Academic Teacher-Guided Tour

Castillo De San Marcos National Monument Tours

This ticket is used for academic institutions performing an educator guided tour with no commercial tour company. Academic fee waiver requests must be submitted no later than 3 weeks prior to arrival to be processed and approved. Academic Fee Waiver request information is available on our website. Academic Fee Waiver Requests . Note that if an academic fee waiver is not received and approved prior to the tour date, the entry fee of $15 per person ages 16 and over will be charged . Note: The $10 reservation fee is non-refundable and not covered by the Academic Fee Waiver.

Reservations made by commercial tour companies under this tour type will be cancelled.

Visiting “Teacher-led” means your students will tour the fort under your supervision, instead of exploring with a licensed tour guide. It is your responsibility to prepare your students and their accompanying chaperones for the visit. To assist you, the park has put together field trip guidance for your visit: Teacher-led School Group Visits . It is also the responsibility of the teacher/chaperone to ensure appropriate student behavior while visiting Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.  

Note that each group/reservation has a maximum of 38 people (students and adults). If your group is larger you will need to book more reservations. Reminder: Due to high demand there is a limited number of reservation times available. Please plan accordingly.

The park has also put together Pre and Post Field Trip activities. Pre and Post Field Trip Activities 

Select a date to see a list of times

Need to Know

• Academic Fee Waiver

  Academic Fee Waiver 

  Bona fide educational institutions including K-12 schools, universities and colleges, and other special education programs are required to apply for an academic fee waiver to have entrance fees waived. Fee waiver applications must be received and approved 3 weeks prior to your arrival date. Please see our web site for more information. 

  Note that if academic fee waiver information is not received or not approved, full price will be charged PRIOR TO VISIT. These fees are $15 for adults (16 and over) and a $1 processing fee for each student (15 years old and younger). All student groups must accompanied by a teacher/chaperone (6 students per 1 chaperone minimum for K-12 groups and 1 chaperone per group for college student groups).  Note: The $10 reservation fee is non-refundable and not covered by the Academic Fee Waiver.  

• Group Size

  Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 38 people including students and chaperones.

• Duration of Tour

  Your allotted time inside the fort is 30 minutes. It is recommended that you also plan for an additional 30 minutes of exploration on the outside of the fort. No reservation is needed for exploring the outside of the fort. 

• Ticket Validation

  Please be prepared to show a copy of your confirmation with QR code before entry.

• Arrival Time

  Allow for extra time to gather your group and perform your safety talk prior to entry. Time inside the fort is limited to 30 minutes. Arriving late takes away from that 30 minutes of time on the interior of the fort. Due to limited time in the fort, it is recommended that groups visit restrooms BEFORE arriving at Castillo de San Marcos. 

  Note: All reservation groups must remain together during the inside visit to Castillo de San Marcos. 

• No Reentry

  There is no re-entry into the fort once your group has left at the end of the tour. Due to limited time in the fort, it is recommended that groups visit restrooms BEFORE arriving at Castillo de San Marcos. Several public restrooms are available near the fort at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center. Visitor Information Center - Restrooms 

• No Pets

  Pets are prohibited inside the fort. Service animals that meet the definition under the Americans with Disabilities Act are permitted.

• Accessibility

  The lower level of the fort and most rooms are accessible. The upper level, called the terreplein, is not wheelchair/scooter accessible and has 47 steps to reach that level. 

• Pre & Post Activities

  Pre and Post Visit Activities      

  The park has also put together Pre and Post Field Trip activities.

• Commercial Tour Companies

  This ticket type is intended for academic institutions or teachers making reservations for their group and submitting accompanying fee wavier documents. Reservations made by commercial tour companies under this ticket type will be cancelled.

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