what to do in SJU?

[firedug]

We'll be arriving in San Juan (SJU) late Friday night Jan 25th and have Saturday (as an insurance day for flight arrangements from the frozen north) to do 'something' in San Juan. We were there a few years ago before our cruise on Serenade of the Seas, so we've done old San Juan and the fort.

 

Wow, its been a long wait but now it's like light at the end of the tunnel. 7 days to go B4 boarding Adventure of the Seas!

 

Has anyone done the 'rain forest' tour?? How about the rum factory??

 

I presume the hotel can advise how to do either.

 

Any other ideas?

 

thanks

[sunlover5]

Rainforest was ok, a lot of walking and if you are sailing on Sat. it is a good drive to the rainforest and I wouldn't do it before sailing, but it would be great if you sail on Sun.

Have not been to the rum factory, but many say it is not worth it.

Good Luck finding something to do!

[judyf]

I'm thinking of doing the rainforest tour through RCI on our port visit.

 

When you say a lot of walking was it on flat ground or up hills. I'm wondering if it would be too much walking for my 70 yo mother?

[suznf]

We loved the Bio-Bay tour and would do it again in a heart beat!

 

If you are going to the rain forest and renting a car, the kiosks at Luquillo beach are a neat place to stop and eat. We went to the rain forest on our own, but found it so crowded w/tourists, we left and went to the beach :eek:

 

Last month we did the Bacardi Tour on our own...50 cents for the ferry (round trip) (We asked for directions to the ferry at the tourist information area when we got off the ship) When the ferry droped us off, we walked out to the street and made a right, then walked about 1 block to a two story parking garage (green) on the right side of the street. There were numerous taxi vans parked inside with drivers standing next to them. One man was directing people. We told him we were going to the Bacardi Factory and they will gave us a van to get into. Once the van was full they took us to the factory, cost is $3 pp each way.

 

At the Bacardi Factory, we picked up our tickets from and outdoor covered patio area where bartenders were busy fixing all sorts of Bacardi Drinks. Everyone gets two tickets, redeemable for two free drinks from those nice, overworked bartenders.

 

For the tour, we hopped onto a tram (no walking allowed!) and were transferred to a visitors center. There we (got off the tram) and watched a video about the founders and the "discovery" of the Bacardi brand...and the bat symbol. Then we were moved through an interactive display area where we could watch videos, as well as touch and smell varieties of rum in different forms. This was actually kinda fun!

 

The last part of the tour had a host bartender explaining the beginnings and demonstrating the methods for making Bacardi & Coke; Mojitos and Daquaris. Then we were moved through a display area back onto a tram that drove us by the bottling plant. We didnt get to go inside or see anything of the actual processing...

 

The tram let us out at the Bacardi Gift Shop where we had the opportunity to purchase all sorts of rum at reasonable prices.

 

That is the extent of the tour. Is it worth it??? Well that depends on how much you pay....we paid $3.50 per person and got there on our own...it was a fun relaxing day with friends and family---and the drinks were good. The information was interesting. The views from the cab and the ferry were excellent. All in all, we thought it was a fine way to spend the day, and came home w/many pleasant memories!

[little britain]

...personally, I head straight for the Coach outlet store [we don't get Coach in England!!!].....and stock up!

[little britain]

...and then go to El Convento for a wonderful lunch!