Cruise Guide for San Juan, Puerto Rico
Old San Juan's walled enclave delights visitors with a treasure trove of Spanish colonial architecture. The venerable San Juan Cathedral, gray cobblestoned streets and pastel
-colored buildings give the city the glamorous look of a movie set. Visitors will find a deep respect for the past combined with passion for the trends of the present.
San Juan houses cultural attractions such as the stunning Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and a multimillion-dollar convention-center facility—the largest in the Caribbean. Historic neighborhoods offer sophisticated restaurants that combine Latin, Caribbean and Asian flavors. Cosmopolitan nightclubs all around town fuel the city's reputation as a late-night haven for beautiful people.
The beaches are stunning, and the currency is the convenient U.S. dollar (because of Puerto Rico's association with the U.S.). No surprise, then, that San Juan is one of the busiest leisure and business travel destinations in the Caribbean.
Location
The port of San Juan is the center of cruise-ship traffic in the Caribbean—not only is it a popular port of call, but it is also home base for dozens of luxury liners. More than 1 million cruise passengers sail in or out of San Juan annually, and those figures continue to grow as increasing numbers of megaships visit the island.
Several piers sit right on bustling Calle Marina. When you get off your ship, you can walk straight into Old San Juan. There's tourist information at La Casita, which is near Pier 1 on Calle Marina. Just south of Old San Juan is the Pan American Pier on Calle Lindbergh in the Isla Grande area—it's a little farther from the main tourist attractions.
Although there is no restaurant on the pier premises, restaurants are plentiful in Old San Juan. Options range from chain eateries to local-cuisine restaurants and cafes. Most hotels provide Internet access; Cafe Berlin in front of Plaza Colon also has Wi-Fi for patrons. The nearest Internet cafe is CyberNet Cafe. Phone 787-724-4033. http:www.cybernetcafepr.com.
Transportation is readily available at the port, but the rental car options are limited to one provider at Pier 3 (Pier Car Rental; phone 787-962-6555 or 787-729-0016). The nearest pickup point is in the Condado neighborhood, a US$15 cab ride from the port. And if you're flying into San Juan to catch a ship, know that most cruise lines provide transportation from the airport to the pier; otherwise, a taxi ride to the port will cost about US$20.
Shore Excursions
Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least-expensive way to see the island, but you won't have to waste your limited time making arrangements yourself—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. Typical excursions may take you on a tour of the city, a rum distillery or the rain forest. You can also choose more vigorous activities, such as golf, hiking, kayaking or a trek through the mountains on horseback. Check with your ship's activity director or your travel agent for additional information. To experience San Juan on your own, be sure to stop by La Casita tourist information center.
