San Juan - Evening port visit

[amylovestocruise]

We're sailing on the Silhouette in a few weeks - excited to visit San Juan, Puerto Rico, but a bit bummed it's just for a few hours in the evening (3pm-8pm).

 

I was in San Juan years ago, but didn't really have a chance to explore. Hoping to make up for lost time this visit.

 

Question for those who've been there recently: Is it possible to visit both forts on your own while in San Juan (del Morro, San Cristobal) before they close at 6pm, assuming the ship's docking time of 3pm is accurate? The ship doesn't have an excursion that visits both at this time.

 

Any tips? Thank you in advance!

[Alebermudez99]

I was there 2 weeks ago also on the Silhouette and I was able to visit both forts.

[amylovestocruise]

Thanks so much! Did you walk on your own or do a private excursion?

[Alebermudez99]

A tour from the taxis outside of the port

[GottaKnowWhen]

We're sailing on the Silhouette in a few weeks - excited to visit San Juan, Puerto Rico, but a bit bummed it's just for a few hours in the evening (3pm-8pm).

 

I was in San Juan years ago, but didn't really have a chance to explore. Hoping to make up for lost time this visit.

 

Question for those who've been there recently: Is it possible to visit both forts on your own while in San Juan (del Morro, San Cristobal) before they close at 6pm, assuming the ship's docking time of 3pm is accurate? The ship doesn't have an excursion that visits both at this time.

 

Any tips? Thank you in advance!

1. You can visit both in that time. Whether or not you can see/explore both forts is a function of how much you want to get into the history, whether you want to go up and down all 6 levels in El Moro, try a few of the in-wall staircases, tunnels, etc. Doable, but may leave you wishing for more. Doing the whole circuit in the time available will be tough if you do it all on foot.

2. Cheapest alternative would be to walk up to San Cristobal. Go in the lower entrance. Spend your time there. Exit the upper entrance. Walk back down the 1-2 blocks to the square, get a taxi ride to El Moro. Stay there until they throw you out, then walk down through Old San Juan to the ship.

3. Or get a cab at the pier, have him/her wait for you at San Cristobal, then drop you off at El Moro.

 

4. Note that there is an entrance fee that covers both sites. Or you can use your National Park Service Senior Pass.

 

Enjoy!

 

Stan