pdc2013

There are plenty of cabs right outside the terminals. If you do not choose to tour i would just walk up the first for it approx 10 minute walk. El Morro is about another 10 min after that depending how fast you walk. I like to drink and eat so i bought a package and spent the day at the beach. I really liked it and was not expensive!

We will be in SJ noon - 9pm with a large group of 25+ with ages 10-75. Any suggestions? We were thinking a sunset cruise might be nice since we will be there after dark. But they seem to be fairly expensive at $60-95pp for a 1.5-2 hour boat ride. Also trying to find something to do during the day. Need suggestions. Thanks.

 

 

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Good time of the day, buy a package and go to the beach!

Was this the waterfall that is alongside the road? Not the one you have to hike into?

We took our time at the falls but if i remember it took at least 5 hours with the hike. We were taken to the visitors center and after 5 minutes i asked to continue on. Might be good for some but i was more interested in other things, by skipping the center we were able to also hike to another fall and pool.

Might do that, but was really looking for a package that includes hiking up the falls with guides. Will do the beach another day as we'll be there several days. Wondered if anyone had done any of the tours.

I just let someone else know about the Rainforest in another thread and saw a new tour that was put up by a company i have used in the past. Here is the link https://puertoricocruiseexcursions.com/excursion/san-juan-canopy-zip-line-excursion/

They do a Zipline combo tour beach or rainforest. I did rainforest and Loquilo beach. Wish this was available when i was there last.

You have plenty of time, on your own or with a tour.

What touring companies did you use, as we are staying a couple days after our Cruise to specifically do this.

The website is Puerto Rico Cruise excursion here is the link to the tour. Pretty easy to find them.

https://puertoricocruiseexcursions.com/excursion/san-juan-rainforest-el-yunque-la-mina-waterfall-excursion/

Since your staying maybe you can tour to the airport like i did!

If you book let me know how it went. Just would like to know if their service is still good, want to use them again when i return.

Thanks for replying. We think a hike should be much better, but hope to hear confirmation from someone who did it.

 

Happy Thanksgiving

I have done the hike and is pretty nice. What was great was when i entered the water and walked under the fall. That was what i liked the most!

I used the same company for all my tours, were the least expensive out there. That said i did a private tour and did pay a little more but was still way less than the other quotes i got. The best pat was they kept my luggage for us during our trip which saved us alot of time.

I would appreciate any feedback on the 5 hour El Yunque excursion offered by NCL (there is also a shorter one). I am sure roughly half the tour is spent on the bus; is the other half worthwhile? Thanks

I figure one is a drive through and the other with the hike to the water fall.

Not sure if just a drive is worth it if you have the time.

I remember seeing one right at the beginning of Fortaleza street just afet another restaurant that is called Dragon fly i think. Looked very nice.

If you are limited on time i would skip the visitors center, unless you need a bathroom stop.

Definitely do La MIna and their is one more that takes you to a pool and another small fall but do not remember what it is called. I am sure the rangers will tell you if you ask.

Their is a sheraton in Old Town and for sure they will store your luggage. Not sure though if you need to be a client.

You can also tour from the airport, get picked up, have a tour of Old San Juan and the forts till you are able to drop your luggage off at your ship. Great for people with mobility issues. Once you drop your luggage off if your not tired arriving so early you still have most of the afternoon to explore more of the city. You can do the same thing on departure day.

if walking is your thing Definitely drop off your bags and spend as much time in SJ, so worth it. You can also book a tour with an airport drop off and i figure most guides hold your luggage for you.

There are a few cool bars right on Fortaleza street that come to life at about happy hour, Walk around you will see many

I have seen many people with mobility issues all around the Old Town and in the fort. If i am not mistaken there is an elevator in the fort, so you could probably see most of it!

I have only used one company to tour in PR, island marketing. They did a great job. Here is a link to their site https://puertoricocruiseexcursions.com/excursions/

I am sure there are many out there, have read about of few here on this board.

I really didn't like the ones that are hustling you right off the pier.

I tried one of their 1 hour tours (tried to save some money) but was left wanting, then i had a real guide and what i learned was VERY different. I really did not need to know, that all american chains are there or liters versus gallons. I wanted to learn about the history of san Juan.

Island marketing has a great beach package as well.

Unless a pool is important to you, great beach, food and drinks too.

You are very welcome.

 

 

 

Hmm, I wonder why they denied you access to the pool? We did ask (instead of just going in) and they just said "sure, have fun". The pool wasn't anything spectacular or big, but it was a nice way to end the day and our little one was so happy that she was able to do some actual swimming and wear her mermaid tail so it made the day. :)

I am not sure either but, i am glad it worked for you:-)

Really was not a big deal, was such a small pool, i enjoyed the beach very much and the all inclusive package was more than worth it. left very happy after the drinks:-)

Same time frame for our Carnival cruise this summer. Been there 4 or 5 times. Done the rainforest, the forts, a city tour. Wish there was a beach people raved about close by. Any other ideas for a morning 3 or 4 hour private tour anyone?

There are beach to go to like Isla Verde or Escambron both minutes away.

Shame about the time arrival and departure. You can always by a day pass.

