(I was on this cruise last week.)
San Juan, Puerto Rico, is one of my favourite ports for the simple reason that the ships virtually dock on the street. When you arrive, you are right in the city.
There are three piers and directly in front of you is the Sheraton Hotel, with a casino if you can’t get enough action on the ship (in my case Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam), and a CV Pharmacy for any last-minute needs.
You’re a short walk — 15 minutes, uphill — to the Fort San Cristobal, then you can scoot around the top road all the way over to the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, or “El Morro” — the fort (above) that guarded the 
entrance into the harbour. The entire walk between the two landmarks takes only about a half hour.
I guess my point is this: Don’t be caught up in the rhetoric of the tour bus drivers, as you can walk most of the city and old town, and other means of transportation are free.
You will find old town under attack…attack from restoration specialists. It’s a nightmare for drivers on these narrow streets but it’s great for tourists as many streets are temporarily blocked to cars, so you have the advantage of walking while work is being done on some of these great old 
buildings. If you don’t feel like walking, there is an open trolley bus that takes you around the area — it’s free.
A friend of mine who had a friend on the other part of the island found she took 75 minutes to drive about 80 kilometres, because of all the traffic.
If you want to see the city from one end to the other, each time I am here I walk across the top and then just zig-zag through the streets all the way 
down to the water. You go through old town, plenty of parks to rest and lots of restaurants to have lunch without going back to the ship. Lots to see with the old churches and museums.
For lunch I went to Café Manolin — more a diner than a restaurant — to have some plantain. Like poi, I think it is an acquired taste. I was the only tourist in there among what appeared to be regulars as their drink or coffee of choice seemed to arrive as they sat down. That is a good sign. It’s on Calle de San Justo, right next to Radio Shack.
Under the heading of “I can’t find my notes” there is, I believe, a great coffee shop right on the second pier right next to subway. Great place to stop for coffee on your way back to the ship. Yes, you will also find a Starbucks in San Juan, and a McDonald’s as well. After all, it is a major city.
If baseball is being played while you’re here, that’s not a bad idea, considering how many Puerto Ricans are in the majors. You might get a look at the young stars of tomorrow.
If you want to get out of the city, there is plenty to do. Like a rain forest and, if you want to fly about the canopy of trees, there is a “Zip Line Adventures in the Interior Forest.” You can also do some hiking in the El Yunque National Forest. When you come down to it, it really depends how long your ship is in port.
Also close by are beaches, even though you’re right in a major city.
Question of the day:
Do you eat local? I see so many people going back to the ship to eat, then heading out again. Now I do realize that some cruisers are on a tight budget, but for those who can afford a meal out, do you actively consider trying some of the local dishes, such as those related to plantains in San Juan? Let me know, ok?
All for now.
