San Juan Rum Tour Review: History, Cocktails & Old Town Charm at Night
If you’re cruising to San Juan and your ship stays late—or even better, overnight—you need to check out this flavorful, fun, and surprisingly educational evening tour.
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I booked the Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan available through Viator before my cruise, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable nights of the entire trip. It’s an evening walking tour through Old San Juan that blends handcrafted cocktails, Puerto Rican rum history, and interesting local bars into one unforgettable experience.
The tour is operated by Flavors of San Juan, a local company known for their top-rated food and drink tours. On Viator, it's listed as the Rum Craft Cocktail Tour, but Flavors calls it the Rum Runners Craft Cocktails Tour™. Same great experience—just two names depending on where you book.
Here’s a tip: when I first tried to book, the Viator tour was sold out. I reached out directly to Flavors, and they were able to add another tour group so I (and my friends) could book the tour! I even met fellow cruisers during the tour who became fast friends onboard. That little bit of extra effort turned into one of the most memorable nights of my cruise!
Table of Contents
✅ Quick Glance: Tour Highlights
- Tour Name on Viator: Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan
- Also Known As: Rum Runners Craft Cocktails Tour™ (Flavors Food Tours)
- Length: ~2.5 hours
- Time of Day: Evening (starts around 5–6 PM)
- Includes: 3–4 cocktails, guided walk, stories about San Juan and rum
- Best For: Adults 21+, cruisers in port late, solo travelers and small groups
- Cruise Tip: Great if your ship stays in San Juan until at least 8 PM
🍍 What to Expect on the Tour
This isn’t your typical bar crawl—it’s a guided walk through Old San Juan with delicious cocktails and fun stories along the way.
You’ll stop at a few local bars where expert bartenders mix up creative drinks made with Puerto Rican rum. Each drink has a story, and your guide shares the history behind rum in Puerto Rico, how it's made, and why it's such a big part of the island’s culture. It’s the perfect mix of sightseeing, sipping, and storytelling.
One of my favorite parts? We learned about the true origin of the piña colada—San Juan’s most famous drink. There’s even a friendly rivalry between Barrachina and the Caribe Hilton over who invented it. Our guide gave us the scoop, and I loved that little slice of cocktail history. (You can also read more from Discover Puerto Rico.)
Between stops, you’ll stroll through beautiful cobblestone streets, admire the colorful buildings, and enjoy the cool energy of Old San Juan at night. The vibe is laid back, the pace is easy, and the drinks? So good.
🍍 My Experience on the Tour
The tour started just before sunset, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The streets were glowing, the bars were buzzing, and our small group felt more like new friends than strangers.
🍫 Casa Cortés ChocoBar – A Sweet Surprise
My favorite stop? Casa Cortés ChocoBar. Yes, cocktails and chocolate! Everything here had a little cocoa twist, from the ingredients to the garnishes. I didn’t get a full meal, but the menu looked amazing. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
🎸 El Batey – Gritty, Cool, and Full of Stories
Another highlight was El Batey. It’s a tiny dive bar with walls full of graffiti, dim lights, and rock ‘n’ roll history (the Rolling Stones even visited!). It’s not fancy—but it’s got soul.
🍽️ Local Tips from Our Guide
Our guide didn’t just lead us from bar to bar—they gave us great dinner recommendations and pointed out other spots to check out while we were in town. That local advice? Priceless.
👍 What I Liked (and What I Didn’t)
✔️ What I Liked:
- Delicious, creative cocktails with a local twist
- Chocolate and rum at Casa Cortés? Yes, please
- Dive bar vibes at El Batey with cool history
- Friendly, knowledgeable guide
- Easy walking pace
- Perfect for cruisers staying overnight
- Small group vibe made it feel more personal
🤷♀️ What I Didn’t:
Honestly? Nothing. If you enjoy cocktails and a bit of walking, this is your tour.
Before we dive into insider tips, if you love sipping your way through a destination like I do, you might also enjoy my post on 10 Must-Try Drinks on Virgin Voyages. Their cocktail game is next-level and totally worth a look if you're sailing with them!
🍹 Insider Tips for the Rum Craft Cocktail Tour
- 🕔 Make sure your ship stays in port late (8 PM or later)
- 🌐 Book early on Viator—it can sell out fast
- 👣 Wear comfy shoes for cobblestone streets
- 💵 Bring cash for tips
- 🍴 Plan to grab dinner before or after the tour
- 🧑🤝🧑 Be social—you might make new cruise friends!
❓ FAQ: What You Need to Know
Is this tour cruise-friendly?
Yes, as long as your ship is in port late. Most evening tours start around 5–6 PM and wrap up in time for an 8–9 PM return.
Can I go if it's sold out on Viator?
Yes—try contacting Flavors of San Juan directly. That’s how I got in!
How much walking is involved?
About half a mile on cobblestone streets. It’s a relaxed pace but wear good shoes.
What if I don't drink alcohol? This is an alcohol related tour, however, you can always contact the tour operator to see if mocktails are an option.
Is food included?
No food is served during this tour, just drinks. You’ll want to eat before or after.
What about vegetarians or vegans?
Since it's a cocktail-only tour, dietary needs aren’t really an issue. But let your guide know if you're avoiding specific ingredients.
How big is the group?
It’s a small group tour, which makes it feel personal and interactive.
If you're into food-and-drink-focused excursions, you might also want to check out my St. Lucia Food and Rum Tour Review. It's another flavorful experience with a fun local twist, and totally worth adding to your Caribbean cruise bucket list!
Shore To Cruise Tour Review
Tour Name: Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan
How It Was Booked: Direct with Flavors after Viator was sold out
Cost Of Tour: $64.99
Ease of Booking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Clarity of Instructions: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value for the Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Guide Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Would I Book Again? Absolutely!
Tips: Book early, wear comfy shoes, bring cash for tips, eat before or after.
📝 Final Thoughts: Should You Book This Tour?
Between the island’s deep rum roots, the seriously good cocktails, and the charm of Old San Juan lit up at night, this tour was the perfect way to kick off my trip.
It wasn’t just about the drinks—it was about the stories, the laughs, the people we met (who became cruise buddies!), and learning why rum means so much to Puerto Rico. I’d do it again in a heartbeat—and probably squeeze in another visit to ChocoBar too!
➡️ Book It Here: Rum Craft Cocktail Tour on Viator
✨ More San Juan Cruise Tips Coming Soon:
- [Top 10 Food & Drink Tours in San Juan]
- [One Day in San Juan: A Cruise-Friendly Itinerary]
- [Top Things to Do in San Juan on a Cruise]
- [Best Shore Excursions in San Juan]
- [Where to Stay in San Juan Before Your Cruise]
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