Layover In SanJuan

BeachMan · Post by **BeachMan** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:26 pm

The wife and I have 4 hours to kill in San Juan on our way back. Any suggestions on things to do close the airport? Any good lunch spots close to the airport?

augie · Post by **augie** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:41 pm

I don't remember anything close to the airport that looked like a decent place to kill time.

We missed a flight out of San Juan one time and the next one we could take was eight hours later. We took a cab to the Isla Verde area and found a nice place to hang out for a while.

Four hours is right on the cusp of being too long to stay around that crummy airport but not being quite long enough to do anything of real value, like walk around Old San Juan or go to the rain forest.

Depending on the time of day, I'd either bring a good book to read, or bite the bullet and take a cab somewhere to get some decent food.

barnbob · Post by **barnbob** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:07 pm

I ate at the airport once last year. I think I still get heartburn.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:25 pm

Agree with previous poster not long enough to leave to be safe IMHO.

If you don't have access already try to get a day pass for the airline's (that oyu are traveling on that day) premium lounge and you can at least have a pleasant environment to pass the time.

The dining options suck at the airport otherwise.

pswlrw · Post by **pswlrw** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:32 pm

There is a hotel/casino attached to the airport. If you like to gamble, you could while away a few hours there. I have never eaten there, but can only assume the food choices would be better than the airport.

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:58 pm

I had a similar amount of time at San Juan one trip, and I took our group to the nearby San Juan Ritz Carlton to have lunch. As I recall, I wanted to go the El San Juan hotel, but they wouldn't let us in the gate without a reservation (which seemed odd to me). My wife thought it was risky to leave the airport, but later agreed it was a good idea---it was a gorgeous day and we sat outside and had lunch by the pool. The Ritz and the El San Juan are both about a 2-minute cab ride away.

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:02 pm

I didn't know you could leave the airport if you are in-transit. No problems with security or anything?

alw1977 · Post by **alw1977** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:23 pm

CG, As long as you have a boarding pass in hand, you can leave and come back, you'll just have to go through normal airport security checkpoints.

Are you flying on a Saturday? One thing I'd be concerned about are cruise shippers - they can make the security lines very long. Personally, for four hours, I'd just stay at the airport, but I understand why some people choose to leave. As people have mentioned, stick with the options close by - San Juan can have heavy traffic at times.

bayer40601 · Post by **bayer40601** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:29 pm

My recollection is that Old San Juan is not more than 15-20 minutes by taxi from the Airport and there are some fun places there to eat, Senor Frogs, etc.

If you have a 4 hour layover and choose to leave the airport, it would seem the only thing you would need to be concerned about would be getting into an accident or some other such trouble while you were gone.

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:13 pm

We also have a 4 hour layover in San Juan next week since AA cut afternoon flights to STT.
Sounds like the attached hotel/casino would be a good place to have dinner and try our luck at black jack while we wait.

Thanks for the suggestion! Cheers~

Roberto · Post by **Roberto** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:52 am

Keep in mind that you have 4 hours if your flight leaves STT on time. Our delayed departure quickly decreased our layover in San Jaun.

augie · Post by **augie** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:46 am

The point about cruise ship passengers and their impact on the airport can't be overstated.

If you're traveling through the San Juan airport on a Saturday OR a Sunday, expect long lines for everything from late morning through the afternoon hours..

bayer40601 · Post by **bayer40601** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:25 am

If you're traveling through the San Juan airport on a Saturday OR a Sunday, expect long lines for everything from late morning through the afternoon hours..

Amen and Amen.

ruthchris · Post by **ruthchris** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:57 pm

Whenever I have a delay in San Juan I always hit the Metropol restaurant - right in Isla Verde, a 2 minute taxi ride from the airport. They have great Cuban/Puerto Rican food and the best margueritas ever! Beware... lots of garlic in their dishes!

BeachMan · Post by **BeachMan** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:07 pm

We are flying Wednesday morning so hopefully the lines will be short. It sounds like the casino/restaurants may be promising.

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Layover In SanJuan

Layover In SanJuan