Has anyone taken a taxi to Old San Juan from Pan AM pier.

[Bflinner]

We are sailing May 2nd from San Juan and are wondering after we check in on the ship at say... 3 pm if we are able and have time to take a taxi to Old San Juan for some shopping? I know the Pan Am pier is not walking distance to OSJ. How much is a taxi? Are they plentiful going in that direction?

[Merlinite]

there is really no shopping in Old San Juan. It is not all that exciting, IMO, not to mention crowded and dirty. You would have way more fun at the beach close to the pier...

 

enjoy!

[turquoisesea]

there is really no shopping in Old San Juan. It is not all that exciting, IMO, not to mention crowded and dirty. You would have way more fun at the beach close to the pier...

 

enjoy!

 

I have to say that I do not agree. We actually love to go shopping in Old San Juan. No, you will not find any great deals like in St. Thomas or St. Martin, but the Coach Outlet and other designer outlets are great if you are into that kind of shopping! :p Yes, it is hot, but both of the forts are beautiful to see with fabulous views. I do not remember how much a taxi was, but I do remember two things! It is a long bumpy taxi ride and getting a taxi to take you back to the ship is tough! When you are ready to go back to your ship it is best to walk down to the Old San Juan Pier where the other ships dock - more taxis can be found there. I'm not sure what time you need to be back on the ship, but I don't think 2 hours will be enough - and I'm sure you'll want to back in time for an afternoon snack! There is a lot of walking up and down the little streets. I would suggest you go to the Ports of Call Boards and read what people say about San Juan. There is great information there. Have a great cruise!

[Bflinner]

In 2004 we found some shopping downtown maybe it wasn't technically OSJ, but we wanted to go back there.

[Colo Cruiser]

there is really no shopping in Old San Juan. It is not all that exciting, IMO, not to mention crowded and dirty. You would have way more fun at the beach close to the pier...

 

enjoy!

 

 

I do not agree either. :(

 

What beach is close to the pier in OSJ???

[hughdm]

We've found Old San Juan to be perfectly charming and actually scheduled an extra day there last time. We recommend it. We've never had a problem getting a cab there.

[JerseyGuys]

I would imagine your ship sails out of San Juan at 11PM. So it would seem you have plenty of time to visit OSJ

[sarge98]

We are sailing May 2nd from San Juan and are wondering after we check in on the ship at say... 3 pm if we are able and have time to take a taxi to Old San Juan for some shopping? I know the Pan Am pier is not walking distance to OSJ. How much is a taxi? Are they plentiful going in that direction?

 

We have never taken a taxi from the pier but have from the airport to the pier, it was $22 which included $1 per bag. I think Old San Juan is closer to the pier than the airport is..

[mnbruce]

How much is a taxi? Are they plentiful going in that direction?

We paid $10 to get let out at Barrachina restaurant,which is in Old San Juan.

[rainforestgirl]

Yes, I agree with mnbruce.

The taxi fare should be $10 from Pam Am pier to OSJ . When a cruise ship is embarking/disembarking at Pan Am , there are plenty of taxis around.

[jtmalt]

there is really no shopping in Old San Juan. It is not all that exciting, IMO, not to mention crowded and dirty. You would have way more fun at the beach close to the pier...

 

enjoy!

 

I always laugh when people call Old San Juan "dirty". For my last pre-cruise stay, I rented an apartment in Old San Juan. I was concerned that the street it was on was littered with small trash bags.

 

The rental agent explained that trash is picked up twice daily in OSJ. Sure enough, every day 6am and 6pm, a narrow garbage truck wound its way through the streets for trash collection.

 

I've never seen a city where trash is collected 2x daily, 7 days a week!

 

Old San Juan is full of small shops, bars, and restaurants. While it's true you may not find any outstanding bargains, and in many places the stock is imported from the far east, there are certainly plenty of unique shops to visit. It's one of my favorite ports.

[bling19572010]

I always laugh when people call Old San Juan "dirty". For my last pre-cruise stay, I rented an apartment in Old San Juan. I was concerned that the street it was on was littered with small trash bags.

 

The rental agent explained that trash is picked up twice daily in OSJ. Sure enough, every day 6am and 6pm, a narrow garbage truck wound its way through the streets for trash collection.

 

I've never seen a city where trash is collected 2x daily, 7 days a week!

 

Old San Juan is full of small shops, bars, and restaurants. While it's true you may not find any outstanding bargains, and in many places the stock is imported from the far east, there are certainly plenty of unique shops to visit. It's one of my favorite ports.

 

My family of 13 will be in San Juan in December 2010 and I would like to know what types of things you have done while in San Juan and what did you enjoy the most? It'll be our first time to San Juan.

Thank you!

[jtmalt]

My family of 13 will be in San Juan in December 2010 and I would like to know what types of things you have done while in San Juan and what did you enjoy the most? It'll be our first time to San Juan.

Thank you!

 

I think what we enjoyed the most was actually staying in an apartment in Old San Juan. A very different feeling from being at a resort hotel, a much more intimate connection to the neighborhood. This was the view from our apartment on Calle del Sol.

 

 

Of course, the two big sights to see are the two fortresses. Each is different, both are worth seeing. San Cristobal sits in the northeast corner of OSJ. Here you can walk through the tunnels under the fortress to the old dungeon cell, where prisoners left graffiti of Spanish Galleons....

 

 

....and you can visit the more modern WWII era fire control post, with a stunning view.

 

 

About a mile away is the equally impressive "El Morro" fortress. First there's the sprawling lawn in front of the fortress, where families gather to fly kites in the offshore breeze.

 

 

El Morro itself towers over the promontory, with commanding views of the harbor.

