Friday, April 12, 2024

San Juan Cruise Port and Terminal Information

cruise port in san juan

It is the largest and busiest cruise port in the Caribbean and serves as a major hub for the Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. The port has three terminals, each equipped with modern amenities, such as free Wi–Fi, restaurants, shops, and lounges. The port is also a popular destination for excursions, offering a variety of activities, such as a trip to the nearby El Yunque rainforest, a tour of Old San Juan, and a trip to the beach.

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If you are a surf enthusiast, you may join surf classes either as a beginner or to perfect your skills. Additionally, you will have the chance to try out delicious afro Caribbean dishes. You will also get an opportunity to enjoy local music while interacting with the friendly locals. Icacos is an uninhabited island found outside San Juan along Puerto Rico’s southeast coast.

Balneario del Escambrón (Escambron Beach)

cruise port in san juan

In the southern section, you’ll find most of the tourist attractions, along with amenities such as a parking area, an information center, and a gift shop. The more famous of the two forts is Castillo San Felipe del Morro, located at the northwesternmost tip of the Islet of San Juan. It is the oldest Spanish fort in the New World, with construction beginning in 1539 and ending in 1790. The fort stands at an impressive height of 140 ft (43 m) and provides a vantage point over the Atlantic Ocean. Two must-visit attractions in San Juan are the stunning forts of Castillo San Felipe del Morro and San Cristóbal. Recognized collectively as the San Juan National Historic Site, these forts earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1983.

san juan cruise terminal things to do

Experience Bonaire’s famed dive sites and Curaçao’s historic Willemstad. The San Juan Cruise Port is host to an estimated 500 cruise ships (approx. 18 different cruise lines), and nearly 2 million passengers travel to Puerto Rico through this port – every year. Most Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises include a stop in San Juan offering travelers an opportunity to experience a little bit of the magic of this extraordinary city. Cruisers departing from Old San Juan also have lots to see before they cruise.

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Do not be left out; take a photo at this famous landmark to document your visit in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If you are an adventurer, then you will have fun exploring the caves to uncover a hidden natural spring and a small oasis in the middle of the forest. Regardless of your interest to the rum factory, you will have a lot to learn about rum production and you can also have a chance to taste the different types of clear charcoal filtered rum produced at Casa Bacardi.

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However, if you are planning on swimming here, you should be aware of the strong currents. Do not worry about where to grab a bite or drink; there are plenty of food joints and snack places within this beautiful beach. There are many restaurants along the pathway that serve delicious local dishes. There is also a playground for children and a refreshing foundation located close to the ocean. If you are a history enthusiast, then you will have a lot to learn about the early Spanish colonial days as well as the struggles of formation and control of the Puerto Rico Island. San Juan is not only a popular port of call on many cruises from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, but is also the most popular departure port for cruises in the Caribbean.

Icacos Island (Cayo Icacos)

High-rise hotels and palm trees line the beach, evoking a Miami-esque ambiance. The beach is located in Condado, a vibrant and upscale neighborhood with a mix of residential areas, hotels, restaurants, and shops. If you’re a cruise passenger on the lookout for a great shopping experience, San Juan is the place to be. This bustling city is home to two massive malls that are home to a variety of stores and popular brands, offering everything from fashion and jewelry to local souvenirs, ceramics, crafts, and art. Old San Juan is a historic district known for its charming cobblestone streets and pastel-colored buildings. The district is situated on an islet connected to the main island by three bridges.

cruise port in san juan

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Escambron Beach is family-friendly, with umbrella and chair rentals, public bathrooms, and food vendors nearby. This beach is a 10-minute car ride or a 17-minute bus ride from the cruise port, and it is one of the most popular beaches in San Juan. E-bikes are a great way to see old San Juan and the nearby beaches and forts. There are many affordable rental options; some will even deliver and pick up bikes at your cruise ship pier.

