Puerto Rico

Hi everyone,

DH and I are planning on going on a long weekend trip to San Juan Puerto Rico. Has anyone been there? If so, what did you like? not like? Thanks. So excited.

love PR. we went for my BP. Stayed at the Ritz. I wouldn't stay there; I think you can get more for your money elsewhere. Stay in Condado.

i rarely venture out but El Yunque is the rainforest my parents like to go to; they have a timeshare in dorado.

I'm puerto rican and have been there many times. El Yunque is a must...but what you really need to see is the bio bay. go to the bio bay as the sun is going down or at night. if you swish your arm in the water the micro-organisms light up and it looks like a blue trail following your arm in the water...VERY COOL here's a site about it

http://www.biobay.com/

El Moro is also a must.

Rio Camuy caves if you're not afraid of bats and guano.

luquillo beach

'el conquistador' hotel

Jayuya - you can visit the very small CEMI museum for taino artifacts and displays...also nearby is a stream you can swim in and a giant rock with ancient taino writing inscribed on it that you can jump from (known as 'piedro escrita). toro negro forest is also in jayuya
http://www.puertoricoexplore.com/Detail/43_Cemi_Museum.html

Tibes Indian Ceremonial center - great museum

Castillo Seralles 'don q' mansion in ponce

here's a great site to plan it all
http://escape.topuertorico.com/tour/regions.shtml

Hi;
I am Puerto Rican as well and visit every year with DH. My DH is not Puerto Rican and he does not like to stay long in the middle of the Island (where my family lives) because it is too hot!!! Temperatures can reach about 100 degrees. My family is from the Caribbean side of the Island. So, we have plenty of experience staying in hotels around the San Juan area.

I recommend that if you are only going for one weekend you will get the best experience in Isla Verde, Carolina (which is right next to the airport----maybe a 3 minute drive). Although, El Condado
(which is is located in San Juan itself) is very nice and has a few hotels; most of the hotels are located in Isla Verde (which is a 15 minute taxi ride from Old San Juan). There is also more to do in Isla Verde (more action----dance clubs--better food and restaurants). The hotels in Isla Verde are right on the beach; however, if you decide on El Condado you won't get that because they only have a small piece of beach/lagoon even though they are right by the water. The area is not the best either and not much as far as restaurants. The lagoon is located right outside the El Condado Hotel...by the way..the lagoon is public and not part of the hotel. DH and I stayed there the first time I took him to Puerto Rico and he hated that. We ended up taking a $15 cab regulary to go to clubs, restaurants, and Isla verde beach. The El Condado hotel itself was not the best at the time, but then again we stayed there about 4 years ago.

El Yunque (which is the only rain forest in the Caribbean and US territory) is closer to Isla Verde. A cab ride to Old San Juan (a must do if you are only going for a weekend) is about $15 not including tip.

If you stay in Isla verde, we recommed you stay in El Intercontinental hotel or the Marriott. The Marriott is far of the strip next to the Ritz and you would have to walk a little to get to the restaurants, but not far. El Intercontinental is right next to the El San Juan Hotel and Casino (which is the hotel used for most of the Puerto Rico commercials) and also where most of the fun happens. El San Juan Hotel and Casion has one of the most happening casinos and dance clubs in the Island. Although the lobby, bar, dance, and casino areas are absolutely gorgeous, the rooms are not the best. If you stay in Isla Verde, you definetely should go have a drink at the El San Juan Hotel bar.

As far as food, I highly recommend a restaurant called 'Mi Casita'. It is typical Puerto Rican food for a typical price. You can eat there for a good price rather than paying astronomical prices elsewhere, plus you get the typical food of the Island. Beware.....it is always busy and you might have to wait for a while to be seated. The restaurant itself is small and located in a small shopping center accross from El San Juan Hotel and Casino. You have to cross the street and walk to the middle of the shooping center to find it. In the corner of the shooping center you will see a small supermarket. You will also see a Burger King inside. You can ask for the place, most locals know it..

I hope this information helps in some ways.

Are there any good all inclusive resort?
Is it just better to go to different restaurants on island instead of all inclusive?