Puerto Rico

[jell]

We will be in Puero Rico from 4:00 - 11:30 PM. Any suggestions on what tours through the ship to take, etc. Don't believe Puero Rico is a tender port, but not sure.

 

Thank you in advance.

[Alexis]

We will be in Puero Rico from 4:00 - 11:30 PM. Any suggestions on what tours through the ship to take, etc. Don't believe Puero Rico is a tender port, but not sure.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

I won't suggest a tour, but you do not tender in Puerto Rico. You will dock. ;)

[mduffy1834]

take a cab to old town - there is a visitors center at the pier where you can get a map. or take a cab to the fort and then walk back down to the pier. lots of old architecture and churches to see. stop in at any of the sidewalk cafes for a drink or light supper - had the best plantain enchiladas (sorry, don't remember the name). beautiful area.

[Ocean Boy]

take a cab to old town - there is a visitors center at the pier where you can get a map. or take a cab to the fort and then walk back down to the pier. lots of old architecture and churches to see. stop in at any of the sidewalk cafes for a drink or light supper - had the best plantain enchiladas (sorry, don't remember the name). beautiful area.

 

No need to take a cab. Ships that stop in San Juan as a port of call dock at the piers in town not over at the Pan American pier.

 

I really like the two main forts in San Juan, El Morro and San Cristobal. It is unfortunate that they close at 5PM so touring them will not be an option. Old San Juan is beautiful though and it is nice to walk around and take in the sites. And at least in the evening it is not so hot. Walking San Juan's cobblestone streets in the heat of the day can get to just about anyone!

[Puffinater]

If available try the segway tour. It is a fun way to get around.

[yogimax]

San Juan is a great city to walk on your own. The two forts are wthin walking distance and the stores in town are nice for browsing.

[struther1]

My favorite was just walking to the forts on our own. But we also enjoyed the Bicardi Rum tour.

[nosmothj]

As mentioned stores close at 5 or 6 so not much is open in old San Juan. That being said down by the dock is a busy place in the evening with live music and local entertainment. We walked around town until it closed down then went for a bite to eat at a local place. After we enjoyed the night life around the dock area.

I f you want ot eat on the ship it is very near.

[checkard]

We've docked in San Juan several times until 11 pm. Many of the shops stay open much later than usual when a cruise ship is in port.

[BND]

We were there in April 3-midnight and did a ship's walking tour, but we're going back again next March on Explorer and plan to just walk around on our own. We only got to see a small part of El Morro and didn't get to really shop, so we plan on doing whatever we feel like doing once we get there. We did eat in a traditional Puerto Rican Restaurant recommended by our tour guide. It was right in the shopping/tourist area, but was frequented by locals. We were probably the only non-locals in there (us and two friends who speak spanish). My DH's family is Puerto Rican so yes, we know what traditional, real Puerto Rican food is. It tasted just like everything I've ever had at my in-laws family's homes. There's plenty to do without booking a tour or taking a taxi.

[CruiseLover15]

If available try the segway tour. It is a fun way to get around.

 

 

I second the Segway tour, it was great.

[phoenix1181]

The best recommendation I ever got was from a former resident. He told me to ................ "Stay on the boat!"

 

I'm not a fan of Puerto Rico but have gotten off "the boat" a few times. The only tour we enjoyed was the Bacardi tour (did it twice) and my BIL loved the rum we brought home...............

[aggie1]

We were there in April and DH and I took a taxi to Bacardi to get some of their Reserva and then went to the Coach Factory Outlet and then walked around old town and had dinner at a restaurant in old town and walked back to the ship. We have been there before so kinda knew where to go. Had a very relaxing evening in San Juan and got some good bargains at the Coach factory.

[bluegirlum]

It's nice to get off the ship and walk a bit, but there isn't that much to do. There's a little strip of stores to the left of the pier. We stopped at the little liquor store in there, and bought 5 beers for $5. We just sat and watched people; it was great.

[asil621]

It's a tad touristy, but it's fun to head to Restaurant Barranchina- the birthplace of the Pina Colada! Old San Juan.

[romnan]

After reviewing some of the postings they are correct in that San Juan is not tender Don't miss actually coming in the view is well worth it. It is a shame that you are coming in at 4PM as previously stated the forts,the museums and other attractions close between 5 and 6pm

 

That leaves walking,dining,drinking ans shopping "the Parrot Club" comes to mind for drinking and dining Oh before I forget the major hotels have casinos. There is HOHO trolley that will save wear and tear on your feet

 

I actuall have some of the dtuff I have acquired in PR it is one of my favorite stops

[satxdiver]

The OP will not have a lot of time and it will be later in the day. SJ is a big city so leaving it to go to the rain forest, etc., is out of the question. You can tour OSJ on foot and take in the atmosphere of a really old American city. In OSJ they run two free trolley routes so you can use them at your leisure. I like different cuisines and really enjoyed the PR menus along with the Cuban ones that I found. I have been to PR twice and sailed from there once. The two old Spanish forts are operated by the National Park Service and are well worth the time if they are open. Both are in OSJ and within walking distance. In the AAA book on PR there is a really nice self guided walking tour which was well worth it.