questions about san juan

[stormyweather]

will be on the crown princess july 5 one of the ports is san juan,,,,really just looking for a nice beach we can go to someplace fun for our children, traveling with teens and small children, two families....can anyone suggest some options. we have never been to puerto rico

[#1TravelMom]

We've been to PR many times. Compared to most of the Caribbean, the beaches in PR will be disappointing. Our teens REALLY like El Yunque. It's very easy and inexpensive to rent a car drive to the rainforest. Enjoy a beautiful hike and swim under a tropical waterfall!!!

[YoPhilly]

I highly recommend a trip to Arecibo to see the giant radio telescope which was featured in the movie "Contact". I took my son (about 10 yrs old at the time) and we both were amazed by the telescope and by artifacts inside the onsite museum.

[margord]

Ask the taxi drivers. You may be able to visit one of the beaches were the hotels are located.

[VioletNYC]

Hello! I was on the 6/8 Crown out of NYC. We got a day pass at the Marriott on Condado Beach. It was soooo nice!!! The hotel is beautiful and so is the ocean. It really wasn't as bad as people say, but of course not as beautiful as the rest of the beaches you will see! It was about $30 for a day pass, you could use their showers and change in the spa/gym.

 

I think a Taxi there was about $10 or $11 bucks not bad at all.

[barbels]

How did you buy that day pass and were you able to use the hotel pool?

[VioletNYC]

We just went to the hotel when we got off the ship, head to the front desk and they will direct you to the spa/gym area and ask for a day pass. They will give you a bracelet, you can use any part of the hotel you desire! The pool seemed really nice, but we hung out on the beach.

[El Cheapo]

Was just in San Juan on Freedom of Seas and compared to the beaches on St Thomas/St Maarteen you will be dissappointed. I highly recommend you get a rent a car in PR. There is a Hertz located in the Sheraton (El Casino) directly accross the street from the pier ( also a local rental directly accross streetfrom Hertz if sold out) make reservations.. Get good directions to to get on a new toll road $1.50 ( easy to find) and head for the rainforest El Yenque (sp). It is 55 miles but your on interstate for 40 miles or so. When coming back you get on toll road (i believe it is called 6 or 66) by turning left at the Belz factory outlets). At the rainforest you drive to near the top of the mountain 3500' and are in a real rainforest. There is a nice waterfall right on the road and good parking for short hiking trails.

 

When in St. Marteen I recommend renting a car from Hertz as there location is at end of pier with easy signs (cost was $ 65 for Toyota Corolla and get an early start to drive all the way around island takes about 90 minutes) You mentioned kids so Orient beach might be too much with partial and full nudity. We went Guana Bay beach and had it all to ourselves. This beach is on the map and the turn off (and only 2 miles from ship) is marked by a street sign called guana bay road and a large light blue condo development sign. Follow road over hill and down to water. You have to park in a "lot" and follow a 100 yard path (easement) near an wall of an estate to get to beach. Note it was somewhat confusing to find the parking area and wall and path but a gardener at an estate helped us. Just keep driving the "neighborhood" till you find a access as there were three more accesses toward the left side of the 1 mile long cresent beach. Theere are no facilities at this beach it is a residential access beach area so be sure to bring your drinks. If you have a mask/ snorkel you can snorkel the rocky edge located on the right side of the beach. It is shallow with only rocks and small tropical fish no live coral. This beach is AWESOME go there. There is a path along the rocky bluff on the right side of the cresent beach. You can walk it with good sandals and do not hestiate to go thru the open door opening in the estate pink colored wall ( by the PVC pipes) and follow out as far as you care. Have a blast. PS as far a typical souveniours we found the best prices and selection right at the pier area shopping district.

 

Your in for a great time:D .

[espmass]

We have gone to the Caribe Hilton and used their beach/pool. They have a small inlet beach and a beautiful pool. No fee in the past although i haven't been there for at least a year. The Condado beaches are very nice and there is no charge. Usually you will find someone renting chairs. Last time I was there the water was pretty rough.