 

[jtmalt]

Beyond the two fortress, just strolling through the city has many rewards. Here's a sampling:

 

The streets are lined with iconically beautiful homes, painted in vibrant colors.

 

 

Children play in the fountain at Plaza Quinto Centenario

 

The Red Gate leads through the city walls to the Paseo de la Princesa, a promenade along the waterfront.

 

Along the Paseo, enormous banyan ficus trees sprawl over the pathways.

 

Plaza de Armas, with its bandstands, pavilions, fountains and pigeons.

 

I hope that helps a little!

[bling19572010]

Beyond the two fortress, just strolling through the city has many rewards. Here's a sampling:

 

The streets are lined with iconically beautiful homes, painted in vibrant colors.

 

 

Children play in the fountain at Plaza Quinto Centenario

 

The Red Gate leads through the city walls to the Paseo de la Princesa, a promenade along the waterfront.

 

Along the Paseo, enormous banyan ficus trees sprawl over the pathways.

 

Plaza de Armas, with its bandstands, pavilions, fountains and pigeons.

 

I hope that helps a little!

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to response and post pics. Yes, you were very helpful!!! Thanks much!

 

JMAT

[sevenhappycruisers]

We LOVE Old San Juan. It is SOOO not about the shopping even but the experience. You can find beautiful items for sale when you shop around the souvenirs but the beautiful houses and cobblestone streets, the Pigeon Park at the end by the gate near Capillo de Christo i think it is called. There is also a little street park on the way up the hill where they sell corn to feed the pigeons but that is not what i mean.

 

You will be near El Morro, one of the most impressive forts you will ever visit and the Gate of the Slaves which is so nice to walk along. There are doors you pass with art galleries inside or beautiful courtyards with children and plants. Even the banks have gorgeous spots inside.

 

Oh i would definitely disagree about shopping in PR. Save the swimming for other islands like Grand Turks off the pier and shop in OSJ for the day.

 

You can get on and off the trolley all you want also. By the way, we bought pearls and beautiful art in OSJ at great prices.

 

ENJOY We will be there tomorrow March 6, 2010

[nelmar]

We are staying at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel and Casino for Cruise on Adventurer of the Seas departing April 11th.Does anyone now far it is to the pier is it walking distance or will we need a taxi.If a taxi how much to get there and are they available anytime.We were thinking this was near the pier but reading other post now sounds like it not be the pier we are porting out of.Thanks for any help much appreciated.

[nelmar]

We are staying at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel and Casino for Cruise on Adventurer of the Seas departing April 11th.Does anyone now far it is to the pier is it walking distance or will we need a taxi.If a taxi how much to get there and are they available anytime.We were thinking this was near the pier but reading other post now sounds like it not be the pier we are porting out of.Thanks for any help much appreciated.

[Jeepers385]

We are sailing May 2nd from San Juan and are wondering after we check in on the ship at say... 3 pm if we are able and have time to take a taxi to Old San Juan for some shopping? I know the Pan Am pier is not walking distance to OSJ. How much is a taxi? Are they plentiful going in that direction?

 

Bflinner, I'll also be sailing with you, why don't you stop by our roll call and join in. You can find us here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=996084&page=15

Since we don't sail until 11:00 pm I think you'll have time to go to OSJ for some shopping.

[rainforestgirl]

We are staying at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel and Casino for Cruise on Adventurer of the Seas departing April 11th.Does anyone now far it is to the pier is it walking distance or will we need a taxi.If a taxi how much to get there and are they available anytime.We were thinking this was near the pier but reading other post now sounds like it not be the pier we are porting out of.Thanks for any help much appreciated.

 

Yes, for the AoS, you will be embarking from the Pan Am pier.

Though it looks pretty close, it is actually about 3/4 mile away. There are no sidewalks, so you would be carrying your luggage along a busy street, in the sun..... It is do-able, but it doesn't sound fun.

The taxi would take just a few minutes, and it would be $10 for up to 5 people, plus $1 per luggage piece.

[MJN]

We are sailing on Serenade of the seas on Aug. 22, 2010 and have never been to San Juan. I was looking for info on the Pan Am pier and this thread not only answered my questions about that but also about shopping and visiting old San Juan. It reminds me of St. Augustine in Florida with the big old Spanish style fort and the very old shopping village and historic buildings, only much bigger. St. Augustine is one of our very favorite places to go so we are very happy that we have booked ourselves to arrive the day before our cruise as well as to stay the day after. This should be very enjoyable for us, we can't wait!

[BroncosFan2010]

Thanks so much for posting the beautiful pictures! I can't wait to be back in San Juan!

[tinybabynurse]

there is really no shopping in Old San Juan. It is not all that exciting, IMO, not to mention crowded and dirty. You would have way more fun at the beach close to the pier...

 

enjoy!

 

 

:confused::confused::confused:

 

Huh?

[tootspj]

I am leaving March21 on Adventure of Seas. I have heard nothing is open on Sundays in Old San Juan. I know we can go to the forts but is there anything else that might be open such as the unique little shops. Any suggestions for lunch? Does anyone know how early you can get on the ship? Thanks

[fridaythe13th]

I am leaving March21 on Adventure of Seas. I have heard nothing is open on Sundays in Old San Juan. I know we can go to the forts but is there anything else that might be open such as the unique little shops. Any suggestions for lunch? Does anyone know how early you can get on the ship? Thanks

 

We stayed in OSJ post cruise (Sun-Wed) and walked around OSJ on Sunday. I didn't notice stores being closed but we weren't really looking for anything in particular. I did stop in the Coach Outlet so I know that was open. We went to the Old Harbour Brewery for lunch and really enjoyed it. We got to the port at about 11:00 and they started letting people in around 11:30. Once inside we waited just a couple of minutes to check in. They seemed to move right along. The longest wait was the boarding picture stop.