San Juan - 2 Days Pre & Day Post-Cruise - Questions

[ItsMeJedB]

Hiya :)

We are going in two days early and staying one day extra after our cruise and we are weighing some options and would love any feedback you may have.

1) Rent a car or Taxis - there are six adults

2) Has anyone hired a private tour guide that you have just loved? (am still poking around the boards for recommendations, but thought I would ask)

3) Hotel location - I have seen a lot about Intercontinental, but is there a better location?

4) What is YOUR favorite San Juan memory, that you would tell someone who has never been there that they MUST SEE?

 

Thanks for your comments and have a GREAT day!! :)

[abseas]

We just returned from Puerto Rico. We had 3 days prior to our cruise and 3 days following our cruise. The taxis are great for the local San Juan sightseeing or use the free trolley. The forts are beautiful as is Old San Juan. By far, the most amazing experience for us was the Biobay excursion through East Island Adventures. It is a long day but it is indescribable. We rented a car and drove to El Yunque rainforest 1st for a few hours and then travelled 20-30 minutes further to catch the catamaran out to Vieques. We didn't get back to San Juan until after midnight but the biobay was absolutely amazing. I did a more complete review under the Carnival boards (Carnival Victory 7/10-7/17-family of 5). We also rented a car to go out to Camuy Caves.

[Fourseventeen]

the forts are really neat as is El Yunque. I would say those are 2 things you should try to see while your there. The one MUST do thing I think needs to be done in PR though is to eat some REAL local food. Stp by one of the roadside shacks or if your near the cruise port there is a place called Latin Roots that is VERY good and if you go later in the day the place is pretty lively with music and lots of people. earlier in the day its quiet but still very nice. The food and drinks there are AWESOME! We stayed at the Sheraton hotel and casino last time we were there and loved the hotel property and there were a few food places within walking distance and clubs for the evening if your looking to dance or listen to music over a few cocktails. Plus is it right on the beach so you have the sand and water right there along with 2 nice pools. Then of coarse there is the casino if there is any gamblers in the group. You will stay plenty busy in and around this property.

[Host Faith]

Hiya :)

We are going in two days early and staying one day extra after our cruise and we are weighing some options and would love any feedback you may have.

1) Rent a car or Taxis - there are six adults

2) Has anyone hired a private tour guide that you have just loved? (am still poking around the boards for recommendations, but thought I would ask)

3) Hotel location - I have seen a lot about Intercontinental, but is there a better location?

4) What is YOUR favorite San Juan memory, that you would tell someone who has never been there that they MUST SEE?

 

Thanks for your comments and have a GREAT day!! :)

 

Hi there! We're actually doing the same thing for our cruise in October. Last year we spent 2 days pre-cruise before sailing the Serenade, and we were a group of 6 adults. We took taxis everywhere with no problems. I have pics in my review (there's a link in my signature).

 

For a hotel, I would bid on Priceline for a resort in San Juan. Check out the Sticky on Priceline and Hotwire at the top of this forum, as well as check out betterbidding.com to see the prices people are getting, as well as their strategies. If you have the patience and would be happy with any of the resorts in San Juan (visible on betterbidding), you can save a LOT of money since hotels in the area are pricey. We got the Caribe Hilton for $90 per night last year. I can't wait to start bidding for our upcoming trip.

 

There's a lot to do in Puerto Rico. Old San Juan is a must-see. We toured Old and New San Juan with Victor Balbin of San Juan Happy Tours, and we highly recommend him. There are many ways to see Old San Juan if you do a search on these boards for tours. El Morro Fort is incredible, and a must-see in my opinion. We visit the fort each time we go to San Juan. Spectacular views from the fort, and it's really cool to sail by it during sailaway, since it's at night. It's illuminated against the night sky, and having toured it during the daytime, you have a much better appreciation for it as you pass by it at night.

 

You can also take a day trip to El Yunque rainforest, or take a catamaran cruise for sailing and snorkeling. There is also the option of a biobay tour (use google or a search here in the San Juan boards for details).

 

I hope this helps you to start researching your options! Enjoy your cruise.

[Host Faith]

the forts are really neat as is El Yunque. I would say those are 2 things you should try to see while your there. The one MUST do thing I think needs to be done in PR though is to eat some REAL local food. Stp by one of the roadside shacks or if your near the cruise port there is a place called Latin Roots that is VERY good and if you go later in the day the place is pretty lively with music and lots of people. earlier in the day its quiet but still very nice. The food and drinks there are AWESOME! We stayed at the Sheraton hotel and casino last time we were there and loved the hotel property and there were a few food places within walking distance and clubs for the evening if your looking to dance or listen to music over a few cocktails. Plus is it right on the beach so you have the sand and water right there along with 2 nice pools. Then of coarse there is the casino if there is any gamblers in the group. You will stay plenty busy in and around this property.

 

Ooooh, thanks for the reminder! That's on our list of places to visit this time around. I can't believe we've been to San Juan so many times and have never gone dancing. Looking forward to the food and the dancing at Latin Roots :D

[ItsMeJedB]

Thank you for the great information ... We are so excited as this will be the first time to San Juan for all of us. I have been scouring the bidding hints and betterbidding website and can't wait to get started bidding.

[cheaptravel]

Keep in mind that the Sheraton in Old San Juan does NOT have a beach, maybe the one by the convention center does ?

[adventuresome]

We did a tour to El Yunque and had a city tour with Albert but the very best part, though not for the squeamish, was a stop near Loiza at a beach shack which served fried plantains stuffed with crab, and several other delicious foods (all deep fried) freshly made by hand (and leaf) by a trio of Puerto Rican ladies over a hot vat of bubbling lard in a small hut in the open air. There were also beers, sodas or frozen pina coladas available (virgin or otherwise). The line was very long (always a sign of good and/or cheap food) but Albert was friends with the proprietors, so we didn't wait too long. If you wanted, you could cross the road to the beach where there seemed to be no tourists, just families from San Juan. If you're interested in the "real" Puerto Rico but are only there for a cruise ship stop, this is a great taste.

Albert will try to fill his van as this is his job, and there are only a couple of ships per week. If you want an exclusive, then you have to book and pay for the whole van unless Albert is unlucky and can't fill his vehicle. We made new friends this way and had a great time. Albert's English is perfect, with a slight New York accent as he was born there and moved to Puerto Rico when he was eleven. He can be reached at the surfcabs@yahoo.com email, and is prompt in replying, or you can call him at 787-317-6907.