daffy_traveller

I'm taking my husband to PR for his 50th. We only have 6 nights and we are flying from Southern California. We'd like a couple of days to check out San Juan and then off to relax at a beach. He surfs, we both dive but neither is required. We like funky, islandy, clean, laid back or historical places to stay. Budget: mid-range (no Horned Dorset!) Is Vieques or Culebra too disconnected for first-timers? Please give advise on some hotels/areas to plant ourselves. Thanks!

sassy_cat

You could consider Vieques (or Culebra) as a first time visitor to Puerto Rico especially if you love the beach but bear in mind there's very little accommodation ON the beach in Vieques so you'd need to hire a car and drive to the best ones and no resorts until/if the W property opens.

The beaches are fantastic though and pretty much deserted most of the time.

daffy_traveller

Does anyone know about Acacia Sea Side Inn in Condado? Is El Convento worth the extra $$?

daffy_traveller

thanks sassy- do you have a rec for a hotel on either of the islands? what beaches are best?

ishkribbl

We have stayed at Villa Boheme on the harbour in Culebra and found it clean, comfortable and conveniently located. If you are not looking for luxury I would recommend it. I think the room we had was #11 (not sure) but it was upstairs with a great view (king bed, small kitchenette- the descriptions of the rooms are on the website). Although you can walk around town and take publicos to Flamenco Beach, I would recommend renting a jeep so you can really explore (we used Carlos Jeeps at the airport). Don't miss Zoni Beach- very beautiful.

sassy_cat

OOps just lost my reply. Here's a link to my last trip report for Vieques.

http://www.fodors.com/community/cari...ec08jan-09.cfm

We stayed at Hectors by the sea on our first visit to the island and loved it.

http://www.hectorsbythesea.com/

Best beaches? Everyone has their favourite! I liked the far end on Blue beach, Playa Plata and Escondido. My kids loved Navio on this trip.

ciaony

My wife and I have been going to PR for short 2-4 night trips for the past 7 years and we love it.
El Convento is one of my favorite hotels in the world. It just feels good there among the architecture and landscaping even if it is light on amenities.

ejcrowe

I think that two nights in OSJ and the rest of your time on Vieques is a brilliant way to split your time. You could even spend your first and last nights in OSJ to help maximize your time on Vieques and so you don't have to worry about connecting flights or broken down ferries to get you home at the end of the trip.

Hotel El Convento is pricey but amazing in my opinion. There's so much character in Old San Juan that it seems a shame to stay any place else. (Though I had to stay at the Sheraton once because El Convento prices were really high for one trip--the location of the Sheraton was fine and honestly the room was okay, too, but I missed the character of El Convento.)

On Vieques we really liked Hacienda Tamarindo, a lovely B&B with views of the sea. It was conveniently located close to Esperanza and its restaurants, not to mention the biobay pontoon guys who were right next door. They provide a full breakfast in the rates (which are reasonable) and will give you a backpack with a cooler compartment for taking drinks & snacks with you to the beaches. They also had an honor bar with snacks that we helped ourselves to while charging the tab to the room.