Help motivate me about our stop in San Juan

San Juan is one our ports of call and I find myself thinking that this might be the first port that I have ever decided to skip and stay on the ship at.

I've spent hours trying to find something to do in SJ and aside from shopping or ziplining I'm not finding much. Our group isn't much into history (forts and such).

HELP!!! Any ideas, thoughts, recommendations or comments are appreciated!!

Gina

What DO you like?

We had a great time at Old San Juan. Some of us were interested in the forts and history, but we also stopped and toured a rum factory right in old san juan and sampled the rum. They have great restaurants and the walk around old san juan is beautiful with the landscaping. Also the tour to the Bacardi factory is fun. Ha. Sounds like we are into rum. I wouldnt stay on the ship. The Sheraton old san juan also has a nice restaurant and casino. The Carnival cruise dock is right outside the hotel. And one of the docks has a water taxi that brings you across the bay to the dock not far from the Bacardi factory. Get out and get a taste of Old San Juan. You wont be disappointed. :o:o:o

We stayed on the ship in 2006 and I think we may have made a mistake. It looks to be a very colorful city with tons of history. We will make up for it in Novemeber as this will be our port city. Can't wait!!!

Hmmmm...a Run theme is likely what my group will dig!

We've done zip lining before and I wouldn't mind doing it again but at the tune of $100+ per person, it won't be in San Juan :rolleyes:.

I do have a few gamblers in the group so we might check out the casino and then just wander around Old SJ.

Keep the ideas coming.

Thanks!!!

Hmmmm...a Run theme is likely what my group will dig!

 

We've done zip lining before and I wouldn't mind doing it again but at the tune of $100+ per person, it won't be in San Juan :rolleyes:.

 

I do have a few gamblers in the group so we might check out the casino and then just wander around Old SJ.

 

Keep the ideas coming.

 

Thanks!!!

If you're drinkers there are plenty of great bars in Old San Juan. In fact, bar hopping is one of the most popular activities. Challenge: try locating this one (inexpensive and very open minded where it comes to things like smoking) -

Gina .... What are your port times in San Juan?

:D We normally just go bar hopping ... but where we go depends on the time of day/evening.

Gina .... What are your port times in San Juan?

 

:D We normally just go bar hopping ... but where we go depends on the time of day/evening.

We are in port 11:00 to 7:00pm.

I don't really drink but the rest of the group is a different story :D! I can be their designated guide to make sure they get back on the ship, LOL!

I just like the scenery. You could take a trip over to the Bacardi (easily done on your own and for less than $10 per person. However, if you've never walked around the city before, you should give it a try.

I didn't think I was much into history and forts either, but I've changed my mind after my first visit to Old San Juan

Nice pictures, Sue! Thanks for posting them. Old San Juan is a very pretty place! :)

We are in port 11:00 to 7:00pm.

 

I don't really drink but the rest of the group is a different story :D! I can be their designated guide to make sure they get back on the ship, LOL!

San Juan is more of an evening bar hopping place.

By DAY ... we head toward El Patio de Sam (102 Calle San Sebastion) which has been around since the 1950's and is across the street from a famous church, Eglisia de San Jose.

Directing you there because there are also some enjoyable sidewalk/patio bars in the area. You'll also past by some of the pretty places in the photos posted by Sue.

Extremely close to where you'll dock is a Senor Frog's. :D

THey have some vendors set up just off the dock in San Juan. It was nice just walking around, doing some shopping. We found some really neat things!

If you're drinkers there are plenty of great bars in Old San Juan. In fact, bar hopping is one of the most popular activities. Challenge: try locating this one (inexpensive and very open minded where it comes to things like smoking) -

 

Could this be the lounge in the back of the Cigar House?

No. This is a real dive bar on one of the main drags in Old San Juan.

No. This is a real dive bar on one of the main drags in Old San Juan.

How about another hint??? :D I love dive bars!

Nice pictures, Sue! Thanks for posting them. Old San Juan is a very pretty place! :)

Thanks, I've been there 4 times and I have yet to get tired of it. On my most recent cruise, we flew in 3 days early just to spend more time there.

Our ship doesn't dock until 3 pm. We are not big drinkers so are there any tips as to what we should see or do since it will be late afternoon?

Our ship doesn't dock until 3 pm. We are not big drinkers so are there any tips as to what we should see or do since it will be late afternoon?

Hello up in Washington!

This is what I really, really wanted to do but we won't be in port long enough:

Bioluminescence Kayak Tour.

The last time wee were in San Juan we did the Segway tour...had a blast! We were there on Thanksgiving day so many places were closed for the holiday, but this tour was great...great tour guide, some history, beautiful city, and even some segway races across the lawn of the fort! Had time afterwards for a walk through town, some local shopping, etc. I'm not sure how late they run tours each day, but it was a very short walk from the pier.

Here's the link to their site: http://www.segwaytourspr.com/

Thanks so much for the link. It really sounds like a fun thing to do. Unfortunately they stop at 3pm. Also unfortunately, no one over 65 can use their scooters. Bah humbug. I guess they think that if you are over 65 you can't have fun. Maybe it a libel thing. I'm still keeping track of you guys. Celebrity blogs don't seem to be posting for my cruise. Bummer

How about another hint??? :D I love dive bars!

It's on Cristo street. The walls are full of customers' scribbled messages signatures. One of the bartender's challenge is to have people look for celebrity signatures.

It's on Cristo street. The walls are full of customers' scribbled messages signatures. One of the bartender's challenge is to have people look for celebrity signatures.

Maria's? I've wanted to check that out.

Maria's is closed (the owner got old and sick and moved back to France). I'm not saying the name only because as a local I cannot make recommendations on these boards but if you look at the source of the picture you will find it.

Maria's is closed (the owner got old and sick and moved back to France). I'm not saying the name only because as a local I cannot make recommendations on these boards but if you look at the source of the picture you will find it.

El Batey?

El Batey?

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!

BTW, "Batey" is the island indian (native, Arawak or Taino) name for a backyard or hangout area beside a home. Not much native indian in this place, if anything, but to locals "Batey" rings as just that: a homey hangout place to sit around with family and friends, enjoy libations and shoot the s...