San Juan - Current state of affairs (perspective from a local)

[Aviator of the Seas]

Hi all,

 

I have been away from CC for a while now. I work in the travel industry and after a year+ in the doldrums, we got busy all of a sudden during the summer. And with a shortage of workers, the few of us who actually show up for work are wearing many, many hats, trying to keep travelers...and tourists...pleased.

 

Anyway, enough whining. Here's a short recap of the current situation in San Juan and Puerto Rico in general.

 

• Even if Puerto Rico is among the lowest contagion-prone and highest-vaccination-rated U.S. jurisdictions, our always overreacting local government has kept some Covid restrictions in place: complete travel declaration before flying in at travelsafe.pr.gov. Fully vaccinated get a free pass almost everywhere, unvaccinated not so much. Masks required indoors regardless of vaccine status, and outdoors where there's crowding although this is mostly ignored.  The gov requires restaurants to ask for vaccine proof for all patrons. Restaurants that refuse must cut their capacity to 50%. This is also widely ignored but expect wait times and confusion. Hotels also require vaccination or negative tests, and this IS enforced, so plan ahead. Enough about Covid.
• El Yunque Rainforest access is very limited for organized, guided tours. Only a handful of operators have limited permits to go up, and there are many wise ass operators who sell you "rainforest tours" but actually take you to farms and places in the periphery of the actual El Yunque National Forest. If you don't see La Coca Falls, Yokahu Tower and at least the Angelito Trail, you are not in the actual park. Self-guided private vehicle access is fine but require reservations through the U.S. Forest Service internet page. The El Portal Visitors Center is still under reconstruction. Upkeep of the public areas is wanting due to a lack of forest personnel.
• Old San Juan is beautiful as ever. This year we are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the founding of the city so there are many related festivals and activities. As with everywhere else, most businesses, restaurants, bars, etc. are going through a severe personnel shortage, so patience please with those who did show up to work. The forts also suffer from a lack of personnel so they are now mostly DIY (what the heck is wrong with the feds?).
• Cruises, oh cruises. Carnival, RCI and Viking are already doing port calls without incident. Home-porting: RCI starts home-porting with the Explorer in November. Viking starts with the Sea in December. Silversea in November. Regent also in November. Carnival won't home port in San Juan for the foreseeable future. It's all slowly coming together.

 

That's it for now. I hope to be able to answer any questions. I have like two slow-ish weeks ahead before it gets crazy again.

 

Thank you for your interest! 

[rmandmm]

Thank you for the update! My next cruise is supposed to be NCL Epic out of San Juan in December, so we’re very much hoping things keep improving. We’re vaccinated and ready to travel; we’ll show that card and test whenever we have to as long as we can keep traveling. 

 

Again, thanks for the update and stay well!

[quillwercruisers]

Thanks for the info, but what about cruisers that are going there as a port of call?  Is there any special requirements?

[Aviator of the Seas]

2 hours ago, quillwercruisers said:

Thanks for the info, but what about cruisers that are going there as a port of call?  Is there any special requirements?

The Memorandum of Understanding between the cruise lines and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority state that only vaccinated passengers can get off the ship during port calls. Once that's met, the only restrictions is masks on all the time in port facilities. Once out of there, no masks required outdoors except in crowds. Good idea to bring your vax card with you if you intend to eat in local restaurants. And then masks required indoors everywhere. The U.S Government-run attractions of the Forts and the Rainforest require masks on all the time. That's it.

Edited October 26, 2021 by Aviator of the Seas

[Goldconnection]

I was told the travel declaration was to be complete only if you are flying into Puerto Rico. Is that correct. We are cruising in.

[Aviator of the Seas]

1 hour ago, Goldconnection said:

I was told the travel declaration was to be complete only if you are flying into Puerto Rico. Is that correct. We are cruising in.

That's correct.

[Goldconnection]

33 minutes ago, Aviator of the Seas said:

That's correct.

Thanks much

[OC PAT]

Thank you for sharing vital info. to those of us able to visit your beautiful home.  Just to let you know we are on the Rotterdam, HAL who will be on our maiden voyage to the Caribbean. She left the Netherlands and is on her way to Ft. Lauderdale. Turks was dropped from the itinerary and San Juan was picked up for 11/24, Thanksgiving eve  1-8 PM. Any suggestions as to what to do?  We've been to San Juan a dozen times and visited much of the island. Also what pier do you suspect they will use?  We are vaccinated, boostered and wear masks.

Edited October 27, 2021 by OC PAT
more info.

[quillwercruisers]

20 hours ago, Aviator of the Seas said:

The Memorandum of Understanding between the cruise lines and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority state that only vaccinated passengers can get off the ship during port calls. Once that's met, the only restrictions is masks on all the time in port facilities. Once out of there, no masks required outdoors except in crowds. Good idea to bring your vax card with you if you intend to eat in local restaurants. And then masks required indoors everywhere. The U.S Government-run attractions of the Forts and the Rainforest require masks on all the time. That's it.

Thank you so much!!  Look forward to visiting there for the first time. 

[Aviator of the Seas]

On 10/27/2021 at 8:52 AM, OC PAT said:

Thank you for sharing vital info. to those of us able to visit your beautiful home.  Just to let you know we are on the Rotterdam, HAL who will be on our maiden voyage to the Caribbean. She left the Netherlands and is on her way to Ft. Lauderdale. Turks was dropped from the itinerary and San Juan was picked up for 11/24, Thanksgiving eve  1-8 PM. Any suggestions as to what to do?  We've been to San Juan a dozen times and visited much of the island. Also what pier do you suspect they will use?  We are vaccinated, boostered and wear masks.

Hola,

 

Most likely you will dock in Pier 4 or 3 right in Old San Juan. 

