Puerto Rico 3/1/2 hr. layover

3.5 hours is pretty dicey and not long enough, in my opinion, to really do anything. Depending on the time of day you're trying to get back through security, you could find long, long lines.

Afraid you're stuck @ the Airport.

With that amount of time, it's really not long enough.

We had 5 1/2 hours leaving Aruba and that wasn't even long enough to to leave the airport.

I agree, not long enough to go out. A nice place to hang out in SJU for a long layover is the Admiral's Club. You can purchase a daypass, which you can also use at the club from your originating airport (or other clubs).

I myself have a layover in SJU as well but for 3 hrs and was wondering the same thing. I guess we are stuck there! If you wanted to go outside for a quick smoke, do you have to go through any customs (flying from EWR) or do you just have to go back through security?

What would be the minimum layover time to make a taxi city tour worthwhile?

Puerto Rico is part of the U.S., so there is no customs. But you would have to go through security.

I don't think a "taxi tour" of the island would be very worthwhile. The best part of Old San Juan is having the chance to walk there. It's very congested and difficult to navigate by car, so you'd take a taxi there and then another back. If you had 5 or 6 hours that would probably be sufficient, but you'd want to return to the airport no less than 90 minutes before your flight, depending on the time of day. Or with that kind of time, you could go to one of the big resort hotels in Isla Verde to have a nice leisurely meal and dip your toes into the Atlantic. With less than four hours, I simply wouldn't bother.

Approximately how far is it from the airport to Old San Juan? My husband is interested in the fort but the Isla Verde hotel scenario sounds interesting. How long by taxi would you think it would take to get there? Thanks.

This topic interests me, as I have a 5 1/2 hour layover in San Juan one way and 8 hours on the return! (American Airlines to Grenada...gotta love it). I was hoping to at least grab a lunch in Old San Juan on the way down and maybe do something more ambitious on the return. So I will watch this thread with interest!

Chris

I'd allow 30 minutes for the trip, but it can take a little longer if traffic is backed up. I don't know what the current fare is (it's set), but plan on about $20 or so. There are plenty of taxis right outside the terminal.

Bumping this up to report that I did this today. I had a six hour layover, so decided to chance it. Checked my backpack at the luggage dropoff - cost me $5.70. Cabs were $19 each way (which almost makes you wonder if you are better off renting a car instead, at least if you have more time and are going to El Yunque instead of Old San Juan). It did take longer to get back to the airport than it did to go out.

I did a blog post about it here: http://caroundtheworld.com/2009/11/02/lunch-break-in-old-san-juan/

Hope it helps everyone else!

Chris

What I have always done is grab a cab over to the Ritz Carlton and go enjoy lunch at their outdoor beach club restaurant - soak up a little sun, have a cool drink and relax. It is literally 5 to 10 minutes from the airport - great casino there as well.

Can you go to the Ritz Carlton pool or beach without staying there? We will be at the Rio Mar but have a late departure and want to be closer to the airport for the day.