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Explore Veracruz

Tickets for Castle of San Juan de Ulúa: Guided Tour

Travel back in time & explore the history of Veracruz's most notorious building

Flexible ticket: cancellable up to 24 hours before visit date (if selected)

Instant ticket delivery

Starting time: 12:00

Duration: 3 hours

Live guide: English, Spanish

Smartphone tickets accepted

You're good to go!

Health and safety measures are in place so you can enjoy culture with confidence.

Overview

Highlights

Join a group of explorers for a fun and insightful return trip to San Juan de Ulúa from Veracruz
Take a guided walk around the ancient fortress and learn how it went from a grain storage area to being one of the country's most feared prisons
Find out firsthand what occurred in the most storied prison in Mexico, where legends of Mexican bandits were born (for a good reason!)

Description

For almost 350 years, the San Juan de Ulúa Fort in Veracruz served as the main military stronghold of the Spanish Empire in the Americas. Step back in time with a guide on a fascinating return trip from Veracruz, and get the lowdown on a historic site that has been a colonial fort, a presidential palace, a prison, and more!

You wouldn't have wanted to be at San Juan de Ulúa 300 years ago. This impressive fortress was originally constructed using a mortar made of oyster shells, turtle eggs, sand, and salt water, but its prison cells held far scarier things.

Dive into the facts and legends surrounding one of the oldest fortresses in the Gulf of Mexico with a knowledgeable local guide. Find out how it's linked to some of the region's greatest historical events, and how it went from being used for grain storage to holding some of the country's most feared prisoners.

Check out the salt-stained walls, soak up the historic atmosphere, and be glad you're allowed to walk out!

Ticket

Points of interest

Venues you'll visit:

Entrance for San Juan de Ulúa

What's included

Tour from Plaza Acuario to the San Juan de Ulúa fortress

Admission to San Juan de Ulúa

Guided tour in Spanish or English (English-speaking for an additional fee, to be selected when booking)

What's not included

Tram transport from the meeting point to the fortress (available to purchase onsite)

Passenger care insurance

Gratuities and other optional personal expenses

Tour itinerary (subject to weather & traffic conditions):

12:00: Board the tram outside Plaza Acuario
12:30: Transfer to San Juan de Ulúa
13:05: Arrival at the fortress
13:20: Start guided tour inside the fort
14:20: End of guided tour
14:50: Board the tram back to Plaza Acuario
15:20: Arrival at Plaza Acuario

Amendment policy

Changes may be possible for this ticket

Instructions

Starting point

Plaza Acuario de Veracruz, Boulevard Manuel Ávila Camacho, Ricardo Flores Magón, 91700, Veracruz

San Juan de Ulúa

Camino Escénico a San Juan de Ulúa S/N, Manuel Contreras, 91891, Veracruz

Show your smartphone voucher to the guide at the meeting point, Plaza Acuario de Veracruz
Customers need to be at the meeting point at 12:00 sharp!