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Most of the garages do not take credit cards. There is also a large parking lot at La Puntilla that is significantly less expensive than the garages in Old San Juan. There are three large parking garages at the south end of Viejo San Juan along Calle Recinto Sur, which are also convenient for accessing Calle Forteleza if you plan to shop there for souvenirs. Castillo de San Cristóbal has its own small parking lot, for which you have to buy a permit at the adjacent visitor center. If you are visiting Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the closest garage is an underground facility under Plaza del Quinto Centenario. Calle de Norzagaray is near many attractions and the trolley system which can take you into Old San Juan and out back to your car when you are done. If you must drive, try to park along Calle de Norzagaray or any other streets on the northern side, or in the garages on Calle Recinto Sur. Viejo San Juan is primarily made up of one-way, narrow, cobblestoned streets. For just getting around, you might also consider the city bus to and from Viejo San Juan.
Viejo san juan puerto rico map drivers#
During busy times, drivers may refuse those with significant luggage.
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Although one can easily drive to Viejo San Juan, it is not easy to drive or park within the district due to the narrow streets.įor those staying at major hotels outside Viejo San Juan, day tours can usually be arranged with the concierge. There is also ferry service from across the harbor. This also provides time for sightseeing in San Juan, near your hotel, etc. If cruising, you should reach Viejo San Juan at least a day before the cruise ship embarks to ensure you make it despite any airline troubles. You may arrive at San Juan/Luis Muñoz Marín Airport, then take a $20 cab ride to your pier. Otherwise, all cruise ships dock at Old San Juan. Another pier adjacent to the old Pan American airport handles mostly Royal Caribbean cruise ships for beginning or ending their cruises it must be reached by car or taxi. The busiest docks are on the south side of the area near the city bus station. Today the port of Viejo San Juan annually accommodates nearly 1.4 million passengers in cruise ship travel alone, making it the third busiest cruise port in the world, according to the Cruise Industry Statistical Review published in 2000. Although visitors sometimes dress more casually a collared shirt, shorts with pockets and belt, and shoes are minimally appropriate for adults at most attractions. Women tend to wear skirts or dresses and often high heeled shoes. Men typically wear collared shirts and long pants, and businessmen wear suits. It is a real neighborhood, where people work and live. San Juan is a common stop for cruise ships, yet it is definitely not a beach resort. Brief rain showers are quite common, so watch your step, as the cobblestones can get quite slippery. Around the perimeter of the district the trade winds make it surprisingly comfortable, but along the interior streets it get much hotter, with closely spaced, multi-story buildings cutting off any breeze. Wear good walking shoes to deal with the hills and cobblestone streets. Sunblock is available at many stores in town. Many tourists are caught unaware of the sun exposure received from simply walking around the sites of this tropical city. Much of the district's architecturally historic fabric is intact, including the impressive fortifications. The forts received some naval bombardment from US naval ships during the Spanish American War (1898). Due to its military significance, the government kept the growing population within the city walls until 1897, when a few bastions were demolished. It was considered the Gibraltar of the West Indies. It guarded an important entrance into the Spanish Main, and withstood multiple attacks by the British and Dutch (some partially successful). As this is a tourist destination, English is relatively common, but not universally spoken.įounded in 1509, San Juan became a walled city protected by multiple forts. It occupies the western half of the islet of San Juan, which it shares with Puerta de Tierra. Although this eight by ten block district is part of San Juan, it is quite geographically and culturally distinct from the rest of the city. San Juan ( Viejo San Juan) is the historic core of San Juan.