What To Do In San Juan, Puerto Rico?

[ChicosWife]

What do y'all recommend for excursions, for those that have been recently?

 

[Chemist]

Go visit the forts.
One is an easy walk, the other is a slightly longer walk.

They are amazing!

 

[HiStitch626]

Is this a port day or are you staying in PR before or after a cruise?

 

[ChicosWife]

Is this a port day or are you staying in PR before or after a cruise?

It's a port day for us.

 

[HiStitch626]

Then I agree that a visit to the forts is a great option. If they are offering an excursion out to El Yunque that would also be great, but I do not know if that is open yet.

 

[jrabbit]

I assume this is your first trip to San Juan and it's a Port Day vs an Embarkation / Disembarkation port (ship docks in different locations depending)

For a day trip in Puerto Rico, I would probably stay in Old San Juan and everything is walkable if you are mobile. If you have mobility issues, then it's a bit of a rough go ... cobblestone streets (actually they were ballast stones from the old wooden ships)
There are two old forts run by the US Park Service - if you like old forts, you will enjoy these
There is a walkway from the port area to Below El Morro (one of the forts). Its along the water and a beautiful walk. And as you continue around the point where El Morro sits, you can come up to the grounds after you have passed the fort.
The other fort is call Castle san Christobal. Note: if you watched Agents of Shield this is where they filmed some scenes before they found the sunken Inhumans city
If you enjoy a good Pina Colada, the head over to Barrachina - where it was first made (but there are a couple of other places in Old San Juan that dispute this). Regardless, TASTY!!!
Like Chocolate - head to the ChocoBar Cortez - great food and drinks, most with chocolate in / on them! Again Delicious !

If you like nature, there is a Rainforest out of town - probably excursions available to there.
If you are there overnight (unlikely), there's a "Bio Bay" - when you paddle, the water glows with very small critters!!

 

[CamColt]

I agree, check out the forts. We unexpectedly ended up there due to a hurricane itinerary change so this was a last minute decision for us. I'm glad we found out about them as touring them was quite interesting.

 

[sjuncfan]

We are most likely porting in San Juan as well - we were supposed to go a couple years ago but due to political unrest at the time went to St. Thomas instead. We have been to San Juan a couple times and our plan had been to just walk around Old San Juan, visit the fort(s), and the umbrella street (Calle Fortaleza).

I was intrigued by Chocobar Cortes so I took a look at their website. Head's up to everyone, as of August they were requiring proof of vaccine or negative COVID test. Seems like that was a recommendation for all restaurants in Puerto Rico, so in general it's probably good practice to carry your vaccine card around.

Given new recommendations of the local government that all restaurants require employees and diners to present proof of vaccination and/or a negative PCR test within 72 hours to dine indoors, we have decided to implement this policy at Chocobar Cortés starting Monday, August 16.

 

[ChicosWife]

We are most likely porting in San Juan as well - we were supposed to go a couple years ago but due to political unrest at the time went to St. Thomas instead. We have been to San Juan a couple times and our plan had been to just walk around Old San Juan, visit the fort(s), and the umbrella street (Calle Fortaleza).

I was intrigued by Chocobar Cortes so I took a look at their website. Head's up to everyone, as of August they were requiring proof of vaccine or negative COVID test. Seems like that was a recommendation for all restaurants in Puerto Rico, so in general it's probably good practice to carry your vaccine card around.

Given new recommendations of the local government that all restaurants require employees and diners to present proof of vaccination and/or a negative PCR test within 72 hours to dine indoors, we have decided to implement this policy at Chocobar Cortés starting Monday, August 16.

I wonder, in these cases, if a copy of the vaccine card will do, rather than risking the original?

 

[Chemist]

I wonder, in these cases, if a copy of the vaccine card will do, rather than risking the original?

I live in an area where proof of vaccination is required for restaurants and hotels. A copy of the vaccine card (or a QR code you can download from the state website) is considered proof.
i keep a laminated copy in my wallet and the originals safe with other important documents.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

A friend of mine at work grew up in San Juan. When we did our S. Caribbean 11 night, we were scheduled for San Juan on the way back (didn't make it due to the protests about the governor). Anyway, he sent me a list of fun things in Old San Juan that I've pasted below.

Artisans’ Sunday @ Museo de las Americas in the Cuartel de Ballajá
When: First Sunday of each month from noon – 5:00 pm

RESTAURANTS:
I haven't been to the Old San Juan in years, but I reached out to my friends and this is what they recommended.

- The best restaurant to have an authentic Puerto Rican meal is called Raices (Roots). Here is the website:
http://www.restauranteraices.com/English/index.html
The old San Juan location is within walking distance from the Cruise ports.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Raíces/@18.46454,-66.113425,17z
* We have been told the "Mofongo Relleno de Churrasco" (mofongo is a fried green plantain ball; churrasco is grilled flank steak) and the "sopa de crema de platano" (cream of plantain soup) are especially good.

Keep in mind that they are going to give you a heavy lunch (rice, beans, meat, ect) so take that into consideration. It maybe a little harder to walk after eating there.

