shlameggy79 Posted September 20, 2018 #1 Share Posted September 20, 2018 Hello everyone, We are seasoned cruisers but we have never been to San Juan. We are coming on the Carnival Horizon. It will be myself, my husband and our two sons. 7 and 5. we are trying to stay away from the beach because we are doing that in Grand Turk and St Marteen. any suggestions would be great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelbell Posted September 20, 2018 #2 Share Posted September 20, 2018 We have done the hop on hop off bus, it was a double decker bus that went everywhere, plus a great agent giving knowledgeable info about the island. At one point it was just are family on the bus. They asked us if we would mind if they stopped at Burger King so they could grab lunch. Absolutely not do ur thing, we never got off. Was a cheap great way to see the island. Fyi this was right before they got devastated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billslowsky Posted September 20, 2018 #3 Share Posted September 20, 2018 Go to the fort, kids like cannons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT1962 Posted September 20, 2018 #4 Share Posted September 20, 2018 I would recommend using the free trolley system to see Old San Juan and the forts. You can hop on and off at sites of interest or just stay on for a complete tour. Here is a link to more information: https://sanjuanpuertorico.com/trolley-old-san-juan/ Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveling Library Posted September 21, 2018 #5 Share Posted September 21, 2018 From the pier in Old San Juan you can walk to Fort Cristobal. Park Service will sell you a combo ticket. You then can walk to the other fort or take the free trolley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted September 21, 2018 #6 Share Posted September 21, 2018 Glad you aren't planning a beach stop in San Juan ... not the best for a port stiop there. You can walk to anyplace you wish -- forts, etc. and don't really need to wait around for a crowded trolly. Our grandchildren also enjoy going to Columbus Square to feed the piegons. Have a great time! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarimaJ Posted September 21, 2018 #7 Share Posted September 21, 2018 Glad you aren't planning a beach stop in San Juan ... not the best for a port stiop there. You can walk to anyplace you wish -- forts, etc. and don't really need to wait around for a crowded trolly. Our grandchildren also enjoy going to Columbus Square to feed the piegons. Have a great time! :) Mine also want to go to the pigeon park. Can you get there by trolley? We plan to do this, chocolate cafe, shop around maybe the fort. Is this all pretty accessible be trolley with some easy walking? We have someone with a back issue here. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger-pr Posted September 21, 2018 #8 Share Posted September 21, 2018 As a local I can honestly advise against the trolley. They are currently running short on units and even when all are running, you could be waiting forever in the stops near the pier for one with enough space to sit. You can walk to Sam Cristobal fort which is closest to the port and then from there to El Morro (about a mile away). You can visit the pigeon park on your way down to the pier from El Morro. Or you can skip San Cristobal and take a quick taxi to El Morro and walk back down to the pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KTMay1917 Posted September 25, 2018 #9 Share Posted September 25, 2018 As a local I can honestly advise against the trolley. They are currently running short on units and even when all are running, you could be waiting forever in the stops near the pier for one with enough space to sit. You can walk to Sam Cristobal fort which is closest to the port and then from there to El Morro (about a mile away). You can visit the pigeon park on your way down to the pier from El Morro. Or you can skip San Cristobal and take a quick taxi to El Morro and walk back down to the pier. Stinger-pr, what about any local beaches that you take a quick/cheap cab ride to near the port in OSJ? We are coming in on the CCL Magic in November and were planning to do a little bit of beach time and then come back to walk around OSJ before re-boarding the ship. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger-pr Posted September 25, 2018 #10 Share Posted September 25, 2018 There are a few beaches nearby but the one I'd recommend would depend on the experience you might be looking for. About two miles from the port there is Escambron beach. It has no facilities, no rentals and sometimes waves can get a bit rough. Right besides the Condado Plaza hotel in the Condado area has a small beach area right besides it. Not sure if you can rent chairs there but, since it's right behind a wave breaker, it tends to be mostly calm. But it's small! Search for "Condado Plaza beach" to see pics. Another option is the beach behind the Marriott Stellaris, also in Condado. You can usually buy a day pass there and there are lots of places nearby to eat in case you opt for anything other than the expensive hotel food. But this is an " unprotected" beach and surf's usually rough and there are sometimes strong under currents. While a lot of people go for this beach/day pass package, I always recommend otherwise strictly for safety reasons. You can also go to Isla Verde beach (google for great pics of the area). It's a long stretch of nicely kept beach with usually calmer surf behind a lot of condos and hotels (don't worry, it won't be crowded) and there are vendors for chairs and umbrellas at the end of Tartak St. and there are also lots of food choices within walking distance. Taxi ride here is the longest at about 15-20 minutes and it should cost a fixed (about) $22 per ride up to 5 people each way. You can opt to set up camp behind one of the hotels for ease of getting a taxi back to the ship or if you stay at the Tartak St. area, there are taxis readily available at the nearby San Juan Water and Beach Club hotel. Taxis to the Condado area beaches should take about half the time and half the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted September 26, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Depending on interests you could also book a private tour which takes you out to the rainforest for a little and a few stops before dropping off to check out the port. Get a feel for a couple different things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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