Puerto Rico

[Tobagoman]

I was hoping to get some ideas on what to do on a long layover (5 hours) in Puerto Rico on our way to Grenada in March. I was thinking of renting a car and touring around in the limited time we have there. Is it cheaper to go by taxi in the city (a rental car is about $35.00 for the day)? We arrive around 1:30 pm on a friday and the flight leaves around 6:30 pm that evening.

Diving is definetly out, but maybe hanging out at a nice beach or sightseeing in some really interesting areas?

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[webediving]

You would be nuts to try to get out of the Airport in PR to go sight seeing! It will take you two hr to get back in past security. Trust me on this one been there before. Plus it will take you another hr to get a car rental. PR is not US. Hurry up and wait or manana is the way of thinking. They do not get in a hurry for no one here!

T

 

[Damselfish]

We did this once though I think we had more like 6-8 hours. Took a taxi to one of the major beach hotels, had a nice lunch, explored, checked out the casino, then relaxed in the lounge with a book and some drinks. As I recall we put our carry-on stuff in lockers at the airport, or some kind of paid baggage room. We were going to visit old San Juan after lunch, but we wasted so much time trying to catch a bus from the hotel (seemed like a good idea at the time) we just gave up on that and stayed put - definitely stay away from the buses.

If I were going to do it again, I might take a taxi straight to Old San Juan, eat/tour/shop.

 

[Tobagoman]

We did this once though I think we had more like 6-8 hours. Took a taxi to one of the major beach hotels, had a nice lunch, explored, checked out the casino, then relaxed in the lounge with a book and some drinks. As I recall we put our carry-on stuff in lockers at the airport, or some kind of paid baggage room. We were going to visit old San Juan after lunch, but we wasted so much time trying to catch a bus from the hotel (seemed like a good idea at the time) we just gave up on that and stayed put - definitely stay away from the buses.

If I were going to do it again, I might take a taxi straight to Old San Juan, eat/tour/shop.

Did you have a long wait getting back in through security at the airport as Webediving thought there would be?
Thanks.

 

[Damselfish]

unfortunately I don't remember, but it was well before 911, so prob not representative in any event. I do think the airport didn't seem very busy that day. It was probably a weekday or at last not a Saturday, we travel weekdays alot.

 

[blueeyes_austin]

We did this in November 2005, took a taxi into Old San Juan wandered around, had lunch. Great to do on a pretty day!

You'll have a boarding pass, so you don't need to recheck in when you return. Clearing security was no problem, either...we allowed an hour and it took 15 minutes or so as I recall.

WAY better than being cramped up in the airport!

 

[fsik]

The beach by cab may be the choice...anything else cool to see or do quick (besides the inside of the El San Juan hotel) is a trek. The beaches in the isla verde section are VERY close, the airport is right there (< 10 minutes with light traffic), so it's a judgement call as to how busy it looks at the airport.

 

[webediving]

I am in PR now, I was born and lived in SJ for over 20yrs. I fly in and out of PR on business all the time.... Fisrt of all you will arrive in PR at 1:30 (considering that the plane is on time!) Rush trafic hr in PR on a friday starts early. School get out at 3:00. Considering that you are able to get a car (rental) you will be out the airport say 2:15. Get to San Juan will take 30-45min. Find a place to park (hard tro find in San Juan on a friday) another 30 min. Walk and sight seeing... 1hr or so? This will put you in main rush Hr trafic getting back to the Airport (on a friday afternoon is not fun). Get pass security.. Well you will make it or not? I personally would not chance it. If you stay around the airport you may be OK, but I would not venture too far from it.

Best Luck!

T

 

[Tobagoman]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I guess I will play it by intuition when I get there. Looks like if we do anything, it will best to do it by taxi. Maybe going to the nearby beach will suffice.

 

[FROGMAN WV]

Take a cab to Pinones sorry about the spelling nice beach near airport. Neat local meat shacks selling food, local good food.