kosberg

Hello!

Looking for some help planning my husband and I's first vacation as a married couple in Puerto Rico!

We will be heading to San Juan May 6th- 15th. Anyone have hotel recommendations that are moderately priced and in a good location to the beach and elsewhere? Also, we would like to do a mix of things -- i.e. pool/beach and exploring (i.e. hiking, etc.)....does anyone have any recommendations on things that we should definitely consider visiting? Also, do you need to rent a car or is it pretty easy to get around?

Thanks for all the help!

Kristina

RoamsAround

Define "moderately priced" in terms of actual dollars- what you think is moderate may be extravagant for some and way too little for others.

Also, what do you mean by "good location to the beach"? Do you want beach front, a Few blocks away or a couple of miles from the beach?

San Juan has everything from a Holidsy Inn Express to a Ritz Carlton.

Google "things to do in San Juan" for lots of great suggestions. What's best depends on your interests. There are forts, museums, rum factories, beaches and many other historical points of interest in San Juan. Outside SJU you'll find rainforests, golf, hiking, snorkeling, outlying villages, nearby islands, etc.

You can get around San Juan by bus or taxis fairly easily. If you want to venture outside the city then a rental car is best.

kosberg

Thanks for the quick response!

I was thinking more like $150-170/night and for the beach I was hoping to be within walking distance.

Jimmie

I think you can find hotels close to that price range, but hotel tax and resort fee will put you a little over. I like the Intercontinental in the Isla Verde neighborhood and am staying at the Mariott Stellaris in the Condado area this July. Check TripAdvisor for prices and reviews.

RoamsAround

Holiday Inn Express
Hampton Inn & Suites
Embassy Suites

All should be close to your budget and are located in Isle Verde within 2 to 3 blocks of the beach and within walking distance of shops & restaurants. Easy bus ride to Old San Juan.

Also look at Courtyard by Marriott and Intercontinental - both are beachfront but might be slightly above your budget.

kosberg

Excellent, thanks everyone! If we want to experience the rain forest for a day, what is the best way to do that? Tour, etc?

Jimmie

It's not that hard a drive if you're up for renting a car for the day. Get to the rain forest early if you can, to beat the heat and the crowds.

Jimmie

Keep an eye out for Zika sales on hotels. There was an article in the NYT about that today.

kosberg

Thanks -- good suggestion! One last thing before I book our hotel, is Carolina in San Juan the best place to stay for beach and easy access to Old San Juan and the rain forest? I know we'll need to likely drive to the rain forest but I just want to make sure I am booking in the right place for the beach and nearby restaurants/bars.

Thanks!!

tom42

Carolina is a municipality. Isla Verde is a neighborhood within Carolina. Isla Verde is the main tourist area of Carolina - it includes a number of hotels right on the beach and is about a 20 minute taxi ride to Old San Juan.

Condado is another option for a beach stay with easy access to Old San Juan. It is a neighborhood within the municipality of San Juan. There are also a number of beachfront hotels in Condado and it is closer to Old San Juan than is Isla Verde.

Isla Verde and Condado would be pretty much equal in access to the rainforest. And both areas have restaurants that you can walk to from your hotel, although the choice of non-hotel restaurants is better in Condado.

kosberg

Got it, thank you for clearing that up!