By land, San Juan

  Free Trolley in El Morro, San Juan,...
by jumpingnorman
 
  • Free Trolley in El Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico
      Free Trolley in El Morro, San Juan,...
    by jumpingnorman
  • Leo safely secured in his car seat
      Leo safely secured in his car seat
    by Gypsystravels
  • Free Trolley in El Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico
      Free Trolley in El Morro, San Juan,...
    by jumpingnorman
  •   By land
    by Gypsystravels
  • Mini Bus
      Mini Bus
    by LoriPori
 

25 Reviews of By land

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Free Trolley
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TexasDave 789 reviews

The local Merchants Association sponsors a free trolley that does a continuous route throughout the Old City. Ask for a map with the route marked from the Information Center kiosk near Cruise Ship Pier 1. You can use it to get a good overall view of the city by staying on for the whole circuit.
The trolley runs Monday through Friday from 7:00am until 7:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am until 7:00pm.
HOWEVER: all the streets are narrow and one-way so traffic moves very slowly, especially on weekends or when there are special events. So if you're only going a short distance you'll probably do better on foot.

Updated Nov 6, 2010

Related to:
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 Budget Travel
 Cruise

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FAMOUS FREE TROLLEY around Old San Juan
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jumpingnorman 886 reviews
Free Trolley in El Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Free Trolley in Old San Juan!

There is an amazing trolley that goes for free in Old San Juan and this has several points where you can go off, including the two famous forts.

Departure points: Covadonga, La Puntilla, Plaza de Armas, and as mentioned the two forts….is you are not yet at a stopping station, try to wave at it for it to stop – it just might as we observed. However, the only problem we had was that I sat at the narrow back seats and I was sitting with a bum-looking man who seemed to be a bit drunk.

Otherwise, this is a great free way to move around the city. But Old San Juan is really best for walking unless you have some kind of plantar fascitis (foot problems) or you just can't stand the stifling heat and humidity...

Written Jun 17, 2009

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Family Travel

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Charlie Car Rental
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Gypsystravels 2986 reviews
Leo safely secured in his car seat

I always rent from this company, they have very competitive rates, are centrally located on Isla Verde and have an airport shuttle which will pick you up at the airport and drop you off on your return. The agents at the desk speak English and are helpful and very friendly.

You can make your reservation on line or contact them via their 800 number.

Written Mar 4, 2008

Phone: (800) 289-1227 - Toll Free Numbe

Website: http://www.charliecars.com/

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Take the A-5
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nena2997 9 reviews

There are taxi's everywhere in San Juan, but they are expensive compared to most other places I've been outside the U.S. My solution was to take the buses! I lived in San Juan for a year and didnt have a car so I took advantage of the bus system. The regular buses are 25 cents for almost anywhere in the city and the metro buses are 50 cents. There is a large bus station in Old San Juan and from there you can get to about anywhere in the city. Yes the buses sometimes take longer than a taxi, but its an adventure and a good way to meet some locals. The A-5 runs from Condado to Isla Verde. Take the B12 to Plaza Las Americas for some shopping!

Written Jan 13, 2008

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Rent a car and drive!
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anne_danella_desouza 8 reviews

As you exit the Airport, grab a pick-up bus and rent a car. Driving around San Juan and beyond is a blast. Warning: there's CRAZY driving going on so be careful! Most of the Beaches, Restaurants, Bars and shopping are 5-15 minutes from each other. Shopping is GREAT at Plaza Las Americas and Latinas have great fashion sense so the offerings are sexy, feminine and flashy. Old San Juan at night is great to walk around in and party. Some of the hippest Restaurants to eat and people-watch. And the people are geogeous.

