San Juan has quickly become one of the favored ports of call for cheap cruises in the Caribbean, and like all good ports it offers a variety of excursions when people disembark from the ship. Though many will wish to take advantage of one of the countless adventure travel excursions, the Island also has a lot to offer for people seeking a more relaxed time on land. No matter what you are looking for out of a cheap cruise port of call, you should be able to find something to do in San Juan.
Puerto Rico is home to the only tropical rainforest owned by the United States, and this is a must see for first time visitors to the Island. El Yunque National Forest covers 28,000 acres of varied terrain, and though it is not near the size of some of the mainland US National Parks it is covered with winding trails that make it a hikers dream. The vegetation is lush due to the heavy rainfall that the forest receives, and there is a huge variety of plant and animal life to be seen while wandering through the park. Most guides are very knowledgeable and some excursions will include a stop to cool off in one of the parks waterfalls or lagoons.
Exploring the old city of San Juan is another fantastic way to spend your day on shore. The two fortresses of San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal were constructed over 400 years ago, and exploring this part of the city will take you through cobblestone streets and amongst some of the oldest houses in Puerto Rico. It is easy to let time fly by people watching in one of the local bars while you soak in the sun and the atmosphere of this fun Island location.
A great way to explore the culture of a particular area is to see a sporting event with the locals, and in San Juan that means baseball. There are plenty of Puerto Ricans in the major leagues and catching a game for as little as $5 may be your first look at the Island’s next big star. Be sure to try some of the food sold at concession stands for a true flavor of the Island experience.
If you are of age you might like the idea of going on a tour of the world famous Bacardi rum factory. The tour takes you through the run making process from the point at which the sugar cane is harvested all th way through to the finished product. As with all these tours they can be a fascinating insight into your favorite drink, and free samples are always a nice added bonus.
Puerto Rico is a fantastic cheap cruise destination because of the sheer variety of excursions on offer. The ties that the Island shares with the USA are unique, and the mix of familiar and exotic makes San Juan a top port of call year in and year out.
Photo via MrDoS
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