San Juan, capital of Puerto Rico, The Isle of Enchantment
San Juan is the capital of and the largest city of Puerto Rico. Located on the north coast of the island, it is the second-oldest capital established by Europeans in the Caribbean (the oldest is Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic). The Spanish originally called the seaport Ciudad de Puerto Rico and the whole island San Juan. Over time, everyday usage has swapped over one with the other.
Today San Juan is the major seaport for Puerto Rico, and also serves as the country's center for tourism, finance, culture and manufacturing.
The old city of San Juan offers an authentic Old World feel with over 400 renovated Spanish 16th and 17th century buildings, and many historic sights. The area also is home to many shops, casinos and restaurants for the enjoyment of tourists and Puerto Ricans alike.
San Juan Cruise Ship Terminals
There are three major pier areas used by cruises from San Juan. Old San Juan piers 1 through 6, the Pan American pier, and Navy Frontier pier. Normally cruise ships visiting San Juan dock at the Old San Juan Piers, so passengers have easy access to Old San Juan. Cruise ships originating from San Juan will dock at the Pan American Pier or Navy Frontier piers, both about a 15 minute cab ride from Old San Juan.
Cruises From San Juan
There are a wide range of cruises from San Juan. Knowledgeable cruise vacationers often pick San Juan as an alternative to a Florida departure port as, thanks to its central Caribbean location, the island offers quick access to fabulous Southern Caribbean ports, like the Windward Isles and the Netherland Antilles. A short flight is often a better alternative to the long cruise to these destinations from mainland USA.
The wide choice of cruises available from San Juan includes the Eastern Caribbean (the Leeward Isles of the USVI, St Maarten, St Kitts, and Antigua), the Southern Caribbean comprising the Windward Isles (Dominica, St Lucia, Barbados, St Vincent, Grenada,Tobago), together with the Netherland Antilles off the northern coastline of Venezuela (Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire).
Several cruise lines offer cruises from San Juan, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, PO Cruises, Princess Cruises, Silversea and Celebrity Cruises.
Travelling to San Juan's Ports
From the Airport
San Juan airport is positioned about 9 miles from the Pan American quay and 12 miles from the Old San Juan piers. It usually takes around half an hour for the cab trip. The fare is around $20. Supplemental charges apply for luggage.
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