M.scott

I visited p.r. before and after a cruise on RCCL and foud the older part of the city pretty trashy. The older forts are interesting but the remainder of the city is not really "visitor friendly"
I wouldn't recommend it as a destination. Good Luck!!!!

Magaly Rivera

try this site
http://Welcome.toPuertoRico.org/

you will find practical travel tips on transport, money and currency, as well as details of government, economy and history.

Paul M. Hellings

Puerto Rico is definitely worth visiting, but I reccommend that you get "out on the island" that is , explore the rest of PR apart from San Juan. Especially interesting is the west coast of PR. It's a lot more laid back good beaches, friendly people. Less exspensive, too.

ray

Diving is best on the southside of Puerto Rico. in a town called Parguera... pinnacle reefs and wall dives with a very knowledgeable and easygoing divemaster at Parguera Divers. Recommend reserving in advance of arrival. the western side is less traveled with tourists. you'll need a rental car...beach it early in the day...explore different areas, people friendly,...all American amenities, malls, post office, etc., but not the high prices of San Juan or urban environment. As with any large city, San Juan has it's share of the mixed bag of good and bad places to be...it's basically not unlike Miami. recommend 'playa buye', hole in the wall beach just north of the larger public beach at Boqueron, again in the southwest corner of island. I travel there every year. Parent's live there. If you have more specific interests in mind email me.

Kary

Loved P.R. Very interesting island, with a lot to do. Also a gaming island. Get out and check out other areas of the island besides the tourist spots.

Alison Ozer

I am a single mom, with children, boy 11, girl 6 1/2 and am interested in an April vacation, possibily in PR. Need to know good deals, hotels, places appropriate to visit. Interested in lots of beach time, rainforest, hiking. good food (not expensive), family oriented places. A feel for the culture. children and I knwo some spanish, and have studied Puerto rico.

tom merchant

Yes, its worth visiting. I go there on business. Old San Juan is full of history. They have GREAT restaurants,
The beaches are best at Farhardo, about an hour east of San Juan, and
at the two islands off Farjardo. Th erain forest is
on the way.
They also have great restaurants.
However, dont travel alone.
Tom

Anissa Jimenez

I've been to Puerto Rico 9 times. I have a lot of family there. I started "exploring," though, on the last four visits (couldn't explore on my own without a driver's license). Anyway, I love it and can't wait to go back and explore some more. There are two rainforests on the island. The most popular one is called "El Yunque." It's about an hour east of San Juan. If you're into nature, I recommend a book called "The Other Puerto Rico." It is chock full of many great 1/2 day to three day excursions. My parents recently drove half of the Panoramic Route. It starts on the west part of the island in a town called Mayaguez and ends up on the east part of the island. It'll take about three days to see everything, stop and enjoy the sights and stay at a couple of bed and breakfasts. My parents enjoyed it very much (my father's a native and was born and raised in Adjuntas, one of the towns close to the Panoramic Route). There's a lot more to tell. Feel free to write back.

Dave Blizard

Was dissapointed with P.R. but not totally. Just when we thought our trip was gonna be a total bummer, for reasons that I don't want to go into detail about, I found a brochure on Culebra.
Well, needless to say this was our savior. What a world of difference, and just a short 15 minutes under $30 plane hop from Fajardo. Or even cheeper but slower boat ride. Some say luquio beach is the best PR has to offer, They must be crazy. When you see a tourist ad for PR, look for the small print, most likely it's a photo taken on Culebra. White
sands, seculuded quiet beaches, warm clean waters, friendly people. Go rent a jeep from JOE's explore and have fun!!!!

If you must stay to the main land head west. This side of the island has much more beauty than the east. The one stop to make in the east would be el yunke.

Good Luck.

Heather Rubin

I am a college student and I wanted to plan an inexpensive trip to Puerto Rico in May. I am just worried that the price of lodging there will be too expensive. I know people who have gone to the Carribean and told me they could find places to stay for only around $10 a night. I looked in many travel books to find information on lodging and all I can find is expensive resort-like hotels. I am intersted in staying anywhere that is inexpensive- even in youth hostels or bed and breakfasts. Please write me back with any information you can give me. Thankyou.
-Heather

Lisa

We are heading to Puerto Rico this June for our honeymoon. We are staying at a relative's B&B near the SW side of the island. BUT, the first night that we arrive into the SJ airport, we would like to stay overnight to hit Old San Juan the next day.

