loractown

My husband and I are recently married and we want to go to Puerto Rico for a trip. We would like to be near the big nightclubs and shopping and also on the beach. Are there any suggestions or recommedations on what part of the island to go to and/or hotels or resorts that would be a good fit for us? Any suggestions/comments on the nightclubs? Any general comments/suggestions re: Puerto Rico appreciated, as we have never been.

marigross

If your are looking for the party circuit then you have to stay in Condado + / Isla Verde ++ / Old San Juan area+++. OSJ has lots of smaller restaurants and clubs. They are best enjoyed when going around bar-hopping style.

Your best bet for the bigger places is probably Isla Verde and the hotel discos like the one in Wyndham El San Juan.

Minnie1976

I would recommend staying in Old San Juan. There's a very cute(pricey) B&B called The Gallery Inn, walking distance from the main sites. If you rather be on the beach then I would recommend the Isla Verde area. Best hotel Ritz Carlton, cheapest nicest option would be the Marriot. Old San Juan has two main areas: Calle San Sebastian (tons of little cute bars and restaurants) the southern part of Old San Juan has many nice bars/restaurants(Agua Viva, Parrot Club, Dragon Fly->really nice places to hang out on any day of the week). Buen Viaje!

schmerl

If you want to be on the beach and near nightlife, stay in Isla Verde at the El San Juan Hotel. Right on the beach with restaurants and a casino in the hotel.

tom42

You have been receiving good advice. I would also suggest that you stay in Isla Verde -the Wyndham El San Juan has a lot of nightlife - from the lobby bar, to the live music, to the disco, to the casino. Very crowded on the weekends and a lot of fun. Hotels right near the El San Juan include the Ritz Carlton, and the Intercontinental.

If you stay at the EL San Juan, you may not want to leave but I would recommend a couple of trips into Old San Juan. I'm not much of a shopper so I can't comment too much on that but Old San Juan is very cool in the evening. Definitely go down there for a couple of dinners and some drinks. There are a slew of restaurants in the area - the last time I was there (in July) I went to the Parrot Club and Dragon Fly. Both had very good food, great atmosphere and vibe. I also had drinks at a pretty hip bar called Kudeta (pronounced Coup D'Etat).

I go to San Juan every year so I would be happy to answer any questions that you have (if I can). One thing you should be aware of is that San Juan is not your typical shorts and sandals Caribbean vacation once the evening comes. People tend to dress - especially at El San Juan (where shorts are prohibited at night) and at the trendier restaurants in Old San Juan.

loractown

Thank you for all of your very helpful replies! I am getting really excited! Thanks for your offer for future help tom42, my husband and I like to dress trendy so it sounds like PR is the place for us!

I do have another question, is a US driver's license all the ID we need? My husband is still a Mexican citizen and cannot get a US passport until the immigration process is complete next year.

tom42

For US Citizens, only a license is required. I don't know how it works for citizens of other countries who live in the US.

loractown

ya, I am thinking that if we are flying in from the States and he has his US driver's license we should be fine. Thanks!

Viajero2

loractown-- since 9/11 the process to get back into the continental US from PR has gotten stricter. If your husband is not a US citizen, strongly, strongly suggest he takes with him the documentation that certifies his legal immigration status. I go to PR every year and have witnessed countless situations where Germans, Dominicans, Mexicans, British citizens have gotten stuck in the process of returning to the continental US.

loractown

Gracias Viajero2 por su repuesta. I think now that I should run this by my immigration attorney.

caribedon

Hello Minnie! glad you are getting to visit beautiful PR. If I were you I would definitely stay in Condado Beach at the CONDADO PLAZA resort. Condado Beach has world class shopping, night life, casinos and is close to Isla Verde and Condado Beach is very clean and safe. If you get the chance, try to go to Fajardo and catch the ferry from the Conquistador resort to Culebra island and at Culebra visit FLAMENCO BEACH.I would rate Flamenco beach one of the top 2 beaches in all of PR and that is saying a lot. Hope this helps.