Is San Juan a port we can just walk around without excursions?

[Cruisebee1]

Boyfriend and I considering switching to a new itinerary that includes San Juan. I don't know much about this port, so I was wondering if it was a port with enough to see and do without needing to book an excursion? Also, how safe is it for us to wander on our own?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[crewsweeper]

yes, it is.

 

There are plenty of walking tour threads with maps and videos on Old San Juan. The 2 forts, shops, museums, bars, restaurants. All within relatively easy walking distance. There's also a free trolley that has routs to various place, albeit it does get filled rather quickly around the port and at El Morro.

 

As far as safety goes, it's as safe as anywhere. Not much crime directed to tourists so long as you are in the main sections, major streets in Old San Juan.

One caveat to that is there is at least one guy who roams the port area trying to fleece $$ from cruisers with a sob story. A couple of threads about it on this board, here's one http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2338410. But if you ignore him he'll go away.

[Cruisebee1]

Thank you! Might still end up booking one, but wanted to see if we could entertain ourselves. Some ports are either too sketchy or too boring to do it on your own haha.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[ozarkmama]

There is no need for an excursion to see OSJ. It's a relatively small area and easy to walk. My daughter and I walked all over, went to both forts, the Old San Juan Gate, Parque de las Palomas and stopped in a bunch of little shops.

 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-1/

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-2/

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-3/

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-4/

[Heartkrazy]

There is no need for an excursion to see OSJ. It's a relatively small area and easy to walk. My daughter and I walked all over, went to both forts, the Old San Juan Gate, Parque de las Palomas and stopped in a bunch of little shops.

 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-1/

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-2/

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-3/

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-4/

 

Thank you Ozarkmama for posting the self guided walking tour information. Plan to utilize this upon our visit to OSJ in April 2017.

[OCruisers]

Absolutely! Extremely easy to walk around on your own there! :)

[Cruisebee1]

Thank you for this information!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[dacsmom]

Everything is within walking distance in Old San Juan. It is only seven blocks, but oh those hills if you are not used to them. They have a free hop on/hop off trolley that goes to many places. The forts are wonderful, both are included in the $10 admission. I frequently sail solo and never felt uncomfortable in OSJ, there are so many police walking around.

[ShotsnCruises]

I love to book cruises that leave out of San Juan. Always fly in 2-3 days early and have LOTS to do. Very safe, clean, great food and drinks, and definitely one of my most favorite ports.