SJU is a very expensive city for hotels. When are you going? You won't find anything (decent) under $150 in high season (which is until late April or so). Couple of suggestions: Coral Princess Inn, BW is always ok for a few hours.

Never been on Caribbean Sun. I would go AA only because I'm a frequent flier.

Here's an interesting link for you with all you need to know (and more) about sleeping in various airports. I think there's a link on here for recommended hotels near airports.

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/usa/sanjuan.htm

Thanks. I am leaning towards just sleeping in the airport for 2-3hrs (or at least letting my wife sleep while I watch our things) as long as people don't suggest that this would be "dangerous" or whether there are any rules against this sort of thing. I have heard some airports are "closed" during certain late night hours.

I think I may also go with the early flight on "no name" Caribbean Sun airline. Same type planes as American Eagle and if they cancel, I can probably just hop on the 7:55 on Cape Air or the 8:30 on AA.

Any other thoughts on the safety issue would greatly be appreciated.

Eric

P.S. We are going March 20 - 25

I have heard some negative comments about the timeliness of Caribbean Sun.Since every option you are looking at is an early morning flight, you should be o.k with any of the choices. The San Juan airport does not seem like a "dangerous" place to spend some time. I've been thru it at least 7 or 8 times and never felt threatend.

We used Caribbean Sun back in December. Never again. They managed to lose my bag (not my husbands) on a 20 min. Flight. I had no clothes for two days (not that my husband was complaining). Finally when the bags came in we had to go to the airport to pick them up. I think I would travel someone else. jut my thoughts. Oh ... and I never got reimbursed for everything I spent -- shoes and swimsuit. The receipts went to Antigua their head office and into the black hole.

The airport seems to be very safe. I think staying there for a few hours will be just fine. I would stick with AA to get over to STT- more reputable.

I guess i am torn....have heard bad things about both CSA and American Eagle. I have heard good things about Cape Air but flying on a Cessna with a wife who doesnt like flying to begin with may be out of the question.

I am leaning towards AE but the thought of spending an extra 1 1/2 hrs in San Juan airport to leave at 8:30am (after coming in at 3:15am) is not terribly appealing.

Does Caribbean Sun Air (or any of the puddle-jumpers) allow you carry-on baggage? Or is everything checked?

If they allow carry-ons, we were thinking about taking 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on. I will probably put an days worth or clothes, toiletries, and our bathing suits in the carry-on just in case of a baggage goof-up.

Has anyone had a POSITIVE experience on Caribbean Sun?

Eric

Caribbean Sun did not allow rollaboards -- too big for the overhead. I had a book bag and that was fine. I flew in Cape Air on my honeymoon. I am a white knuckle traveler but I made it -- not too bad. Good service. Hope this helps.

I am not a great flyer either but I have done both carribbean sun and cape air and would take cape air any time. just do not have her sit in the front. Caribbean sun sold our seats after we had to run to luggage and then run back to check in. We were one hour ahead of flight time and ended up waiting another four hours. I have read others on this board having the same issue. Cape Air has a 9 and fly personality and seem to do a wonderful business.

Our flight from STT back to SJU is on Cape Air also. I don't have a problem with it but my husband is terrified. Is there anything you can tell me about the flight that I could relay to him in hopes to ease his fears any? Do they assign you seats? I think it is a 14 seater.

Well I flew Cape Air from SJU to STT and LOVED it. Be warned it is a tiny plane and when we walked out to "it" I wanted to laugh but it was a great flight. You tend to fly low and it was fabulous seeing all the villa's, pools, coves and the fabulous shades of blue water. There was only 2 passsengers and the other lady asked the pilot if she could sit up front with him and he was ok with that - I joked with her not to touch anything. All your carry on goes in the wing, neither of us had luggage (only carry on) so I have no idea where they would put that? The flight is very short so it will be over before you know it - I definately would do it again. Relax and enjoy - it will be a fun flight. Many congratulations on your anniversary 🙂

I wonder if the airport hotel offers "Day Rooms". We've taken advantage of this option at reduced prices. Our last stay in a day room was at the Hyatt Orlando Airport. We had 5 hours and for $75 it was WELL worth it. DH was Pi$$ed about spending the money at first but by the time we checked out, he was practically kissing my ***. Don't know if the airport in San Juan offers this but it might be worth checking out!

I loved Cape Air - it was like driving into St. Croix. Very smooth flight, low enough to see everything. Be forewarned, it is a very tiny plane. I believe its safety record is nearly perfect. No AC, like riding in an older-style car with the window vents (yup, window vents) open. They distribute passengers by weight (what you tell them adjusted by what their eyeballs tell them) to keep the plane balanced. It was an absolute blast and I WOULD ride up front if allowed (I was) because it's an incredible view.

Cape Air is great. They really care about service.

Several weeks ago I was booked on a morning flight from STX to SJU to make a stateside connection. They wanted to do some maintenance on their plane so Cape re booked me onto an American Eagle flight leaving shortly after the Cape flight had been scheduled to depart.

The American Eagle flight then was going to be delayed for at least an hour so I probably wasn't going to make my connection nor were most of the people waiting for the American Eagle flight.

I then called Cape Air and they said they would take care of me. Twenty minutes latter a Cape Air Cessna pulled up at the gate, the pilot walked in the terminal and got me and away we went.

In contrast most all of my experiences with American Eagle have been bad; i.e. not waiting passengers in SJU for late American connections and stranding people over night in Puerto Rico, canceled flights, late flights, luggage being left behind and taking several days to show up.

I also have some issues with Seaborne. The will cancel a flight if you are the only booked passenger and rebook you on a latter flight.

As you can tell I love Cape, but my wife refuses to fly on the small planes. It can be rough flying through weather and the Cessna's AC is no match for the tropics. Cool enough if you are above 5,000 ft, but often they don't fly higher than 3,500 ft. I think what really freaked out my wife was the rain squall we flew through on approach into SJU when visibility went to zero in about two seconds. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Jim