San Juan, Puerto Rico Port
Review
To get the most from your shore excursion or your self-guided day on shore, ShoreFox provides you with useful
information in this port review & port guide.
World Region
Caribbean / Bahamas / Florida
Time Zone
GMT -05:00
International Calling Code
+1
Languages
• English (official language)
• Spanish (official language)
Currency
US Dollar (official currency)
Police / Emergency Phone Number
911
Overview
Founded in 1521 by Ponce de León, the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, is the oldest city on US territory. The metropolitan
area of San Juan is home to half of the island’s almost four million citizens; it is also the heart of Puerto Rican tourism. The
city is best known for its beautifully restored historic district, Old San Juan, situated on a rocky peninsula girded by twentyfeet thick walls jutting into the crashing Atlantic surf.
Most cruise ships dock right in the heart of Old San Juan. The old, walled city has been exquisitely preserved, and its
sprawling forts, cobblestone streets, antique shops and art galleries make it an ideal first stop. Its mainstream attractions
include the imposing El Morro fort, which dates back to 1539; the Cathedral of San Juan, where the island’s first governor,
Ponce de Leon, is buried; La Fortaleza, the oldest governor’s mansion on U.S. soil; several colonial plazas; and the
triumvirate of Calle del Cristo, Calle San Jose and Calle Fortaleza for shopping. Calle del Cristo, in particular, is full of art
galleries, artisan studios and eclectic boutiques.
Cruise Ship Pier Location
Cruise ships dock in two places:
• The closer location is just across from the Sheraton Old San Juan. You can walk off the ship into the old city.
• The other pier is across the bay and you will need to organize transportation to get anywhere.
Self-guided Shore Excursions & Cruise Excursions
• Museo de Arte de Ponce: Enjoy exhibits of elegant Puerto Rican art. Located south of Condado at 299 De Diego
Avenue. The museum is open from 10 am Wednesday through Monday, closed Tuesday. Admission is $6 per adult and
$3 per child (12 and under).
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• Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico: Admire more than 700 post–1940’s works from artists of Puerto
Rico, the Caribbean and Latin America. Located at 229 de Diego Avenue. The museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm
Monday to Friday, 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 per adult.
Taxi Transportation
Taxis are generally available at the airport, hotels, and major tourist attractions including the cruise pier. For trips anywhere in
San Juan, except to/from the SJU International Airport and the tourism piers in Old San Juan, you will pay the rate indicated
on the meter. Within the “tourist zones”, taxi rates are fixed and posted. A tip of 10–15% is customary, and there is an
additional charge for luggage. All taxi fares are per cab, and not per passenger.
Taxi Companies Contact Data
•
•
•
•
Major Cab Company, +1 (787) 723-2460
Metro Taxis, +1 (787) 725-2870
Puerto Rico Taxi, +1 (787) 969-3260
Rochdale Cab Company, +1 (787) 721-1900
Bus Transportation
There are two types of buses in San Juan – regular buses and “publicos” – which are actually 17-passenger vans. They have
yellow license plates ending in “P” or “PD,” and they scoot to towns throughout the island, stopping in each community’s
main plaza. They operate primarily during the day; routes and fares are fixed by the public service commission, but schedules
aren’t set, so you have to call ahead. In San Juan, the main terminals are at the airport and at Plaza Colón on the waterfront
in Old San Juan. Rates vary based on destination so check before you board.
You can find buses running in exclusive lanes on major thoroughfares and stopping at signs marked “Parada” or “Parada
de Guaguas.” The main terminals are at the Covadonga parking lot and Plaza de Colón in Old San Juan and the Capetillo
Terminal in Río Piedras, next to the central business district. Most buses are air-conditioned and have wheelchair lifts and
lock-downs.
Bus fares are 25¢ or 50¢, depending on the route, and are paid in exact change upon entering the bus. Count on a bus
passing your stop every 20 to 30 minutes, less frequently on Sunday and holidays. Service starts at around 6 am and
generally lasts until 9 pm.
Train Transportation
Tren Urbano, the first mass-transit project in the history of Puerto Rico, opened in 2005, linking San Juan to suburbs such as
Santurce, Bayamón, and Guaynabo. During rush hour (5–9 am and 3–6 pm), the train operates every 8 minutes; otherwise, it
runs every 12 minutes. There is no service daily from 11:20 pm to 5:30 am. The fare is 75¢ one-way and includes a transfer
to buses.
There are also free trolleys that run through the historic area of Old San Juan. Departure points include the Covadonga, La
Puntilla, Plaza de Armas, and the two forts, but you can board along the route by flagging the trolley down (wave at it and
signal for it to stop) or by waiting at any of the clearly designated stopping points.
General Store Opening Hours
In general, most stores are open Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 9 pm and closed on Sunday. Count on convenience stores
staying open late into the night, seven days a week.
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Service Locations
Free wifi
There are free wifi hotspots in cafes and coffee shops (Starbucks), and all the plazas in Old San Juan have free wifi as well.
ATM
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, 206 Calle Tetuán, Old San Juan, Tel.: +1 (787) 725-2636
Tipping / Bargaining Habits
A 15% gratuity is expected in most service and restaurant locations.
Safety Advice
While the city of San Juan carries the same risks as any big city, Old San Juan is quite safe. As in any other city, it is not
advisable to go out alone late at night. Also beware of crowded spaces as pickpockets can be attracted.
Nice To Know
• As a rule San Juan area museums are closed on Monday, and in some cases, Sunday.
• Puerto Rico uses the same electrical current as the U.S. mainland, namely 110 volts
Pharmacy / Hospital Contact Data
• Ashford Presbyterian Memorial Community Hospital, 1451 Avenue Ashford, Condado, San Juan, Tel.: +1 (787)
721-2160
• General Hospital Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, Rte. 2, Km 157, Mayagüez, Tel.: +1 (787) 834-8686
• Hospital de la Concepción, 41 Calle Luna, San Germán, Tel.: +1 (787) 892-1860
• CVS, Building 105 Gilberto Conception De, Old San Juan, Tel.: +1 (787) 725-2500
• Walgreens, 1130 Avenue Ashford, Condado, Tel.: +1 (787) 721-7895
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