Jenny

My boyfriend and I are planning to go to San Juan, PR in late November. Plan to stay at Inter Continental Hotel. We're in our late 20's. Is this hotel a good choice? We're looking for a nice, relaxing vacation (but with activities to do besides tanning). Have anyone stayed there before? How's the beach? Do I need to worry about hurricane or rain? How's the weather like around that time? How's the cost of living there? Also, Is it a safe place? Do I need to worry if we planned to go out at night? Any suggestions would be helpful. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance.

Debbie

Hello Jenny: Puerto Rico has the Tourism Police patroling 24 hours. Feel safe to walk at night, just walk where there is lighting and people. Old San Juan is the culinary capitol of the carribbean - Rumanian, italian, spanish, cuban, puertorriquen, indian, japanese, thai, argentinian, colombian, etc. In addtion, the restaurants and hotels have live music with no cover charge. Discotec Babylon in the San Juan Hotel in Isla Verde is very good. When Huracane Georges was passin by PR in 1999, the tourists where having a party in the hotel's ballroom. Look in to www.prtourism.com 787-722-1709 info center. 85F US dollars You will have fun.

rqf

Stayed at the hotel when it was the SAn Juan Grand. Nice hotel right on the beach - a good beach. It is next door to one of the most popular hotels on the island - the El San Juan. Hotel is in Isla Verde, one of three major tourist areas in San Juan.

Debbie

Jenny the hotel that was the San Juan Grand is now Inter-Continental San Juan Resort & Casino. (787-791-6100)Isla Verde is in the municipality of Carolina near the airport. Look into the Caribe Hilton in Condado, San Juan. (787)721-0303 A small hotel Hotl El Consulado (prior Spain's embassy in PR)) on Ashford Avenue, Condado 787-289-9191 Condado is near Old San Juan where the action is day and night.

Debbie

Jenny the taxi fare from Inter-Continental to Old San Juan is US$16.00. The bus A5 is 25 cents-Old San Juan is the last stop. Inter-Continental has some shows from Wed to Sat. Pleanty of fast foods at walking distance from Inter-Continental.

Jenny

Thanks for the advise. I'm wondering if PR is a good choice to go in the Caribbean?! How clean is the beach and water in Isla Verde? Can you tell me what're the good websites to look up informations on San Juan, PR besides www.prtourism.com?

debbie

Hello Jenny: Last week a pro-environment institution from USA was evaluating the beach at Isla Verde (Balneario de Carolina) highly considered to be classified with a blue ribbon. PR has beaches, mountain hiking, countrysites, city life,history, sailing, highways, etc. www.prconvention.com www.rincon.org www.sanjuan.org www.mapr.org www.thegalleryinn.com www.elconvento.com

Sean & Paulette

We have been to Puerto Rico numerous times and absolutely love it! We like to stay in Isla Verde or Condado Beach. And one of the best beaches is Luquillo. And of course you must visit the spectacular Rain Forest. The gastronomy is excellent. The people are very friendly. The nightlife especially in and around the major hotels is fabulous. The museums and art galleries in San Juan are wonderful. And the cobblestone streets in Old San Juan by El Morro cannot be missed. Have a great vacation!

Sean & Paulette

Oooopps, I forgot to mention we also enjoy staying in Dorado Beach.

Jenny

I heard it's good to rent a car in PR since taxi is expensive, and it's a good way to explore the city, is it true? Do I need a tour guide for the rain forest?

Diane

You do not need a tour guide for the rainforest. You will be happy to have a car because you can visit Luquillo beach (very pretty and more spacious). As a matter of fact, you could probably see the rain forest in the morning, go to Luquillo for lunch and the afternoon, and make it back to Isla Verde for a late dinner. If you like to dress up and go out dancing---you've found paradise! You can also drive straight across the island to Ponce, which is a lovely little city with another pretty beach area. (The road trip is pretty gorgeous, once you get out of the San Juan area. It is the best road on the island.) You might think you can loop around the island driving along the east or west coast, still making it back to SJ in a day, but DON'T TRY IT. The roads are nothing like that straight shot highway through the middle. Of course, if you plan to take a couple of days (thereby not staying at the InterContinental the whole time) you will find some wonderful little towns and beautiful scenery.

Debbie

Hi Jenny: Rent a car outside the airport, avoid the airport taxes. Look into the rental cars website. L&M has a rental place near Inter Continental $40 a day, maybe less. I suggest a tour guide to the rainforest, old san juan and other places. Include the tourguide as a driver at the rent a car. If you decide to drive around PR it will take you 10 hours driving 55MPH. The signs are in Spanish and mostly use numbers. The highway is in excellent conditions - pay tolls will be awaiting for the drivers. Road 10 is a wide road crossing the mountains from north to south. Suggest drive south Mountians turn into fall like vegetation- west- all green and coastal-northwest green continues- east mountains and coast until Isla Verde hotel. Taxi has fixed rate in the tourism area ask the concierge and front desk. www.meetpuertorico.com <BR>PR is a safe place for US Citizens. Puerto Ricans are born US citizens. <BR>Have fun!

JR

Isla Verde is action packed, nice beach with a big city atmosphere. You really have to rent a car and get out of town so to speak to get the full feel of the island. Traveling to El Yunque and to Luquillo are easy and uncomplicated trips after you squeeze through a bit of traffic. My favorite spot is Villa Parguera in the town of Parguera on the south-west coast...pure heaven, but you'll need a couple of days to make it there and back from San Juan. Enjoy your trip!

Elmer

hi, I plan to go to PR between Nov12-16, can you estimate how much it would cost for: meals, go around San Juan; do you suggest staying in a Bed and Breakfast instead of Hotels.... it looks more cozy but how much would it cost me?

Jenny

Thanks a lot for your feedback. I found it really helpful. I'll be in PR in a couple of weeks and have a few more questions. Is it possible to drive to Ponce from San Juan as a day trip? How difficult is it to navigate around San Juan? We know next to nothing in Spanish , afraid wont be able to read the signs. In case we decided not to rent a car, what's the best way to get to Old San Juan, El Yunque and Luquillo?

rqf

There is an excellent highway going to Ponce from San Juan. Trip will take less than two hours so a daiy trip is possible. Most people speak English and a knowledge of Spanish would be helpful but not necessary. Getting around by car is not a major problem but traffic is a horror. You can get to Old San Juan using public transportation. A taxi will cost $16 from the Intercontinental. You could take a tour to the rain forest. Unless you intend doing lots of traveling around a car is not needed. If you decide to visit Ponce consider renting a car for the day.

Jenny

As the times grow closer, I am now not sure which hotel to choose (umm..maybe I've done too much research & read too many opinions?). I know I want to stay in Isla Verde area for the beach & nightlife. I was going to stay at Inter-Continental, but based on what you said, El San Juan is the most popular hotel. Should I change to El San Juan then? Is it popular because of the casino (which I dont plan to gamble) or the resort itself? How about ESJ Towers or Embassy Suites? <BR>Also, we want to go outside SJ for one day. If we rent a car w/o reservation, is it going to be much more expensive? Thanks..