San Juan as a port of call - recommendations for a few hours visit

[DonnaK]

Most of the posts on this forum are about San Juan as an embarkation port, not as a port of call.

 

We'll be calling on San Juan via the Caribbean Princess.

 

What are some recommendations of inexpensive things we can do within a day visit.

[martinchem]

For a short stay, I'd do the walking tour, you can do one on your own, it will be excellent. There are forts, casinos, historical sites and great shopping to be seen and done.

[Coqui2007]

Wander around Old San Juan:

 

Forts (2 of them) $3 per fort or $5 for both forts)

Museums (some have small entrance fee)

Plazas - people watch

Paseo La Princesa promenade - usually has artisans along it

Free Trolley that goes yp to both forts (take the one marked El Morro)

Fly a kite in front of El Morro (cheap kites usually sold by the road side vendors)

 

More $ do a segway tour, take a carriage ride

 

Plenty of places to grab food and drinks

[DonnaK]

How about a beach? Are there any near the port that could be reached easily?

[natspawpaw]

Take the water taxi across the bay, $1.00 - $3.00, then get a taxi to Bicardi. Do not catch the taxi at the port as it is too expensive. Very interesting tour, plus you get free samples.

[orquidia]

the only port in the caribbean where you can find same thing or similar to San Juan is Havana,Cuba. These two cities are a historic jewel in the caribbean full of culture and historic sites, including 500 year old Forts, cathedrals and many more. Beaches are dime a dozen in the caribbean, but there is only one San Juan.

[Coqui2007]

As for beaches close to the Port - you will see better at other ports, but if a beach is a must there is:

 

Escambron Beach

Condado Beach

Isla Verde

Beach / Boardwalk at Pinones

 

all the above are not within walking distance - so you would need a taxi.

[Coqui2007]

duplicate post in error

[DonnaK]

Thanks for all the helpful responses. I think we'll do as suggested and consider this port a historic one, as there seems to be so much culture and history to explore.

[Quilcruisers]

We didnt have any plans for anything specific but San Juan ended up being one of our favorite stops. In fact, we are leaving from there at the end of the month.

 

We walked to the end of the pier and caught a shuttle bus for $20 per person. The tour bus- Happy Tours, I believe, drove us around, allowed us to stop for pictures and took us to city hall and other historic sites. We also visited the beaches for more photo ops. The tour lasted a couple of hours and there were about 12 of us on the bus. It was a very good tour, with a mix of things to do for all age ranges (we were cruising with people as young as 28 and as old as 75 ) and we all enjoyed the tour.

 

Good luck to you!

Angela

[MAKINGWAVES]

What on earth do you do there when your ship docks there at 5:00 P.M.?

That just leaves evening hours.

Elyse

[kjunea]

What on earth do you do there when your ship docks there at 5:00 P.M.?

That just leaves evening hours.

Elyse

 

A lot of people do a dinner show or go to the Biobay excursions. If it is a new moon, definitely do the Biobay!

[Happy_Me]

A lot of people do a dinner show or go to the Biobay excursions. If it is a new moon, definitely do the Biobay!

 

Walking tour by yourself!! Beautiful city, beautiful views, the forts are closed but the view from its surroundings is amazing. The city is live at night, you'll enjoy :).

[moya]

Most of the posts on this forum are about San Juan as an embarkation port, not as a port of call.

 

We'll be calling on San Juan via the Caribbean Princess.

 

 

 

Can someone tell us where the ship will port? Old San Juan or Pan Am pier?

 

Thanks,

 

Moya

[toonjie]

Most of the posts on this forum are about San Juan as an embarkation port, not as a port of call.

 

We'll be calling on San Juan via the Caribbean Princess.

 

 

 

Can someone tell us where the ship will port? Old San Juan or Pan Am pier?

 

Thanks,

 

Moya

 

CB isn't on the official schedule yet, (http://www.continentalshipping.com/july%202009.htm), but I would guess you will be either at Pier 3 or 4, you definitely won't be at Pan Am. You can check back to see if CB gets listed soon.