La Marquesa Forest Park is a roughly 600-acre municipal park in Guaynabo, about 20 minutes from the San Juan cruise port — a genuine half-day stop that gets you back with your port day intact. It’s home to the island’s only aerial cable car, plus a trolley/funicular, an aviary, a butterfly house, a 70-foot observation tower, playgrounds, and food stalls, with free parking on site. As a municipal attraction, though, it comes with a few reliability quirks worth knowing before you build a day around it — covered below.
The Place
- The island’s only aerial cable car
- A trolley/funicular
- An aviary and a butterfly house
- A 70-foot observation tower
- Playgrounds and food stalls
- Free parking
Admission & Tickets
Admission is $13 for adults and $8 for kids, seniors, and veterans, plus tax (“+ IVU”). The cable car, trolley, and aviary are all included in that admission — there’s no extra charge to ride them once you’re in. Tickets are available online via PRTickets, or you can call the park directly at 787-272-4530.
Hours — Call Before You Build a Day Around It
La Marquesa is generally open Wednesday through Sunday, 9–5, though listings disagree on Tuesdays — call 787-272-4530 before you build a day around it.
The Cable Car (and Why It Might Not Be Running)
The headline attractions rotate through maintenance without much warning — if the cable car is the whole reason you’re going, call first. One recent visitor found the cable car down for repair with no advance notice, and a 90-minute wait for the trolley instead.
Crowds & Best Time to Go
Weekends get busy, with long shuttle waits for the trolley and cable car. Weekday visits are the strong recommendation — which conveniently suits port-day visitors, since most ships are in San Juan on a weekday anyway.
Accessibility
The observation tower is stairs-only. The trolley and funicular are the accessible way to see the park.
A Separate Zipline Next Door
A separate zipline operation, La Marquesa Original Canopy Tour, operates next to the park — it’s a different business; check it directly if ziplining is your goal.
Who This Fits
La Marquesa Forest Park fits a port day if you want an easy, low-key family stop close to San Juan — a cable car ride, some aviary and butterfly-house browsing, and a play area — without committing to a full excursion. It suits a weekday visit best, and it’s worth a quick call ahead if any one attraction (especially the cable car) is the reason you’re going.
For more on timing a stop like this around your ship, see the cruise port terminal guide. To see how it compares with other options, check the day trips comparison. For another inland family option, see Hacienda Campo Rico.
What is La Marquesa Forest Park?
La Marquesa Forest Park is a roughly 600-acre municipal park in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, with the island’s only aerial cable car, a trolley/funicular, an aviary, a butterfly house, a 70-foot observation tower, playgrounds, and food stalls.
How far is La Marquesa Forest Park from the San Juan cruise port?
It’s about 20 minutes from the San Juan cruise port, making it a feasible half-day stop on a port day.
What are La Marquesa Forest Park’s hours?
It’s generally open Wednesday through Sunday, 9–5, though listings disagree on Tuesdays. Call 787-272-4530 before you build a day around it.
Is the cable car always running?
Not necessarily. The headline attractions, including the cable car, rotate through maintenance without much advance notice. If the cable car is your main reason for visiting, call 787-272-4530 first.
How much does it cost to visit La Marquesa Forest Park?
Admission is $13 for adults and $8 for kids, seniors, and veterans, plus tax. The cable car, trolley, and aviary are included in admission. Tickets are available online via PRTickets or by calling 787-272-4530.
Is La Marquesa Forest Park wheelchair accessible?
The observation tower is stairs-only, but the trolley and funicular offer an accessible way to see the park.
Is the zipline canopy tour part of La Marquesa Forest Park?
No. La Marquesa Original Canopy Tour is a separate zipline business operating next to the park. Check with them directly if ziplining is your goal.