Most ships dock in San Juan for six to nine hours. That is enough time to see the old city properly and get sand between your toes, as long as you do not spend two of those hours standing in a line.
How far is Old San Juan from the cruise pier?
Close. The piers sit right beside the old city, which is why San Juan is one of the easiest ports in the Caribbean to make the most of. The forts, the cobblestone streets and the painted houses are all within the same walkable district, and a vehicle gets you between the highlights without burning your day on foot in the heat.
A realistic plan for one day in port
- Get picked up at the ship. Skip the walk and the taxi line. We meet you in front of your ship at a spot we agree on when you book.
- See Old San Juan first, while the morning is cooler: the centuries-old forts, the cobblestone streets, the plazas and the ocean views.
- Then go to the beach. This is the part most shore excursions skip. We spend the rest of the day at two of our beautiful local beaches, not the crowded strip in front of the hotels.
- Back to the ship with time to spare. We watch the clock so you do not have to.
Ship excursion or a private tour?
A ship excursion puts you on a bus with 40 strangers on a fixed route and a fixed clock. A private tour is your group only, going at your pace, and you can change the plan halfway through if the kids want more beach time or you want an extra stop.
Our private Jeep is $475 for the whole tour with 2 to 4 guests, which works out to roughly $119 each for a group of four. For bigger groups and families we run the same day in a large passenger van at $100 per person for 5 to 11 guests. About 5 hours either way, and a cooler with cold water comes with you.
What if the ship is late, or all-aboard moves?
It happens more often than cruise lines like to admit, and it is the main reason people hesitate to book independently. Our schedule is flexible and built around your ship’s times. Tell us as soon as you know about a change and we shift the day around it.
What to bring off the ship
A swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for the cobblestones. Your ship card and ID, obviously. Everything else can stay on board.
Ready to plan your port day?
Tell us your ship and your dates and we will build the day around them. Cancellations are fine up to 24 hours before your tour.