San Juan On your own, on the cheap?

[Piper934]

Looking for recommendations on what we can do on our own on the cheap. Whats fun and what can we see. Will be on rccl in port from 7 to 1, so not much time.

 

Not worried about walking tours, taxi or public transportation, just want to be safe. Couple examples we did in past was taxi to maho beach and had a blast. Public bus to Mendenhall glacier in Alaska.

 

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

[cruisintwinsmom]

You can take a taxi to Old San Juan and walk to the forts. Or taxi to the beaches - either Condado, Ocean park, or Isle Verde and lay out on the beaches - they are public. If you go to Ocean Park - Kasalta or Pinky's is good for lunch.

 

Happy Sailing!

[theump]

If San Juan is a port visit which it souds like you proabbly will be dock right in the Old San Juan port. From there you can walk off the ship, have a nice local breakfast, wlak and see the forts (think it is $10 for entrance to both) and the ocean view from the forts and area between them. Lots to do with very little cost.

 

We love San Juan

 

The Ump

John

[Lard Greystoke]

Agree with ump. Sounds like you'll dock directly at Old San Juan. Just walk off the ship and you're there. Ask directions to the tourist kiosk, pick up a free map, and tour on your own. You can walk along the Paseo el Morro beneath the city walls, head up to the forts, etc. You can even hit a beach just past the fort San Cristobal, going down the steps at the monument to San Juan Battista, although there are no amenities there.

[luv2trvlnow]

If San Juan is a port stop then you will definitely dock in Old San Juan. You just walk off the ship and you can walk around and see the architecture, fountains, forts, shopping, etc.

 

I like going to the forts. If you happen to have a National Park Pass the forts are part of the Park System and you will not have to pay. And only 1 pass is needed to get you and 3 other people with you in for free. They do not open up until 9am.

 

You will not have enough time to do everything you would like. And it will not cost you that much. It could be your least expensive port. It could be cheaper than taking a taxi to Maho, which we also did this past March.

[Piper934]

Thanks for the replies. Looking forward to this stop, sounds like osj and forts will be the plan. Ty

[cruisintwinsmom]

Sorry, I've only sailed on RCCL when it was cruising out of San Juan and then it was at the other pier. :o

[RayInPR]

When San Juan is the departure port, some ships use the PanAmerican pier, which is on the "other side" of the bay, near the convention center. From that pier, transportation (taxi) is required to get to Old San Juan.

 

But for a day port-stop ... 99.9% chance of docking at the piers in Old San Juan.

[duncan449]

I'd definitely check out the forts, they are awesome!

 

There is also a beautiful walk along the shore line of the island that starts near the pier and goes around to the back side of the forts. (when you get off the ship walk to your left and find the big red door, walk through that and it takes you to the walkway) I'm not sure if you can get in to the fort from there though, we did this walk on Christmas day and the forts were closed.

 

This is the walkway, it winds around to the back of the fort, but if you can't get into the fort, it's a one way and you'll be walking all the way back. There are lots of cats and iguanas among the rocks.

[OCruisers]

When you are docked in San Juan as a port of call, you are right in town so you can just easily walk around. :)

[kmsu2000]

Your subject is "San Juan On your own, on the cheap".

 

1. take bus number 21 to Condado beach 75 cent one way. main bus terminal is step away from cruise terminal in old San Juan and bus stop right in front Condado beach. The ride is less than 20 minutes. taxi is $15 one way.

 

Condado beach beach chair rental is $5 each, a lady sale fresh coconut right on the beach for $3 :) ($6 in Miami) :mad:

 

2. Walk around odl San Juan is free, old San Juan Trolly also free at less back in 2007, did not take it last month.

[TMW67]

How is the snorkeling at Condado beach, or is there any good snorkeling spots in Puerto Rico for that matter?

[sportscruiser]

Was there just about a month ago and we took the free trolley to El Morro but it does also go by San Cristobal. We got off the ship and walked to the left and the trolley was just pulling up to the stop so we just hopped aboard! When going to El Morro, make sure you stay on the trolley. It stops at the bottom of the Fort but if you stay on it will go all the way up to the entrance. We walked back from El Morro through Old San Juan but you could also take the Trolley around. Here is a link to a bus route schedule and OSJ map: http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/free-trolley-old-san-juan/

[New2cruisen]

My family will be visiting San Juan in a few months and we plan to do this self guided walking tour. It seems very informative, easy to follow and has good reviews. Someone posted in the comments after the guide article that they were able to do all 3 parts of the tour in about 3 1/2 hours. Here is the link: http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-1/

Edited August 13, 2015 by New2cruisen

[1bets1]

Thanks for posting that walking tour. It's just what I needed!

[Angiet75]

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/free-trolley-old-san-juan/

 

 

 

 

They have a trolly also

this is what we are doing going to forts and shop a bit

[annestis]

Would it be possible as far as time constraints to tour are both forts? We are going in May and I believe we have about seven hours there. Also where would be a good place to grab lunch if we didn't want to go all way back to our ship?

[duncan449]

Would it be possible as far as time constraints to tour are both forts? We are going in May and I believe we have about seven hours there. Also where would be a good place to grab lunch if we didn't want to go all way back to our ship?

 

You'll have plenty of time to tour both forts and eat lunch.

We asked a few locals where they'd go for lunch and the place several of them mentioned we decided to try and it was great... but I do not remember the name of it.