Just got back from PR trip for 5 nights at Wyndham Condado Plaza at San Juan. Free tickets from PR was nice and I got lucky and got a two empty seats for my two year old daughter and one year old son on American Air. <BR><BR>Since I got much of advice from this site so I thought it is my turn to pay back.<BR><BR>*Rent a Car* <BR><BR>Probably most asked question. Advice is mixed on this but driving was not as bad as it sounded. Yes, some roads are narrow. Yes, some people drive like crazy. I drive like crazy in Chicago so I guess I blend in very well. It was very nice to have a car to just drive around for meals, shopping and sight seeing. Now the bad part:<BR>- All signs are in Espanol so you need to know the basic (East, west and so on). One way signs are simple arrow so watch.<BR>- Add the parking fee to you budget ($10-15 per day plus $1-2 per hour depend on location).<BR>- Get a good map - one from rental car place is no good.<BR><BR>If you're staying in San Juan Marriott and Radisson, you have plenty of restaurants and walgreen nearby so you may save money by renting car for a day or two for sight seeing out of town.<BR><BR>*Ready for Price Shock*<BR>Unless you plan to eat at Burger King and KFC all day. You will have to budget more $ for food because it is not cheap to eat out. <BR><BR>*El Youque*<BR>We couldn't do long hiking for obvious reason. But we had to do short hiking (less than one mile round trip) to the fall. I think the trail was called "Mina" - trail was very narrow and lots and lots of steps up and down the moderate hill. Trip was worth it but it was too harsh for my daughter (I had to carry her back on a return trip).<BR><BR>*Luquillo Beach*<BR>This is really a picture perfect beach. Just BEAUTIFUL beach. Unfortunately, it was infested with small flies that bite so we couldn't stay for more than an hour. I don't know maybe due to time of the day or the weather.<BR><BR>*Old San Juan*<BR>Fortress was worth the trip - nice view.<BR><BR>*Hotels*<BR>My hotel's (Wyndham Condado Plaza) review was pretty bad but actually our family enjoyed staying there. Staff was friendly and got a upgrade to ocean view at no extra charge. Desk staff told me I have to pay $40 extra per day for upgrade, I told him I will pay $20. He said he can't do $20 but will upgrade at no charge. Try to negotiate when you get there. Superb ocean view for $150. Small but nice public beach right next to the pools - good enough.<BR>We visited few hotels that we wouldn't mind paying extra for<BR>- Hyatt Dorado: Beautiful property with beautiful beach.<BR>- Inter continental: Beautiful pools with OK beach.<BR>- Ritz: Beautiful property, OK pool and OK beach.<BR><BR>Well, wish we had more time for sight-seeing but it was good enough. Trip was pleasant even with two babies. <BR><BR>

Thanks for the info... I will keep this in mind on my trip to PR tomorrow!!<BR><BR)

Thanks I will keep this in mind when my husband and I go in Jan.

My husband and I also just returned...Free airline tickets...who can beat that. Enabled us to stay at the Intercontinental, great! <BR><BR>You're so right on the $$$ for food and drinks. Thank goodness for Burger King for breakfast, and Mi Casita (Isla Verde Avenue) for dinner. Great food at great prices. <BR><BR>Wish I had your rental car advise before hand...thanks

Yes, intercontinental would be my choice if we would ever go back to PR again. Lots of restaurant nearby but the street (Isla Verde) is more hectic and crowded than Ashford Avenue.

Inhoso, just a quick question. I to will be staying at the Condado Plaza in (3) weeks, from their website it's obvious that the beach at Condado Plaza is nothing special. I was wondering if the pools were reasonable. Thanks again, your post was extremely insightful.

How is the beach at the Intercontinental?

Pool at the Condado was OK - one big pool w/ pool bar. I actually think this is only hotel pool that has a water slide (short but fun). Like I said small beach is right next to the pool. <BR><BR>I give 3 out of 5 star for the beach nearby continental. For the beautiful beach nearby headed to Luquillo beach.

When I read the Condado's website it boasted more than one pool, do they only have one. I'll be at the Condado in November and don't want to deal with the hassle of getting up at dawn to put a towel on a lounge chair at the pool!

November is still off-peak so you will not have a problem with finding a chair. Just one big pool and very small children pool (more like small pond). You will be fine.

Inhoso, thanks again!