🌴 VIVO Beach Club Shore Excursion Review San Juan
San Juan Puerto Rico
A Relaxing Beach Day You’d Never Expect After Pouring Rain at the Port
If you’re cruising to San Juan and want a relaxing, low‑crowd beach day with pools, oceanfront chairs, great food, and local craft beer, the VIVO Beach Club shore excursion is a fantastic option. Many cruise lines list this as the Ocean Lab Brewing Company Shore Excursion, but the experience actually takes place at VIVO Beach Club — a beachfront resort‑style complex with pools, dining, and access to Ocean Lab’s onsite brewery. We booked it through the cruise line using onboard credit, and despite leaving the ship in pouring rain, we ended up having one of our favorite port days in Puerto Rico.
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🌧️ From Pouring Rain to the Perfect Beach Day
When we stepped off the ship, the weather looked rough — heavy rain, gray skies, and that “should we just stay onboard?” moment every cruiser knows. But we decided to go anyway, and I’m so glad we did.
By the time we arrived at Ocean Lab, the skies cleared and we had:
Two beautiful pools
Beach chairs with ocean views
A laid‑back, uncrowded atmosphere
Lunch available for purchase right by the water
Craft beer brewed onsite
It turned into a sunny, relaxing beach day that felt worlds away from the busy cruise port.
What Is VIVO Beach Club (aka Ocean Lab Brewing Company)?
VIVO Beach Club is a beachfront pool club in Isla Verde, offering a resort‑style atmosphere with multiple pools, beach chairs, restaurants, and direct access to Ocean Lab Brewing Company, a local craft brewery located on the property. When you book the excursion through your cruise line, you’re essentially getting a beach‑day pass to VIVO Beach Club with the added bonus of enjoying Ocean Lab’s craft beer and food.
🏖️ What’s Included in the Excursion
Your excursion typically includes:
Round‑trip transportation
Access to the pools
Beach chairs
Beach and pool areas with plenty of space
A quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than Old San Juan
What’s not included:
Food
Drinks
Umbrellas
Additional rentals
We grabbed lunch by the ocean — totally worth the extra cost.
🍽️ Food & Drinks: Worth the Splurge
Ocean Lab’s food is surprisingly good for a beach club. Think:
Fresh fish tacos
Burgers
Loaded fries
Local favorites
Cold craft beer brewed onsite
We had our food and beer delivered to us as we sat by the Ocean.
🌊 Why This Excursion Is Perfect for a Stress‑Free Day
If you want a port day that’s:
Relaxing
Not crowded
Easy to navigate
Weather‑flexible
Close to the ship
…this is a fantastic option.
We loved that it didn’t feel chaotic or touristy. No packed beaches, no long lines, no pressure to rush around. Just sunshine, pools, and ocean views.
💡 Tips for Booking This Excursion
Here are a few things to know before you go:
✔️ Book through the cruise line if you have onboard credit
It’s an easy way to use OBC and guarantee transportation.
✔️ Bring a towel from the ship
The beach club doesn’t provide them.
✔️ Weather can change fast
Even if it’s raining at the port, it may be sunny at the beach — that’s exactly what happened to us.
✔️ Bring a small day bag
Perfect for sunscreen, a cover‑up, and a waterproof pouch.
🛍️ Recommended Items for This Excursion
Beach Day Essentials
My sun hat in Puerto Rico
Quick‑dry cover‑up
Sand Free Beach Bag - Pictured below
My Beach Bag
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⭐ Final Thoughts: A Fabulous Day in San Juan
Despite starting with pouring rain, our day at Ocean Lab Brewing Company turned into a sunny, relaxing escape — complete with pools, beach chairs, great food, and zero crowds.
If you’re looking for a low‑stress port day in Puerto Rico, especially one you can book with onboard credit, this excursion is absolutely worth it.
About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, where she helps travelers cruise smarter, pack lighter, and stretch their dollars further with practical tips and real‑world experience. As an Elite cruiser who sails multiple times a year, Julie shares honest reviews, port-day strategies, and family‑friendly travel hacks rooted in firsthand experience — including this relaxing day at VIVO Beach Club (aka Ocean Lab Brewing Company) in San Juan.
She’s also a points‑and‑miles expert who has flown her family to Europe and the Caribbean using rewards, and she loves showing beginners how simple it can be to travel better for less. When she’s not exploring new ports, you’ll find her building helpful guides, packing lists, and cruise resources for her readers.
Follow along at NoPointLeftBehind.net for more cruise tips, port guides, and practical ways to save on your next adventure.
