What to do before cruise in San Juan

We are heading out on the Carnival Valor out of San Juan in a few weeks and will be able to check in early, as we will already be there the day before. How far is the Pier from the Forts in San Juan.

We are heading out on the Carnival Valor out of San Juan in a few weeks and will be able to check in early, as we will already be there the day before. How far is the Pier from the Forts in San Juan.

There is a free shuttle right across the street from the port area. Catch the open air one, not the enclosed one. This will take you around a loop which goes to both forts. If you elect to walk, it is only maybe 10 minute walk, but there is some uphill walking. We took trolley to forts, walked back (downhill).

The forts are great.

Upon arrival we immediately head for San Cristobal Fortress on foot which is almost straight up the hill from the pier. Then on to El Moro Castle via the city wall walkway by the sea. Both were really cool to visit. Very impressive, massive, structures. Cost is $3.00 per person for each site, or $5.00 per person for both sites. Don't make the mistake of hiring a taxi. It is pretty easy to walk around town as places are closer than they appear on maps. Highly recommend visits to both. (Check out the restrooms in El Moro. You won't find a restroom anywhere with better views). On the way back to the ship, just off The Street of San Francisco, we stopped at a street cafe for papaya and guava frappes, chips, and guacamole. It was a nice break. On another trip we lunched at Parrot Club (my wife’s new favorite eatery in San Juan), and then shopped for liquor at Bacardi Liquors, located in the cruise terminal, before reboarding the ship. Bacardi Liquors offered some of the best prices on liquor that we saw at any port.

More "Secrets of the Caribbean": http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/caribbean-secrets.html