San Juan

[Erin Mouse]

we’re going to San Juan for the first time and have a few questions!

1- favorite hotel with beach access?
2- what did you do for transportation?
3- what did you do for car seats?
4- what is island safety like?

 

[AquaDame]

We've cruised out of SJ three times now but always go with a cheaper option than a resort with beach access since we only stay for one night. The first two trips we just took a taxi to the port but on our last trip found Uber to be much quicker and cheaper though they can't pick up right at the terminal (you have to walk outside the complex). The taxis only took cash which was another point in Uber's favor despite the hassle! We did not at any point feel unsafe walking around Old San Juan - when traveling further out we had a rental car. I'm not sure how the rebuilding process is going but the last time we were there we saw a LOT of debris and broken infrastructure which probably makes it look scarier than it was. The people are lovely and warm!

 

[mmouse37]

I can answer some of your questions.....we were there in January for one night before the Southern Caribbean cruise. Felt totally safe. We stayed at AC Marriott Condado which had a lovely rooftop pool and bar area but a block or so from the beach. We used a taxi to the port from the hotel and a taxi from the port back to the airport at end of cruise. Sorry, adult only trip so can't comment on car seats.

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjuac-ac-hotel-san-juan-condado/

MJ

 

[Van Houten]

We rented the car from Avis on debarkation day to explore the area. There is a rental agency at the Sheraton Convention Center (which is where we stayed prior to cruise), and they will pick you up at the cruise port. Dropped the car off at the airport later in the day.

We used BubbleBum inflatable boosters for the kids, those have been perfect for any trips involving rental cars.

 

[tlprice]

1-We stayed at La Terraza de San Juan which had a rooftop pool, but no beach. It was a very easy walk to the forts though if you want to explore those.
2-we took a taxi from the airport to the hotel. The taxis are right outside and they tell you exactly how much it will be when you get in line based on number of people, number of bags, and where you are going. I didn't want to try to figure out how to get to an Uber at the airport. We did take an Uber from our hotel to the port. We took a taxi from the port to the airport (we shared with our table mates to save money). If I remember correctly, Ubers were not allowed to come pick us up at the port when we got off the ship.
3-we didn't use car seats because my daughter was 10
4-we felt completely safe and loved Puerto Rico and would love to go back and explore more. It was just me (single mom) and my 10 year old daughter. We were there January 2018.

 

[Erin Mouse]

Thanks so much for feedback!
I’ve never heard of a bubblebum before!
Does anybody else know of travel friendly car seats? We’d need one infant and one for a 4 y/o!

 

[Van Houten]

Does anybody else know of travel friendly car seats? We’d need one infant and one for a 4 y/o!

4 year old could use an inflatable / portable booster, if he/she is not too wiggly, and can sit up. With an infant, there aren't many choices. if you already have a baby carrier, it is likely the best you could do. For a child who outgrew an infant carrier, but is still under 4yo, the options are to lug your convertible seat (perhaps with GoGo Babyz TravelMate or a similar contraption), to buy an inexpensive one from local Walmart, or to rent one from a car rental agency. If you happen to have a convertible Diono Radian, those do travel well, but I would not buy it just because of one trip.

 

[Travel60]

In January we did b2b Southern and repositioning cruises so we had a couple days in SJ before cruise and explored more on repositioning day. We stayed at San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris hotel (or some long name like that). Right on beach, very nice. We took a taxi from airport and liked our driver so asked him how to contact him. We got his phone number, called and he appeared, also picked us up from ship on repositioning day. From airport to hotel, hotel to downtown and from hotel to port all seemed to be about $15 for 2 of us. We gave him nicer "tip" at end. We did not go to rain forest because it was still a mess.

I don't know about car seats...my daughter with 2 children flys with hers ..this requires buying them seats of course.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks so much for feedback!
I’ve never heard of a bubblebum before!
Does anybody else know of travel friendly car seats? We’d need one infant and one for a 4 y/o!

Cosco Scenera was our choice for travel seats. It goes from infants to whatever the height/weight limit is now.

Bubble Bums are terrific for kids who meet the reqs for a booster! It's not for long rides where kids might get sleepy and slump, though of course that's so for any backless booster.

Taxis to and from the airport and cruise port are easy and simple. We used uber to do touristy things inside of the city, but we used taxis otherwise. It was just easier.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

We went to Puerto Rico for a family vacation a couple of years ago. We stayed at the Marriott Stellaris in Condado. We loved it! The kids loved the pool slide, and the swim up bar for milkshakes. It's a family friendly hotel, and we had a great time there. Just know that the taxi drivers drive like MANIACS there, and many times we would get in and there would be NO seatbelts. We live in the NYC area, so we know maniacs drivers well, but these people took the cake!

 

[Mich123]

We've visited San Juan a couple of times and stayed at the Marriott La Concha, which is up the street from the Marriott Stellaris in Condado. As a family of 4, we liked that La Concha had some nice suite style rooms--bedroom for me and DH, the kids took over the living room/kitchen area with pull out couch. The pools were great and the beach was fun. The waves could be a little rough at times. Condado is super tourist friendly, there are great restaurants within walking distance. We did not rent a car and used taxis to get to the hotel and old city. You can also walk to the old city from Condado, if you like walking. There's a new area (well, new construction) by the Caribe Hilton with restaurants as well which is right across the lagoon from Condado (look for the manatees as you walk over the causeway!).