How to Kill Time During a Long Layover in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Determine your layover time and subtract from that one hour for security screening and returning to your gate

   If you have less than two hours left over, leaving the airport may not be a good idea, particularly on weekdays when rush-hour traffic can be very heavy.
   
   Rush hour in the area of the airport is from 7AM to 9AM (westbound traffic) and from 4PM to 7PM (eastbound traffic).
   
   Traffic is generally light on weekends.
   
   If you have a short layover and would like to see more of San Juan, talk to the airline you will be flying and ask if you can change your departure date.
   
   There are many inexpensive and charming hotels in the areaand you will not regret having the opportunity to see more of this city and its 500+ years of colorful history.
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   Step 2: and another hour for round-trip travel.

   All cellular phones that work in the United States (and most of the foreign ones that have roaming service) will also work in Puerto Rico. , Do bring your camera and a large bottle of water. ,, This very nice plaza is located in front of San Juan's City Hall and is within walking distance of shopping areas as well as the imposing Spanish colonial El Morro Castle.
   
   This amazing 15th century military structure guards the entrance to San Juan Bay, and is in and of itself a half-day experience. , One of the best places to walk is the "Paseo de la Princesa" (pronounced pah-SEH-oh de lah prin-SEH-sa).
   
   Literally translated, it is the "princess' walkway" but actually refers to the building where the Tourism Department is currently housed.
   
   The structure used to be a very nasty jail called "La Princesa" that dated from Spanish colonial times.
   
   It was not until the 1970s that a federal judge issued an order to close it. , It is located about ten minutes from the airport and parallel to the north of airport's runway number eight. , The same area in Isla Verde also boasts many types of cuisine, from affordable fast food to world-class fare. , If you would like to visit a museum with local art, there are many in the San Juan metropolitan area as well as in Old San Juan., Tell the taxicab to take you to Plaza Las Américas (pronounced PLA-sah las a-ME-ri-cas), the largest and most up-scale shopping mall on the island.
   
   It takes approximately 20 minutes or so to get there if traffic is light – during the rush hour periods it can take up to an hour to get to the mall! The main entrance to the mall is where you will find the taxicab line to get back to the airport.
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   Step 3: If you have friends in Puerto Rico who live reasonably close to the airport

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   Step 4: your best bet is to call them and ask them to give you a small tour to see places that interest you.

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   Step 5: If you like nature hikes

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   Step 6: your layover is eight hours or more

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   Step 7: and the weather is reasonable

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   Step 8: find a tour to El Yunque

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   Step 9: the only tropical rain forest in the United States and a Federal Forest Reserve.A visit to El Yunque is an experience you will not soon forget

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    Step 10: but dress light

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    Step 11: put on some sneakers (do not wear dress or heeled shoes

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    Step 12: or flimsy floppy shoes)

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    Step 13: wear some sort of light hat and sunblock and do not bring a heavy handbag or purse.

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    Step 14: If you like to gamble

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    Step 15: the airport has a casino in the hotel located in the main terminal!

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    Step 16: If you have three or more hours available during the layover and would like to see the Spanish colonial influence on the island

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    Step 17: take a taxi ride to Old San Juan's "Plaza de Armas"(pronounced "PLA-za de AR-mas").

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    Step 18: Walking in Old San Juan can be a very pleasant

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    Step 19: relaxing experience.

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    Step 20: If you want to hit the beach and soak up some rays

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    Step 21: ask the taxicab to take you to the closest one

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    Step 22: the Balneario de Isla Verde (pronounced "bal-neh-AH-rio de IS-lah VER-deh").

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    Step 23: If you want to get something to eat

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    Step 24: check out Frommer's list of San Juan restaurants.If you want to try some classic Cuban food

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    Step 25: the closest to the airport and very much a favorite for locals is Metropol (pronounced "meh-tro-POLL").

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    Step 26: If you like art

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    Step 27: there are many options in San Juan.

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    Step 28: Would you prefer some retail therapy instead?

Detailed Guide

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