San Juan-only 1 day?
May 17th, 2001, 05:35 PM
#1
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San Juan-only 1 day?
Work is sending me to San Juan and I will only have one day (will have rental car) to explore. I do not mind a bit of a drive but do not want to spend all day in the car. So if you could help me with any of the following it would be much appreciated.
1. What are a couple of things I should not miss?
2. Since work's paying, what's a couple of great restaurants and or cafes?
1. What are a couple of things I should not miss?
2. Since work's paying, what's a couple of great restaurants and or cafes?
May 18th, 2001, 06:46 AM
#2
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Old San Juan is worth exploring but you don't need a car for that.
The Rain Forest is about 25 miles east of San Juan and is a popular visit.
The Caves at Camuy are an interesting visit. The Caves are about 60 miles west of San Juan and would take the better part of a day. If you decided to do this you could probably fit in a tour of the Barcardi Rum plant since you could take a route that goes right by the plant. If you wanted to see the other side of the island a ride over the mountains to Ponce is scenic. Ajili Mojili on Ashford in the Condado features local cuisine and is considered to be one of the best.
The Rain Forest is about 25 miles east of San Juan and is a popular visit.
The Caves at Camuy are an interesting visit. The Caves are about 60 miles west of San Juan and would take the better part of a day. If you decided to do this you could probably fit in a tour of the Barcardi Rum plant since you could take a route that goes right by the plant. If you wanted to see the other side of the island a ride over the mountains to Ponce is scenic. Ajili Mojili on Ashford in the Condado features local cuisine and is considered to be one of the best.
May 18th, 2001, 09:50 AM
#3
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Hi David! For meals on expense account, here are a few choices in San Juan, they are all close to major hotels. Ask at your hotel how to get there or take a cab (inexpensive).
1) Augusto's - at the Excelsior Hotel in Miramar has won various awards, continental cusiine sometimes with a twist
2) Pikayo - 2 locations - one at the new Museum and the original location in Condado. Nouveau latino cuisine
3) Ajili-Mojili - in Condado. Traditional Puerto Rican food
4) Chayote - Hotel Olimpo Court in Miramar. Nouveau Latino cuisine.
5) Chef Marisoll - Old San Juan. Combination of Caribbean and continental cuisine.
With only one day to explore, your main decision will to stay in San Juan or to leave San Juan. If you decide to stay in San Juan, you can spend the day in Old San Juan. You do not need/want a car.
If you decide to leave San Juan and see some natural settings, the main decision will be what would you like to do? Do you want to go to the beach? Do you want to see the caverns (see the previous poster for some ideas)? Do you want to see the mounatins (driving to Ponce crosses the mountain range)? RQF has already given you some ideas. There are too many options, tell us what you like to do, and maybe we can suggest something specific.
One option is to take a tour of the Cabezas de San Juan - which is a nature reserve that features various eco-systems in Puerto Rico, including mangroves, reefs, etc. Because it shows the various eco-sistems it's like taking a mini-tour of the island. The Cabezas is located in Fajardo and they have various tours a day (I think their English tour is at 1 or 2 PM). Reservations are required for the tour. Their phone number is 787-722-5882. An aerial picture can be found at http://www.travelandsports.com/lcabd738.htm Nearby the Cabezas are a couple of beaches, if you still have the time, including Luquillo and Seven Seas. Be advised that Fajardo is 1 hour away from San Juan. Part of the road is highway, but [art of it is a 3-lane road with traffic lights. This road is one of my least favorites in Puerto Rico, it does not have the natural beauty of the road to Ponce, and it can get a congested, but you would be driving against the rush hour traffic, so I think you will be OK.
Enjoy!
1) Augusto's - at the Excelsior Hotel in Miramar has won various awards, continental cusiine sometimes with a twist
2) Pikayo - 2 locations - one at the new Museum and the original location in Condado. Nouveau latino cuisine
3) Ajili-Mojili - in Condado. Traditional Puerto Rican food
4) Chayote - Hotel Olimpo Court in Miramar. Nouveau Latino cuisine.
5) Chef Marisoll - Old San Juan. Combination of Caribbean and continental cuisine.
With only one day to explore, your main decision will to stay in San Juan or to leave San Juan. If you decide to stay in San Juan, you can spend the day in Old San Juan. You do not need/want a car.
If you decide to leave San Juan and see some natural settings, the main decision will be what would you like to do? Do you want to go to the beach? Do you want to see the caverns (see the previous poster for some ideas)? Do you want to see the mounatins (driving to Ponce crosses the mountain range)? RQF has already given you some ideas. There are too many options, tell us what you like to do, and maybe we can suggest something specific.
One option is to take a tour of the Cabezas de San Juan - which is a nature reserve that features various eco-systems in Puerto Rico, including mangroves, reefs, etc. Because it shows the various eco-sistems it's like taking a mini-tour of the island. The Cabezas is located in Fajardo and they have various tours a day (I think their English tour is at 1 or 2 PM). Reservations are required for the tour. Their phone number is 787-722-5882. An aerial picture can be found at http://www.travelandsports.com/lcabd738.htm Nearby the Cabezas are a couple of beaches, if you still have the time, including Luquillo and Seven Seas. Be advised that Fajardo is 1 hour away from San Juan. Part of the road is highway, but [art of it is a 3-lane road with traffic lights. This road is one of my least favorites in Puerto Rico, it does not have the natural beauty of the road to Ponce, and it can get a congested, but you would be driving against the rush hour traffic, so I think you will be OK.
Enjoy!
May 18th, 2001, 12:34 PM
#4
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We ate at a wonderful little bistro in Old San Juan called the Parrot Club. Fun twist on local food, live jazz in the evenings. Great place to watch people. There is a court yard in the back to dine al fresco but then you miss the music. Great service, great food and drinks, great fun.
May 19th, 2001, 08:35 AM
#5
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Old San Juan is nice but you can explore that in a couple of hours, other than that I would suggest getting out of San Juan. It doesn't take long to get out of the city and see a totally different Puerto Rico. We only had one night in PR and went out to Dorado for a night. It was only about a 40 minute drive but definitely worth if for the beautiful scenery and beaches.
