San Juan - what to do - The DIS Discussion Forums

cbarbosa · 01-02-2013, 07:07 PM

Can anyone suggest what to do in san juan without booking a shore excursion?? Seems over priced to simply go to the beach. We are travelling with a four and seven year old.

quickcat · 01-02-2013, 07:14 PM

I too would love some ideas.
I have to agree- their beach excursions are a lot for San Juan!
If you go to www.cruisecritic.com under the caribbean section San Juan does list a few things. Not too many beach activities though.
It would be nice to know if there were any day passes that people could book directly thru the hotel. Maybe someone here has done something like that?
Have a fun cruise!

akheila · 01-02-2013, 10:27 PM

you can walk to the forts, or walk the perimeter of old town. I believe there is a free shuttle that would take you up to the fort, and you could walk back.

mike the canuck · 01-02-2013, 11:10 PM

San Juan is a beautiful and big old city. We just spent all day walking around during my last Carnival cruise. Lots of cool stuff to see and shops to shop in.
Here is a video I took of our day there:
http://youtu.be/4W6PYEyOIyg

Mewissy · 01-02-2013, 11:12 PM

There are 2 forts in town - San Cristobal and El Morro. I've visited both. While both are walkable,you could take a trolley or taxi so the kids aren't beat by time you get there. The views from El Morro are beautiful. Also, there is this gorgeous lawn as you walk up where a lot of families fly kites.

Tolson70 · 01-03-2013, 08:40 AM

Forts are the perfect thing for the young kids. I go to PR for business yearly and love it there. OSJ has a lot of cool history so just go explore on your own. Hit up some of the street vendors for a taste or PR too!

JimGA · 01-03-2013, 11:41 AM

Go to the Forts, they are really impressive, and check out the City. There is also a place called Parque de las Palamos, it is a nice walk from the ship, but it is a "park" that has lots of pigeons that you can feed, your kids will love it. Bring hand sanitizer..lol. The pigeons will rest on the heads, sholders, eat out of your hand, kind of fun.

I have been to Puerto Rico several times and the beaches are just ok, definately skip the beaches. The Rain Forest is a good pick too.

quickcat · 01-03-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimGA

Go to the Forts, they are really impressive, and check out the City. There is also a place called Parque de las Palamos, it is a nice walk from the ship, but it is a "park" that has lots of pigeons that you can feed, your kids will love it. Bring hand sanitizer..lol. The pigeons will rest on the heads, sholders, eat out of your hand, kind of fun.

I have been to Puerto Rico several times and the beaches are just ok, definately skip the beaches. The Rain Forest is a good pick too.

That sounds really neat. Can I ask what you fed them? Did you bring something along or is someone selling food that you feed them?

JimGA · 01-03-2013, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickcat

That sounds really neat. Can I ask what you fed them? Did you bring something along or is someone selling food that you feed them?

There is usually someone there selling some bird feed for about $1 a bag. Nice views of the harbour from there and you will be able to see the cruise ship and take pictures with it in the background.

01-02-2013, 07:07 PM	#1
cbarbosa Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 1	San Juan - what to do Can anyone suggest what to do in san juan without booking a shore excursion?? Seems over priced to simply go to the beach. We are travelling with a four and seven year old.

01-02-2013, 11:10 PM	#4
mike the canuck DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 969	San Juan is a beautiful and big old city. We just spent all day walking around during my last Carnival cruise. Lots of cool stuff to see and shops to shop in. Here is a video I took of our day there: http://youtu.be/4W6PYEyOIyg __________________ 1990 Offsite (I think?) - 1992 Port Orleans - 1993 Dixie Landings - 1996 All-Star Sports - Nov 1999 Disney Institute - Nov 2001 Offsite (Sheraton Vistana) - June 2006 Grosvenor Resort - Christmas 2007 Regal Sun Resort - Sept 2010 Pop Century - Dec 2012 AOA My new Test Track ride through video: http://youtu.be/-F4DRnUg2Fs Be Our Guest Video Tour:http://youtu.be/b_79w_k_o-I AOA Little Mermaid room tour: http://youtu.be/H1Gnima3Abg Check out ALL my videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/reelbigf...ew=0&flow=grid

01-03-2013, 08:40 AM	#6
Tolson70 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Anoka, Minnesota Posts: 312	Forts are the perfect thing for the young kids. I go to PR for business yearly and love it there. OSJ has a lot of cool history so just go explore on your own. Hit up some of the street vendors for a taste or PR too! __________________ Disney Magic - Eastern Caribbean Jan 14-21 2012 Adventure of the Seas - Southern Caribbean Feb 2011 Disney Magic - Eastern Caribbean October 2009 Disney Wonder - Bahammas January 2008 Carnival Festivale - Puerto Rico and St. Thomas - 1985

01-03-2013, 11:41 AM	#7
JimGA Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 175	Parque de Las Palomos Go to the Forts, they are really impressive, and check out the City. There is also a place called Parque de las Palamos, it is a nice walk from the ship, but it is a "park" that has lots of pigeons that you can feed, your kids will love it. Bring hand sanitizer..lol. The pigeons will rest on the heads, sholders, eat out of your hand, kind of fun. I have been to Puerto Rico several times and the beaches are just ok, definately skip the beaches. The Rain Forest is a good pick too. __________________ Disney World 1978, 1995, 2010, 2011 PORS 2010, POFQ 2011, CBR 2012 Disney Dream, May 2013

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01-02-2013, 07:14 PM	#2
quickcat Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 204	I too would love some ideas. I have to agree- their beach excursions are a lot for San Juan! If you go to www.cruisecritic.com under the caribbean section San Juan does list a few things. Not too many beach activities though. It would be nice to know if there were any day passes that people could book directly thru the hotel. Maybe someone here has done something like that? Have a fun cruise!

01-02-2013, 10:27 PM	#3
akheila Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 68	you can walk to the forts, or walk the perimeter of old town. I believe there is a free shuttle that would take you up to the fort, and you could walk back.

01-02-2013, 11:12 PM	#5
Mewissy Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 81	There are 2 forts in town - San Cristobal and El Morro. I've visited both. While both are walkable,you could take a trolley or taxi so the kids aren't beat by time you get there. The views from El Morro are beautiful. Also, there is this gorgeous lawn as you walk up where a lot of families fly kites.