I would read a book. 3.5 hours is not enough time to get out, do anything worthwhile and back to the gate given the crowds and security issues today. I hate sitting around that long as well but I would hate to see my flight leaving while still in line at security.

There's a nice bar in the terminal. How 'bout a book and Bacardi? 3.5 hours isn't really an overwhelming amount of time to get out and do anything.

I agree...even assuming you arrive on time into San Juan (which you probably won't), 3 1/2 hours is not enough time to do much of anything especially considering you will be boarding the plane at least 30-45 min before your flight. The duty free shops should by open by 10am....I would go kill some time in there and grab some rum for your vacation!

lbrlwyr

I agree with the above. It could take an hour of more to just get to old San Juan then you would have to go through security when you get back. That alone, in San Juan, can take some time. 3 and half hrs isn't bad, I often get layed over that long in Atlanta.

I would recommend the Blue Dolphin Bar. Here's the info from "What to Do in San Juan":

The Blue Dolphin Bar is a "hotspot" located right on the premises of the small, but fashionable, Empress Oceanfront hotel that is located in the Isla Verde district area. This bar offers an ocean deck, with beautiful views of the coast, and live tropical music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They also provide an enjoyable Happy Hour from 4-6pm daily. Amapola Street (Empress Oceanfront Hotel) San Juan.

We had a 3 hour or so layover after a cruise last month waiting to fly out of San Juan to Chicago. We took our luggage to the airport, checked it, and then took a taxi to this place. The taxi ride was about $10 one way and took us maybe 15 minutes. The taxi stands have the rates posted and it is a flat rate to the Isla Verde district. The food is nothing great but the atmosphere and libations more than make up for it. This place has great views of the fancy hotels on the coast. If I can figure out how to post some pics, I'll do so later today so that you can see what great views it actually has. Don't waste a minute of your precious time inside the airport!!

Sorry the other one was so big--this is my first photo posting! Here are two more

Believe me, it's well worth the $20 RT. If you feel like it, you can walk the beach as it is public property and look at all the hotsy totsy hotels.

If I had that long - and my flight wasn't at all delayed getting into San Juan, I would take a 5 minute taxi ride over the the El San Juan resort. It is a beachfront property and is just beautiful. I'd walk through the lobby (which will remind you of photos of old world Havana - lots of money and elegance) - and out to the pool area, along the side of the pool to the beachfront terrace where you an sit and sip a mojito or other latin inspired cocktail (yes, I know you said it would be morning). Or, if you are hungry, they have a TO DIE FOR breakfast in the restaurant that afronts the beach area. I recommend the Caribbean french toast - stuffed with bananas and cinnamon.

The pool area is a dream. The lobby is something you'll just have to see for yourself. They also have a large game room for kids down one of the corridors - and an elegant, yet lively, casino for the adults.

I know you won't be there at night, but this is the place where the Puerto Ricans get dressed up and go to in the evenings - as it houses one of the most popular, if not THE most polular, dance club. They come in beaded gowns!

It's just an amazing place and I can't wait to get back there.

http://www.elsanjuanhotel.com/index.cfm

You would need to be back at the airport by noon or so to go back through security etc as it can take a long, long time if a cruise ship has just disembarked, and remember you have to catch a bus out to your smaller plane for your connection to STT (usually anyway) and they stop running 10 mins before departure time, so if you are on time you can plan on not being off the plane and out of the airport until at least 10:30, catch a cab and say 15 mins to the hotel/town (each way) so the most you would have is an hour or so 🙁 - not long enough for me to spend the $ on taxi's etc, sooooooo take a nap or go shop at Duty Free - if your like Tanquerary 10 it is only $16.00 per bottle at the airport ($40.00+ Stateside)

Pia

Thanks for all of the replies.

Bluwater, I love the El San Juan - we have stayed there twice before on pre-and-post cruise stays. I love the rooftop restaurant, seeing the ocean from up there while drinking a "grande" margarita and munching on chips and fresh, made at your tableside guacamole is one of my favorites!

Since we'll be there on a Monday I don't expect the hectic cruise ship traffic at the airport that we'd see on a Saturday or Sunday.

My gut feeling was/is to go with the majority here and just find something to occupy our time in the terminal.

But we will be on an adventure, so if our incoming flight is on time/early and the airport doesn't seem too crowded, you never know...

Ok, cool - at least you know the El San Juan and what you might be missing with the guacamole 🙂 I have not had to take the bus to to my Cape Air flight.....have walked it. Perhaps I missed the "memo" about the bus option 🙁

You'll be in paradise soon enough - so no worries. Don't stress yourself!

Hey Blu

Sorry, with Cape Air (love them by the way 🙂 ) you are correct you do walk out, but on the smaller AA flights you have to catch the bus out to the plane and the last one is 10 mins before departure time so they can get you out and loaded 🙂

Pia

Pia, Ok, good. I thought maybe I'd missed out on a bus option and had been doing all of that walking for nothing. Thanks!

You could try and get on an earlier flight. Seems like they leave quite frequently from San Juan to STT.

Turns out to be a moot point.

American has added some flights from Miami, on the same days as the ones I booked from Ft. Lauderdale that are direct flights from Miami to St. Thomas.

End result - we'll get to have a more leisurely morning the day we fly out (don't have to stumble out of bed in the pre-dawn hours), don't have to worry about luggage getting lost during the plane change, don't have to worry about what to do for 3 1/2 hours in the San Juan airport, and we even have a later flight out of St. Thomas on the return leg, but will get home about the same time.

Oh yeah - even after paying the fee to make the change, we still come out a little ahead so AA will be sending me vouchers to make up the difference!

What a great day!