San Juan touring on your own

[villa10]

:) We will be arriving in port at 3PM on the Miracle although some report it often arrives early. I was thinking we do not need an organized tour from the ship. My thought is that we will get off, quickly grab a cab to El Morro hoping it might still be open but if not still touring around it. We would then walk down back toward the ship touring Old San Juan as we go. We have late dinner seating so could get back to the ship as late as 7:30 and still have dinner on the ship--or should we skip that and have dinner in Old San Juan (even though of course we have paid for the ship dinner). We could still get back to the ship in plenty of time for the midnight sailing. We are not gamblers so have no need to visit casinos and will have a 19 year old with us. Does this sound like a plan? Or are we better off taking a tour to the El Yunque--I have been there--it's nice--but think Old San Juan might be the better choice for the others who are making their first visit to PR.

 

It seems curious that so many ships get into San Jaun late in the day not allowing for ample touring time--maybe that's because they want you there at night to lose at the casinos?

[98Charlie]

Have been to El Morro twice. Love the place. I'd say your plan to take a taxi to El Morro and then walk back down through Old San Juan is a winner. There's so much to see and do in the old town area.

 

Have fun and have a great cruise.

 

Dianne

[alphakitty]

Your plan sound very workable. We toured San Juan on our own. I found it a very charming old city to walk about in. We used this self guided walking tour and enjoyed it very much. Hope it helps. :)

 

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanjuan/0323010008.html

[evy1202]

We took a guided walking tour with Tito at tito60 @ hotmail. com ,

he made the city come alive. I would highly recommend him. and there is a new www.restauranteraices.com that you shouldnt miss

[texancruzer]

The Frommers tour online is good - but not as good as the one in the book - Frommers Caribbean Ports of Call.... I believe they have a new edition out too. I used this to plan every port when we went on our Serenade cruise. And then I used it for my Legend cruise - so well worth the 14.95 I paid for it. Written from the cruisers perspective ( in port one day). Lots and lots of info.

 

Don't know why they would stop here so late..... that question has been asked many many many times here....

 

El Yunque is an hours drive away.... wouldnt leave much time before dark...

 

I would taxi to El Morro (closes at 5) and walk back down to port.... using your Frommers to see the sites. And hit a few shops along the way too.

 

I would definately take the opportunity to eat in old San Juan. We stayed 3 days/2 nights precruise and loved the place :D

[Big Sky Country]

I agree that the Rainforest is a no go. It would be way too late. Not only that, but you might get into rush hour traffic trying to get there. That would be a bad time. Given the time, just savor Old San Juan.

[CruisinHoneymooners]

DH and I are considering doing something similar to this when we are in San Juan. I did read on the Frommers web site that El Morro closes at 5:00. Should we get there after 5:00, is it still possible to walk around the property, etc, or do they actually close gates of some sort?

[caribbean dreams]

DH and I are considering doing something similar to this when we are in San Juan. I did read on the Frommers web site that El Morro closes at 5:00. Should we get there after 5:00, is it still possible to walk around the property, etc, or do they actually close gates of some sort?

 

Yes, you can still walk around El Morro and the walls, the only thing you can't do is go inside the building. it is a very short walk all down hill, to Old town, ther are many more historical things to see there.

 

I have never been able to understand why they don't leave the stores and such open later on the evenings the ships come in, they would make alot of extra money just leaving them open 2 hours longer.

[lovemylab]

I second Texancruzer's recommendation of buying the Frommer's book. The OSJ walking tour in the book is very easy to follow. We originally had a walking tour booked through the ship but cancelled it when we bought this book. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes :)

[mel07]

We are crusing on the Serenade next week. Our flight dosen't leave until the evening. We have a car booked to tour on our own. But from what i am reading it looks like a car may be unnecessary? The problem is our luggage but we could go to the airport and drop it off and then take a cab to San Juan or El Morro.

 

Any suggestions?

[caribbean dreams]

We are crusing on the Serenade next week. Our flight dosen't leave until the evening. We have a car booked to tour on our own. But from what i am reading it looks like a car may be unnecessary? The problem is our luggage but we could go to the airport and drop it off and then take a cab to San Juan or El Morro.

 

Any suggestions?

