Travel to Forts

[phychoice]

What is the best way to get from ship to the forts and then back to Old San Juan?

[RayInPR]

It really depends on where your cruise ship docks.

 

You might dock at one of the piers in Old San Juan (piers 1, 4 or 6), or you might dock at the Pan American pier.

 

If you're at the Pan American pier, you'll need to take a taxi to the fort(s).

 

If you're at one of the OSJ piers, you can walk, take a taxi or take the free trolley. Personally, I recommend walking since you'll see more that way. The walk to San Cristobal is about 10-15 minutes from the OSJ piers. The walk to El Morro (direct) is 20-25 minutes from the OSJ piers.

 

This map -- http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&*****=1&msa=0&msid=116969536791656461166.00000111c2647d9ad5cbd&ll=18.30399,-65.921083&spn=0.912651,1.167297&z=10&source=embed -- will give you some orientation. We've marked all the cruise ship piers at the bottom of the map. El Morro is in the upper left corner, and San Cristobal is in the top-center of the map.

 

Our self-guided walking tour might be of some help to you -- http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/2007/07/01/old-san-juan-walking-tour-1/

 

Enjoy!

[NCTribeFan]

We caught the trolley in front of the tourist office (and picked up a map while there). Toured El Morro for about an hour. Then we walked back down through OSJ, as the walk is much easier going that direction!

 

After stopping for lunch at La Bombanero (loved it!), we continued on to San Cristobal, but by then, I was ready to head back to the ship.

 

We loved Old San Juan so much, I started planning a cruise out of San Juan just so I could spend a couple of days before and after, but I think that airfares have put an end to those plans. I only wish I'd done it a couple of years ago when air wasn't so outrageous. :(

[aqua]

It is really not far to walk from the pier in Old San Juan to the forts if you miss the free trolley. The only problem is that it is on an incline, but we didn't find it to be difficult.