The Port of San Juan
This guide is tailored for cruise passengers visiting San Juan.
If you are planning on visiting Puerto Rico soon but are not really sure what to do while there, check out a few of the below popular choices to get your vacation started!
Here is a list of a few of the main events on the island.
- Punta Borinquen Golf Course, in Aguadilla
- Parque de Las Ciencias Luis A. Ferré, in Bayamón
- Casa Museo Joaquin de Rojas & Monte Torrecilla, in Barranquitas
- Cabo Rojo Artisans, Museo de los Próceres & The Salinas Salt Flats in Cabo Rojo
- Caribbean Raceway Park, in Carolina
- Caja de Muerto Beach, in Caja de Muertos
- Snorkeling & Diving in Culebra
- Ojo del Buey & Dorado Del Mar Golf Club, in Dorado
- The Faro de Fajardo, in Fajardo
- La Parguera Phosphorescent Bay & Punta Ballena Reserve, in Guanica
- Observatorio Astronómico & The Shiraz Charters, in Humacao
- The Fiesta de Reyes Isabelinos, in Isabela
- Plaza Colon Yaguez Theater, in Mayaguez
- El Morro, in Old San Juan
- Carite Forest Reserve, in Patillas
- Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center & Museo de Arte de Ponce, in Ponce
- Skatepark Roller Vertical Exploration, in Quebradillas
- El Faro Lighthouse, in Rincon
- Bahia Beach Plantation Golf Course, in Rio Grande
- La Fortaleza, in San Juan
- Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, in Vieques
- Roig Refinery, in Yabucoa
These are only a few of the attractions available to the visiting tourist to this Island paradise. If you are looking for cultural attractions’ you should head over to old San Juan, walk the narrow, winding, cobblestone roads and sample the Architecture and visit the Museums. If shopping is your fancy there are great shops all through Old San Juan you can spend a day in and out of these shop selling just about anything from crafty hand made articles to gold and jewelry.
All the fast food chain and restaurants found on the main land have a presence here, McDonald, Burger king, KFC, Macaroni Grill, Sizzler just to mention a few. Alternatively, you can enjoy Pollo Tropical, Martin Chicken or any of the local food eateries that serve just about anything you can imagine. Seafood lovers would love our restaurants that serve fresh seafood caught by anglers that go out daily for the catch of the day.
Puerto Rico is an island paradise with beaches on every coast; they feature beautiful warm blue waters with some of the best scenic views in the world. There is plenty of nightlife in San Juan and Isla Verde with casinos in many of the major hotels. You could spend a whole week taking in all that Puerto Rico has to offer and not cover one third of what we have mentioned here in this article.
By: Puertoricoblogger.com
Things to Do
Puerto Rico is a great destination to visit in the Caribbean. It is like being in two worlds, the Caribbean and the United States. That means it has a level of wealth and stability that other Caribbean islands might not have. And being part of the Hispanic Caribbean gives it that further exotic flavour.
So, in other words, you get the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea and Caribbean beaches that the world loves to enjoy. But you also get American roads, shopping, currency, banks, businesses, etc. It’s a nice combination.
Because Puerto Rico was a former sugar plantation colony, there are many African slaves there. That has led to a very different culture from their other Latin American countries which did not have strong inputs from the descendants of African peoples.
It is the Hispanic Caribbean which has given the world samba, merengue, rhumba, salsa, and other famous Latin American musics. (It is similar to the American South with its Afro-American population, which gave the world jazz, blues, rock and roll, soul, R&B, and so much more.) That mixture of Europe and Africa in the tropics has produced a lively and vibrant Creole culture wherever that occurred. It is really something for visitors to explore and discover.
If you are going to explore Puerto Rico on your own you may end up renting a car to do your sightseeing. Please be advised that driving in Puero Rico is a little crazy. Make sure that you are always checking all your mirrors, though, and you’ll be fine.
In terms of places to stay, perhaps the nicest thing is to find a hotel overlooking the beach. The Condado area, just to the south of San Juan on the north coast of the island has some great hotels like this.