 

there are a few resturants near the dock (can't think of the manes but i am sure some will remember) that will, for a small fee, store your luggage until you are ready to go to the airport.

You are right, if you are just anting to stay in the tourist Old Town area, you will not need a rental car, the streets are narrow, oneway and very confusing, much easier to get a walking map and do it yourself.

Not sure what pier you will be docking at bit if you are at the Old Town pier, you can walk straight up the street to the fort, Old Town will be to your left. Much to see and do:)

[texancruzer]

Restaurant called " Barrachinas" will hold your luggage.

When you are done exploring..... have a pina colada when you pick up your luggage.... this place claims to have invented it... heard they are good :)

[judyf]

Okay read all the posts on the walking tour of OSJ. This is what we are going to do with the 4 hours we have there.

 

I have a question I'm hoping someone reading the thread can help me with. It will be my mother 69 and myself. My mother can walk but not long or up hill.

 

What some tips we can do to mkae it work for us and see the most important things?

 

I also want to try one of the ice cones I read about on another post and end up at Senor Frogs. I read about it but where is it?

[caribbean dreams]

I have a question I'm hoping someone reading the thread can help me with. It will be my mother 69 and myself. My mother can walk but not long or up hill.

 

It is an up hill walk to get to Old San juan from the pier, once you are there, the strrets are cobblestone with high sidwlks so she needs to watch her step.

Not sure what ice cream place you are talking about but senor Frogs is right behind Sheraton, you can't miss it.

[acromom]

The ice cones you can find near the port area. There is one that will usually be near the tourist informatoin center. You will see the colorful cart. If you can't see it, ask one of the locals where you can find "piraguas" (pronounced "p-ee-ra-goo-as"). The streets are uphill from the port. If she does not have difficulty going downhill, you can take the open air trolley up to Calle San Sebastian and start your walking tour there. It will downhill from there. The trolley is free. If the trolley is not running at the time you get there, you can take a cab there. The trolley makes two different loops in the Old San Juan area. You can always take the ride and see all the sights.

[texancruzer]

I second the motion to "ride" up to El Morro.... and walk back down thru town.

 

As far as the trolleys go.... well, we were there 3 days/2 nights precruise and only saw it once and we were walking faster than it was going :eek: Maybe better to just catch a quick taxi. Cost is only a few dollars.

 

However, once at El Morro it is quite a walk from where the taxi lets you off to the entrance (also uphill) The spaniards built it on a hill for a reason ;) !! Once inside it is up and down all over the place.... so perhaps San Cristobal would be a better choice if you must do a fort....

 

There are numerous parks, plazas and other areas to sit and rest all over San Juan and if you need - many places to grab a quick cold drink (and sit)

 

Frommers Caribbean Ports of Call (14.95) has a very very detailed walking tour..... lists all the historic and interesting sites.... I would study the tour and pick the places that have an interest for you - then map (lots of maps online - do a search) it out for the least amount of walking or backtracking.... and be flexible.... I would just go and enjoy the charm and ambience. They have done a great job of re-vamping the approximately 15 square blocks that make up old San Juan.

[judyf]

Thanks Great info.

 

senor Frogs is right behind Sheraton

never been to PR where is the Sheraton compared to the pier?

 

I would love to find this trolly. Where could we look for it as we walk off the ship?

 

 

I will look for the ice cone cart!!

 

Thanks for all the info. Anything else?

[texancruzer]

never been to PR where is the Sheraton compared to the pier?

 

 

try this to get your bearings.... www.langland.org/cruises/sanjuan.asp

 

lots of other great info too.....

[caribbean dreams]

Thanks Great info.

 

never been to PR where is the Sheraton compared to the pier?

 

I would love to find this trolly. Where could we look for it as we walk off the ship?

 

 

I will look for the ice cone cart!!

 

Thanks for all the info. Anything else?

 

Don't know what pier your ship will be docking at, but if you dock at the Old Town pier, look straight ahead and slightly to yout left, just across the street, just behind it is Senor Frogs.

 

If you continue to follow the walk way just infront of Senor frogs, you will come to an area with venders & carts, you should find the ice cone cart there. Keep walking the path and you will be right up against the old wall with statues and fountains, it's a very nice walk.

 

You can catch the trolly a few very short blocks up for the ship.

 

I hope this helps:)