Start Your Cruise Vacation From San Juan For a Fabulous 7 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise
Introducing San Juan In 1508 the celebrated Spanish military leader Juan Ponce de Leon founded the town of Caparra behind a natural harbor on the north shore of the central Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.
In 1521 the base was abandoned and moved to the headland of Old San Juan.
Throughout the 16th century, the town was the origin for Spanish expeditionary forces leaving to little known regions of the New World.
Nowadays the original part of San Juan has an authentic Old World feeling with nearly 400 restored Spanish 17th century town houses.
The area is home to many shops, restaurants, bars, clubs and casinos, all very popular with cruise ship passengers.
San Juan Port There are three major pier areas.
The first is Old San Juan piers 1 through to 6, the second the Navy Frontier pier, and the last the Pan American pier.
Most times ships calling at the city dock at the Old San Juan Piers, so you have easy access to Old San Juan.
Ships starting from the city utilize Old San Juan pier 4, or the Pan American Pier, about a 15 minute cab ride from the city center.
5 Best Things to Do in San Juan (Editor's choice!) Charming Old San Juan stands atop a hill facing the Atlantic Ocean northwards, and the bay southwards.
This walled fortified city is now a major historic landmark.
It is compactly sized, and quick to walk around.
However if your energy runs out take the free trolley bus that shuttles between tourist spots.
Enjoy strolling along the narrow cobbled streets and check out the brightly colored houses, craft shops, and visit the interesting museums.
Don't miss sights in the city include: 1.
El Morro Fort El Morro, an enormous fort dating from 1549, protected the city from pirates.
Its full name is Castillo San Felipe del Morro, after the patron saint of King Philip.
A tour takes you along six sets of gun platforms and huge stone walls that tower over the Ocean.
2.
La Fortaleza Don't miss La Fortaleza, the city's most ancient fortification, built in 1540.
Later it was to become the governor's official residence.
Guided tours take you through the luxurious building, with golden banqueting hall, high galleries, and rooms decorated in period style.
3.
Cathedral de San Juan This impressive cathedral dates back to 1592, and stands on the site of the previous cathedral which was destroyed by a hurricane.
Located along Calle Cristo, this neoclassical building holds the bones of Ponce de Leon, a Spanish seaman, and the first governor of Puerto Rico.
4.
Paseo de la Princesa and Paseo de la Muralla Two wonderful walks are the Paseo de la Princesa, a newly renovated promenade that follows the coast and the Paseo de la Muralla which contours along the ancient city walls.
5.
Escambron Beach Escambrion beach, on the northern coastline must be one of the most beautiful beaches in the city.
It's easy to get to, and gives fabulous views along the coast to El Morro.
Condado beach, just a little more along the coastline, is another lovely beach.
Further Afield in Puerto Rico - 3 Best Things to Do 1.
Bacardi Rum Distillery Rum aficionados may prefer its nickname the Cathedral of Rum.
There's a free tour and trolley ride.
After learning about the history of the distillery enjoy a drink or two.
2.
Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve A awe-inspiring tropical reserve with seven different tropical habitats.
Be warned though, visitor numbers are limited, so booking is needed.
3.
South Coast Beaches The south coast of Puerto Rico faces the Caribbean sea, and many of the beaches are postcard-perfect Caribbean beaches.
Favorites include Tamarindo Beach, and Boqueron beach.
Picking A Cruise From San Juan Even experienced cruise vacationers turn to Puerto Rico as an alternative to their local Florida port.
Thanks to its central Caribbean position, the island offers great access to a variety of unique Southern Caribbean ports, such as the Netherland Antilles and the Windward Isles.
A short airplane trip saves the long cruise to these exciting destination from mainland USA.
The range of cruises on offer includes the Leeward Isles (USVI, St Maarten, St Kitts, Guadeloupe), the Windward Isles (Dominica, St Lucia, Barbados, St Vincent, Grenada,Tobago), and the Netherland Antilles off the northern coastline of Venezuela (Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire).
Several cruise lines offer cruises from San Juan, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, PO Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Silversea.
Worth knowing - the Windward Isles take their name from the fact that they are positioned on the eastern side of the Caribbean sea, and their east coastlines face the full force of the Atlantic westerly trade winds.
Whereas the Leeward Isles are on the north eastern side, and slightly in the shelter or 'Lee' of the Windward Isles.
Travelling to San Juan Cruise Ports from the Airport The airport is located about nine miles from the Pan American quay and 11 miles from the Old San Juan piers.
Allow about three quarters of an hour in a taxi for the trip.
The cost is about twenty dollars.
There are supplemental charges for baggage.
Other Information - Official Language English and Spanish - Currency US Dollar - Weather Puerto Rico enjoys summer-like conditions year-round, with daytime high temperatures in the seventies to eighties.
