crazycruzer68 Posted August 6, 2014 #1 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Our first time in San Juan and we just want to hang at a nice beach without paying for an excursion. Any suggestions, all adults traveling. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirkgun Posted August 7, 2014 #2 Share Posted August 7, 2014 When you get off the ship just ask a taxi driver to take you to a decent beach in the Condado area (closer but less choices)/ or the Isla Verde area (longer cab ride but a little nicer beaches) San Juan is not known for the beaches.... the Old City and its historic charm is what makes it great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slidergirl Posted August 7, 2014 #3 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Rent a car and drive to Luquillo Beach. Wonderful beach with lots of really good food vendors!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss_rach Posted August 7, 2014 #4 Share Posted August 7, 2014 We bypassed the Condado area and went to the Isla Verde. Here's the research I did on both beaches before we went: Condado: There is the Condado Beach that is a bit closer. Have the driver drop you at Ashford and Condado, there is a Walgreens on the corner where you can pick up snacks and drinks (beer too). Walk the short block to the beach. There is a guy renting beach chairs for $5. There are no public restrooms but you are close to the stores and restaurants and can find one there. Have a drink at the Atlantic Hotel Beach Bar and you can use one there. Isla Verde: As soon as you get off the ship there will be small buses lined up. They will approach you, don't worry. I was concerned that we had nothing booked either. We had a great driver, suggested we stop at a 7-eleven type store to buy snacks and beer and coolers. He dropped us right off at a store and we walked down the dead end street to the beach. He actually came on the beach to let us know he was there to bring us back to the ship...Great guy, lots of fun! $4.00 pp each way. The beach to go to in Isla Verde is called: Pine Grove Beach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycruzer68 Posted August 7, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Do any of you have photos of any if the beaches you were at? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mns2lv4ever Posted August 10, 2014 #6 Share Posted August 10, 2014 If you are going to go to Condado Beach you might as well find a beach in NY, If you can find a way to get to any other beach ( Taxi, Rental Car ) You will not be sorry. I've always said if you go to PR try to go into the country side if you have time. It is so beautiful and the water on the beaches are so crystal clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycruzer68 Posted August 10, 2014 Author #7 Share Posted August 10, 2014 If you are going to go to Condado Beach you might as well find a beach in NY, If you can find a way to get to any other beach ( Taxi, Rental Car ) You will not be sorry. I've always said if you go to PR try to go into the country side if you have time. It is so beautiful and the water on the beaches are so crystal clear. Ok, not a fan of Conrado that's ok! So that's the name of some of the other beaches you recommend? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghsteelerfan Posted August 10, 2014 #8 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Do any of you have photos of any if the beaches you were at? Sent from my iPhone using Forums We were on a cruise on Carnival Valor in May 2013 out of San Juan. We flew down a day before our cruise and stayed at a hotel at Isla Verde Beach (5 minutes from airport, 20 minutes from cruise ship pier) and spent the afternoon and some time the next morning on Isla Verde Beach before we had to check out of the hotel and head to the cruise terminal to board Valor. I did a review of the cruise and the link to it is in my signature. There are several pictures of Isla Verde Beach that are all on the first page of the review. We really enjoyed Isla Verde Beach and thought it was very nice, but we also have not been to any of the other beaches in San Juan. As mentioned by others, Condado Beach is closer. I see Dirkgun commented and he also has two Carnival Victory reviews with links in his signature (Valor took Victory's place in San Juan in February 2013) with pictures and I believe there are some of Condado Beach in his reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms411 Posted August 14, 2014 #9 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Just back from 4 days in PR. The BEST beach I saw is the small, protected beach next to the Hilton Condado Plaza Hotel. Water is very calm, there are coral reefs there, $5 chair rentals but no snorkel rentals. The other beaches in Condado are very rough most of the time, but not this one next to the Hilton. You can also rent pedal boats and stand up paddleboards. There's also a very cool fitness area that is now on my bucket list! Taxi should be $16 one way regardless of number of riders. Lots of natural shade. Haven't posted photos yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycruzer68 Posted August 14, 2014 Author #10 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Just back from 4 days in PR. The BEST beach I saw is the small, protected beach next to the Hilton Condado Plaza Hotel. Water is very calm, there are coral reefs there, $5 chair rentals but no snorkel rentals. The other beaches in Condado are very rough most of the time, but not this one next to the Hilton. You can also rent pedal boats and stand up paddleboards. There's also a very cool fitness area that is now on my bucket list! Taxi should be $16 one way regardless of number of riders. Lots of natural shade. Haven't posted photos yet. I would love to see pictures. Post 1 on here if you don't mind. