Puerto Rico HELP
May 23rd, 2003, 11:15 AM
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Puerto Rico HELP
Hello
I am going to PR for a week for work but also bringing my husband along. I have to go to San Juan, Rio Piedras(i think is still SJ?), and Anasco. I have to go to Anasco first than Rio Piedras and than San Juan. I will fly into SJU and then drive to Anasco. Questions:
1) How safe is the island?
2) Are we ok not speaking Spanish?
3) Where should we stay that has beautiful scenery and a beach?
I am kind of looking for something other than the Hilton/Wyndham chains where I ALWAYS stay. Although, I know the chains are a safe bet. My husband is a photographer and wants to take lots of pictures of nature and wants to see the Observatory. We are not looking for a resort geared towards vacationers but something on the same level amenity wise (4 star approx $200/night given off season) as Hilton/Wyndham. Don't have to be on the beach but would like to be close. We can even stay a day or two here and a day or two there. I saw the El Convento and will look into that. any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!!
I am going to PR for a week for work but also bringing my husband along. I have to go to San Juan, Rio Piedras(i think is still SJ?), and Anasco. I have to go to Anasco first than Rio Piedras and than San Juan. I will fly into SJU and then drive to Anasco. Questions:
1) How safe is the island?
2) Are we ok not speaking Spanish?
3) Where should we stay that has beautiful scenery and a beach?
I am kind of looking for something other than the Hilton/Wyndham chains where I ALWAYS stay. Although, I know the chains are a safe bet. My husband is a photographer and wants to take lots of pictures of nature and wants to see the Observatory. We are not looking for a resort geared towards vacationers but something on the same level amenity wise (4 star approx $200/night given off season) as Hilton/Wyndham. Don't have to be on the beach but would like to be close. We can even stay a day or two here and a day or two there. I saw the El Convento and will look into that. any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!!
May 23rd, 2003, 05:08 PM
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The island is safe enough and Spanish, while helpful, is not necessary. When in Anasco consider the Rincon Beach Resort but rate could be more than $200. Go to www.travelandsport.com.Key in Rincon Beach Resort and you will fiind information on the resort. When in Rio Piedras nearest beach properties are in isla Verde, Condado and Ocean Park. Info on hotels can be found on the website named above. El Convento is in Old San Juan- nowhere near the ocean.
May 25th, 2003, 03:17 PM
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The last time I was in Puerto Rico, I was amazed that there were people who were not bilingual in San Juan. Thank goodness some of my high school Spanish came back. You would have no problems not speaking Spanish in San Juans or at major resorts, but I would bring a Spanish phrase book and learn a few basic phrases. My brother served on Puerto Rico while he was in the Navy and when you are "off the beatn path" you will encounter quite a few people who don't speak English. Especially driving around, you need to familiarize yourself with a few basic phrases.
May 28th, 2003, 02:28 PM
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Been to PR several times with not much knowledge of Spanish (not even High school spanish). Noticed that when we go to PR, we travel all over the island and when we get lost and ask for directions, they simply point where we need to go or for the most part, they go get one of their relatives or friends who speaks English and that person will help us. On our last trip (which was last year), I took spanish lessons to fully experience the culture. And you know what? I spoke to them in spanish and they spoke back to me in English! Now, go figure!
anyway, to answer your question, yes, to us it is a very safe island. One tip we've always followed based on Travel books, "If you have it, don't flaunt it." (this rule BTW is the same rule we use for any island in the Caribbean) We always rent the cheapest car (with AC of course), and we never run into any problems. The only time we ever dress up like we have money (not that we do, because we don't) is when we go to the Casinos or in a fine dining restaurant. Outside that, dress is casual, smile a lot and I always say "Gracias" and gets me a lot further.
Hope this helped.
anyway, to answer your question, yes, to us it is a very safe island. One tip we've always followed based on Travel books, "If you have it, don't flaunt it." (this rule BTW is the same rule we use for any island in the Caribbean) We always rent the cheapest car (with AC of course), and we never run into any problems. The only time we ever dress up like we have money (not that we do, because we don't) is when we go to the Casinos or in a fine dining restaurant. Outside that, dress is casual, smile a lot and I always say "Gracias" and gets me a lot further.
Hope this helped.
May 28th, 2003, 02:32 PM
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Oops, one last thing. You asked about safety and mentioned Rio Piedras. We've been there and it's totally downtowny (like kind of scary). However, it may look that way, but we were safe, vendors were all nice. The market there I thought was going to be a wet market with a lot of culture. Well, the market was airconditioned, tiled floors and really almost like going to a strip mall. In fact, it was a strip mall! Not really what I expected, but they have some pretty good bargains. And the bathroom was cleaner than Macy's bathrooms?!
May 30th, 2003, 08:55 AM
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If you are going to Anasco then you should try staying in Rincon. Go to your search engine and type in Rincon Puerto Rico and see what you come up with. There are lots of nice places to stay and the beaches there are beautiful, especially the beach sunsets. Great for pictures!
In Rincon you do not have to speak spanish to get around, there is always someone around (gas stations, stores, bakeries, etc.) who can help you with directions.
The island is very safe. Just like in the states, the bigger cities have more crime. Like the other poster said, "If you have it, don't flaunt it".
When parked at beaches make sure you lock the car doors and leave important personal belongings in the trunk.
In Rincon you do not have to speak spanish to get around, there is always someone around (gas stations, stores, bakeries, etc.) who can help you with directions.
The island is very safe. Just like in the states, the bigger cities have more crime. Like the other poster said, "If you have it, don't flaunt it".
When parked at beaches make sure you lock the car doors and leave important personal belongings in the trunk.
