El Convento within walking distance to pier

[New2cruise1483]

I'm looking at a hotel in old San Juan for our cruise next year, and the El Convento has really caught my eye. I'm wondering though of it is within walking distance of the old San Juan Pier? I would like to find a hotel within walking distance, I'm also looking at the Sheraton. El Convento just looked so much nicer. Thanks in advance for any input :D

[pdc2013]

I'm looking at a hotel in old San Juan for our cruise next year, and the El Convento has really caught my eye. I'm wondering though of it is within walking distance of the old San Juan Pier? I would like to find a hotel within walking distance, I'm also looking at the Sheraton. El Convento just looked so much nicer. Thanks in advance for any input :D

 

The Sheraton is across the street form the pier big plus. El convento puts you almost in the middle of Old San Juan, anywhere in old town is walking distance to the pier but might be difficult with luggage. Take a cab when going to the ship should be about $10-$12 or take a tour and get dropped off at the ship with your luggage.

Edited December 6, 2015 by pdc2013

[Kikkycat]

Yes, walking distance, as OSJ is very compact. But not very practical. Streets and sidewalks are narrow. Streets are cobblestone. The sidewalks are not cobblestone, but to call them flat would be incorrect. As I am using the CC app so I can't see if you have a signature. If you are sailing on Carnival, you will use the pier in OSJ. However, if you are on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, you will embark from the Pan American pier, which is not walkable from any hotel.

[New2cruise1483]

The Sheraton is across the street form the pier big plus. El convento puts you almost in the middle of Old San Juan, anywhere in old town is walking distance to the pier but might be difficult with luggage. Take a cab when going to the ship should be about $10-$12 or take a tour and get dropped off at the ship with your luggage.

 

We will just be traveling with small rolling carry-ons, so luggage won't be a big issue for us :D

[New2cruise1483]

Yes, walking distance, as OSJ is very compact. But not very practical. Streets and sidewalks are narrow. Streets are cobblestone. The sidewalks are not cobblestone, but to call them flat would be incorrect. As I am using the CC app so I can't see if you have a signature. If you are sailing on Carnival, you will use the pier in OSJ. However, if you are on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, you will embark from the Pan American pier, which is not walkable from any hotel.

We will be sailing on the NCL Gem next November, and I was told that NCL will be embarking at Old San Juan, so hopefully I was not misinformed lol. I sailed out of the Pan Am pier with my mother and sister back in September on RCI, so I was familiar with that one. BF and I don't mind uneven sidewalks, so I was just concerned with the distance. Thanks for the input though, I appreciate it :)

[alfaeric]

We will just be traveling with small rolling carry-ons, so luggage won't be a big issue for us :D

 

I wish I could say otherwise, as we travel exactly like you do.

 

But luggage will still be an issue. Sidewalks are very narrow. Sometimes a pain just to walk on without luggage.

 

As for the hotel, El Convento is really great- over the last decade or so, it's the only place we've stayed in San Juan.

 

Assuming the trolley lets you on the bus with luggage, there's a stop just a block away from El Convento, which then heads to the pier. It's free.

 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/free-trolley-old-san-juan/

[New2cruise1483]

I'll definitely look into the trolley. I'm mainly trying to save on cab fare, since my past experience was that taxi fares can add up fast!

[pdc2013]

We will just be traveling with small rolling carry-ons, so luggage won't be a big issue for us :D

 

I love old San Juan where you stay is as far as where, type of hotel is another story. I only saw the convento from the outside and inside the grounds but looked really nice! Have a great time!

[alfaeric]

I'll definitely look into the trolley. I'm mainly trying to save on cab fare, since my past experience was that taxi fares can add up fast!

 

According to this- http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/getting-around-by-taxi/ the taxi fare within Old San Juan is $7.

 

For sure, the cost of Sheraton vs. El Convento will be overwhelmingly the hotel cost vs. the taxi.

[New2cruise1483]

Thanks everybody for all the helpful input. I'm going to sit down soon and figure out total costs for both places. I'm really looking forward to seeing Old San Juan since I missed it the last time I was there.

[bakersdozen12]

I was just checking out El Convento myself, and when I checked the availability, I got a message saying that they require a minimum stay of 3 nights. Were you planning on staying that long?

[New2cruise1483]

I'm not sure at this point how many nights we'll be staying probably one, possibly two. That does put a damper on my plans if they require three nights.

[Podie]

Yes, walking distance, as OSJ is very compact. But not very practical. Streets and sidewalks are narrow. Streets are cobblestone. The sidewalks are not cobblestone, but to call them flat would be incorrect. As I am using the CC app so I can't see if you have a signature. If you are sailing on Carnival, you will use the pier in OSJ. However, if you are on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, you will embark from the Pan American pier, which is not walkable from any hotel.

 

Not true: I have been in San Juan on both Royal and Carnival this year and we were at the OSJ pier.

[Kikkycat]

Not true: I have been in San Juan on both Royal and Carnival this year and we were at the OSJ pier.

 

 

That's not what I said. If you EMBARK on Royal (hence needing a hotel and having suitcases) you will leave from the Pan American pier.