A must see area is Old San Juan. You can easily spend a few hours walking around there. It’s a little hilly so maybe jump on the free trolley bus to El Morro (the fort) and work your way back down through the city.
There are lots of places to eat and drink, no matter what your budget is. One suggestion I have is to try Breakfast at La Bombonera (one of the oldest establishments in the city).
Another recommended place to visit is El Yunque (rainforest) on the eastern side of the island. Once you are there, you might as well spend the afternoon at Luquillo Beach.
If you want to see some attractive Puerto Rican architecture, you should go to Ponce on the South coast.
West of San Juan on the North Coast is the Arecibo Observatory. The James Bond movie Golden Eye and also the Jodie Foster movie Contact were filmed there.
Another place I would recommend is Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve on the northeastern tip of the island. You can have an escorted tour through the reserve on an electric trolley, but you have to book in advance.
There is plenty to do here. Once you are there, you should consider a side trip to the islets of Vieques or Culebra off the east coast. The beaches are amazing.
On the other side of the island, I would definitely suggest Rincon. It is a pretty laid back area – great beaches, good surfing, good places to eat, lots to do in the immediate vicinity.
Try the local food stands and just enjoy everything that the island has to offer.
Food wise, there is everything you can imagine. In Condado area for seafood try Miro’s. In Old San Juan try The Parrot Club for Caribbean style or Tantra’s for Indian cuisine.
If you are Single or travelling by yourself and are in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or active 60s, you might consider taking a weekend getaway vacation with other singles around your age group. It really makes exploring Puerto Rico so much more fun.
If you are interested in doing that, you can check out Singles Holidays Over 50s. We Answer Your Questions About the Best Place to Visit in Puerto Rico, Tourist Spots, and Puerto Rico Travel Deals.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you make the most of your trip to Puerto Rico.
Welcome to the port of San Juan
This AI-generated guide, courtesy of ChatGPT, is tailored for cruise passengers arriving in San Juan for the first time.
General Port Facts
San Juan Port, nestled in Puerto Rico, offers a blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and tropical beauty. Cruise passengers can explore the city's charm within a limited timeframe.
Touristic Information
Discover San Juan's Old San Juan district with colorful colonial architecture, historic forts like El Morro, and lively streets filled with shops and cafes.
Transportation Options
Explore nearby attractions with these transportation options:
- Taxis are available at the port for convenient travel within San Juan.
- Consider taking a taxi or bus to visit:
- Old San Juan - 5 km (3 miles), 15 minutes
- El Yunque National Forest - 45 km (28 miles), 1 hour
- Condado Beach - 10 km (6 miles), 20 minutes
Local Foods
Indulge in Puerto Rican cuisine with dishes like Mofongo, Pernil, and Tostones. Explore local markets for a taste of authentic flavors.
Top 5 Attractions
- Old San Juan - Explore historic streets and forts (Free)
- El Yunque National Forest - Discover lush rainforests (Entrance: $15)
- Castillo San Felipe del Morro - Historic fortress (Entrance: $7)
- Condado Beach - Relax on pristine sands (Free)
- La Placita - Enjoy nightlife and local vibes
Nice to Know Facts
- San Juan is one of the oldest cities in the Americas, founded in 1521.
- The city is known for its colorful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets.
- English and Spanish are widely spoken, and the U.S. Dollar is the official currency.
Local Customs
Puerto Ricans are warm and friendly. It's customary to greet with a friendly "Hola" or "Hello." Tipping around 15-20% is common in restaurants.
Fun Things for Children
- Up to 6 years old: Enjoy family time at Parque Luis Muñoz Marín.
- 7-12 years old: Explore the interactive exhibits at the Museo del Niño.
- 13-18 years old: Zip line adventure at ToroVerde Adventure Park.
Google Maps
Explore the location near the cruise port on Google Maps.
Main Tourism Office Website
For more information, visit the official tourism office website.
Notice: Content and travel advice presented is created by a port moderator and/or AI, courtesy of ChatGPT. It is specifically designed for cruise passengers visiting this port of call. A port moderator could be a local individual, destination expert, port authority, or a tourism agency. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we recommend that you verify critical information like visas, health and safety, customs, and transportation with official sources before departure.