what to do for 4-5 hours?

[whenzuc]

We are a family of 5 with adult children- 19,19,23. We are doing the Segway 2 hour tour in the late morning finishing up around 1PM. The kids are scheduled to do the Canopy Tour through the cruise ship at 3PM on their own without us. We are in port for the day- Jan 6 the holiday. My question is does it pay to rent a car for the two of us for the balance of the day? We are in port until 11 pm. Would we walk to the casinos from Old Juan where we dock with the kids at night? I understand that there is are butterfly place/gardens to tour? Can we do that on our own? WE are free after 2PM and the kids will be free after around 8pm when they are back on the ship and ready to go again. Any good ideas with the car, or should we just walk around and forget the car?

[RayInPR]

There aren't any butterfly houses in the San Juan area (there is one at the zoo in Mayaguez, but that's not practical given your time frame).

 

You may be thinking of the store in Old San Juan that sells mounted butterflies as "art" -- http://www.butterflypeople.com/

 

Given your 2pm - 8pm window, I wouldn't bother with renting a car. Many things will be closed on Three Kings Day (think Christmas in the States), so having a car may not get you that much bang for the buck.

 

Wander around Old San Juan.

 

The only casino within walking distance of the piers is in the Sheraton hotel, right across the street from the piers. There are other casinos in the San Juan area, but getting to them would require a taxi.

[Caribbean Sunsets]

Old San Juan is a beautiful area to walk around and see the architecture, there is the fort and the holiday decorations are festive. There were lots and lots of holiday displays in various town squares--all of them quite beautiful.

 

I was there last November for a one night precruise before our Thanksgiving Cruise. We stayed at the Sheraton and IMO the casino wasn't big and glitzy but okay for the half hour while we were there.

[RVP cruiser]

I wouldnt rent a car fot the short time you have. Old San Juan is the perfect spot for a day. Lots of interesting shops, great food cafes, people watching is awsome- check out the Fort too!!

 

Enjoy!