Sara

We're leaving Wednesday for Puerto Rico, and I'm a bit bummed about the weather report - looks like it will be pretty rainy. We'll be spending four days on Vieques, and it shows thunderstorms and rain for most of that time. This was supposed to be our beach vacation part of the trip, but a beach is not a safe place to be during thunderstorms! After a cold, rainy spring here in New England, we were really looking forward to sunny days on the beach! We'd planned to do snorkling and kayaking - and, of course, take a biio-bay tour. Is there anything to do on Vieques on rainy days? Unfortunately, our guest house requires a four night stay, so we can't change our plans without losing a lot of money. Will it be a rough crossing on the ferry if it's stormy?

We also plan a day trip to Aricebo to see the Cumay Caves and the big radio telescope. I've read that they sometimes close the caves on rainy days due to slick conditions. The weather report predicts scattered thunderstorms in Aricebo for each day we'll be in PR. Does anyone know how likely it is that the caves will be closed, and how far ahead of time they make that decision? I need to arrange a rental car for that trip, and I don't want to rent a car and drive the two hours there from San Juan, only to discover the cave tours have been cancelled.

Thanks for any insights.

Momburd

We visited Puerto Rico from April 4-12 and had 87 degrees/sunny, blue skies daily. We had 2 rains which lasted less than 5 minutes each. For 2 weeks before we arrived and the week that we were in P.R. the internet showed daily rain! I, like you, was very concerned, but it was beautiful weather daily! Sure hope you have the same luck!
Can not help with info on Vieques as we did not visit the island. We did snorkel off Vieques at some beautiful beaches. The snorkeling was OK, not great, but PR is not known for great snorkeling.
We did the bio-bay tour and it was amazing fun! Also, visited the Caverns, but no rain , so again, can not help with your ?.
Hopefully you can get e-mail HELP from someone that lives in P.R.
ENJOY!

soggydollar

mombird-do you plan to do a trip report??

also, sara, do not pay attention to the weather. i live here during the winter months and was living through the rainy spell when you first posted, it went away. part of theisland had rain and clouds today, but you just never know what will happen. we do not have tv and radio does not much mention weather. but everything is beautiful and green now!

Momburd

To Soggydollar.... I was not planning on doing a trip report, but will answer questions if someone needs my limited info! We stayed at the San Juan Intercontinental Hotel and Casino (10 miles east of San Juan) which was a typical "Intercontinental"..nice beach location/ large pool area, amenities were fine. We did not rent a car, as we relied on tours arranged at the Concierge desk which were well organized, prompt and the easy way to travel around the area! We had originally planned to rent a car, but decided we did not want to pay $20 daily to park at the hotel, and be bothered with the local traffic. We used the public busses and our feet! If you take a public bus into San Juan it is 75 cents in exact change only.
We went into San Juan on a Monday as it was the best day for no cruise ships in the port. Very historical..enjoyed the forts and vast amount of info available to read and see. Loved Aquaviva for dinner!
We are avid snorklers, so knew before we went to P.R. that it would not be the highlight of our trip. (some trips we snorkel daily!!)
Our family of 3 (parents/16 year old son) all recommend night kayaking into the bioluminescent bay for an "illuminating" experience!

The restaurants near the Intercontinental Hotel we choose were good....especially enjoyed the rice/beans as a side dish . YUM Good red snapper, as well as other seafood. If you love steak and want to eat "American" go to Ruth's Chris.
If someone has a specific ? just e-mail me and will gladly answer it.
As I listen to the furnace run I DREAM of my many walks on the beach...especially in the morning as I atched the sun rise!
Also, for the people wondering about currency and so on, please remember P.R. is a territory of the U.S.A.and is not uncivilized. Enjoy P.R.

betty158

Puerto Rico's weather is unpredictable. When the weather report says rain, most likely it won't. Rain here in Puerto Rico normally lasts about a few minutes. It may be thundering on one side and 10 ft. away from you its clear and sunny. We stayed in the Martineau Bay Hotel in Vieques and it was wonderful. I had never stayed at such a beautiful beachfront room ever. Till' this day and I've traveled a bit I've never seen a room layout as this one. Don't know where you are staying, but the Vieques island is rather small and not much to do, but water sports. Enjoy the bioluminiscent bay in Vieques its a surreal experience. In Arecibo the telescope is great. We had seen it once on X-Files and my kids were excited to be in a place where they had seen on tv. The temperature is great here. If it does rain the ferry is not a good idea. There is an airport on the island and Vieques Air flyes daily for about $50 per person for a 10 minute trip to Fajardo, Puerto Rico on the main island. The ferry is cheaper, but timewise the plane trip is better. Enjoy Puerto Rico! I hope I was some help to you.

tinyteacup

I know this is an old post but if it is rainy this is a charming musuem where the guards come up to you and answer all your questions

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Avenida De Diego 299
Santurce, Puerto Rico 00909