El Morro or San Cristobal?

[MelissaForrest]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I only have time for one fort in San Juan, which is the one I should definitely see?

Thanks.

[jcruiser45]

The ads always depict El Morro. I have been in both and enjoyed San Cristobal more because of the tunnel. It is dark like hell, you will enjoy it.

[gtaylor]

We really like San Cristobal, but if you only have time for one, I'd do El Morro. Make sure that you get some good shots as you sail into the harbor, and then add photos from your on-site visit and you'll have a great album.

 

Plus, you can always visit San Cristobal on your NEXT cruise. :)

 

gary

[Sheffie]

The first time we were there we didn't know that there were 2 forts and we went to San Cristobal. I was so disappointed to find out that it wasn't the one in all of the ads for San Juan! It was a nice fort, but El Morro is THE one to go see.

[texancruzer]

I'm not really a "fort" kinda girl but dh loves em'.

 

That said I really enjoyed spending one whole morning of our 3 day precruise stay at El Morro. It is really amazing how large it is and the views go on forever......

 

We never did get to San Cristobal even though we had a 2 for 1 ticket. Oh well. Like the previous poster said - we will save it for our next visit to San Juan.

[MelissaForrest]

Thanks for the replies. I guess since time is a factor, I should ask if anyone can tell me how long it takes to get to the forts if I take the free trolley. I don't have a whole lot of time in San Juan.

[Sheffie]

I have never seen the trolleys running when we have been there. We have taken a taxi to El Morro and then walked down. I do remember that the taxi was really cheap.

[texancruzer]

We were in Old San Juan for 3 days/2 nights precruise and only ever saw the trolley once..... and we were walking faster than it was going :D

 

Take a taxi up to El Morro and walk back....... makes for a nice afternoon or few hours.

[wrp96]

I've never seen the trolleys in my 3 visits to San Juan.

[MelissaForrest]

OK, I guess I won't be taking the trolley and will take a taxi instead. How long does it take to get to either fort in a taxi?

Mel

[Sheffie]

It takes about 2 minutes to get to San Cristobal and about 5 to get to El Morro. San Cristobal is just up the hill from the piers at Old San Juan and is easy to walk to. Here is a map that will give you a good perspective of the area.

[MelissaForrest]

Thanks for the info. It helped a lot.

Mel

[MDSteve1]

From pictures it ooks lik eit is a very very long dirt road with grass on both sides leading up to El Morro. Do you have to walk up that road to get there ior does a taxi drop you closer?

[Bran8778]

you have to walk up the road

[Ren1216]

Yep, I was told cars are not allowed into that area... you must walk it.

[Sheffie]

Here is a picture that I found on webshots that looks like it was taken at the beginning of the path up to the fort. Although there is a car up at the fort, there are usually no cars allowed on this path. The taxis drop you off at the beginning of the path.

[countryside]

If you visit one fort its $3 p/p but if you go to both and tell them that you are going to both , it will be $5 for both.

Concerning the trolley, sometimes it just looks like a big green bus.

No charge.

But if you are going from one port to the other , walk, its faster

[Giorgi-one]

Take the walking tour from the waterfront to El Moro along the old wall. You can get a description on Fodors.com. There's a great litlle bakery to stop in for coffee and pastry (really cheap) on the way back. It's also described in the Fodor's tour.

[texancruzer]

Better yet go to your local bookstore and buy Frommers "Caribbean Ports of Call"

 

It has soooo much information on all the ports of the Caribbean. But in the San Juan section there is a detailed walking tour (tells you where to start, turn right, walk 2 blocks etc etc.)

 

the bakery is La Bombonera and is a "DO NOT MISS" !!!:D

 

I have now used this book to help me plan my third cruise so I feel it was $14.95 very very well spent !!!!!

[Giorgi-one]

Also, I believe most of the walking tours start at the Visitor's center in old San Juan and they serve free rum drinks there. Good place to stop before and after your tour. It's only a few blocks from the cruise terminal.