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirkgun Posted August 14, 2014 #11 Share Posted August 14, 2014 I would love to see pictures. Post 1 on here if you don't mind. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Here is the beach at Condado Lagoon between Caribe Hilton and Condado Plaza Hilton. It is a nice little protected inlet. The beach is bigger on the right but did not get that in a picture. Here is the beach at night.... I know not a lot of help but we did not spend a ton of time on the beach here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms411 Posted August 14, 2014 #12 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Ha, ha! It did not look that busy on Tue when I passed! Timing is everything, and I think if you get there before near noon in off season, it should be less crowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirkgun Posted August 15, 2014 #13 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Ha, ha! It did not look that busy on Tue when I passed! Timing is everything, and I think if you get there before near noon in off season, it should be less crowded. Yeah this was the day after Christmas in 2012. so High season and day after a holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms411 Posted August 15, 2014 #14 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Sorry. Can't post photos. But the beach had very few people, water was calm, people were snorkeling, and there's a sign that suggests where to look for fish. I wish I had found it earlier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langoustine Posted August 15, 2014 #15 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Rent a car and drive east to Luquillo Beach: http://www.best-beaches.com/caribbean/puerto-rico/puerto-rico-beaches/luquillo-beach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghsteelerfan Posted August 15, 2014 #16 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Adding a few pictures of Isla Verde Beach. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, which is the last resort on the eastern side. Views toward the west and the resorts along Isla Verde Beach: Views toward the east and beyond the resorts, it won't be as crowded down in this section: A couple of views from the 8th floor of the hotel: View from the top part of the beach facing east and section of beach with the resorts to give you an idea how wide the beach is: The water was a beautiful color in the morning (this was about 10:30AM): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms411 Posted August 15, 2014 #17 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Nice photos! Isla Verde beach is much nicer than Condado Marriott. Condado needs more palm trees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapcruiser Posted April 10, 2015 #18 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Is there a cvs or walgreens near isla verde beach that we can buy beer and snacks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leruskin Posted July 31, 2015 #19 Share Posted July 31, 2015 would like to know if there is a place to buy drinks and snacks near there also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORT ROYAL Posted July 31, 2015 #20 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Our first time in San Juan and we just want to hang at a nice beach without paying for an excursion. Any suggestions, all adults traveling. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Would you consider up to a maximum of 1 hour in a taxi. If so, then Palomino Island could be a good selection. Contact the concierge at the El Conquistador Hotel and book a day pass via the Hotel. The day fee will also cover the ferry to Palomino. Last time think it was only around $130.00 for all 4 of us. The Hotel Concierge at El C will assist you in every aspect. Link to the Island http://caribbeantrading.com/take-day...lomino-island/ Link to Hotel http://www.elconresort.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghsteelerfan Posted August 1, 2015 #21 Share Posted August 1, 2015 (edited) Is there a cvs or walgreens near isla verde beach that we can buy beer and snacks? would like to know if there is a place to buy drinks and snacks near there also When we stayed there, it was one night pre-cruise, so we didn't venture off the Courtyard property. I just looked on "Google Maps" and there appears to be a Walgreens just west of the Ritz Carlton San Juan. The Ritz shares the same beach as the Courtyard but is a few blocks west if looking at the Google Map. It's not right along the beach, but within a couple of blocks and fairly close. I did a screen shot of the Google Map view and labeled the Walgreens, the Ritz Carlton and the Courtyard by Marriott. Hope this helps. Edited August 1, 2015 by pghsteelerfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now