Opinion on what to do in San Juan

[FSU Girl]

I'm trying to decide if I should or shouldn't book a cruise line excursion when we are in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I've never been there before. I'm also not great at planning things on my own. Would it be easy to navigate the island on my own, or would it be easier to do it through the cruise excursion? I've been looking into things to do. It seems there is a trolly that can take you to the old fort, does anyone know how much that costs? Is there anything within walking distance of the port?

 

[wherespluto]

Old San Juan is within walking distance of the port. It is nice and you can just walk around and enjoy it. I was in San Juan in March (not a cruise) and did an AWESOME walking tour of Old San Juan. It is a lot of walking so you would want to be prepared for that. Javier Ruiz is the tour guide and I cant say enough wonderful things about him. The pricing is very reasonable and he knows so much. And it is a private tour so he will adjust to what you might be interested in. Here is his website with more info:

http://www.walksanjuan.com/

 

[Prose]

We loved San Juan! I am not sure whether DCL offers this excursion, but it was a fantastic way to see Old San Juan... http://www.sanjuanfoodtours.com/

 

[bumbershoot]

The Old San Juan trolley is free. They recently got a hop on hop off double decker bus that isn't free.

Is this just a day stop? We're currently planning 5 days before a cruise leaving out of SJ, so the difference is big.

On our day stop we did a self guided walking tour that involved both forts (both are US National Parks), sightseeing, shopping, and at long sweaty last we had lunch before walking back to the ship.

 

[FSU Girl]

The Old San Juan trolley is free. They recently got a hop on hop off double decker bus that isn't free.

Is this just a day stop? We're currently planning 5 days before a cruise leaving out of SJ, so the difference is big.

On our day stop we did a self guided walking tour that involved both forts (both are US National Parks), sightseeing, shopping, and at long sweaty last we had lunch before walking back to the ship.

It's just a day stop. I've never been before and would like to see the big must see sights. That's great that the trolley is free I think I read it goes up to the old fort so that would be a much cheaper option instead of the cruise excursion there.

 

[ldo]

fyi-free trolley can be packed with people from cruises and you might not be able to get on. It might be better to grab a taxi for the ride to the fort. Going back is much easier to get a spot on the trolley.
Another fort is San Cristobel (?), just to the right of Old SJ, which is easily walkable. Old SJ is a lovely town. Pick either fort, explore and then spend a few hours walking around Old SJ looking at architecture, sampling food/drink. No need for an excursion, esp. if you are willing to take a taxi if the trolley is too crowded. I cannot imagine a taxi ride would be more than $15 or 20. You could also walk to El Moro, if it's not too hot and you are in decent shape, with a bit of huffing and puffing. It is too long for young kids, elderly. The fort is atop a promontory about a hundred feet above sea level, maybe three quarters of a mile from the pier. The old city is well-equipped with sidewalks.

 

[FSU Girl]

That doesn't sound like a bad walk. I have a little fear of taxi's but I'm sure we'll figure it out. I thought the excursion through the ship seemed very expensive compared to the cost to enter the fort.

 

[jrabbit]

We were in San Juan for several days before our last S Caribbean Cruise. We stayed across the street from where the ships dock for their day in Puerto Rico (this is a different location than where cruises start and end)

Easy walk up to the forts (El Morro and Cristobol) and back. The free trolley can get very crowded, so walking might be a better option.

I THINK that the price to go into the forts is $5 per person and covers admission to both of them (we were there on a "holiday" and a "training day" and did not have to pay for either (we went on different days).

For my family, we enjoy the history and the old forts, so we really enjoyed our time in both of them. We also walk around the top of the walls of old town (where the forts are). We also walked at sea level on the path (paved) that goes from La Princesa to under (the foot of) El Morro.

Depending upon timing, you could do the San Juan Food Tour mentioned above. We did the evening one while there and it was a great way to experience the city. They do have a morning/breakfast tour as well as the evening one.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Old San Juan has a free trolly that you can get on and off. It stops at both forts and various other locations. Great way to see Old San Juan.

 

[rcchello]

On a one day stop they probably pull into the port right next to Old San Juan, which means that that the restaurants and shopping start about two blocks in from the port. The fortress is straight out and to the left but is a long walk and you will probably want to take the free trolley.

My wife and I found Uber very effective when we needed to get around, but we were there at the end of a cruise for 3 days. In that case they docked at the port across from Old San Juan near the convention center.

 

[linetbo]

The Old San Juan trolley is free. They recently got a hop on hop off double decker bus that isn't free.

Is this just a day stop? We're currently planning 5 days before a cruise leaving out of SJ, so the difference is big.

On our day stop we did a self guided walking tour that involved both forts (both are US National Parks), sightseeing, shopping, and at long sweaty last we had lunch before walking back to the ship.

5 days!! nice, let me know if you need to know anything about Puerto Rico .

 

[jrabbit]

If you are open to a private tour of OSJ or Puerto Rico in general, Charlie at Charlie's Custom Tours is a very good option. I have friends that have used him to tour and you get a lot out his tour(s). Last time there we tried booking him but the timing didn't work out. Next year I am hopeful that he will be able to give us the Island in a Day tour.