Walking around SJ?

[jayscore]

What's there to do in San Juan if you just want to leave the ship and walk around for a short while? Some say "stay on the boat!", but I want to say I've been there. Any ideas?:)

[pholter]

Yes, get off the boat! They have nice cobblestone roads filled with shops, bars, restaurants and depending on when you arrive, they sometimes have lots of live entertainment in the streets. There are discos, but they really don't get hoppin' till around 11:30pm or afterwards.

 

Here is a link of some great information on what to do. It came from a Gay website, but the information is fantastic. Someone posted it a while ago and I used it...

http://www.glbtevents.com/travel/SanJuan.html#scene

[kids21]

Is there any nice beaches in San Juan?

[herb]

you can walk around Old San Juan by yourself or join a guided walking tour. You may want to check out http://www.*****.com

[bamntem]

Yes, you could walk around Old San Juan. My husband and I were there 2 weeks ago. We tour the city on our own. Save your money and take a walking tour on your own. I studied the history & culture before I went and check out Fodor's Puerto Rico 2005 book from my local library. This book has a map that guides you through Old San Juan. You could also pick up a free map of the city at the visitor's center located past the pier as you approach the city wall.

 

Most people do not know this, but Old San Juan has arts & cultural museums that are really neat and free. There are a few old cathedrals to visit as well. The museums are only open Tuesday - Saturday. The churches are open daily. There is even a children's museum which requires a fee, if you have children. Nice restaurants and shops are there. They are geared towards the culture of the island as suppose to touristy things.

 

If you want to visit the beach, then take a taxi to the resort area.

 

There are so many things to do in San Juan, but people just fail to learn about it before they go. I always check out travel books at my local library about the countries that I visit. That way I do not have to waste my time or money on a ship excursion and I see and learn so much more on my own.

[darsben]

try this link

http://www.prcondo274.com/tours_attractions/walking_tours.htm

[sanjuancouple]

Is there any nice beaches in San Juan?

 

Not in Old San Juan... the nice beaches are outside the metro area... but among the beches here you can't go wong with Ocean Park in condado and the Beach at Isla Verde.

[Snorkel Pup]

If you are going to walk around at night, be careful and don't go it alone. In the day, you can go visit the Fort and up the street from there, the Capitol building. The streets are made of cobblestone and there are lots of shops and restaurants. We just got back this past Sun and we spent a few hours in Old San Juan. Enjoy!!

[kids21]

Not in Old San Juan... the nice beaches are outside the metro area... but among the beches here you can't go wong with Ocean Park in condado and the Beach at Isla Verde.

 

How far are they from dock?

[kitkat4622]

I would like to see the answer to the beach question also...we are only in port 7 hours and the beach sounds like a great idea....we have done the walking tour of old san juan so we won't be doing that again.It was nice,but once was enough so I think the beach would be a great idea for the day unless there are things to do right in and around the dock area....

[bamntem]

From the docks you could catch a taxi to Condado Beach which is not far from Old San Juan. As a matter of fact as you leave Old San Juan you will be near Condado Beach. Isla Verde is another beach, but it is a little further. There are plenty of taxis near the docks.

 

Here is a list of hotels that you could check with that are along the beach. Call them or check their website to see how much it will cost you to rent out beach chairs or use their facilities during the day. Most will allow you to use their facilities for a fee of course. There are also restaurants inside or either near most of these hotels.

 

The following hotels are along Condado Beach:

Wyndham Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino

Casa del Caribe

San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel & Casino

 

These hotels are along the lagoon near Condado Beach

Holiday Inn Express

Comfort in San Juan

El Canario by the lagoon

 

Hotles near Isla Verde Beach are:

The Ritz Carlton

Hampton Inn & Suites

Wyndham El San Juan Hotel & Casino

Inter-Continental San Juan Resort & Casino

Courtyard by Marriott Resort

Coral Princess Inn

 

I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your stay in San Juan.

[babs275]

I second the recommendation for the Legends of PR tour -especially if you are there in the evening - Debbie does a great night tour of Old San Juan.

[edpeeks]

I agree with a previous poster about having maps to walk around OSJ. Frommer's has several maps on line that take you step by step. However, we booked the night time tour with legends just to get a different flavor of OSJ. We are going a couple days early and on Saturday are taking a private tour of El Yunque and then bio bay that night. I'm figuring on walking around Sunday morning, boarding Destiny and then doing some more walking until supper, then getting aclimated to the ship and sailing out.

[glin930]

Me, my wife, and my 3 year old boy took a Legend night tale walking tour. The tour guide Debbie knows a lot about Old San Juan. We met the tour at a Art Deco building which is about 10 to 15 minute walk from the pier. When we were at San Juan (4/25) it was a hot and very humid day. We ended up sitting at the yellow tourist office building over half an hour because they have ac. They also serve complimentary rum punch. Debbie knows a lot about the history of Old San Juan. She uses story telling on different places ... etc. She also brings you to a couple of places that were closed and still let you get in. I am surprised my 3 year old boy can keep up for almost 2 hours on that tour. I highly recommend this walking tour. I think you can find more details on this tour from other thread.

[texancruzer]

"Frommers - Caribbean Ports of Call" Mine cost $16.99 at Barnes & Noble. It is full of info....I mean full of stuff you can use for any port in the caribbean. It has a wonderful step by step Walking tour of Old San Juan that you can do on your own and says there are free trolleys you can hop on if you get tired. BUT you will find its worth the money for any other ports you may be visiting too. I have each port marked and have found I keep going back to them in planning excursions, where to eat, shop and just background info....Have a great cruise!

[70sGringo]

The El Canario Hotel website www.canariohotels.com (click the "tours" link) lists the "B21" bus (25 cents!) as one which travels between the Condado beach area and Old San Juan. This may help you connect the dots between cruise ship/OSJ/Condado.

 

Has anyone had occasion to ride this bus?