- If you want true Puerto Rican coffee and a lighter lunch (sandwiches) then Cafe Cuatro Sombras is the place to go.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Locatio...Cafe_Cuatro_Sombras-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html
This could be a great place for a snack.

They are also pretty close to the port so you can walk easily:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/C...5b5ac8c6bcc44dd!8m2!3d18.4643249!4d-66.114336
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ATTRACTIONS

For attractions I recommend the two Spanish forts:
- El Morro
https://www.nps.gov/saju/learn/historyculture/el-morro.htm
- El Castillo San Cristobal
https://www.nps.gov/saju/learn/historyculture/san-cristobal.htm
You can probably walk to both, but to save time I recommend taking the Old San Juan trolley. It is free and it makes stops all over Old San Juan (different routes).
start walking to the left, follow the sidewalk along the water past “La Casita”, and you’ll soon see the stop

https://sanjuanpuertorico.com/trolley-old-san-juan/http://www.touroldsanjuan.com/trolley-map/
I don't think you will be able to do both forts in one day because they are big. So if you need to choose one, I will say go to El Morro.

For a sweet desert before heading back to the ship, Señor Paleta is the place:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaur...eviews-Senor_Paleta-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html
Once you have your dessert, you can head to "Paseo de la Princesa" which is a very nice walking area with statues, local vendors and great views of Spanish architecture:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147320-d148183-Reviews-Paseo_de_la_Princesa-

 

[sjuncfan]

A friend of mine at work grew up in San Juan. When we did our S. Caribbean 11 night, we were scheduled for San Juan on the way back (didn't make it due to the protests about the governor). Anyway, he sent me a list of fun things in Old San Juan that I've pasted below.

Thanks for posting all of this - I am going to copy it for future reference . We were on the same cruise - it was so amazing.

 

[Capt_BJ]

a tid bit

from where the cruise ship piers are the two forts are UP!!!!!

Significantly UP ......

if you look at a map they are not far in distance but only special maps show the 'vertical' .....
trust me ... they are UP

IF not wanting to climb DO consider some mode of transportation to the fort<s> ... and then walk down hill will be easy!

I'd taxi or UBER to MORRO (up hill!) then walk to Cristobal (about a mile and 'level') then walk down to the pier (about 1/4 mile and down hill <sharply>)

 

[OKW Lover]

You can probably walk to both, but to save time I recommend taking the Old San Juan trolley. It is free and it makes stops all over Old San Juan (different routes).

Great suggestion, but I don't think it is currently running.

 

[HopperFan]

Our day wandering Old San Juan and the forts was probably one of my favorite port days in all my cruises. It is stunning to see, the forts and views are beautiful. We walked the path along the water to approach the main fort from the water. AWESOME! Incredible shops. The architecture, colors and details had me constantly taking photos and wishing we had days. We asked local shop owners where they would eat and we had delicious food.

 

[Capt_BJ]

https://sanjuanpuertorico.com/trolley-old-san-juan/
it appears the trolley is running but the 'open air' one is out of action . . .

 

[OKW Lover]

https://sanjuanpuertorico.com/trolley-old-san-juan/
it appears the trolley is running but the 'open air' one is out of action . . .

Good to know!

 

[Carol_]

What I loved about Puerto Rico:
Coffee
Pork
Butterflies
The only tropical rainforest in the US National Park system
Bioluminescent bays
Rum
Reggaeton
Puerto Ricans who are not New Yorkers. *mind blown* at how friendly they were.

 

[ChicosWife]

Go visit the forts.
One is an easy walk, the other is a slightly longer walk.

They are amazing!

I assume this is your first trip to San Juan and it's a Port Day vs an Embarkation / Disembarkation port (ship docks in different locations depending)

For a day trip in Puerto Rico, I would probably stay in Old San Juan and everything is walkable if you are mobile. If you have mobility issues, then it's a bit of a rough go ... cobblestone streets (actually they were ballast stones from the old wooden ships)
There are two old forts run by the US Park Service - if you like old forts, you will enjoy these
There is a walkway from the port area to Below El Morro (one of the forts). Its along the water and a beautiful walk. And as you continue around the point where El Morro sits, you can come up to the grounds after you have passed the fort.
The other fort is call Castle san Christobal. Note: if you watched Agents of Shield this is where they filmed some scenes before they found the sunken Inhumans city
If you enjoy a good Pina Colada, the head over to Barrachina - where it was first made (but there are a couple of other places in Old San Juan that dispute this). Regardless, TASTY!!!
Like Chocolate - head to the ChocoBar Cortez - great food and drinks, most with chocolate in / on them! Again Delicious !

If you like nature, there is a Rainforest out of town - probably excursions available to there.
If you are there overnight (unlikely), there's a "Bio Bay" - when you paddle, the water glows with very small critters!!

I agree, check out the forts. We unexpectedly ended up there due to a hurricane itinerary change so this was a last minute decision for us. I'm glad we found out about them as touring them was quite interesting.

Are these walkable from the cruise port?

 

[Chemist]

One fort is maybe 3 blocks from port. (Uphill by my 5 year old did it easily.). The other fort is a good mile away. We enjoyed the walk through town to get there and took a taxi back.)