- Timezone Atlantic Standard Time GMT-4
In 1521 the base was abandoned and moved to the headland of Old San Juan.
Throughout the 16th century, the town was the origin for Spanish expeditionary forces leaving to little known regions of the New World.
Nowadays the original part of San Juan has an authentic Old World feeling with nearly 400 restored Spanish 17th century town houses.
The area is home to many shops, restaurants, bars, clubs and casinos, all very popular with cruise ship passengers.
San Juan Port There are three major pier areas.
The first is Old San Juan piers 1 through to 6, the second the Navy Frontier pier, and the last the Pan American pier.
Most times ships calling at the city dock at the Old San Juan Piers, so you have easy access to Old San Juan.
Ships starting from the city utilize Old San Juan pier 4, or the Pan American Pier, about a 15 minute cab ride from the city center.
5 Best Things to Do in San Juan (Editor's choice!) Charming Old San Juan stands atop a hill facing the Atlantic Ocean northwards, and the bay southwards.
This walled fortified city is now a major historic landmark.
It is compactly sized, and quick to walk around.
However if your energy runs out take the free trolley bus that shuttles between tourist spots.
Enjoy strolling along the narrow cobbled streets and check out the brightly colored houses, craft shops, and visit the interesting museums.
Don't miss sights in the city include: 1.
El Morro Fort El Morro, an enormous fort dating from 1549, protected the city from pirates.
Its full name is Castillo San Felipe del Morro, after the patron saint of King Philip.
A tour takes you along six sets of gun platforms and huge stone walls that tower over the Ocean.
2.
La Fortaleza Don't miss La Fortaleza, the city's most ancient fortification, built in 1540.
Later it was to become the governor's official residence.
Guided tours take you through the luxurious building, with golden banqueting hall, high galleries, and rooms decorated in period style.
3.
Cathedral de San Juan This impressive cathedral dates back to 1592, and stands on the site of the previous cathedral which was destroyed by a hurricane.
Located along Calle Cristo, this neoclassical building holds the bones of Ponce de Leon, a Spanish seaman, and the first governor of Puerto Rico.
4.
Paseo de la Princesa and Paseo de la Muralla Two wonderful walks are the Paseo de la Princesa, a newly renovated promenade that follows the coast and the Paseo de la Muralla which contours along the ancient city walls.
5.
Escambron Beach Escambrion beach, on the northern coastline must be one of the most beautiful beaches in the city.
It's easy to get to, and gives fabulous views along the coast to El Morro.
Condado beach, just a little more along the coastline, is another lovely beach.
Further Afield in Puerto Rico - 3 Best Things to Do 1.
Bacardi Rum Distillery Rum aficionados may prefer its nickname the Cathedral of Rum.
There's a free tour and trolley ride.
After learning about the history of the distillery enjoy a drink or two.
2.
Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve A awe-inspiring tropical reserve with seven different tropical habitats.
Be warned though, visitor numbers are limited, so booking is needed.
3.
South Coast Beaches The south coast of Puerto Rico faces the Caribbean sea, and many of the beaches are postcard-perfect Caribbean beaches.
Favorites include Tamarindo Beach, and Boqueron beach.
Picking A Cruise From San Juan Even experienced cruise vacationers turn to Puerto Rico as an alternative to their local Florida port.
Thanks to its central Caribbean position, the island offers great access to a variety of unique Southern Caribbean ports, such as the Netherland Antilles and the Windward Isles.
A short airplane trip saves the long cruise to these exciting destination from mainland USA.
The range of cruises on offer includes the Leeward Isles (USVI, St Maarten, St Kitts, Guadeloupe), the Windward Isles (Dominica, St Lucia, Barbados, St Vincent, Grenada,Tobago), and the Netherland Antilles off the northern coastline of Venezuela (Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire).
Several cruise lines offer cruises from San Juan, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, PO Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Silversea.
Worth knowing - the Windward Isles take their name from the fact that they are positioned on the eastern side of the Caribbean sea, and their east coastlines face the full force of the Atlantic westerly trade winds.
Whereas the Leeward Isles are on the north eastern side, and slightly in the shelter or 'Lee' of the Windward Isles.
Travelling to San Juan Cruise Ports from the Airport The airport is located about nine miles from the Pan American quay and 11 miles from the Old San Juan piers.
Allow about three quarters of an hour in a taxi for the trip.
The cost is about twenty dollars.
There are supplemental charges for baggage.
Other Information - Official Language English and Spanish - Currency US Dollar - Weather Puerto Rico enjoys summer-like conditions year-round, with daytime high temperatures in the seventies to eighties.
- Timezone Atlantic Standard Time GMT-4
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