We need to find a cozy type of guest house or B&B for under $150 or under $100 for that first night. We are thinking of staying in the Isla Verde or Condado area to wake up and head to OSJ. Any suggestions? We are NOT interested in the busy San Juan casino area....nature and history type of people. THANK YOU!!!!

David

The best site I had of PR was just after take-off when I looked over my right shoulder and I saw Old San Juan distancing away ... I saw the whole island and after much search I only found one isolated accessible beach with not too much garbage. I know I'll never be going back.
But I did enjoy the Puerto Ricans ....

Steve

I am planning to visit Puerto Rico in July. What I want to do is hike around the island. I don't have much money, but want to practice my Spanish. This means not staying in resort hotels, but getting as far from the cities as possible. Anyone have advise on hiking in Puerto Rico and camping on beaches or in the rain forests? What are some small towns which are not frequented by tourists?

Sean Curley

Yes, PR is very much worth visiting. Those above who say otherwise have most likely not gotten out of San Juan (could you imagine anyone saying they did not like the Northeastern U.S. because the area around the ship terminals in NYC was "trashy" -- would you take travel advice from such a person??). Or perhaps they are not interested in, or adept at, working to make a vacation worthwhile. World class golf, diving, hiking, biking, swimming (there are beaches with trash in San Juan and Carolina, but I had no trouble finding beautiful clean beaches elsewhere), and all sorts of water sports. The small towns are also very cheap places to vacation. On the other hand, perhaps this mis-impression can help keep it un-crowded (in which case you should go, but tell your friends you didn't enjoy it).

Lee Hull

My wife and I are going to Cancun with another couple this July. Do you know anything about Cancun, or the Diamond Resort Playacar? Interesting to see someone I "know" at this website. Hi!
Lee

Angel

Yes, PR is worth visiting. If you're looking for the nightlife and shopping the San Juan metropolitan area is your best bet. On the other hand, if you want to really enjoy all aspects of the island you should visit the west coast of the island and stay in small hotels called "Paradores". Desecheo Island has world class diving as well as Parguera. The beaches in this part of the island are clean, clear and not crowded. Also on the west coast you can visit the Arecibo Observatory, which is the largest radio telescope in the world and where the movie "Contact" was filmed and based on. Another great destination are the "Cuevas de Camuy" with impresive and beautiful caves.
On the east coast there is Culebra, an island off the coast of PR. I have never been to a more beautiful beach than Culebrita. I've been visiting beaches in PR and the Virgin Islans for most of my life. Culebrita is like a large salt water swimming pool where you can occasionaly see "careys" or sea turtles. Another east coast destination is "El Yunque" the only national rainforest in the US is great for hiking and relaxing. You can also go horseback riding with "Hacienda Carabalí".
If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. Good Luck!

Vicki Dempsey

We are going to PR for the first time for a week in August. We've rented a condo in Isle Verde. Can one do a day trip by car to Ponce, or should we plan to stay the night in a Paradores? We also plan to do day trips to the rain forest and the caves. Any advice n the best day of the week to do that rather than stay in San Juan? Thanks in advance .

Vicki Dempsey

We are going to PR for the first time for a week in August. We've rented a condo in Isle Verde. Can one do a day trip by car to Ponce, or should we plan to stay the night in a Paradores? We also plan to do day trips to the rain forest and the caves. Any advice n the best day of the week to do that rather than stay in San Juan? Thanks in advance .

Santi

Puerto Rico is exceptionally beautiful, it has its good places and its got not so good places. Just like the good old US of A. Plan your trip or stay in the tourist areas which are quite nice. If you have the good fortune to meet some of the non-urban people in the island you will feel like you are in a different world. They are very nice and extremely generous and loving as long as you show respect. So don't act like the typical arrogant American tourist who thinks their feces does not have an odor.

Sharon Scott

Any suggestions for restaurants in Peurto Rico? We're staying at the El San Juan in Sept. We'd like to spend not more than $30/pp for dinner.