On your own in San Juan - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

gr82cu2 · 06-30-2007, 08:52 PM

We just returned for a glorious 9 day cruise on the Crown Princess. Our second port of call was San Juan. We were interested in doing a little exploring on our own since the ship docks near Old San Juan. When we arrived it was deathly hot and humid and we were beginning to wonder if we made the right decision. Upon entering the terminal, we were approached several times by tour companies offering tours through old and new San Juan, a couple of beaches, the capitol building, and a fort. The tours being offered inside the terminal were quoted at $20 per person but once we stepped outside the price dropped to $10 per person. It was the same tour. It was definitely worth $10 per person and we had plenty of time to walk around and shop on our own afterwards. The tour took about 2 hours if I remember right. We drove to new San Juan and stopped at a couple of beaches along the way. These were very brief (5-10 minute) stops but it gave us a chance to see the beaches there. We were not impressed as the beaches were very rocky and the water was not particularly pretty. Friends of our went jet skiing and reported that they came back oily and grimy!! We were taken to the Capitol building which is very pretty inside and out and we stayed there about 20 minutes which was plenty of time there. The tour driver asked if anyone wanted to stop at one of the forts or just drive by. It was so hot everyone agreed to just drive by. We were let off in Old San Juan where we were able to explore some of the shops and we found a lovely spot up high in a park where we could catch a breeze and take in the sights of the ocean. For what we paid, we felt like we got a nice tour that didn't take up our entire day.

hanna · 06-30-2007, 09:01 PM

Janet, thanks for the tip.

gr82cu2 · 07-01-2007, 09:50 AM

I should add that the bus we were on was air conditioned and had large windows for viewing the sights. I'll be adding a few pictures soon. I'm working on resizing them right now.

gr82cu2 · 07-01-2007, 10:42 AM

Here's some pictures we took in San Juan, enjoy....................

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LuLu · 07-01-2007, 01:43 PM

Janet .... Thanks so very much for both the report and the pictures!

gr82cu2 · 07-01-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu

Janet .... Thanks so very much for both the report and the pictures!

You are welcome! Thanks a bunch for the frus!!!

Krazy Kruizers · 07-03-2007, 09:39 AM

Many times we have been in San Juan when it was very hot humid. But we still walked to both forts and walked all over town. It was good exercise.

Great report and beautiful pictures.

gr82cu2 · 07-03-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krazy Kruizers

Many times we have been in San Juan when it was very hot humid. But we still walked to both forts and walked all over town. It was good exercise.

Great report and beautiful pictures.

Thank you and thanks for the frus!!

tour46 · 08-31-2007, 07:27 AM

love your pictures. I too had a great time in old san Juan but took a tour with a great guide tito60@hotmail.com

Chawoobie · 11-08-2007, 07:42 PM

We were just in San Juan on Freedom of the Seas in September. A colleague of mine who is from San Juan happened to be there for several months to care for her 97-year-old mother. My colleague interviewed and then hired a professional tour guide, bodyguard, personal security guy meet my mom, sister, wife and myself at the ship and give us a tour of San Juan. What a great time we had!!!

The guide had some interesting stories to tell about San juan and some of the actors for whom he has provided security. Very interesting!!