San Juan airport 5 hr layover

Old Mar 9, 2013, 5:11 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: United 1K, American
Posts: 125
San Juan airport 5 hr layover

I am doing a mileage run to SJU from LAX and will be in SJU at midnight. My departing flight is at 5am. Any suggestions how to spend the time there. I have a couple of passes to United Club. Thanks.
kestasx is offline  
Old Mar 10, 2013, 9:49 am
  #2  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The United Club passes won't do you any good.

Last time I was at SJU at similar times I hired a taxi for a few hours and had them drive me around the old city and show me some of the sights. The Fort was lit up quite pretty and while I couldn't go inside it was still fun to see.
http://blog.wandr.me/2009/10/a-3-hour-tour-of-san-juan/


sbm12 is offline  
Old Mar 10, 2013, 10:02 am
  #3  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 60137
Posts: 10,498
The casinos near the Ritz may be open after midnight.
sonofzeus is offline  
Old Mar 10, 2013, 2:04 pm
  #4  
Senior Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,390
For more discussion, please follow the thread to the Caribbean forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
Ocn Vw 1K is offline  
Old Mar 10, 2013, 8:11 pm
  #5  
mkt
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
5 hours?

Cab to Old San Juan, go to La Taberna Lpulo, drink craft beers for for 2 hours, then go to El Batey, drink crap beer (or good rum) for another hour, then cab back to the airport.

Or cab to Condado, barhop, and get some food for 3 or so hours.
mkt is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2013, 11:45 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UAL SPG Hyatt
Posts: 567
There is also a 24hr BBQ place open near the airport. Bebo's near ave marginal, right net to the row of car rental places. Remains crowded at night and good place for some lechon and a beer.
SometimesFlyer is offline  
Old Mar 22, 2013, 7:13 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,237
Originally Posted by kestasx
I am doing a mileage run to SJU from LAX and will be in SJU at midnight. My departing flight is at 5am. Any suggestions how to spend the time there. I have a couple of passes to United Club. Thanks.
If possible, I'd follow the suggestions above and get out of the airport for a couple of hours. Additionally I believe the United Club has been closed for some time now in SJU, so that would not be an option.
mauld is offline  
Old May 2, 2013, 7:18 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PHL
Posts: 147
San Juan airport 5 hr layover

Taxi to the El San Juan hotel and hit the hot tubs.
bluwater is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2013, 8:03 am
  #9  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 314
Originally Posted by mkt
5 hours?

Cab to Old San Juan, go to La Taberna Lpulo, drink craft beers for for 2 hours, then go to El Batey, drink crap beer (or good rum) for another hour, then cab back to the airport.

Or cab to Condado, barhop, and get some food for 3 or so hours.
I also have a layover coming up from 2:30 am to 7:30 am on a Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Which casinos in Condado are open, and which bars/restaurants?
LowRoller is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2013, 6:13 pm
  #10  
mkt
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
Casinos? Not sure.

Bars? More than likely El Batey in Old San Juan. Bring cash.
mkt is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2013, 7:18 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 314
Originally Posted by mkt
Casinos? Not sure.

Bars? More than likely El Batey in Old San Juan. Bring cash.
And El Batey will be open at 3am on a tuesday?
LowRoller is offline  
Old Jul 29, 2013, 8:17 pm
  #12  
mkt
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
The possibility exists. I just drove past there, and it's open at 10pm on a Monday.
mkt is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2015, 3:05 pm
  #13  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 464
I have a similar upcoming overnight at SJU. In around 1am, out around 6am. Paying for a dumpy hotel for a few hours doesn't seem worth it.

Any suggestions to add to the above?

I'm leaning towards just staying put in the terminal or maybe going over to a casino for an hour or so. Which is likely to be more lively around 2am, El San Juan or RC?
slice is offline  
Old Dec 4, 2015, 4:14 pm
  #14  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,274
Originally Posted by slice
I have a similar upcoming overnight at SJU. In around 1am, out around 6am. Paying for a dumpy hotel for a few hours doesn't seem worth it.

Any suggestions to add to the above?

I'm leaning towards just staying put in the terminal or maybe going over to a casino for an hour or so. Which is likely to be more lively around 2am, El San Juan or RC?
If you are staying in the terminal, stay airside - there is not even a seat landside, unless you walk over to near the JetBlue checkin gates.
rankourabu is offline  
Old Dec 4, 2015, 5:43 pm
  #15  
mkt
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
Depending on the day of the week, old san juan should be fun for a few hours
mkt is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.