Written Sep 18, 2007

Related to:
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 Music
 Food and Dining

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Bus service in/around San Juan
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ct-traveler 15 reviews

Bus service is fairly reliable and VERY COST EFFECTIVE. We saved, conservatively, between 100 and 200 dollars opting for bus service over taxi service in the Condado/Old San Juan area.
SOME COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS:
1) Buses don't run on scedules, expect a 10-15 minute wait on average at a "parada" (bus stop), though we got lucky a few times with no wait 2) HAVE EXACT CHANGE. Carry a pocket or purse full of quarters and dimes (75 cents/person/trip) 3) Service stops at 9:00 pm 4) DRIVERS ARE PSYCHO/UNHELPFUL. I soon found out that they care little for your safety and arrival at your destination. Don't expect them to help you with directions, ask the other bus patrons. On the other hand, we arrived quickly to each of our stops because THEY DRIVE AT BREAKNECK SPEEDS!
TELL ME IF THIS TIP WAS HELP OR HINDERANCE. EMAIL AT quadeagle@hotmail.com

Written Jul 28, 2007

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SAN JUAN MINI BUS
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LoriPori 2773 reviews
Mini Bus

No sooner than we were off the ship, we came across many mini buses parked along the street. They were offering to take us to Fort Cristobal for the reasonable fee of $5.00 US each. As it was quite a hike there from the dock area we went for it. The driver did give us a little tour of San Juan and let us off in front of the Fort.

Written Apr 9, 2006

Related to:
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To Old San Juan
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jag17 256 reviews

We were able to take the local bus from our hotel in Isla Verde to Old San Juan for 25 cents. Look for the bus stops in front of most hotels. They are marked with a big green ball on top of them. The bus delivers you to the bus station in Old San Juan and picks you up from the same place for the return trip. Approx 35 minutes travel time each way.

A taxi ride was $17.00 each way!

Written Jun 3, 2005

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Bus Transit System
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XanderDone 113 reviews
Guagua

$0.25 a ride to practically anywhere in San Juan and Viejo San Juan. Goes out as far as Plaza las Américas, Bayamón and Condado. Very convenient, air conditioned for tropical climate comfort. More reliable than driving into Viejo San Juan as parking is an utter nightmare.

Written May 15, 2005

Related to:
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 Study Abroad
 Backpacking

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Take the bus, save like $20
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mikeayers 32 reviews

It seemed like most of the other people staying at our hotel either rented a car or took a cab. Renting a car is expensive, and the driving style is...well...a little more assertive than in the slow-paced US. Taxis will run you $20 a ride. The bus? 25 cents. Can't beat that.

Written Apr 22, 2005

Related to:
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Top 3 Hotels in San Juan

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 It seemed like most of the other people staying at our hotel either rented a car or took a cab. Renting a car is expensive, and the driving style is...well...a... 

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Q:  Hello We are leaving San Juan on a cruise and would like to know what is the best way to get from the airport to the cruise... 

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A: Nothing is reasonable in San Jose, they cheat you, so yes, 30$ is reasonable. But "round trip"; are you going from the airport to the cruise terminal and back to the... 

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Top San Juan Writers

1

La Ciudad del Encanto

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 The city of San Juan was officially established in 1521, making it one of the oldest cities in all of the Americas. As you stroll down the streets of Old San Juan, you can't help but be amazed at the... 

2

BLUE WATERS, WHITE SAND AND TONS OF HISTORY,

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 When I decided to make a trip to Puerto Rico last fall, it had nothing to do with anything, or should I say the lack of anything, I knew about the island. I chose Puerto Rico for a really stupid... 

3

San Juan

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 San Juan is a great mix of beach, history and great culture and nightlife. 

4

Jumping Around San Juan, Puerto Rico!

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  So my Top Things To Do in Puerto Rico based on what we experienced, whether you're coming off a cruise ship or not: 1. Visit the Fort of El Morro at least (swing by Cristobal if you can) 2. Enjoy...... 

5

San Juan, Puerto Rico

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 I first visited San Juan in the later 1980's when we sailed from the wharfs in Old San Juan twice on the old Cunard Countess. Although a somewhat "strange new land", San Juan failed to leave a lasting... 

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