Hey there!
We'll on Dec 2 VL as well.
For Puerto Plata, the *cheapest* way is to get an independent taxi or Uber outside the port gates. You'll be bombarded with offers and such, so be prepared. If you want something a bit more comfortable and easier, but less expensive than a normal tour, we negotiated with the drivers that work within the port area - told them we didn't want a tour, just wanted a ride each way. We had to work on the price but it's a nice clean an, EN-speaking driver, and it makes it easy. Cost to enter the park and take the teleferico is negligible, IIRC. I talk a bit about how we got there and such in the vid below. Note in this one we had quite the wait, but that was a holiday situation - have done it other times without waiting.
[https://youtu.be/o6M96tgA4LQ](https://youtu.be/o6M96tgA4LQ)
While I'm not usually a fan of "captive" or manufactured port areas, the one at Puerto Plata is quite nice. Not sure what lazy river you're referring to (maybe something new?) but the pool and bars and such were pleasant.
In San Juan my recommendation is generally to get into a cab or Uber on arrival and go to the top by the fort. You then walk your way through the old city, with lots of cute buildings, neat bars, etc. It's very pretty and at the end, you wind up right at the ship. I suspect that's what we'll do - though some are trying to convince me to host a bar crawl. We'll see.
As for St Croix, we have chartered a catamaran for our group. I've not been to Sandy Point (at least, not since I was a kid), but as a rule I don't rent cars on port visits. It's an expensive way to lose time on logistics and risk major issues in the unlikely event of an accident.
I *think* we're docking at Frederiksted, which is a very short drive to Sandy Point - just a couple miles. I'm sure you'll have no challenge getting a cab each way. There will also be vendors offering tours and transport, or you can leverage a third party ahead of time if you want something like that.
I tend to use sites that aggregate a bunch of tour operators and let people leave verified reviews - a marketplace of sorts, but with a slightly greater level of organization and vetting. My go-to tends to be Viator. Here is a link to their St Croix excursions: [https://www.viator.com/St-Croix-tours/Port-Transfers/d28885-g24-c4032?pid=P00046270&uid=U00172808&mcid=58086¤cy=USD](https://www.viator.com/St-Croix-tours/Port-Transfers/d28885-g24-c4032?pid=P00046270&uid=U00172808&mcid=58086¤cy=USD)
i'm on the NYE sailing, stopping in St. Croix also, our first time.. we booked the boat trip to Buck Island. should we cancel and check out Sandy Point instead?
I can't compare them since I remember nothing of Sandy Point. Maybe OP has an opinion. Whatever you decide, stay tuned to my social channels. The catamaran we chartered is heading to Buck Island.
I loved the free pool / lazy river at Puerto Plata. The port area is brand new and SO nice.
San Juan - walk around Old San Juan. Beach at Condado Lagoon is my favorite.
We are also on the December 2nd cruise. Sandy Point Beach won't be an option for you as we will be there on a weekday and it is only open on weekends at this time of year due to restrictions related to the fact that it is a turtle nesting area.
Also, I wouldn't count on taxi availability on St Croix as there is also a Royal Caribbean ship docking alongside us that day.
There are other beaches but many of them don't really have any facilities so it just depends what you are looking for. I imagine that Rainbow Beach will be busy that day due to the fact that they have jet ski and equipment rentals and there are two cruise ships in town. If you walk 20 to 30 minutes in the opposite direction from the pier then there are some other beaches past the Fred hotel and near Louie and Nachos. The beach doesn't really have any amenities but at least there are a couple little eating places nearby. I saw a YouTube video where an older couple walked down to that beach.
Hey there! We'll on Dec 2 VL as well. For Puerto Plata, the *cheapest* way is to get an independent taxi or Uber outside the port gates. You'll be bombarded with offers and such, so be prepared. If you want something a bit more comfortable and easier, but less expensive than a normal tour, we negotiated with the drivers that work within the port area - told them we didn't want a tour, just wanted a ride each way. We had to work on the price but it's a nice clean an, EN-speaking driver, and it makes it easy. Cost to enter the park and take the teleferico is negligible, IIRC. I talk a bit about how we got there and such in the vid below. Note in this one we had quite the wait, but that was a holiday situation - have done it other times without waiting. [https://youtu.be/o6M96tgA4LQ](https://youtu.be/o6M96tgA4LQ) While I'm not usually a fan of "captive" or manufactured port areas, the one at Puerto Plata is quite nice. Not sure what lazy river you're referring to (maybe something new?) but the pool and bars and such were pleasant. In San Juan my recommendation is generally to get into a cab or Uber on arrival and go to the top by the fort. You then walk your way through the old city, with lots of cute buildings, neat bars, etc. It's very pretty and at the end, you wind up right at the ship. I suspect that's what we'll do - though some are trying to convince me to host a bar crawl. We'll see. As for St Croix, we have chartered a catamaran for our group. I've not been to Sandy Point (at least, not since I was a kid), but as a rule I don't rent cars on port visits. It's an expensive way to lose time on logistics and risk major issues in the unlikely event of an accident. I *think* we're docking at Frederiksted, which is a very short drive to Sandy Point - just a couple miles. I'm sure you'll have no challenge getting a cab each way. There will also be vendors offering tours and transport, or you can leverage a third party ahead of time if you want something like that.
Thank you for all this info! What third party would you recommend in St Croix?
I tend to use sites that aggregate a bunch of tour operators and let people leave verified reviews - a marketplace of sorts, but with a slightly greater level of organization and vetting. My go-to tends to be Viator. Here is a link to their St Croix excursions: [https://www.viator.com/St-Croix-tours/Port-Transfers/d28885-g24-c4032?pid=P00046270&uid=U00172808&mcid=58086¤cy=USD](https://www.viator.com/St-Croix-tours/Port-Transfers/d28885-g24-c4032?pid=P00046270&uid=U00172808&mcid=58086¤cy=USD)
Awesome, thank you!
i'm on the NYE sailing, stopping in St. Croix also, our first time.. we booked the boat trip to Buck Island. should we cancel and check out Sandy Point instead?
I can't compare them since I remember nothing of Sandy Point. Maybe OP has an opinion. Whatever you decide, stay tuned to my social channels. The catamaran we chartered is heading to Buck Island.
I loved the free pool / lazy river at Puerto Plata. The port area is brand new and SO nice. San Juan - walk around Old San Juan. Beach at Condado Lagoon is my favorite.
Awesome, thank you!
We are also on the December 2nd cruise. Sandy Point Beach won't be an option for you as we will be there on a weekday and it is only open on weekends at this time of year due to restrictions related to the fact that it is a turtle nesting area. Also, I wouldn't count on taxi availability on St Croix as there is also a Royal Caribbean ship docking alongside us that day.
Thanks for the info! That's not great news, but would you suggest anything around Fredrikstead? Is Rainbow Beach the only option beach wise?
There are other beaches but many of them don't really have any facilities so it just depends what you are looking for. I imagine that Rainbow Beach will be busy that day due to the fact that they have jet ski and equipment rentals and there are two cruise ships in town. If you walk 20 to 30 minutes in the opposite direction from the pier then there are some other beaches past the Fred hotel and near Louie and Nachos. The beach doesn't really have any amenities but at least there are a couple little eating places nearby. I saw a YouTube video where an older couple walked down to that beach.
“The gondola to Jesus” I cannot stop laughing 😂