Connecting from LAX, American Airlines has blessed us with an eight hour layover in San Juan. Any suggestions on what to do? Is it worth leaving the airport? Post 9/11, can you store your unchecked luggage at the airport?

Ronn, I'm from the Southern Cal area, and have made the trek a few times

Two choices, either go to Isla Verde for the day (about 5 minutes from the airport) and go to the Hampton Inn, walk out by the pool, and grab a burger. Then go down and across the street, and you will find the beach. They rent beach chairs, and there are a few restaurants on the beach toward the Ritz. There are also a lot of shops on the main road by the beach in Isla Verde.

In October, I'm opting for the burger this time, and a massage at one of the major hotels

Second option is to take a cab to Old San Juan. It's about a 15 to 20 minute cab ride. You can have them drop you off at the forts, and then walk to the downtown area. Lots of shops, etc. If you do that route, go to El Convente. It is an old convent that has been converted into a hotel, and the restaurant there has the BEST tapas. Right across the street is the church where Ponce De Leon is entombed, along with some other PR saints!

I would get back to the airport by 4:00.

You can check your carry on bags at the airport.

Go OUTSIDE of the security area, and find the Cinnabon across from the AA counter, then just down the hall toward the exit on the left is a door, above it says "Storage" (I think, something like that). You can check your bags, don't remember, something like 3 bucks a piece (CASH). We carry our regs on, and I've never heard of any reports of things getting taken in the storage area. This last time I put zip ties on the bags, and then borrowed scissors to cut them when we picked the bags up.

Please feel free to email me with any questions

In addition to the per bag charge for the storage in the SJ airport you need to show a picture id. Once you have left your bags you then go outside and downstairs to the taxi area. Currently there is construction going on so you have to walk a little farther (to the right at the bottom of the stairs) than previously to get to a cab. Rates are fixed and the dispatcher will fill out a form for you. The rate to Isla Verde is eight dollars one way. There are beach side restaurants at the Intercontinental and the El San Juan. We have used the storage area many times with no trouble. On our last trip we were also on business and left our laptop with no problems. Remember to leave time on your return to clear security again.

Cynde ... I had been thinking of taking your advice on the Hampton Inn burgers but on the way down we were tired so headed right to the beach to sleep and on the way home we were in SJ by breakfast time so went to the Intercontinental for their breakfast buffet -- took care of food for the day until our 6pm flight!!

Ron,

Just before you get to the eating area that is before you go downstairs to the American Eagle gates there is a small area on your left that does massages. Spend 20 to 30 minutes here before getting on the Bonaire flight. You will be glad you did.

Susan, do you know how much a cab is to OSJ? Just curious for those who are thinking about it.

This trip, I asked my girlfriend if she wanted to get a tour of OSJ (via me...LOL!) or grab a great burger and garlic potatoes and then get a nice massage and hang by the pool...guess what her answer was! LOL! I'm going to make reservations at the Ritz, or the place Jake and Linda treated me to, and hopefully we can hang out by the pool for a little while before we head back to the airport to meet Darlene.

I don't remember having to show my ID at the luggage storage, thanks...but then of course, we had just gotten off the LAX redeye...not functioning too well at that point!

Thank you for the very specific and helpful information.

Ronn...you are quite welcome!

Cynde, we have not done the OSJ trip in a long time (3 or 4 years) as we usually need a beach chair and a nap these days but if I remember correctly it was sixteen dollars one way.

Thanks Susan Always good to know how much cash to have on hand OSJ is just so crowded, especially on a Saturday, when they have all the cruise ships in harbor...we had a hard time hard finding a place to park in March. I'd much rather grab the burger, go to the beach or get the massage and pool at Isla Verde!

Ronn,
Check the link out below. There is a tour operator that provides some tours for people with layovers in San Juan
http://www.puerto-rico-tourism.com/FlightLayOverTours.htm
Have a great trip,
Larry