See Fort
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Old San Juan
Begun in 1539, this six-level fort sits high above the entrance to San Juan Bay. One $10 pass covers it and Castillo San Cristóbal for 24 hours.
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Puerto Rico · San Juan Bay
San Juan
Spanish forts, walled streets and a waterfront promenade, steps from the ships.
El Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Plaza de Armas and the Paseo de la Princesa are all in Old San Juan, and most ships dock at its edge.
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Four Ways to Spend a Day in San Juan
Unwind Promenade
Paseo de la Princesa
Old San Juan
This promenade along the old city wall opened in 1853. It has gas lamps, sculptures and the Raíces Fountain.
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Taste Market
La Placita de Santurce
Santurce, about 2.7 miles from Pier 4
This traditional open-air market turns into a hub of music, food and people as the day goes on. It is the last stop on the port's five-hour Art & Soul of Santurce trip.
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Explore Old Town
Plaza de Armas
Old San Juan
Old San Juan's historic main square has statues, a central fountain and City Hall among the buildings around it. It has been a gathering place since colonial times.
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Tours & Tickets in San Juan
Getting Around San Juan
Your pier decides the route. Ships dock at Piers 3 and 4 in Old San Juan, or at the Pan American Pier, about 0.8 miles east of Pier 4 in a straight line.
Getting to San Juan
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is about 7 miles from the port. By car, the Pan American Piers are about 10 minutes away and the Old San Juan piers about 15 minutes.
Parking and Luggage
There is no parking within San Juan Cruise Port. The port points to the Covadonga public lot across from the piers and to private lots that serve cruise passengers sailing from San Juan. All passengers and luggage go through security screening before boarding.
If you do one thing here
Walk Old San Juan's Spanish Forts
Spain spent more than 250 years fortifying San Juan. The National Park Service now looks after both castles, most of the city walls, the San Juan Gate and Fort San Juan de la Cruz across the bay entrance.
Castillo San Cristóbal, about 0.4 miles from Pier 4, guarded the land approach to the city. Covering 27 acres, it is the largest fort the Spanish built in the New World. Both forts open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with ranger-led programs through the week. The park takes cards, not cash.
Plan Your Visit (opens a new tab)Fees and Passes (opens a new tab)
Safety and Weather
San Juan's violent crime rate is a little below the US rate, but its murder rate is more than four times the US rate. Police publish figures for the whole municipality, not the port area.
- CrimeIn 2024 Puerto Rico Police recorded 1,094 violent crimes in San Juan municipality, about 332 per 100,000 residents. That is 8% below the US rate of 359. Property crime, about 1,086 per 100,000, was 38% below the US rate of 1,760. The murder rate, about 23 per 100,000, was more than four times the US rate of 5.0. San Juan's violent crime rate is about 60% above Puerto Rico's as a whole (208). The police counts are preliminary, so treat the comparison as approximate.
- Walking to townFrom Piers 3 and 4, yes: the port says the historic district begins just outside the terminal, and Plaza de Armas is about 0.5 miles from Pier 4 in a straight line. From the Pan American Pier it is about 1.3 miles, and taxis wait outside the port.
- WeatherHighs average 83°F in January and 89°F from June to September; November is the wettest month at 7.4 inches. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with most activity from mid-August to mid-October.
Crime figures: Policía de Puerto Rico Type I offenses, January to December 2024 (preliminary). Population: US Census Bureau estimates for July 1, 2025 (San Juan 329,737; Puerto Rico 3,184,835), the latest QuickFacts shows. US rates: FBI, 2024. Our sums. Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 normals at San Juan airport.
Make it part of your voyage
Cruises From San Juan
Royal Caribbean, Princess, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian and Carnival call at San Juan most often.
San Juan FAQ
Where is the cruise port in San Juan?
Piers 3 and 4 are on the Old San Juan waterfront. The Pan American piers, in the port's Homeport District, are about 0.8 miles east of Pier 4 in a straight line.
Is Old San Juan within walking distance of the cruise port?
From Piers 3 and 4, yes: the port says the historic district begins just outside the terminal. From the Pan American Pier, Plaza de Armas is about 1.3 miles in a straight line.
How far is the San Juan airport from the cruise port?
About 7 miles. By car, the Pan American piers are about 10 minutes from the airport and the Old San Juan piers about 15 minutes.
How do I get from San Juan airport to the cruise port?
By taxi or ride-share. The port says the trip takes 15 to 20 minutes and costs around $24 to $30. The public bus is limited and can take over an hour.
Is there a shuttle from the San Juan cruise port?
The port's transport page lists taxis, Uber and Lyft outside the port, plus pre-arranged private transfers from the airport.
What are San Juan taxi rates?
Puerto Rico's official tourism site says fares inside the designated tourist zones are fixed and posted, and other trips in San Juan are metered. Pay in cash; tolls and tips are extra. Airport dispatchers tell you the fare before you get in.
Is San Juan safe to walk around?
In 2024 San Juan recorded about 332 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, a little below the US rate of 359, but its murder rate was more than four times the US rate. The police publish no figure for the pier area.
Is there parking at the San Juan cruise port?
No. The port says there is no parking within San Juan Cruise Port. It points to the Covadonga public lot across from the piers and to private lots that serve cruise passengers.
What are the best things to do near the San Juan cruise port?
The port names Old San Juan's historic district, El Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal and Condado Beach as top attractions.
How much does it cost to visit El Morro?
The pass is $10 for visitors over 16 and is valid for 24 hours at both forts. The park is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and does not take cash.
When is hurricane season in San Juan?
June 1 to November 30, with most activity from mid-August to mid-October.
Photos: San Juan: JacksonvilleDistrict (CC BY 2.0) · El Morro: Godot13 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Paseo de la Princesa: P. Hughes (CC BY-SA 4.0) · La Placita: Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue (CC BY 2.0) · Plaza de Armas: P. Hughes (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Castillo San Cristóbal: Mariordo (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Cruise ship in port: Kenneth C. Wilsey (FEMA) (public domain). Cropped for display.