Puerto Rico
 

My husband and I are going on a much needed trip (minus our children) to Puerto Rico in August. We do not know much about PR and looking for some suggestions on where to stay (beach prefer) and must do activities. Also, we were thinking about renting a car one day to drive around the island, is this something that is recommended? Is it safe to do this? Also, we do not have a budget for this trip but of course not looking to spend a whole lot either.

Thank you very much for any/all help you might have.

Sincerely,
Sal

Hi

If you want to be close to the action, look at hotels in the Isla Verde / Condado area - beach similar to Miami Beach. If you prefer to be in a more secluded resort type hotel, look at teh El Conquistador on north east coast (close to Fajardo).

If you want more peace and quiet consider the west coast. If you want even more peace and quiet + great beaches look at Vieques or Culebra Islands.

As for things to do:
Old San Juan is a musthttp://www.visit-the-coqui.com/2008/07/self-guided-walking-tour-of-old-san-juan-part-1/

El Yunque rainforest + Luquillo Beach

If the moon is OK consider a Bio Bay trip either at Fajardo or evening cruise to Vieques http://www.visit-the-coqui.com/place...n-puerto-rico/

Camuy Caves have also re-opened

As for driving around - the island is small but not really practical to drive it in a day. Consider a car for a couple of days or if you really wanted to tour the island split your trip up and stay on west coast as well as San Juan

More info at my travel guide http://www.visit-the-coqui.com

hope that gets you started

I'm a big Rincon fan, many recent posts on here that should help you as well. www.rinconpr.com, www.rincon.org, welcome.topuertorico.org

Just back from Puerto Rico and we stayed at the Marriott Stellaris in Condando area 3 nights pre cruise , pricey, but we thought it was very nice, good location, rooms were extremely comfortable. Beach was nice, but very rough waters to swim in (someone almost drowned while we were there!!). If I had a week, I probably would stay a couple of nights at the El Convento hotel in Old San Juan, and the rest in resort outside of San Juan. I highly recommend spending at least a day in Old San Juan, lots of history, cozy shops and restaurants.
We also enjoyed a 4 hour tour booked through the hotel of El Yungue RainForest, but probably would have enjoyed it more if we rented a car and visited on our own.

Wow, thank you everyone for your suggestions. I am looking in to this all right now. We are flexible in where to stay overnight. Is San Juan a central and better location? I've heard the beaches here are not as clean and dirty, however I was uncertain on this information. We are not club people, but people who enjoy adventure during the day and a relaxing meal over looking the ocean at night. Let me know what you think. Thank you again!