Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hotels near San Juan Cruise Port
Book city and beachfront hotels, b&b’s or apartments
Hotels with free shuttle service?
San Juan is the largest city and capital of Puerto Rico. Founded in 1521, it’s the oldest city governed by the United States, and the second oldest city in the Americas. The cruise ship terminals are called Old San Juan, Navy Frontier and Pan American Pier.
Cruise passengers can easily arrive in San Juan a day or two before their cruise departure date or remain in the city following the end of their cruise. Stay in downtown or Old San Juan, on the beachfront or look for a cheap place to stay close to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.
Unfortunately, local transportation regulations prohibit hotels to provide free shuttle service to/from airport or to the cruise port.
Taxis are waiting 24 hours outside hotels or airport and you may also consider using an UBER. To reduce costs you can always book an hotel really close to San Juan cruise port.
Most likely when departing from San Juan in Puerto Rico, your embarkation port will be Pan American Pier, a 10 to 15 minutes away from Old San Juan. Historic Old San Juan piers are mainly used for Port of Call visits. However, Carnival cruises use Pier 4 terminal as embarkation point. Please check with your cruise line.
Bestsellers
Chateau Cervantes
Popular hotel situated in Old San Juan, close to the historic Castillo de San Cristóbal.
San Juan Marriott Resort
Oceanfront resort hotel located directly on Condado Beach. On-site casino.
Hotel Rumbao, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Set right at the cruise port terminal of San Juan Puerto Rico, walking distance.
San Juan
Old San Juan Pier and Pan American Cruise Ship Terminal
The Port of San Juan was founded in 1521 by the Spanish. Today it’s one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean.
Located in the heart of the Caribbean Islands, cruises depart from the port to Aruba and Curaçao, and to exotic islands of the Eastern Caribbean such as Sint Maarten, St Thomas, Dominica, Saint Lucia and the island of Barbados.
San Juan Cruise Terminals — cruise ship tie up at one of 3 piers located along San Antonio Canal ; Old San Juan Piers 1-6, Navy Frontier Pier, and the Pan American Pier.
From the closest terminal (Old San Juan Piers 1-6), which is just across from the Hotel Rumbao, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (formerly known as the Sheraton Old San Juan), you can walk off the ship right into the heart of the old city. If your ship is docked just across the bay at the Pan American Pier, it’s recommended to take a taxi.
Major cruise companies operating from the cruise terminals are Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Explora Journeys and Royal Caribbean. Cruise lines departing from San Juan will embark or disembark cruise passengers from either OSJ Pier 4 (4-E or 4-W) or the Pan American Terminal (PAD-E or PAD-W). Cabs are lined up and waiting all the time when ships are in port right at the piers. No shuttles are available.
3 Recommended Hotels close to Port
1. Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino ★★★★
Distance from Cruise Port : 5 minutes to the Pan American Pier, and 10 minutes to Old San Juan
No Shuttle Service but taxis are waiting 24 hours outside the hotel. Uber is another option.
2. Hyatt House San Juan ★★★
Distance from Cruise Port : Pan American (5 minutes), Old San Juan (10 minutes)
Top Rated Hotel
3. Hotel Rumbao, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel ★★★★
Distance from Cruise Port : Walking distance from Old San Juan cruise terminal
No shuttle needed as the terminal is just accross the street
# More hotels: What are the best hotels in San Juan?
Address of Cruise Terminals
Address Old San Juan Cruise Terminal
Calle Marina, Paseo Gilberto Concepcion de Gracia, Pier 4
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
The closest hotel is the Sheraton, which is almost across the street from the terminal building.
Address Pan American Cruise Terminal (managed by Royal Caribbean International)
Pan American Pier, Isla Grande, Santurce, Puerto Rico
San Juan in Puerto Rico is one of the most visited islands on a cruise vacation which mostly start from mainland United States. Vessels depart mainly from the Port of Miami (see Hotels in Miami fl.), Fort Lauderdale from Port Everglades cruise terminals, Cape Canaveral (see hotel deals) or some even from Bayonne New Jersey Cape Liverty cruise port. Various voyages also depart from other Caribbean ports such as Bridgetown in Barbados and Pointe a Pitre in Guadeloupe.
Nearest Airport
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport SJU — San Juan is served by SJU airport, located 7 miles from the cruise ship docks. It’s the main airport of Puerto Rico and one of the most important hubs in the Caribbean, alongside Miami and Panama City.
The airport is about 15-20 minutes from the piers.
Pre or Post cruise accommodation with free shuttle service to the Airport — some hotels offer a shuttle service to and from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.
Lovely City with Cobblestone Streets
San Juan is a lovely city with narrow cobblestone streets, fabulous museums and historical colonial architecture. Wander around Old San Juan and admire the beautiful plazas which are dominated by old churches and surrounded by historical buildings.
Take a look at the Iglesia de San José, considered to be the second oldest church in the New World.
Visit La Cathedral de San Juan Bautista, the final resting place of Juan Ponce de León. The family home of this famous explorer and first Spanish Governor of Puerto Rico is La Casa Blanca (The White House). Nearby is La Fortaleza, the Governor’s Mansion. Check out El Castillo San Felipe del Morro, guarding the mouth of the harbor. This old fortification from the sixteenth-century is named in honor of the Spanish king Philip II of Spain.
A trip to the inland of the island gives you the opportunity to discover all natural beauty of Puerto Rico. Explore El Yunque tropical rainforest, filled with hundreds of colourful orchids, birds and tumbling waterfalls.
Take a hike and look for the Puerto Rican parrot or swim in Baño Grande, a natural swimming pool. Sun worshippers will enjoy the fine beaches.
Stunning beaches and beachfront hotels and resorts in nearby areas of Condado and Isla Verde are a 5- to 20-minute taxi ride from the cruise passenger pier.
The only beach in Old San Juan is Escambron. It’s a small beach, but very easy and quick to get to.
Beaches
Beaches — San Juan is blessed with some superb beaches. El Escambrón public beach is the closest one from the Old Town. Located right next to the Caribe Hilton, it’s a beach with lifeguards, bathing and changing rooms, and showers.
A famous beach area is Condado Beach, close to the centre of San Juan. Lined with high-rise hotels, it seems more like Miami Beach than any other beach in the Caribbean. Some of the island’s most exclusive shopping, lodging and dining is just a few steps away from this beach. East of Condado is Ocean Park Beach, one of the most attractive beaches in the Greater San Juan area.
Isla Verde Beach is a soft sandy beach and good for swimming. It’s located next to the airport and lined with a variety of hotels including the Intercontinental San Juan and Hampton Inn & Suites.