rainforestgirl

Oh a Saturday night !!!! You guys are lucky as the weekend nights are when Old San Juan really comes alive……

 

This is our favorite place…..altho it is not fancy and could best be described as a little hole in the wall……… BUT it is where lots of locals go to salsa dance. They also have jazz sometimes but mostly salsa…… As you know salsa dancing was invented in osj and they really know how to do it.

 

The night we were there they had a 7 piece brass band and we just enjoyed watching them and the dancers on the dance floor…… altho we had taken lessons for a few months before our trip. We truly felt like amateurs compared to them !

 

The drinks are strong and not overpriced. If you really want to feel "old san Juan" stop in here for a bit but again, its not fancy ;)

 

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/san-juan/nightlife/235048

 

 

Hope this helps….

 

p.s. Do not confuse with the floating party boat named Rumba. This is a club in the heart of OSJ.

When did you last go there? I am pretty sure that club has closed.

On the breeze 8/16/2014. CCL Says 7-2 other folks have said it will be 8-3 SJ time. Miami and SJ are the same time zone....I am sooo confused!!!

It should be the same time. The only time difference is during the months when you guys turn your clocks back in fall until when you spring back.

I have see a few posts about places to buy sodas near the port. One person was looking for Diet Mt Dew and they couldn't find any. Can anyone tell me if they have seen Diet Dr Pepper? We would like to buy either for the cruise.

I am a diet soda drinker- There is no Diet Dr Pepper on the island. Very doubtful you will find Diet Mt Dew either. Anything diet other than Coke or Pepsi is a bonus!

There was a Huffington Post article in November that said the bioluminescence had dropped suddenly, and several tour operators were having to cancel excursions. They weren't sure what was causing it. I'm guessing it hasn't improved and that is the reason for cancelation?

That article was from November 2013 when the tides sort of washed out the bay. It lasted about 8 days. The bay has returned to normal. That should not have had anything to do with any recent cancellations.

There is/was free WiFi in all the plazas in OSJ. There is a plaza (Plaza Colon) just about 50 yards away from Starbucks. You can try that first before buying anything.

Well, many of the photos are enhanced...you will never see that blue glow while kayaking there. But you will see sparkles. In the winter months, there will be fewer sparkles than in the summer months, but I have been told by a company that does the tours that the bay is back to normal for this time of year. The bay itself is not polluted or broken or dead or whatever else people may imply. It is just cold for tropical organisms!

Recent reviews say it is still worth the experience. It would be a shame to miss it as who knows how long these amazing natural places will last.

Will the trolleys be effected by this strike? Are the drivers part of the same union?

No. Totally separate.

The AMA bus strike was planned for 1 day, Jan 27th. So unless you are in port that day, it is a total non-issue.

If you happen to be there that day, it still will probably not have any affect on you, unless you were planning on using a bus to go to the Mall or beach or something. There are plenty of taxis.

And I am unsure if they are even going to strike anyway since they got what they wanted (back pay).

I think mostly the answers here are about the pier right in the old town, but what's about if our ship is at Pan Am Pier ?

 

Is it possible as well to walk from that Pier to the Old Town ?

Is it possible...yes. Is it safe/feasible/easy- no.

If your ship is at Pan Am, you need to take a taxi to OSJ.

This is one of the "trolleys". This one does have a wheelchair ramp in the back, but I have seen the regular trolley with someone in a motorized scooter on it. So somehow they seem to make accommodations for handicapped people.

They drop you right at the door of El Morro and you get on them right at the corner across from Pier 3/4, where the ships are usually docked for the day.

...and my apologies if I've injured your pride! I do know that Puerto Rico produces some pretty kickass coffee of its own, and I certainly don't rule out buying some of that.

 

(If it's any comfort, I have this question posted in regard to my port stops in St Maarten and St Thomas as well...)

No worries- not offended. It is just a fact- almost impossible to find any coffee other than PR produced stuff in PR.

There is a new Bad@ss Kona Coffee Shop open in OSJ. Even they offer some PR coffees, along with the Kona.

But no chance of finding Jamaican coffee here.

You will not find Jamaican coffee in PR- but we have our own award winning coffee. Check out some of the amazing coffee houses that have locally grown PR coffee and compare!

Taxis are regulated, so rate will be as usual. Taxis will also have access to the same special traffic lanes that the cruise ship transfers will have- so take a taxi and save $$.

I can't make a specific suggestion, but just as an FYI- Puerto Rican food is not spicy. They use garlic, salt, onions, mild peppers, and a seasoning similar to cilantro called culantro.

They will usually offer a hot sauce on the table to spice things up a bit for people who like it hot.

American Food- In Condado/Isla Verde you will find usual chains- like Ruth's Chris, Outback Streak House, Chili's, Denny's, Pizzeria Uno. And there are some more local ones like Ambassador Grill. But you will find almost any/every nationality of food choices there- Mexican to Italian to Peruvian to Chinese and of course- lots of Puerto Rican food choices.

Your hotel to OSJ pier 4 is $12.00.

To all your rates add the $2 gas surcharge.

The $1 per luggage should not include hand bags or lap-sized bags.

If your trip is at night- after 10 pm, there is an additional fee of $1.

Yes, OSJ is a very walk-able place. And there is so much to see. I would suggest you get a written walking guide (available on-line or in some books), because things are so much more interesting when you know what you are seeing/walking past. Lots of history. There are also audio guides, Iphone apps and actual tour guides that are available too.

Are you able to purchase booze on Sundays?

Yes, after 11 am.

how is san juan on sunday? Is everything open or will it all be closed?

Most everything will be open after 11 am.

Well I have done it in PR, though not with the company that owns it now. But the location in SJ that they use is less than spectacular. But the experience is pretty cool.

Thank you Rainforest Girl for your help on this.

I have noticed that you are a good friend to those of us visiting your island and I very much appreciate it.

Charlie

You are welcome. I don't have as much time to post anymore, but once in a while I still check in!

Culebra is beautiful beaches and great snorkeling. Your only way to get there during a cruise stop would be to fly. You can catch a flight from isla Grande airport, or take the seaplane from OSJ. The seaplane is a tour (1/2 day I think).

Gran Melia is in Rio Grande, not Fajardo. Fajardo is a 30 min drive from Gran Melia. There are a number of places between the 2 towns to eat. Luquillo Kiosks have a number of really good places. But you will find lots of places within a 5-15 min drive.

We ate at Pasion in Gran Melia and it was excellent, expensive but excellent.

You will not find ginger beer in OSJ, or probably anywhere in PR.

As it turned out, the "black out" of the bay was due to natural causes and lasted only 8 days. It is back to normal. Tours have been happening as usual for many weeks now.

How often the trolley runs? Thank you!

Hard to say- they are not on a schedule, but run continuously. But depending on traffic and such, could be every 15 mins to 45 mins or more.