What to do in Puerto Rico?

[vacationlover_mn]

BIL is leaving for cruise tomorrow, and just found out that Puerto Rico excursion was cancelled. He just want to shop, walk around, and visit the beach. This is his first cruise without experienced cruisers, and he’s never done a non-shop excursion... could he and his fiance easily find a tour or cab, by walking off ship? How much would it cost? Are US dollars ok?

 

 

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[HallOfPromise]

I believe US dollars is the currency used in Puerto Rico. So, good to go there.

[zdad59]

I highly recommend a walking tour of Old San Juan. That part of the island is recovering and it is a very informative and fun tour. You can book the ship excursion or, as we did last year, we booked David Rodriguez independently. Unless San Juan is the start of your cruise, you'll be docking in Old San Juan anyway.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail?suppm=&product=16292P1&d=147320&supti=dsa-402918425271&supdv=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhOq7kIaL2QIVTVqGCh3olA2QEAAYASAAEgJK6PD_BwE&partner=Viator&supsc=s&aidSuffix=cart&supap=1t1&supfi=%7Bfeeditem%7D&supai=244981426317&supag=50753631997&supnt=g

[Stinger-pr]

I'd head over to the San Juan, PR sub-forum under Ports of Call and do some quick reading. San Juan is very interesting in itself if their interest is not into shopping and most of the things to do ate within walking distance from the ships.

 

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[saroede97]

BIL is leaving for cruise tomorrow, and just found out that Puerto Rico excursion was cancelled. He just want to shop, walk around, and visit the beach. This is his first cruise without experienced cruisers, and he’s never done a non-shop excursion... could he and his fiance easily find a tour or cab, by walking off ship? How much would it cost? Are US dollars ok?

 

 

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Old San Juan (where they will dock) is an easy city to explore on foot. They should check out the forts and explore the town at their leisure. They will need a cab or uber to go to the beach.

[debandbruce]

Shopping, restaurants the forts are all in walking distance from the ship. Very easy to get around Old San Juan.

[travelingmomonthego]

You can walk into OSJ from the cruise ship pier. Then do a walking tour of the city. There are several you can find on line for a self guided tour, I will try to find you some links and post them for you. You can also catch a ferry to go to the Bacardi rum factory, then take a shared taxi when the ferry lands to get all the way to the factory. We are staying in OSJ 2 days before our cruise leaves, we love it there. So much to do.

-Adding --the free trolleys in OSJ are up and running again, they can help you get around, OSJ is a bit hilly and has uneven streets if that is an issue for you.

 

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[travelingmomonthego]

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

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/bacardi-rum-factory/

 

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

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[Zach1213]

US dollars are always accepted in the US

[Clarea]

Go to Barranchinas and have a Pina Colada where they were invented.

[Battleship88]

Puerto Rico is in the US so US dollars are okay. Some of the walking tours are still a go.

[A&L_Ont]

BIL is leaving for cruise tomorrow, and just found out that Puerto Rico excursion was cancelled. He just want to shop, walk around, and visit the beach. This is his first cruise without experienced cruisers, and he’s never done a non-shop excursion... could he and his fiance easily find a tour or cab, by walking off ship? How much would it cost? Are US dollars ok?

 

 

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A quick heads up on the San Juan scammer. I don’t think he has been at it for years but this is an interesting read.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1079834&highlight=Scam

 

Post 179 is the picture of the scammer.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=41868302#post41868302

[volk904]

The old fort in old San Juan is pretty interesting. You can walk or take the shuttle from the dock.

 

 

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[Reds4life]

If you want a rental car, I would suggest the Hertz office inside the Sheraton San Juan which is straight off the dock. Very reasonable rate last June for a car for the day at $32.

[vacationlover_mn]

Thanks guys! I shared this info with him, and it really eased his mind :). I have only departed from Puerto Rico, and had for gotten that the port that ships stop in was close to stuff :)

 

 

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[RayNash65]

Just get on the boat... Old San Juan is nice for a quick 20 min walk. The Fort's are the nicest thing to do.

[mafig]

Are the outlet stores open after the hurricane?

 

 

 

Also never made it to the bar that "invented the Pina Colada."

I'll have to check if that's up and running.

[hgiles]

I highly recommend a walking tour of Old San Juan. That part of the island is recovering and it is a very informative and fun tour. You can book the ship excursion or, as we did last year, we booked David Rodriguez independently. Unless San Juan is the start of your cruise, you'll be docking in Old San Juan anyway.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail?suppm=&product=16292P1&d=147320&supti=dsa-402918425271&supdv=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhOq7kIaL2QIVTVqGCh3olA2QEAAYASAAEgJK6PD_BwE&partner=Viator&supsc=s&aidSuffix=cart&supap=1t1&supfi=%7Bfeeditem%7D&supai=244981426317&supag=50753631997&supnt=g

Agree

[bradsnana]

Free trolleys available also! Just walk a couple of blocks up from the cruise port and hop on the trolley. It takes you all the way up to the forts.

[qkd0314]

Go to Barranchinas and have a Pina Colada where they were invented.

 

 

Definitely a must do, thanks!

[P@raiso]

P.R. is a US territory so not only US dollars is the local currency but also puertorricans are US citizens.:D

[colocop004]

A quick heads up on the San Juan scammer. I don’t think he has been at it for years but this is an interesting read.

 

 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1079834&highlight=Scam

 

 

 

Post 179 is the picture of the scammer.

 

 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=41868302#post41868302

 

 

 

He approached us in December 2017, he is still at it!

 

 

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[mafig]

Go to Barranchinas and have a Pina Colada where they were invented.

 

 

So they're open? That's good.

 

I'll go and have a Pina Colada.

Even though Anthony Bourdain says they use a mix now.

[Merion_Mom]

Go to Barranchinas and have a Pina Colada where they were invented.

They were actually invented at the Hilton. The bartender who invented the Pina Colada for a contest at the Hilton later went to work at Barrachina's.

 

 

I learned that on Wednesday during my food tour and this is what I recommend as "what to do in San Juan".

 

 

http://www.spoonfoodtours.com

[Clarea]

So they're open? That's good.

 

I'll go and have a Pina Colada.

Even though Anthony Bourdain says they use a mix now.

Here is their info: http://www.barrachina.com/