A 500-year-old walled city with blue cobblestone streets, mighty forts, and El Yunque rainforest within reach.
San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, and one of the oldest European-founded cities in the Americas. Ships dock in Old San Juan, right at the edge of the historic walled city.
You can spend the whole day on foot among colorful buildings, forts, and plazas, or head out to the rainforest or beach. It suits history lovers, foodies, and US travelers who want an easy port with no passport needed.
Average daily high and low in °F, from the nearest weather station with long records: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, San Juan. Source: Meteostat station records, 1991–2020.
Here are my favorite ways to spend a cruise day in San Juan. Each one opens on Viator, where you can check the times, reviews and price before you book.
A small-group trip into the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system to hike, swim in river pools and ride a natural rock waterslide.
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Glide along San Juan's coast with an underwater jet scooter, looking for sea turtles on the reef. Videos of your swim are included, and it takes about 90 minutes.
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See the colorful streets, forts and city walls of Old San Juan by golf cart, covering more ground than on foot, just steps from the cruise pier.
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Jim Sr's Ship Pick
This ship never felt crowded - and the Pizza & Burger spot was a total win!
My favorites: explore Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the great fort guarding the harbor; visit Castillo San Cristóbal, the largest Spanish fort in the Americas; wander the blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan; hike or swim in El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System; relax on the beach in the Condado neighborhood.
US dollar.
The cruise piers are in Old San Juan, so you can walk to the forts and plazas, and taxis go to Condado and beyond.
Search sailings that stop in San Juan on our site, or ask me for a quote. I book it for you with no fees, and I watch for price drops after you book.
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