Pre or Post Cruise in Puerto Rico

If you have a cruise package organized from Puerto Rico, it is more than likely that you will be departing from San Juan. The majority of the time you will have some time to kill before your cruise departs or after your cruise returns to San Juan. With just a few hours to spare you can make the most of that time by seeing the highlights of Old San Juan. The following suggestions will give you a taste for Old San Juan and will also be a good starting point if you are on a cruise that is making a stop here in Puerto Rico.

Most of the time, your cruise ship will be docked at Old San Juan close to the ‘Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino’ (14 on the map). If your cruise docks elsewhere in San Juan, you can just take a taxi into Old San Juan.

From your cruise ship make you way to the fort El Morro (1 on map) either by foot, taxi or local free trolley service. The fort is an excellent historic site and will help you appreciate the history of this old city.

From El Morro tale ‘Calle del Morro’ to ‘Plaza San JosÃ©’ (4 on map) and maybe relax with a drink from one of the local cafÃ©’s. From here walk down ‘Del Cristo’ until you reach the ‘Catedral de San Juan’ (9 on map). Spend some time to enjoy this beautiful cathedral. Across the road from the cathedral is the hotel ‘El Convento’ (8 on map) where you can enjoy tapas or a cool drink.

Continue down ‘Del Cristo’ and make your way to the ‘La Fortazela’ (11 on map). This is the governor’s mansion and tours are available if you have time. From ‘La Fortazela’ head to the ‘Old San Juan Gate’ (10 on map). Taking a stroll through the gate brings you to ‘Paseo La Princesa’; a very beautiful and scenic promenade by the old city walls,. This promenade will take you back towards the cruise ships.

If during your time in Old San Juan, you are looking for some place to eat, take a stroll along ‘Calle Fortazela’ and you will pass several good restaurants; including; The Parrot Club, Tantra, Aquaviva, and Dragonfly to name a few.