Old San Juan Piers
One of the biggest and busiest ports in the Caribbean, the Old San Juan Piers offer proximity to a UNESCO-listed fort, cobblestoned old town, and nearby rain forest, as well as nightlife, historic attractions, and museums. Comprised of four piers (1, 3, 4, and 6) and two terminals, Old San Juan Piers is a perennial favorite with Caribbean cruisers.
The Basics
Explore San Juan—home to a 16th-century cathedral, city walls, and several historic fortresses—on a guided walking tour of the city, ideal for first timers and history buffs; take open-air salsa lessons and go barhopping in Old San Juan; or take a shore excursion to El Yunque National Forest, the Bacardi rum distillery, or the Utuado Canyon. Many excursions combine city, rain forest, and more, such as water sports, ziplining, and beach trips.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Lively San Juan has something to suit most travelers, from history, culture, and cocktails to beaches, forests, and water sports.
- A free, wheelchair-accessible hop-on hop-off trolley runs from the port to downtown San Juan.
- The main passenger terminal at Old San Juan Piers offers souvenir stores, restrooms, free Wi-Fi, and limited seating.
- The nearby Pan American Pier, just a mile (1.5 kilometers) away, has two additional terminals.
- Much of Old San Juan is cobbled and may not be easily wheelchair accessible.
- San Juan is hot and humid year-round, so pack light layers, sunscreen, and bug spray; April to November is rainy season and August to October is hurricane season.
How to Get to San Juan From the Old San Juan Piers
The Old San Juan Piers are located within easy walking distance of the historic Old San Juan downtown. For travelers with limited mobility, trolleys, shuttles, and taxis depart from the dock, as do shore excursions to farther-flung Puerto Rico destinations.
Port Information
The official languages of San Juan are Spanish and English. The currency is the US dollar. You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Old San Juan.
Trip ideas
- Castillo San Cristobal
- La Fortaleza (The Fortress)
- Paseo de la Princesa
- Chapel of Christ (Capilla del Cristo)
- San Juan Cathedral (Catedral de San Juan Bautista)
- Old San Juan
- Museum of the Americas (Museo de las Américas)
- San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan)
- Castillo San Felipe del Morro
- Fine Arts Miramar
- Bacardi Rum Factory (Casa Bacardi)
- Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center (Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré)
- San Juan Bay
- Museum of Art of Puerto Rico (Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico)
- La Calle Loiza