San Juan help for Triumph New Itinerary

[LibraByTheSea]

This is the first time I will be in San Juan for the day. The new Triumph itinerary includes the daytime visit, have always gotten in at 4-5pm.

I was thinking about going to the Condodo...always heard it was a cool beach, shopping, people watching day! Anyone with any info on this?

How far? How much for cab? Is it worth it?

Any other ideas?

I m traveling with a girlfriend (her first cruise) and we are sailing/snorkling/shopping in St Thomas...beaching in Half Moon Cay...beaching/snorkling in Grand Turk.

Looking for ideas for something cool in San Juan that 2 middle aged (but we refuse to believe that) ladies can do?

Thanks for the help

LibraByTheSea@comcast.net;)

[cruise87crazy]

not sure if you would be interested in this but the Bacardi Factory is in San Juan and it's free to tour the place. They also give you two free drink coupons to use throughout the tour.

[pholter]

The best place to get specific information on San Juan (or any port) is here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

 

I think that the beaches in the Isla Verde area are the best in the immediate area and they also have a great Boutique Hotel called the Water Club that has the most awesome view of the city from their rooftop bar and sushi lounge. Their Restaurant, called Tangerine, is fantastic as well!

 

Edited to add: just realized you said it would be a daytime visit, so forget the Water Club- sorry! Still like the Isla Verde beaches, but walking around OSJ or going on a nature type excursion may be fun.

[Fergus]

Libra, when are you sailing? We are going on the same cruise the week after Thanksgiving and it's our first time in SJ also. I was thinking we may rent a car and get out and see some of the island, but not sure yet.

[tomsmom]

We are booking the cruise next week for the Sept. 1st sailing.

[beachgal58]

hello, we stayed pre-cruise at condado beach, the radisson. it is about a 10 min cab ride to old town, where the destiny was. i guess all ships r pretty close..we will be there again on the triumph in sept, we will go to isle verde beach too. there is a mexican restaurant called lupis with 40oz margaritas close...the beach at condado is pretty, this is the north shore, rough water but very blue! and yes, they have shops and restaurants, people watching.. but u can do all that at old town..cindy

[jkruppe]

We just returned from the same cruise on the Triumph and our day in San Juan was spent on a fantastic private tour of the El Yunque rainforest. We all enjoyed that very much.

[LibraByTheSea]

How long was the tour of El Yunque? How much? Heard it was beautiful!

[Oaktree]

Hello Libra--you may not be aware you have two threads going on this board.

Big Sky and I both left some info for you on the other thread.

[phdiva]

We just returned from the same cruise on the Triumph and our day in San Juan was spent on a fantastic private tour of the El Yunque rainforest. We all enjoyed that very much.

 

Which company did you go with? (Am trying to arrange something for a post-cruise stay in PR.)

[Froufie]

Also interested in the private tour of El Yunque - can you please provide more info or website?

 

Thanks,

 

Froufie

[pawags45]

We took a off the beaten paths tour with Victour from Countryside tours and it was fantastic. He took us to the College and showed us around. He spoke about the politics in PR and explained about the Red Party and Blue Party. He took us to southern San Juan and explained about the Culture of the residents of San Juan. He showed us the local shooping areas and explained how shopping in the local areas (Stores with out Air Conditioning, shopping areas with out Movie Theaters, etc) could save alot of money. You could buy the same item at a Mall for say $20.00 as compared to $4.00 at the local places. We also road to the maintain area and Victor explained about the area, Rain Forrest, Local tree's and Fruit.

 

Victor also takes tours to the Rain Forrest and probly anywhere else you may want to go.

 

My wife and I had visited San Juan two other times and never realy cared for it. (Just went because it was a port of call on a cruise ship) But after taking this tour we have changed our minds about San Juan and realy enjoyed it this time. WE got to know the Culture and people like Victor who is just a great frendly and knowlegable tour guide who we now call frend. Now we cant wait to return to San Juan.

 

All in All it was a great way to see San Juan and when we return we will deffinatly contact Victor again.

 

It was just My Wife and I and it cost $100.00 Victor Picked us up in a car, His Girl Frend drove and she was every bit as nice as Victor. Her and My wife got along great.

 

If anyone wants to contact Victor his e-mail is countrysidetourspr@yahoo.com

 

If you have any questions concerning my tour please e-mail me at pawags45@yahoo.com

 

Larry

[Wiseone24]

I can't figure out what to do in San Juan either. I know there probably is a really slim chance of getting off the boat at 7am to get the full 7 hours there. I'd like to see Old San Juan and do some shopping if possible.