Puerto Rico and St. Martin - how long in each?
 

OK - We've decided on 12 days in the Caribbean - now we're booked 7 days at the Wyndham Rio Mar in Puerto Rico, and then a short hop to St. Martin, with 4 nights at the Grand Case Beach Club. We're travelling over spring break with our 14 and 16 year old kids, and now my husband wonders whether we should spend more time in S.M. and less time in P.R. Your thoughts? Love to boogie board, snorkel, eat well, explore, check out small towns, etc. Would love your advice. Thanks.

It's kind of hard to suggest things to people you don't know, but if this were me I'd keep it like it is. I like PR and hate St. Martin. I would use some of the time in PR to rent a car and explore the island. Each coast is very different and none of them is like San Juan. I am taking my fifth trip to Rincon at the end of February--Rincon because I have friends who spend 3 months there every year--but I will have a car to get to other very nice places on the west coast.

Oh, I meant to add that if you haven't already, check Foder's Great Itineraries at http://www.fodors.com/world/caribbea...ure_30001.html

And I like St. Martin over Puerto Rico, which just goes to show that only you can decide, Coke1. The advantage to me about St. Martin is that there are more beaches and day-trips that are easily done if you have a car. You can hop over to Anguilla or St. Barths, as well as hit some of the lesser known beaches that are within 20 minutes drive from Grand Case. If you just want to stay put and visit El Yunque, then I think the Wyndham is a good choice. So it depends on what kind of travelers you are. But if you don't like to be on the move, then I think your original choise was the correct one.

Thanks for your responses. I have one adventurous child and one who likes to stay in one place . . . so he may like the resort atmosphere of the Rio Mar for a longer period. I definitely want to rent a car in P.R. - and hit El Yunque for a day, San Juan once or twice (how long does the drive back to the resort take after dinner??), Rincon, Fajardo, maybe the Bio tour. It does seem like there are a lot of options. Then once we get to St. Martin - I think we'll go to Anguilla for a day, the Dutch side for an afternoon, a couple beaches. I'm hoping it will be a wonderful balance for everyone! Thanks again - and if anyone else has any suggestions of things to do or favorite restaurants please share!

I would stay longer in St Martin - so much nicer than Puerto Rico. And you can also take a ferry and go visit St Barts which is another amazing island in the Caribbean.

Katja
www.boatcaribbean.com

You'll get a lot of differing opinions on here. I can't stand St. Maarten, to me it is all that is wrong w/the Caribbean. However, you can get to many other islands directly from San Juan or go to Vieques as well as the mainland (in PR).