Must see attractions in San Juan

[TravelJunkie2415]

My cruise will be stopping in San Juan in May. My girlfriends and I are in our 20s and I am looking for advice on what to do while we are there. We port at 7:00 am and leave at 3:30. I keep reading about Old San Juan, but will this fill up our day?

 

Any suggestions on good places to eat? How far is the Bacardi factory from the port, and is that worth seeing?

[GinDon]

May I suggest a Segway Tour? We were in port the same time frame as you. We took the 9 a.m. Segway tour, which was just TOO much fun! You will tool around the cobblestone streets of OSJ, and go to visit El Morro, the big fort. Take the 2 hr tour, you get to see and do more. We then hopped on a free trolley, and got off up the hill by Fort Cristobal, and walked our way back down the streets, to the ship. I had done some research and had a walking map, so I knew what I wanted to see. We stopped for a Pina Colada at the Barrachina, shopped, fed the pigeons at Pigeon Park. Had a free rum drink at the Tourist Info Center. Went next door to the Don Q rum store. Had a free rum drink there. Had a little trouble toddling back to the ship!

 

Old San Juan has a lot to see. You will enjoy it more if you do some research on what's there, the history, etc. Google Segway Tours in Puerto Rico, and there is tons of info on these boards about San Juan.

 

Oh, if you are an early riser, it's worth being on deck if you are sailing in at sunrise, as we were. It was beautiful.

[HarperSays]

I would also recommend the segway tour. DH and I had a blast and it's a great way to see OSJ. The forts are really cool so I wouldn't miss those either. OSJ is a great place to walk around, but I would recommend the free trolley if you are going to the forts but not on the segway, as it is up hill to the forts.

[texancruzer]

Hmmmm. Been there twice. First time we stayed 2 nights precruise in old San Juan. Second time we were just there before Thanksgiving for a one day stop.

 

You don't really say what you LIKE to do....... so here are some suggestions by interest:

 

Hike - definately the rainforest hike tour. If it starts early enough in the morning you would still have time to explore old San Juan (altho not alot)

 

Shop - old San Juan has alot of that...... coach outlet etc... as well as other little funky shops/boutiques with neat stuff.

 

History - tons of that. El Morro and San Cristobal are the two forts with El Morro being very cool. And I am NOT a fort kind of girl but I enjoyed it

Lots of other historic bldgs and stuff too.

 

Eating - oooooo yeah. That too. Tapas at El Picoteo at El Convento hotel. Mojitos, sangria - well you get the idea.

 

Gamble - casinos in some of the hotels.

 

Misc - just wander the streets and soak up the sights. Very cool place

 

Rum factory: Have heard (havent been there) its not worth it.

 

Its a shame you are not going to be there at night......... lots of very cool spots for jazz, salsa etc. We went to a salsa club where mostly locals go. Had a blast. But they open at night and like Europe usually later - like 10 pm and later.......

 

Hope this helps.

[TravelJunkie2415]

Thanks for all the ideas! I'm excited!