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St. Thomas vs San Juan

Two cruise ports, side by side, from our port guides' data. Data last checked: Oct 2026

The short answer

  • Both are rated Easy for exploring on your own.
  • Walk to town or the main sights: San Juan right by the pier (from at least one pier); for St. Thomas our guide gives no walking time (see "Getting to town" below).
  • Getting ashore: ships dock at both.
St. Thomas

St. Thomas

📍 U.S. Virgin Islands

Easy
San Juan

San Juan

📍 Puerto Rico, USA

Easy

Side by side

St. ThomasSan Juan
Explore-on-your-own ratingEasyEasy
CountryU.S. Virgin IslandsPuerto Rico, USA
Dock or tenderDockDock
Where ships dock
  • Havensight (also called WICO / West Indian Company dock), east of downtown
  • Crown Bay, west of downtown
  • Old San Juan piers (e.g. Piers 1, 3, 4) on the waterfront
  • Pan American Pier in Isla Grande, across the bay
Getting to townCharlotte Amalie downtown is about 1.5–2 miles from either dock, roughly 8–12 minutes by open-air shared "safari" taxi.From the Old San Juan piers you're at the edge of the historic district; El Morro is about 1.1 miles away (20–30 minutes, uphill). From Pan American Pier, take a 10–15 minute taxi, rideshare, or shuttle.
Getting aroundTaxis are unmetered and charge set rates per person. Reported per-person fares to downtown vary by source, roughly $4–$8. Reported fares to Magens Bay are about $12 per person from Havensight and $15 from Crown Bay (for 2+ in the same group). The full rate card should be posted in the taxi.Walk from the Old San Juan piers. Taxis and rideshare apps operate (it's a U.S. territory). Fares vary.
Beaches
  • Magens Bay (taxi; entry fee charged)
  • Ferry from Red Hook to St. John's beaches (only if you have plenty of time)
  • Condado and Isla Verde beaches (taxi)
Top sights
  • Downtown Charlotte Amalie shopping and historic district
  • Havensight shops next to the WICO dock
  • Yacht Haven Grande
  • Castillo San Felipe del Morro (National Park Service fee)
  • Castillo San Cristóbal
  • Old San Juan's blue cobblestone streets
  • Paseo de la Princesa
Back on timeTaxis back to the docks fill up late in the day. Head back at least 60 minutes before all-aboard if you're at a beach.If you're at Pan American Pier, line up your ride back early. Be back 30–45 minutes before all-aboard.

Fares and times are as reported by the sources on each port page and change often. Always confirm with your cruise line.

Why the ratings differ

St. Thomas: It's a U.S. territory (U.S. dollars, no passport control for U.S. citizens on the island) with plenty of shared taxis.

San Juan: It's a U.S. territory with a walkable historic district, as long as you're docked in Old San Juan.

Quick answers

Is St. Thomas or San Juan easier to explore on your own?

Both are rated Easy for exploring on your own. It's a U.S. It's a U.S.

Do you tender or dock in St. Thomas and San Juan?

St. Thomas: Dock. San Juan: Dock.

How far is town from the ship in St. Thomas and San Juan?

St. Thomas: Charlotte Amalie downtown is about 1.5–2 miles from either dock, roughly 8–12 minutes by open-air shared "safari" taxi. San Juan: From the Old San Juan piers you're at the edge of the historic district; El Morro is about 1.1 miles away (20–30 minutes, uphill).

When should I head back to the ship?

St. Thomas: Taxis back to the docks fill up late in the day. San Juan: If you're at Pan American Pier, line up your ride back early.

St. Thomas port guide → San Juan port guide → More comparisons

📚 Sources