Caribbean - How to Spend 10 hours in SJU?

Disembark ship 8:00 am. Flight leaves 8:30 pm.Any suggestions other than day pass to beach hotel? Thanks

This probably belongs in the Puerto Rico forum. Until then...

You don't say if you've spent any time in PR and you don't say what you're "in to". I'd give you four options:

1) Wander around old-San Juan, climb around the fort, eat lunch in old San Juan and eat dinner somewhere "nice".
2) Get a hotel beach pass like you said and hang out at the beach
3) Rent a car and go to El Yunque national forest and go for a hike down to the waterfall, check out the views, etc.
4) Go in search of roast pork (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/04/dining/04lech.html?fta=y)


Whatever you do, don't waste your day sitting in the Admirals Club or that nasty airport. Oh... your final option could be to head home earlier in the day, albeit with a connection somewhere.

I'd suggest Old San Juan as well. Very beautiful! Perhaps go and visit one or two of the forts?

Hi,

I agree with both emma dog and twiggers. Old San Juan is a beautiful place to explore for a few hours on foot ( or maybe with a trolley bus) with the two large forts to explore . ( assuming the OP has not been to Old San Juan before)

Regards

TBS

Additionally, if you have not been to San Juan before, there are many tours you can arrange for: segway being just one. It's quite the cruiseship port so many activities available.

Hi,

I agree with both emma dog and twiggers. Old San Juan is a beautiful place to explore for a few hours on foot ( or maybe with a trolley bus) with the two large forts to explore . ( assuming the OP has not been to Old San Juan before)

Regards

TBS

Perhaps Las Americas Mall, its the best and most beautiful mall in PR....

Bacardi Rum Factory outside San Juan
El Yunque is a great choice
Near the airport...great place for a great argentine or flap steak...We like Casa Dante in Isla Verde
Casinos downtown and on the Condado
Old San Juan...go get a mallorca pastry at Bombenera

Have fun!

1) The banos are closed in El Yunque except at the visitors' center.

2) The drive from the cruise port should be about 2 hours RT (traffic is like Los Angeles).

3) In Re Bacardi tour...if you've visited another distillery, don't bother.

4) The only bargain in PR is the 750ml no-name rum @ Walmart.

Go to the beach in Isla Verde. It is a five minute taxi ride from the Airport.
I'm sure you could get a beach pass at one of the hotels. My preference would be the El San Juan.

Please continue to follow this thread in the Caribbean Forum, where a search for "SJU Layover" will yield previous threads on this topic.

dstan
AA Forum Co-Moderator

Old San Juan is an excellent place to spend time. You can have breakfast in La Bombonera for a mallorca (go early, as this is a popular place) walk to El Morro and see the fort, (I prefer Morro over San Cristobal) Once you see the fort, go to Plaza de Colon for a late lunch or refreshment in any of the restaurants there and enjoy some of our local drinks. Walk down Calle San Sebastian and do some window shopping and sightseeing. There are many boutique stores, local arts and crafts, as much as US brand outlet.

Turn into calle Fortaleza, you will see La Fortaleza (PR version of the White House, where the governor lives). There are many stores there, also Parque De las Palomas. You will go past Barrachina, birthplace of the Pina Colada, continue walking and enjoy the sights, shops, food, drinks and eventually you will be close to the port. You can have lechon asado, roast pork right behind the Sheraton Hotel (sorry I cant remember the name) At this point you can return to the airport, it should be around 6 or 6:30pm. You should allow yourself 30 minutes to get to the airport, pending on traffic.