I'm taking a mileage run next month IAD-SJU-IAD. I have a 3h 10m layover at SJU before I return to IAD.

Figuring I need to be back at the airport 20 or 30 minutes before departure, will 2h 30m be enough time to take a taxi into San Juan for a quick visit to El Morro? Or...any other ideas for my mini Puerto Rico "vacation"?

It is possible, but tight.

I would want more than 20-30 minutes to get through security. It can be a crapshoot...you could breeze through in a few minutes or stand in line for 45 minutes.

Does SJU have an elite status security line?

As I recall, no it does not

No elite line there in July. Much to the surprise of many, SJU is a very large airport with a lot of traffic.

3:10 is too short of time to go into San Juan. You could bring your speedo and a towel and take a 5 minute cab ride over to Isla Verde and hang out on the beach for an hour or two. :D :D :D

SJU does have an elite security line for AA elites. After leaving AA ticket counters, it is to the far right as you approach the security checkpoint. As of last Wednesday, AA elites did have to stop in at the liquid/gel information table before proceeding to this shortcut line.

I realize the OP is not doing an AA mileage run, but there is definitely at least one elite security line in SJU.

Does SJU have an elite status security line?

aa does have an elite security line which moves pretty fast. not sure about the others.

it depends on the time you arrive/depart, but it sounds like a little tight. from the airport to el morro is about 25 minutes each way without traffic. you're traveling on highway through the city until you reach the entrance to the old san juan after the condado lagoon, next to the hilton. it can get tight from there to el morro. once you enter the old city, it can get even tighter. the taxi cannot drop you off at the entrance of el morro, so you have to walk about 10 minutes just to get to the fort. traffic back to the airport can be slow because it's outbound. if you really want to go, tell the cabi your plan and have him give you a fly by the old city, enough to see the old spanish architecture. i wouldn't risk it, though. instead, go to ritz or el san juan hotels, next to the airport, sit at the beach and enjoy a martini, margarita, local beer or pina colada, which was invented in puerto rico. you can see the ritz on the left as you land when the pilot flares out. this sounds a lot more fun that rushing in a cab trying to make a flight.

as others have said, your plans are tight.

I prefer the open air bar on top of the El San Juan, tableside guacamole, HUGE margaritas, a little gambling.

I've never been but each time I notice the funky little airport bar off away from the terminals as I drive away from SJU. One of these days I'll have a drink there before flying home.

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Thank you! Excellent advice and exactly what I ended up doing. Trip report on page two of this link:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6566323


it depends on the time you arrive/depart, but it sounds like a little tight. from the airport to el morro is about 25 minutes each way without traffic. you're traveling on highway through the city until you reach the entrance to the old san juan after the condado lagoon, next to the hilton. it can get tight from there to el morro. once you enter the old city, it can get even tighter. the taxi cannot drop you off at the entrance of el morro, so you have to walk about 10 minutes just to get to the fort. traffic back to the airport can be slow because it's outbound. if you really want to go, tell the cabi your plan and have him give you a fly by the old city, enough to see the old spanish architecture. i wouldn't risk it, though. instead, go to ritz or el san juan hotels, next to the airport, sit at the beach and enjoy a martini, margarita, local beer or pina colada, which was invented in puerto rico. you can see the ritz on the left as you land when the pilot flares out. this sounds a lot more fun that rushing in a cab trying to make a flight.

Alas, the open air bar on the top floor is only open in the evnings and I was there during the day. Moot point anyway as it was absolutely pouring with thunder and lightning while I visited.

However, I did have lunch in the lobby bar and the margaritas were huge as you mentioned and absolutely perfect!

as others have said, your plans are tight.

I prefer the open air bar on top of the El San Juan, tableside guacamole, HUGE margaritas, a little gambling.

I've never been but each time I notice the funky little airport bar off away from the terminals as I drive away from SJU. One of these days I'll have a drink there before flying home.

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Alas, the open air bar on the top floor is only open in the evnings and I was there during the day.
sorry bout that, I guess I have only been there in the evenings, must be those huge margaritas :) Glad things worked out and a big ^ for reporting back.

Thank you! Excellent advice and exactly what I ended up ding. Trip report on page two of this link:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6566323

i read and enjoyed the trip report and sounds it sounds great as it is nostalgic. the el san juan is a beautiful hotel, which you need to enjoy in the evening the next time. too bad for the weather. it rains in pr everyday, even if just for half an hour (it's a tropical island), although sometimes, not often, it downpours for a day or two because the typically east to west winds shift direction west to east, which causes the tropical systems to accumulate and holds them in pattern for long periods of times. keep up with the trips and trip reports!