[Sea Dog]

Looking forward to spending two days pre cruise before boarding Explorer on November 7th. I did hear that there is a police and fire department strike going on. What impact is that having on people visiting and do you think it impact us November 5th when we arrive? Thanks for your help.

[njhorseman]

50 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Looking forward to spending two days pre cruise before boarding Explorer on November 7th. I did hear that there is a police and fire department strike going on. What impact is that having on people visiting and do you think it impact us November 5th when we arrive? Thanks for your help.

@Aviator of the Seas may have better information, but all I've read about is the possibility of a police "sick out" October 29-31, not a police and fire department strike and nothing going on as of today.

[ejnsb]

Thanks for the great information.   Looking forward to our first visit there in about a month. 

[Aviator of the Seas]

4 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Looking forward to spending two days pre cruise before boarding Explorer on November 7th. I did hear that there is a police and fire department strike going on. What impact is that having on people visiting and do you think it impact us November 5th when we arrive? Thanks for your help.

Don't worry about that. Even if they did hold a sickout, no one would notice as police here has been very short staffed for years. They barely leave their stations unless there's an emergency. These sickouts rumors had to do with a piece of legislation that would affect their pensions, and the threat was just a pressure tactic, but that's a done deal.

[Sea Dog]

@Aviator of the Seas Thanks for your reply. I would love your input on this. We are staying at Hotel CasaBlanca On Friday night we were thinking dinner at Raices. On Saturday we could take a taxi over to see the Fort Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Then hit spots in Old San Juan such as umbrella street (don't know if umbrellas are up) Pigeon Park, Plaza de Armas, go to Chocobar Cortes for chocolate and Barrachina for a pina colada.

 

Anything I'm missing or should not want to miss?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

[Aviator of the Seas]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

@Aviator of the Seas Thanks for your reply. I would love your input on this. We are staying at Hotel CasaBlanca On Friday night we were thinking dinner at Raices. On Saturday we could take a taxi over to see the Fort Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Then hit spots in Old San Juan such as umbrella street (don't know if umbrellas are up) Pigeon Park, Plaza de Armas, go to Chocobar Cortes for chocolate and Barrachina for a pina colada.

 

Anything I'm missing or should not want to miss?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Umbrella street/Fortaleza street - Sometimes they have umbrellas, sometimes, kites, sometimes flags, sometimes nothing. 

Pigeon park is closed but pigeons/people gather just outside its gates in front of Capilla del Cristo at the end of Cristo street.

Barrachina is very touristy. There are tons of better bars starting with La Factoría on San Sebastián street.

Just walking around Old San Juan in itself is an experience: the Churches, shops, architecture, nooks and crannies, etc. 

[Sea Dog]

@Aviator of the Seas Thanks for your help. I have written down all of your suggestions.

[Goldconnection]

@Aviator of the SeasWe are thinking about a studio apartment post cruise in Condado. Can you offer insight on that area? Shopping, entertainment, night life, etc. Thanks

[Aviator of the Seas]

11 minutes ago, Goldconnection said:

@Aviator of the SeasWe are thinking about a studio apartment post cruise in Condado. Can you offer insight on that area? Shopping, entertainment, night life, etc. Thanks

The Condado area is very popular with tourists but to me it is too congested/overtouristed (if that's even a word). There are many restaurants in the area. A couple of hotels have casinos (The San Juan Marriott and the La Concha). Nearby there's a new entertainment district called El Distrito T-Mobile, but getting there from Condado requires a taxi ride or daring to cross a major highway on foot. If you prefer a quieter stay but close enough to the action, I would recommend the Ocean Park neighborhood. It's just eat of Condado and west of the other tourist strip of Isla Verde. 

[Goldconnection]

58 minutes ago, Aviator of the Seas said:

The Condado area is very popular with tourists but to me it is too congested/overtouristed (if that's even a word). There are many restaurants in the area. A couple of hotels have casinos (The San Juan Marriott and the La Concha). Nearby there's a new entertainment district called El Distrito T-Mobile, but getting there from Condado requires a taxi ride or daring to cross a major highway on foot. If you prefer a quieter stay but close enough to the action, I would recommend the Ocean Park neighborhood. It's just eat of Condado and west of the other tourist strip of Isla Verde. 

Thanks much.

[OC PAT]

Is the Chocolate place still open and its the Trolley running?  

[Aviator of the Seas]

10 hours ago, OC PAT said:

Is the Chocolate place still open and its the Trolley running?  

Cortés Choco Bar is open, yes. I haven't seen the trolley running yet.

[Kamoon54]

We are coming in on the harmony in November, we usually do a day pass to Marriott Stellaries hotel but the company we book thru said they are not allowing day passes. Do you know if the hotel is doing them direct and if not can you go to the casino there not sure if the casinos are open.

[eileeshb]

Thank you for the update, I’m due to be on Norwegian Epic at the end of February but I’ve planned to have a few days staying in San Juan pre and post cruise.  I’m travelling solo for this trip so if you have any suggestions of areas to avoid or otherwise I’d love to know. I had read a review online of La factoria not welcoming solo customers. 

[BoozinCroozin]

On 10/25/2021 at 7:11 PM, Aviator of the Seas said:

Hi all,

 

I have been away from CC for a while now. I work in the travel industry and after a year+ in the doldrums, we got busy all of a sudden during the summer. And with a shortage of workers, the few of us who actually show up for work are wearing many, many hats, trying to keep travelers...and tourists...pleased. 

As a resident and travel expert there, maybe you can help. We are visiting Old San Juan for the first time on Thanksgiving day. It is an early port day (8AM - 2PM). I know most of the government buildings and forts are closed for tours, but are there other places that may be open for a self-walking tour of the city?