helensobol

Have you looked at Copacabana?   I have been considering this place given they have a Tarzan boat as an additional option for kids. 

Thanks so much for this review.   It was nicely written and informative. 

For what is and isn't open.  Use this site:  http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/el-yunque-post-maria/

I'm also looking for food recommendations.    

I have logged additional places people recommended on other posts:

1. Triana Tapas & Flamenco  (dinner show available)

2. Concha Fiori- Elevated Puerto Rican food 

On 2/3/2019 at 4:16 PM, Laney219 said:

Yes please come back with any information you can regarding the taxi/shuttle situation. 
The private company I found charged $30/2 people for chairs, umbrella and transportation. Waiting to hear back if they still have that same offer. If they get back to me, I will share as it may be easier for you. But everything now has the turtle snorkel attached to it. Have already done that so just want to float in the gorgeous blue water. 

 

FYI  - I saw this available on Viator last week.  

On 2/5/2019 at 12:24 PM, LittleYiaYia said:

 

I am not the OP but we were in an ocean view on Empress and had to ask the room steward to bring us a hair dryer.  Also, not a lot of shelving in the bathroom, so plan ahead.  Our magnetic hooks did not work on the walls of the cabin, only the inside of the bathroom door. 

Did you have to ask them to bring it every time you wanted the dryer?  or did they just leave it for the whole time? 

Silly Question but was there a hair dryer in your room? 

On 1/29/2019 at 4:43 PM, Banana15 said:

Did you ever get to do the Trikes excursion?

I emailed the trikes group and they told me that Trikes in St Marteen was officially closed.   Quote from the email back in November  😞 I was extremely sad about this!

 'Hi Helen, Thanks for your comments we did open St Maarten lasta year but the Hurricane Maria did a big damage on the Island and we are closed as of today there. We will move St Maarten Trikes to Dominican Republic. So sorry"  

On 2/3/2019 at 9:52 AM, blue_water said:

Yes, taking taxis is not inexpensive for a family of 4, no discounts for children makes it even less tolerable. But the cost is not that much if you consider the ease and flexibility. Renting a car is attractive to many if the taxi cost is a major concern. You can also take one of the shared cookie cutter tours like that mentioned that hit MT and Magens if you don't mind being part of the group, they may or may not choose Magens for the beach. You just sacrifice your flexibility for the cost, but the savings may be worth it to you?

What are the taxi fares? $7 - $8pp each leg?

Taxi fare per person ranges now from 8-15 depending on the distance.      Taxi minimum cost is already 128 dollars.    I would suggest a car rental then you can spend all the time wherever you want.   A 4 door jeep rental is 100 dollars (all taxes included).  

In Cozumel.. look at the Trikes tour.  It was one of the best excursions I have been on. 

19 hours ago, pghsteelerfan said:

I did a review after our trip but some can see my pictures and others can't.  I used Photobucket as a host site, but never upgraded to their premium membership for 3rd party photo hosting (it was about $400 a year).  That review is in my signature and the part with Spencer's Land, Sea, Beach adventure starts on page 16, Post #399 (towards the bottom).  I have some snorkeling pictures.  You can also check out Mitsugirly's reviews, they did the beach break and she has the best snorkeling pictures I've seen of Jalousie Beach.  You should be able to get to her pictures from her signature. 

I just went to your review.  It was outstanding and with some much details.     It appears we have similar thoughts about what to do as we are going to Pinel Island in St Martin and Sapphire Beach in St Thomas. 

Thanks again.   This is the reason I love this community,  great people helping each other out! 

3 minutes ago, pghsteelerfan said:

Drinks:  just the beer & rum punch.  Every tour we've been on that involved snorkeling and alcoholic beverages, it was always snorkeling before alcohol.  They take the coolers in the vans and were passing out the water and pop/soda

Thanks for the info. This helped alot. 

It's funny every tour I have been on its been the opposite.. They encourage it.   I'm look at the land and sea tour so there is no 'snorkeling' potion.  Just the option at the beach w/lunch. 

3 minutes ago, pghsteelerfan said:

I second Spencer Ambrose.   Unlimited beverages (water, diet coke, coke, Piton Beer, & rum punch) are provided and there is also a lunch provided.  We had lunch at the beach, but we were on a smaller tour (only ship in port the day we were there) and sometimes lunch is served while on the land tour. 

