Help with plans!

[Newbcruiser1]

We'll be docking in San Juan from 7am-2pm on the Explorer in a few weeks, and since our canopy tour was cancelled, we need alternate plans.

 

Does the ship dock right in Old San Juan? Is it possible to just get off and walk around to see the historical sites, maybe the fort, and check out some of the stores, or will we need a taxi or tour of some sort?

 

Any and all advice would be very much appreciated at this point! :)

 

Thanks in advance!

[jtmalt]

We'll be docking in San Juan from 7am-2pm on the Explorer in a few weeks, and since our canopy tour was cancelled, we need alternate plans.

 

Does the ship dock right in Old San Juan? Is it possible to just get off and walk around to see the historical sites, maybe the fort, and check out some of the stores, or will we need a taxi or tour of some sort?

 

Any and all advice would be very much appreciated at this point! :)

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Explorer should be docking at pier 4 right in Old San Juan. Both forts are in easy walking distance if you're in good shape, but a free tourist trolley is available to bring you there if you prefer. In fact, you may want to ride the tourist trolley loop just to get a feel for the old city, and then explore the areas you wish to on foot. Admission to the forts is nominal ($3 each or $5 for both). Check the link in my signature for Caribbean Princess pictures, and you'll find an extensive San Juan album. Enjoy!

[Newbcruiser1]

Thanks for the information! Is the trolley right near the pier? Is it easy to find, or is there a sign we need to look for? Does it come often? Are there good shopping areas near pier 4?

 

Any idea what time the trolley starts in the morning, and what time the forts open? Also is 1 fort better than the other if we only want to visit 1?

 

Thanks again!

[Coqui2007]

You will be steps away from everything Old San Juan has to offer. Just google ' self guided walking tour old san juan' for ideas

 

enjoy

[jtmalt]

Thanks for the information! Is the trolley right near the pier? Is it easy to find, or is there a sign we need to look for? Does it come often? Are there good shopping areas near pier 4?

 

Any idea what time the trolley starts in the morning, and what time the forts open? Also is 1 fort better than the other if we only want to visit 1?

 

Thanks again!

 

Very easy to find. The stops are clearly marked with signs, and there's one right across the street from the pier. If you stop at the tourist info booth, they should have a trolley map. Hours are 7am to 7pm M-F, and 9am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday. It runs pretty often, depending on traffic, probably every 15 minutes or so. The main shopping areas along Fortaleza Street are only a block or two away from the pier as well.

 

If you plug trolley-map san juan into Google, you'll quickly find a link to a site that explains the trolley and supplies a copy of the trolley route map. Very helpful! I'll post the direct link here as well, but sometimes Cruise Critic disables it for some reason: puertoricodaytrips

 

Both forts are great. El Morro is more impressive because of the expansive parade grounds in front, often filled with kite fliers, and because it's a taller structure. San Cristobal is bigger, and has more interpretive displays. If you can visit only one, I think I'd lean toward El Morro, since you can also walk back to the pier from there (downhill) through the Red Gate and along the Paseo, a very beautiful walk.

[Newbcruiser1]

Great info! Thank you! :)