Where to Stay in San Juan Before or After Your Cruise
This post is part of a series on San Juan, and cruises from San Juan cruise port. Check out our full guide to the cruise port here!
Cruising from San Juan? Good choice! This vibrant city delivers warm hospitality, colorful charm, and major Caribbean energy before you’ve even stepped foot on your ship. If you’re flying in the night before (and you definitely should), picking the right hotel can enhance your pre or post cruise stay so much that you’ll want to cruise from here every year!
(Even if you’re not cruising- these are amazing hotel choices.)
Old San Juan cruise port has bustling restaurants, amazing hotels, and to-die-for photo opportunities right in its own back yard.
If you’re looking for a mix of comfort and convenience that provides warm welcoming energy and a few aesthetic locales for your Instagram photos without paying luxury-level prices, here’s our recommendations for San Juan, Puerto Rico hotels near your cruise port or terminal before a cruise.
📍 Best Areas to Stay Before Your Cruise
What are the best hotels near the San Juan cruise terminal?
San Juan offers a few key neighborhoods that are ideal for cruise passengers AND longer stay tourists. Your pick depends on what kind of experience you want:
🏘️ Old San Juan
- Walkable to Piers 1, 3, and 4
- Historic charm, cobblestone streets, colorful buildings
- Great for boutique hotels, bars, and cultural landmarks
🏖️ Condado
- Short drive to all cruise terminals (10-15 minutes max)
- Beachfront resorts and modern hotels
- More upscale, resort-y vibe
✈️ Isla Verde
- Close to the airport (great for late arrivals or early flights)
- Long stretch of beach and feels very secret-resort-style (think… Tulum)
- Further from Old San Juan and terminals (~20-25 minutes) but that’s still not far!
🛌 Top Hotel Picks
Is it better to stay in Old San Juan, Condado, or Isla Verde before a cruise?
There isn’t a bad choice! Old San Juan is beautiful and full of historic sites, colorful buildings, and plenty of shopping and authentic restaurants.
Condado has more of a beach vibe but is also walkable. There’s lots of great restaurants and it’s quite bikeable as well, if you rent a bike or your hotel offers them. This area is definitely more catered to tourists.
Isla Verde is a little farther from the pier, closer to the airport, and has a slightly more secluded feel. There is a host of trendy, modern, aesthetic hotel experiences in Isla Verde. It might be the new Tulum. (It’s still less than 30 minutes from the cruise ports.)
Regardless of where you decide to stay, you MUST plan a visit to Old San Juan.
Here’s some hotel options:
🏨 Old San Juan: Historical Charm, Authentic
🌴 Condando: Walkable and Tourist Friendly
- Condado Ocean Club: Adults Only
- Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
- La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort
- Hilton Garden Inn San Juan Condado: This hotel isn’t on the beach, but it’s beautiful, has great prices, and on the main strip in Condando. I’d recommend it for a night prior to a cruise, but maybe not for a longer stay if you want to stay on the beach. This is where we stayed on our most recent visit prior to a cruise.
✨ Isla Verde: Boutique & Aesthetic
📆 Booking Tips for Cruise Season
When should I book a hotel before a San Juan cruise?
As early as possible- especially during high season (December through April).
- Hotels near the cruise terminals fill up fast, especially Friday and Saturday nights
- Book non-refundable only if you’re absolutely certain of your flight times
- Consider staying two nights to truly enjoy the area pre-cruise
- If your flight arrives late, Isla Verde may be more convenient than Old San Juan
🧭 Extra Perks to Look For
- Luggage Storage
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out – Not always advertised, but worth asking for
- Proximity to food + coffee
- Shuttle service – Some hotels offer cruise transfers and airport transfers
🚗 Getting Around San Juan Before and After Your Cruise
San Juan is compact, colorful, and surprisingly easy to navigate. Whether you’re flying in, heading to your cruise terminal, or exploring the city in between, here’s how to get around smoothly- and which areas are best explored on foot.
✈️ From the Airport to Your Hotel
You’ll arrive at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), located about 20–30 minutes from most areas, including Old San Juan, Condado, and Isla Verde. Getting from the airport to your hotel is fairly straightforward:
- Uber is widely available and reliable in San Juan. It’s often the most affordable choice, but you’ll need to meet your driver in a designated pickup zone. It’s not very far from baggage claim.
- Taxis operate with flat-rate fares from the airport. Expect to pay around (at the time of writing) $20–$25 to Old San Juan, and slightly less for Condado or Isla Verde. Always confirm the rate before your ride. (Bags and larger parties will have surcharges, but it’s still fairly priced.)
- Hotel shuttles aren’t guaranteed, but some properties may offer cruise or airport transportation. It’s worth calling ahead to ask.
🚢 Getting to the Cruise Port on Embarkation Day
Your terminal location makes a big difference when it comes to planning transportation. San Juan has two cruise port areas: the piers in Old San Juan (Piers 1, 3, and 4) and the Pan American Pier, which is across the bay near the convention center.
If you’re staying in Old San Juan, you can likely walk to your ship if it’s docked at one of the nearby piers. Many hotels are just minutes away on foot. That said, those charming cobblestone streets can be a challenge if you’re hauling heavy bags, so some travelers still opt for a quick Uber or taxi ride.
Cruising from the Pan American Pier? You’ll need to drive. There’s no pedestrian access from Old San Juan. Plan for a 5-10 minute taxi or Uber ride, and give yourself extra time during high-traffic hours or if multiple ships are in port.
🧳 Returning to the Airport After Your Cruise
After you disembark, it’s usually easy to catch a ride back to the airport. Taxis and Ubers are readily available just outside the terminals. Most ships dock early, but between waiting your turn to disembark, customs, and collecting luggage, expect the whole process to take 1- 2 hours. To be safe, schedule flights for at least 3- 4 hours after your ship’s arrival time.
If your flight isn’t until later in the day, consider storing your luggage (either at your hotel or through a service like Bounce) and spending a few hours in Old San Juan. Grab brunch, do some souvenir shopping, or take one last stroll along the blue cobblestone streets before heading home.
🚶 Getting Around During Your Stay
The best way to explore San Juan depends on where you’re staying:
- Old San Juan is extremely walkable. You’ll be able to reach restaurants, historic sites like El Morro and San Cristóbal, and plenty of bars, cafés, and shops without needing a car. Just be prepared for hills, uneven sidewalks, and the occasional steep staircase.
- Condado offers some walkability- especially along Ashford Avenue where hotels, restaurants, and beaches cluster- but you’ll need a ride to explore Old San Juan or reach the cruise terminals.
- Isla Verde is more spread out and car-dependent. It’s great for beach access and quick airport transfers, but you’ll need to rely on Uber or taxis to explore beyond the immediate hotel zone.
Uber is generally more affordable than taxis in San Juan, especially for short rides between neighborhoods. Service is consistent in most tourist areas, though it may take slightly longer during peak cruise or traffic hours.
🔗 Related Posts to Explore
- Ultimate Guide to the San Juan Cruise Port
- Food + Things to do posts coming soon!
✨ Final Thoughts
Whether you want a cozy colonial balcony or a beachfront brunch view, San Juan has the perfect pre-cruise stay waiting for you.
Book early, confirm your terminal, and then relax- your vacation starts before you board the ship.
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