Paseo del Morro is accessible from inside the walls of the city via Calle Caleta de San Juan and Calle Clara Lair. Additionally, access is possible from Paseo de La Princesa, though it will require a bit of a walk. Make sure to bring water and proper equipment, as the boardwalk spans about 3 miles (4.8 km). Within the museum, you’ll encounter a diverse collection of works such as paintings, sculptures, posters, and carvings created by acclaimed Puerto Rican artists, such as José Campeche and Nayda Collazo-Llorens. While the permanent collection boasts over 1,000 pieces, there are also frequent rotating exhibitions.

Primarily used for short-distance travel within the city, you’ll find specified pickup locations at well-known landmarks and the airport. There isn’t a list of predefined times and information so you’ll have to ask others for details. There are three trolley routes that stop right next to the cruise port at Pier 4 along Calle Marina. With 12 stops and two trolley types to choose from (one open-air and the other closed with air conditioning), you have plenty of options. La Fortaleza, was constructed as a defense against attacks and later became the official Governor‘s Residence.

There is no long-term parking for cruise guests at the Old San Juan Terminal, but there are a few unofficial parking options available within Old San Juan. There is parking available at the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino as well, which is located across from the Old San Juan Piers. The places mentioned above and the best things to do in San Juan will give you an idea of what to do during your trip here. Joining locals in celebrating this feast helps have a better understanding of Puerto Rico’s religious history. To be among the participants, arrive at the beach early enough and find an ideal spot near the shore. Noche de San Juan is another well-known feast among the Puerto Ricans celebrated on June 23rd.

While relatively small and at times a bit crowded, Condado Beach extends for several miles east of downtown and is a short taxi ride from Old San Juan. The beach offers the added convenience of proximity to the nearby Condado shopping and entertainment district. Pier 3 mainly serves Royal Caribbean and its Oasis-class ships, the cruise industry's largest. The terminal features a two-story complex that houses restaurants, galleries and a duty-free shopping center. Pier 4 is managed by Carnival Cruise Lines and generally serves that line's ships and affiliated vessels.

You can experience the fusion of Spanish and Caribbean foods with a Puerto Rican food tour. Several half-day food tour options will transport you to local farmer’s markets and coastal restaurants. You’ll get to try sample-sized foods that might include local favorites like bistec encebollado, mofongo, pastelon, pasteles, tripleta, and pernil. It is an easy walk to both forts from the cruise ship port, and kids will love walking through the dungeons, turrets, towers, and tunnels found here. During a walking or self-guided tour at the San Juan Historic Site, you can view the fortifications, including forts and walls designed to defend San Juan during the 17th and 18th centuries.

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If you’re looking for some delicious Puerto Rican cuisine, consider stopping by Café Manolín. With options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the diverse menu at Café Manolín is sure to satisfy your appetite. Crossing the road will lead you to a small plaza with seating that overlooks the port, offering a delightful spot to enjoy your treat. As the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean, Plaza Las Américas houses a wide variety of stores, including international and local retailers, fashion boutiques, and department stores. For upscale shopping enthusiasts, the Mall of San Juan is a prime destination, hosting 110 stores and 50 brands. At the mall, you’ll encounter a diverse array of fashion and luxury brands like Gucci, Victoria’s Secret, Versace, and Louis Vuitton, alongside more mainstream options such as H&M and Zara.

Among the notable attractions you’ll find here are the San Juan National Historic Site, Catedral de San Juan, Casa Blanca, and Plaza de Armas. Castillo San Cristóbal stands as the largest Spanish-built fortification in the New World. This historic fortress has a comprehensive tunnel network, which you can explore through a guided tunnel tour. Positioned strategically atop a hill, it provides impressive views of both the city and the ocean. San Juan is renowned for its historic forts, such as El Morro and San Cristóbal, which were constructed in the 16th to 18th centuries to defend against invasions from the sea. Make sure to explore Old San Juan, where cobblestone streets and colorful colonial architecture tell the tales of centuries gone by.

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