We are going to San Juan from 7-1pm. Wondering what the best beach would be that will be nearby and offer restrooms and beach chairs/umbrellas. Possibly refreshments. They offer some excursions through the cruise line but it seems a bit pricy for a trip to the beach. What would an average bus or taxi ride cost? Thank you!

Isla verde is a great beach to go and hang out. Escambron is another local beach but hit and miss with things open to buy to drink and eat.

Loquillo is great if your going that way otherwise way to far.

We are staying 2 nights pre cruise at the end of November(weekend after Thanksgiving) We are debating between these 2 hotels. Our group is all adults and 2 young kids ages 5 and 10. Thanks in advance for any help or advise.

Caribe Hilton for sure especially with the 2 young kids.

Great information! How did you like it ?

She wrote more in this thread

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2275417

So we had our day at Numero Uno Beach Club (or Pamela's as they call it, which is the name of the restaurant).

 

It was a decent day there. The ocean was a little rough and it went from cloudy to sunny off and on during the day.

 

The staff was EXCELLENT with bringing us drinks and checking up on us. They provided my young daughter with sand toys to play with (free of charge) and they also allowed us to swim in their pool. Super nice people and I would definitely recommend them based on our experience that day.

 

Anyone wanting to read my full review, it's listed in my signature line and there's TONS of pictures from the place. :)

It was my experience too! Only thing when i was there they specifically told me that i could not get into the pool. Didn't bother me because i am a beach person but wierd.

I was there 2 weeks ago. The place was good, not fantastic. A beach with chairs, umbrellas and 6 drinks and a few choices for lunch for $45 is pretty good. The beach is huge and very public, but because it is so big there plenty of room for all.

 

As far as the price goes, here is what I did. The bill was a total of $180 for 4 adults. I know they like cash, because as in any business, cash is king. I went to pay our balance of $140 on a CC by mistake and the owner said cash only when he was standing right next to a CC machine. I said OK, cash with no tax? He was more than happy to do it.

 

I will be going back next time as there are not many beach options in San Jaun.

I too had a conversations about the credit card payment. What i was told is had nothing to do about the taxes but about the credit card service fee of %5. that hey get hit for customers using the card. That is how island marketing got a great deal on the package. I spent about a week in PR and if i ate, drank and rented the chairs and umbrellas on the beach it cost over $70.00. I found it more than worth it. I also went to another beach club in Isla Verde called la plage and i spent a fortune for worst food and service. $10 dollar drinks killed us.

I am trying to find what hotels or resorts offer day rooms or passes.

We will have about 6 hours post cruise in November and we are looking for ideas or places to spend time.

I just finished helping someone on another thread about another pass through Puertoricocruiseexcursions.

Hope this helps

Thank you so much for this information. I figured that's what you meant about taking the chairs up. I will still have a good time.

 

I believe that sunset is at 6:37pm and would love to watch the sunset from the beach. Can you see it from where you are at or does the sun set on the opposite side of the island?

 

Thanks for the pricing on the taxi. I'm hoping that is for the taxi itself and not per person (we will have 2 adults and 1 child). Do they just call you a taxi when you are ready to leave or do you need to make prior arrangements with the taxi that dropped you off? How long does it take to get there? Do you feel that it was safe to be there after dark? Or should we actually head back before that and forego watching the sunset from there?

 

Thanks for the clarification on the tax. Do you pay this at the time of arrival when you pay your balance? For instance if it cost $45 for a person to go there, then add 15% on top of that, then you will pay a total of $51.75 each person and paid at arrival. Correct? (Just making sure because we have booked places before that said they charge ___% gratuity and after going there, there was nothing added unless it was something we purchased above and beyond what the package included...for instance additional drinks).

You will dont worry, i was there during high season maybe if your there when its not as busy things might be different.

It is per taxi and yes they will call one for you! I asked for my taxi 30 minutes before i really needed to leave and t was there within 10 minutes, came too fast. I got there in about 10-15 minutes its just outside Old San Juan.

No make sure to stay for the sunset! It sets just behind some hotels but i found it beautiful. The light of the sky with the lights from all the hotels was really pretty. I found the beach very safe everyone just sitting outside watching the dusk happen. I found it more than safe!

If i am not mistaken the tip is added to your final price not the tour price.

Oh ok. So when we check in and pay the amount remaining (say the $90, shown above, due after paying the deposit) then if you don't buy any additional food or drinks not included in the package, then before you leave they are going to come and ask for their 15% of $17.55 on the total $117.00? (Just using the example above that someone posted). It just seems weird to me instead of just letting us tip how we feel or just adding it in to the total price that you give them in the beginning.

 

I'm only questioning it because I have booked with places before that also stated there was a 15% gratuity added to the bill and we only paid the balance and they never ask for the 15% at any other time. We end up tipping at our discretion at the end to whoever served us. :cool:

I hate paying for a tip in advance as well. When i asked why i was told that most people just do not leave a %15 tip, either they are Europeans or just think that they do not need to.

You will pay the remaining balance upon arrival at the front desk in total. Unless you think you will pass your budget and leave a credit card with them as i did.