What to do in Puerto Rico for my budget honeymoon??
Dec 19th, 2011, 10:32 AM
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What to do in Puerto Rico for my budget honeymoon??
Hello, I'm going to Puerto Rico in late February for my honeymoon, and since I've never been there, I would love some advice on what to do and where to go! We want some relaxing beach time, a little history, and some adventure. We will be there for 6 nights. We are also trying to do our honeymoon on a budget, so any recommendations for saving money would be very helpful.
- After doing some research, I'm currently thinking of flying into San Juan, spending 1-2 days in San Juan to check out beaches, the town, and the Bacardi factory. Would I need to rent a car, or is public transportation/taxis easy to figure out?? Any nice hotels on a budget?
- After San Juan, I think we'll take a bus (if it's easy to figure out) to Fajardo, and spend the afternoon hiking the El Yunque rainforest, and then sleep somewhere in Fajardo. Do we need a guide or a rental car to get to the rainforest, and can we get there on our own and/or through public transport?
- The next day, I'm thinking we would take the ferry to Vieques, and stay there for three days for beach relaxing, snorkeling, and kayaking in the bio-luminescent bays. Do we need to rent a car, or are there other ways to get around in Vieques? Is it easy to get a ferry ride, and how much does the ferry cost?
- Our final day, we would travel back to the airport in San Juan. Is it okay to leave just a day for traveling (our flight leaves around 3 p.m.), or should we travel back to San Juan the night before to be safe?
Thoughts?? Does it seem like a good plan? Should I change some stuff around, or see other places?? What about Rincon? What are your recommendations for cheap transportation, hotels and restaurants on the island?? Should I book hotels online (any site recommendations), or through telephone? We're hoping to spend less than $80 a night on hotels, and less than $100 a day on food and activities -- and the cheaper, the better!
Also, we haven't booked our flight yet -- is it possible to get flight deals to Puerto Rico, or do flight prices rise as it gets closer to the date of travel? Right now I can get a flight for $375 roundtrip from Denver, which seems like a good deal -- should I jump on it?
Thanks for the help!!
- After doing some research, I'm currently thinking of flying into San Juan, spending 1-2 days in San Juan to check out beaches, the town, and the Bacardi factory. Would I need to rent a car, or is public transportation/taxis easy to figure out?? Any nice hotels on a budget?
- After San Juan, I think we'll take a bus (if it's easy to figure out) to Fajardo, and spend the afternoon hiking the El Yunque rainforest, and then sleep somewhere in Fajardo. Do we need a guide or a rental car to get to the rainforest, and can we get there on our own and/or through public transport?
- The next day, I'm thinking we would take the ferry to Vieques, and stay there for three days for beach relaxing, snorkeling, and kayaking in the bio-luminescent bays. Do we need to rent a car, or are there other ways to get around in Vieques? Is it easy to get a ferry ride, and how much does the ferry cost?
- Our final day, we would travel back to the airport in San Juan. Is it okay to leave just a day for traveling (our flight leaves around 3 p.m.), or should we travel back to San Juan the night before to be safe?
Thoughts?? Does it seem like a good plan? Should I change some stuff around, or see other places?? What about Rincon? What are your recommendations for cheap transportation, hotels and restaurants on the island?? Should I book hotels online (any site recommendations), or through telephone? We're hoping to spend less than $80 a night on hotels, and less than $100 a day on food and activities -- and the cheaper, the better!
Also, we haven't booked our flight yet -- is it possible to get flight deals to Puerto Rico, or do flight prices rise as it gets closer to the date of travel? Right now I can get a flight for $375 roundtrip from Denver, which seems like a good deal -- should I jump on it?
Thanks for the help!!
Dec 19th, 2011, 11:00 AM
#2
<<Right now I can get a flight for $375 roundtrip from Denver, which seems like a good deal -- should I jump on it?>>
That is a good deal. I would book it if I was you. Regarding hotels, $80 isn't much, especially in February. You might want to check out some paradores, which are country inns that participate in a govt program (regulated for quality and price). I've never stayed in one but they might be a more budget friendly alternative to regular hotels.
Here is a link that contains some information on paradores:
http://www.parador.info/about
That is a good deal. I would book it if I was you. Regarding hotels, $80 isn't much, especially in February. You might want to check out some paradores, which are country inns that participate in a govt program (regulated for quality and price). I've never stayed in one but they might be a more budget friendly alternative to regular hotels.
Here is a link that contains some information on paradores:
http://www.parador.info/about
Dec 19th, 2011, 05:00 PM
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We enjoyed a trip to San Juan and Vieques a couple years ago. You could read it for some details. I want to warn you though that the snorkeling in Vieques was horrible but the Bio Bay more than makes up for it. We took a great walking tour in San Juan. The $375 plane ticket price would be great from my perspective!
Dec 19th, 2011, 08:47 PM
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Tom, thank you for the information about paradores! Have you been to any in Puerto Rico? Are they similar in quality/atmosphere as a hotel, or is it more of a hostel-type experience?
Tdelano, I just checked out your trip report -- very informative, thanks! I may try to find someplace else to go snorkeling...it sounds like you stayed 4-5 days in Vieques -- did you feel there was enough to keep you busy there? We mainly want to relax on the beach every day, but some beach activities (I was thinking snorkeling, but maybe swimming, boogie boarding, etc.) would make more sense) and some good restaurants would be great.
Tdelano, I just checked out your trip report -- very informative, thanks! I may try to find someplace else to go snorkeling...it sounds like you stayed 4-5 days in Vieques -- did you feel there was enough to keep you busy there? We mainly want to relax on the beach every day, but some beach activities (I was thinking snorkeling, but maybe swimming, boogie boarding, etc.) would make more sense) and some good restaurants would be great.
Dec 20th, 2011, 06:19 AM
#5
<<Tom, thank you for the information about paradores! Have you been to any in Puerto Rico? Are they similar in quality/atmosphere as a hotel, or is it more of a hostel-type experience? >>
I haven't stayed in one but my understanding of them would be more like a bed and breakfast or motel than a hotel or a hostel. Hopefully, someone who has stayed in one before will contribute here. I do know that they are regulated and have to meet certain standards set by the government
I haven't stayed in one but my understanding of them would be more like a bed and breakfast or motel than a hotel or a hostel. Hopefully, someone who has stayed in one before will contribute here. I do know that they are regulated and have to meet certain standards set by the government
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