Cimbalnik

Hello,
To start, we are a family of 2 adults,2 grandparents,a 3 year old, and a 9 year old. We will be traveling mid October and trying to figure out where to stay.

We want a nice beach with a hotel with a good pool for the kids. We plan on visiting the rainforest, Culebra for the day, bioluminecent bay,and Old San Juan/San Juan sites. We also like golfing,snorkeling, pretty much up for anything. We are planning on renting a car also.

Would it be better for us to pick one location and tour from there, or pick 2? For example, a few nights in Old San Juan and then the rest in Grande Rio or El Conquistador a?

Thanks in advance,
Lisa

Amanda_B

Hi Lisa!

Your trip sounds like its going to be a blast, here are some of Fodors suggestions to give you the BEST of PUERTO RICO

http://www.fodors.com/world/caribbea...raries-2767715

Safe Travels!

tom42

<<Would it be better for us to pick one location and tour from there, or pick 2? For example, a few nights in Old San Juan and then the rest in Grande Rio or El Conquistador a?>>

How long are you going for? If a week or less, I might opt to stay in one place. San Juan is a good jumping off point to some of the sights you want to see. El Yunque is only about 35 miles away. Fajardo is about 45 minutes away (then a ferry ride to Culebra or alternatively you can fly to Culebra from San Juan).

If you want to split it up - a word about El Conquistador - it's a sprawling complex and has a very nice pool but you have to take a ferry to a private island for the beach. It's very nice once you get there but something to consider since you are traveling with grandparents and kids.

Cimbalnik

Sorry I forgot to add how long we would be there...we're looking at 7 nights.

I was concerned about el conquistador also for that reason. What do you think about Bahia beach/Grande Rio area or would it really just be best to stay riget in San Juan. We tend to like a little more scenic and less city but whatever would be easiest.

Thanks again

tom42

I've never stayed in the Bahia beach/Grande Rio area so I can't commment. However, if you really do prefer more scenic and less city, you may be disappointed with staying in the San Juan area. It is city. There are some nice hotels with nice pools and decent beaches but it is definitely a very developed area. Maybe something like the Wydham Grand Rio Mar might suit your needs better.

Jimmie

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but Puerto Rico is likely to be ground zero for the Zika epidemic this fall. There was a very sobering article in the New York Times this past weekend. Here is a link with a version of the story:
http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-w...pidemic-looms/

tom42

Unless someone is pregnant or plans on becoming pregnant, I wouldn't be overly concerned with Zika.