Can I Walk to the Fort?

[Wonders10]

Hi everyone!

 

My family and I will be traveling on the Oasis in 11 days and stopping in San Juan. The last time we were there, my mom and I just walked Old Town and shopped. We will probably do the same but also wondering if its feasible to walk to the Fort? If so, how long is it and is it easy to follow the path?

 

Thank you!

[19feller]

There is a free trolley in OSJ that you can jump on. I am also planning on walking to the forts when we are down there in July. Have a great time!

 

 

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[OCruisers]

You should have no problem walking to either fort! :)

[luv2trvlnow]

The following is a map of the trolley stops. It shows where the forts are and the name of the streets. You should be able to follow this to walk to the forts if you do not take the trolley. Many times the trolley is full and you could be waiting awhile to find seats on one.

 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/wp-post-images/trolley-map-big.jpg

Edited May 31, 2016 by luv2trvlnow

[MommaBear55]

We take the path along the base of the city wall then climb the stairs to the fort when we get there. It is the larger of the two forts at the mouth of the harbor. Sorry, cannot remember the name! To get to this lovely path, turn left out of the port gates and just continue walking. You'll go through a park with government buildings on the water to your left, then you will see the city wall in front of you. Keep that on your right, and enjoy the water views.

[luv2trvlnow]

We take the path along the base of the city wall then climb the stairs to the fort when we get there. It is the larger of the two forts at the mouth of the harbor. Sorry, cannot remember the name! To get to this lovely path, turn left out of the port gates and just continue walking. You'll go through a park with government buildings on the water to your left, then you will see the city wall in front of you. Keep that on your right, and enjoy the water views.

 

Were you taking the Paseo de la Princesa. When we walked that and got to the end there was no entrance to the fort there (El Morrow). That is was in March of this year. We were still on the outside of the fort. To get to the fort we went back on the trail and entered the city through the red gate. Then followed our way up to El Morrow.

[MommaBear55]

Were you taking the Paseo de la Princesa. When we walked that and got to the end there was no entrance to the fort there (El Morrow). That is was in March of this year. We were still on the outside of the fort. To get to the fort we went back on the trail and entered the city through the red gate. Then followed our way up to El Morrow.

 

We just did this in May and the path has been extended all the way to El Morrow. As we climbed up the path and stairs we ended up with the entrance on our right and the cemetery in front of us.

[luv2trvlnow]

Wow! That is great to know. I heard they were going to do this but hadn't heard that it had happened. We enjoyed the walk along the water with the walls of the fort right there. Of course we had a little more time in San Juan than most. We arrived 2 days before and stayed 3 days after our cruise.

[qanderson]

How long does it take to walk to the forts?

 

 

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[myfuzzy]

There is a free trolley in OSJ that you can jump on. I am also planning on walking to the forts when we are down there in July. Have a great time!

 

 

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Make sure to take water with you, a couple of bottles, it was very hot and humid when we were there. There is also a gift shop to buy extra if you need it on the way back, but if you go down the hill and to the left..there is a park and the other side there was a Walgreens, cheaper to buy stuff there if you need it.

[mollyeilis]

How long does it take to walk to the forts?

 

 

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We were taking it slow and easy, and I don't remember. But I'm sure you could do a google directions seaerch and see how long it *could* take by foot.

 

Just remember it's hot and humid (our trip was in January and it was over 80 in the morning) and much of the walk is uphill (well, when we were there we had to go through the gate...not sure what it's like if Princesa has been extended).

 

 

If we ever do both forts again I'll start with the other one, because it's smaller. El Morro would feel exciting to go to second, unlike going to the other one second. :)

[BrnBrok]

It depends. If you dock at the piers that are right at the bottom of Old San Juan it is possible. Another suggestion in take a taxi to the highest and probably furthest point El Morro. Tour the fort and walk down. If your ship docks across the bay than you may have to use taxi.

My experience with the free taxi was that I never was able to catch one, but maybe I'm just too impatient. Of course at a higher cost you can take a ships excursion. Finally you have to factor in the amount of time, for example during the summer the Allure of the Seas gets in early in the morning but is gone at 2pm.

[navybankerteacher]

While you could walk to the fort in about 15-20 minutes from the Old San Juan pier, it is a lot of up hill. It would make sense to take the trolley up, walk westward towards El Morro, which overlooks the harbor entrance, and then walk down, stopping in many interesting areas of the old city on your way. I suggest you get a fairly detailed map of the old city so you could plan your route.

 

San Juan has been one of my favorite ports since Navy days - when a Coca Cola cost 15 cents, but you could get a rum and coke for ten cents at Happy Hour, and if you wore your dress whites at the Caribe Hilton casino, drinks and sandwiches were on the house.

[vivi411]

The following is a map of the trolley stops. It shows where the forts are and the name of the streets. You should be able to follow this to walk to the forts if you do not take the trolley. Many times the trolley is full and you could be waiting awhile to find seats on one.

 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/wp-post-images/trolley-map-big.jpg

 

This is great!! Thank you-we will also be there in July!

[alfaeric]

If you have problems walking or big issues with the heat, the trolley is a great idea.

 

But for us, part of appeal of San Juan is walking the neighborhoods. The colorful buildings, the remaining blue brick roads, the small shops, the art sprinkled throughout the area, etc.

 

There are many areas that the trolley doesn't see.

 

Yes, it's hot, the terrain is hilly, the road is uneven, the sidewalks are narrow, etc. But IMHO, it's worth it.

[Nieuwcruiser]

Good info. Thanks. Will be there in a couple weeks. Might give the trolley a try.