afc

Thinking of taking first time trip to Puerto Rico in Jan/Feb 2006 2 adults and 17 year old. Searching hotels in both areas it looks to me that beach is better in Isla Verde and sounds like it is a safer area at night , but have to contend with airplane noise.
How about restaurants and shopping, does one are have better choices than the other that you can walk to and do any of the hotel casinos have a shows like you see in Vegas or some of the other casino hotels.
Thanks for any help or advice.

tom42

You are right that Isla Verde has a better beach than Condado (IMO). I'm not sure there is a significant difference in safety between the two areas. I've never felt unsafe in either area. Just stick to the main roads. There really is no shopping to speak of in Isla Verde. There is a little more in Condado. But I would recommend a trip to Old San Juan for shopping. Isla Verde has the better hotels - Ritz Carlton, Wyndham El San Juan and the Intercontinental. The two good hotels in Condado are the Wyndham Condado and the Marriott. I'm not sure about Vegas types shows. I know that Wyndham El San Juan did have Club Tropicoro which had a Vegas typw show but I can't remember if it is still there.

As far as restaurants, Isla Verde is more hotel based and there are some very good restaurants at the Wyndham El San Juan. There is also the Metropol, which is an economical Cuban/PR restaurant - very good and inexpensive food.

Condado has quite a number of restaurants, as well as does Old San Juan (which is closer to Condado that Isla Verde).

doug_stallings

The beach is indeed better in Isla Verde. However, you'll find that it's very difficult to go anywhere in the neighborhood except by cab. Most Isla Verde hotels are far apart, while Condado hotels and restaurants are within walking distance of each other. There are a lot of shopping opportunities in San Juan, but many shops (and also restaurants and nightspots) are in Old San Juan, and that's not within walking distance of either area.

MFNYC

I haven't stayed in Isla Verde but just returned from a trip to COndado (San Juan Marriott) with 2 teens. The beach at the Marriott was very nice, we spent almost all our time there. The area in general has several restaurants, fast food places, and some shopping (although we didn't shop) within a few blocks of the hotel on a main road in front of the hotel. We felt safe, but we only went out in the evening for dinner. My kids ventured out during the day for a snack or Walgreen's run.

The Marriott has a casino, but no show to speak of. There's live salsa type music & dancing in the lobby lounge at night. I didn't notice anywhere in the area with a theater/show.

tom42

I have to disagree with Doug's post about Isla Verde hotels being far apart. The Intercontinental, El San Juan, San Juan Towers, and the Ritz Carlton are all within walking distance of one another. If anything, the good hotels in Condado - the Marriott and Condado Plaza - are further away from each other. I do agree that there are more non-hotel restaurant choices within walking distance in Condado.

afc

Thanks for the help

Lindy

I got back today from PR and I also agree--Isla Verde has a much better beach and the many hotels are all right next to each other. I stayed in a condo across the street and I rarely if ever heard airplanes. If you are interested in the beach I would stay there rather than Condado. There is also tons of construction in Condado--more than in IV.