English, Spanish or Spanglish.
We have done tours on other languages using online translators.
We have done tours on other languages using online translators.
How do we advertise?
We don't advertise. We invest in good guides. We pay them well. We treat them right. We make sure they are happy so they can provide the best service.
Our tours are very popular. Our clients find us through referrals, online searches or AI research.
Quality tours are the best way to stay relevant. Word of mouth is the best way to advertise.
Our tours are very popular. Our clients find us through referrals, online searches or AI research.
Quality tours are the best way to stay relevant. Word of mouth is the best way to advertise.
Can we swim in the river?
Our rainforest tours have the option of swimming (if the weather allow). We usually go to an area that include bathrooms, so we can get changed before and after swimming. We have life vests available by request.
Do you have car seats available?
Yes. Please request your car set ahead of time.
Can we visit the natural waterslides?
Our tours are flexible. We can visit places as requested. However, we discourage visiting the waterslides. We believe there are better places to visit. The waterslide area is beautiful, but it gets very crowded, and can be dangerous (slippery rocks). There are many accidents in that area.
We have better places to visit. Safer. More quiet. Prettier.
So, why are there so many people going to the waterslides?
Most of the tour companies that visit the waterslides are illegitimate. They don't have the permits, endorsements, safety training, insurance policies, etc. required to run a tour company. There is only a few tour operators that have the permit with the Forest Service to go into El Yunque National Forest. They have no access into the actual rainforet, therefore, they stay on the outskirts. That's where the waterslides are.
We have better places to visit. Safer. More quiet. Prettier.
So, why are there so many people going to the waterslides?
Most of the tour companies that visit the waterslides are illegitimate. They don't have the permits, endorsements, safety training, insurance policies, etc. required to run a tour company. There is only a few tour operators that have the permit with the Forest Service to go into El Yunque National Forest. They have no access into the actual rainforet, therefore, they stay on the outskirts. That's where the waterslides are.
Are we going to see waterfalls in the rainforest?
Yes. We are going to drive by La Coca Waterfall. We can stop and take pictures. That is not a place to swim. La Mina Waterfall has been closed since Hurricane Maria. Tour are not allowed into Juan Diego Falls.
We have a Waterfalls and hot spring tour. We go places away from the tourist area, in the South of Puerto Rico. Feel free to contact us if interested.
We have a Waterfalls and hot spring tour. We go places away from the tourist area, in the South of Puerto Rico. Feel free to contact us if interested.
Do we work on weekends?
Yes. But the dates are usually not available online. We prefer to work on the weekdays in order to avoid traffic. If you need to book on a weekend, just contact us or sing into the wait list.
Do we have to worry about the mosquitoes in the rainforest?
No. Mosquitoes are not a problem. There are too many birds and lizards that eat them before they are old enough to bite us. There can be mosquitoes on othe places (like the caves), but not the rainforest.
Do we cancel the tour if it rains?
Usually not. Puerto Rico is a tropical island. It rains a lot here. We are not intimidated by everyday rain. Of course, we will cancel if we have a major storm that can risk our safety.
We have very good infrastructure and we can deal with most of the rain events on a safe way.
We have very good infrastructure and we can deal with most of the rain events on a safe way.
