luvtotravel

We are six senior women arriving at different times from different states and possibly different dates (this is a reunion). We are thinking about staying in either Old San Juan or Condado. This is for January. To accommodate some of the ladies we try to do things inexpensively. Other than private car from the airport, is taxi the best and least expensive way to go between our hotel and the airport? We will stay three nights before taking a cruise.

Would also appreciate comments on choosing Old San Juan or Condado for sleeping. We are not interested in beaches. We are interested in taking a day to tour the rainforest -- is it possible to hire a cab for five or six hours to do this? Realistic?

Thanks. Diane

Dukey1

If you stay in "old San Juan" you will be, geographically, a LOT closer to where the cruise ships dock. However, that part of town has some hills and there's no guarantee that you are going to be able to roll yourselves and your luggage from a hotel to the dock with ease.

Condado is further away from the dock area; Isla Verde and the hotels in that area are the closest ones to the airport.

Several hotels have casinos which generates a lot of foot traffic sometimes.

As to El Yunque, when we visited we rented a car to drive there. Unless things have changed or you are an intrepid driver I would NOT advise that. Why? I saw better drivers when I was in VietNam and some of those people drove the wrong way on highways, at night, and without headlights! I love Puerto Rico but not to drive in. I would look in to the possibility of a tour.

MmePerdu

Dukey1 has given you the lay of the land. Old San Juan is a compact area and as said, is adjacent to the cruise ships, which are downhill (where the water is) for purposes of rolling luggage. It's also the most interesting part of the city, by far.

Three nights seems to indicate 2 days before your cruise. I'd be happy staying in town, rather than the major endeavor of a trip to El Yunque. But if you do it I think a tour in a larger vehicle (bus) would be infinitely more comfortable than a taxi. And possibly less expensive.

I think a taxi is the logical way from the airport to OSJ. It isn't far.

eastenderusvi

Old San Juan is a wonderful area- makes you think of old Spain, not the Caribbean. Wonderful restaurants, great sight seeing. If you can swing it, stay at El Convento. Marvelous...

ekscrunchy

Yes, you can hire a cab. Ask your hotel concierge for prices, and compare with the drivers in the cab rank outside your hotel.

ekscrunchy

Below is the contact info for the taxi driver (he had a new van) that we hired to take four of us on a daytrip fromSan Juan. Mario speaks perfect English is perfect and he was a delight to spend time with. Knowledgable about current events and island history. I am sure that he would take you to El Yunque.

The details of our own excursion are here:

I'll take this opportunity to mention the wonderful taxi driver who squired us around San Juan and up to the Ruta de Lechon, or "Pork highway," near the town of Guavate, about a 40 minute drive from the capital.

I would highly recommend this trip for anyone in San Juan on a weekend who is interested in fabulous food (whole roast pig is the specialty but they also have chicken, turkey, and a vast array of local side dishes from pasteles to platano en escabeche to arroz con gandules) and a chance to be surrounded by locals feasting, dancing, listening to live music. A real fiesta in every sense of the word! Of the long string of eateries, we chose Los Pinos, where lunch for 5 of us cost less than $45. I was later told that this restaurant was featured on Tony Bourdain's "No Reservations" program on tv.

Here is the name and contact info for the driver, Mario Gomez Robles; he speaks impeccable English and is knowledgeable about many aspects of life on the island.

787=425-9437

[email protected]


I'd be more than happy to discuss the Ruta de Lechon, Guavate, or eating in San Juan with anyone bound for the island.

luvtotravel

Thank you all for your suggestions. We have just reserved rooms at CasaBlanca in Old San Juan. Ekscrunchy, great help with contact info.

Diane