 

A quick question, 

- Lunch:  I read a lot of complains about the food not being enough and they offer snacks but none are given. Did you find yourself given enough food?   

- Drinks:  the website states you can drink only at the end when you snorkel.  is that the case? 

There is only 1 boat in port while we are there so I still keep debating between the 2. 

48 minutes ago, ABQrobin said:

 

We actually asked him to take us to an authentic restaurant as we were on the tour solo.   He took us to amazing place with great food. 

As I understand - normally at the tequila tasting there is food.  I can't speak to exactly what was for free and what you had to pay for as I didn't do that part of the tour. 

On 1/29/2019 at 6:27 PM, ABQrobin said:

Where do you go on the tour?  Their website just says a 3 hour tour of island.  I'd like to know more details.  Right now we are booked for the CozumelBarHop and wondering if we should switch.  

thanks!

I can tell you my experience on the tour.  Which honestly was the best excursion we had on that trip. 

They pick you up at the pier and then drive you about 10-15 minutes to their office.  While they get all the trikes ready they allow you to use their free wifi (which is a nice touch).   Wait time was maybe 5-10 minutes (very fast). 

There were 3 of us on the trike.  2 adults and 9 yr old girl. 

They are started by giving the driver a general tutorial of the trike and various advice on how best drive.  The first stop  for us what the chocolate factory (we opted out of the tequila tasting as we had a 9 yr old).  They paid our admissions and did the tour with us.   Next was in the town of Cedral where are Mayan ruins, Church.  Then the viewpoint, continuing with the beach of San Martin from there we go to north side, airport, President vacation home, small mayan ruin, then return driving by the main street to the port or meeting point. In all the stops have an excellent landscape (where you can drink something to cool off and take pictures, there we have public toilets)The tour guides takes a lot of pictures which you can find later in our facebook page. The tours last approximately 3 hours and a half.

I honestly this would be a tour I would recommend to everyone and would even do again. 

The trikes in Cozumel was an amazing time. 

btw if you aren't into the tequila tasting option you can ask them to sub it for a tour of the mayan chocolate factory.   We did this and it was awesome. 

On 1/22/2019 at 4:58 PM, Lily2006 said:

does anyone know if the afternoon tour really gets back in time? The morning one was sold out, so we get picked up at 12:30pm and returned by 5:30pm. Our ship RCCL Navigator leaves at 6:00pm. Im a wreck about missing the boat

What do you think? Do the cruise line make you change your watches? 

You can always ask to have a drop off near the port a bit earlier.     The trike tour is a lot of fun and I would highly recommend it. 

Have you thought about an air bnb?   There are a lot of great options and interesting locations to stay in San Juan. 

Check out --Spencer Ambrose as they have a similar tour that is slightly less in cost.   Cosol also has a tour but it doesn't meet your requirement of sailing from the cruise port, it has just a small boat ride.

I haven't done it yet so I can't give a review but I set up an excursion with Caribbean paddling.  You can rent kayaks or paddleboards and go to Pinel island.  (there is a water taxi as well) From there you can do a variety of things including - snorkel, relax, hike.  There are 2 restaurants on the island. 

The price was very reasonable and includes transportation.  The 3 yr old could go in the middle of a tandem kayak as well. 

I was researching the same thing and I found you are better off renting a car.   Taxis costs to each location will be between 8-12 per person. 

This website will give you a better idea: 

https://www.*****/stthomas/getting_around_stt/taxi_stt/

A car rental varies by car type but can be between 50-100 dollars for the day. 

On 9/3/2018 at 10:00 AM, Hopetotravel said:

We did Pinel using Caribbean Paddling. Transportation from the port could be arranged through them. Most of the family kayaked over but I took the ferry. We arranged for a time to be picked and taken back to the ship. Everything went smoothly. The ferry runs every half hour I think.

can I ask you how long did you rent the equipment?   I see they have a 8:30-1:30 or 8:30 - 3 option.   Just wondering if you felt til 1:30 or 3 was best.. 

thanks for such a great summary of your experience.     Now if only winter would end so I can get on my spring cruise 😉

There is also a review of person who had this cabin. 

there is actually a utube video for that exact room.