My husband and I usually travel to Isla Mujeres, MX every October. For 2014 we thought we'd try Puerto Rico for something different. We have flights booked for Oct 22 - 31, 2014(9 nights). We are interested in being beach front - want a view of the water and a balcony. Would like to be walking distance to restaurants and night life, as we only want to rent a car for a day or two of island exploring. Want to chill out on the beach during the day. I'm not sure which area would be best for our needs. Suggestions are appreciated. I would like to keep our budget below $250 per day for lodging if possible. I've found some nice private condos but not sure about the locations (Isla Verde and Condido), but we might want more personal service of a resort or hotel. Appreciate feedback. Thank you, NancyO

Isla Verde has the best beaches in the San Juan area, Condado is the older tourist center, close to historic Old San Juan. Both areas have night life but I'd suggest you stay in Isla Verde and it's only a few minutes by taxi to Condado if you run out of things to do near your condo or hotel.

I just got back from San Juan and stayed at the Marriott in Condado. I did have a nice ocean-front balcony room, and I got a reasonable price through Southwest airlines. There are plenty of restaurants and stuff within walking distance, I even walked to the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, and you could walk to the contemporary art museum, also. It is right on the bus line to/from old San Juan, but be warned that the bus service is horrible and you can't count on it. Taxis seemed to cost about $15-18 everywhere I went (ie, old town back as the bus never showed up, from Las Americas mall to the hotel, etc.). I waited for the bus twice about an hour and it never showed up, even though it is supposed to stop about every 15 minutes weekdays and 30 minutes on Sunday.

However, the beach there is really not that great, so if the beach is important, you should stay more in Isla Verde. The Marriott has a small strip of beach with lounge chairs, but the water was really rough when I was there and you weren't even supposed to go in (although some people did). The sand is nothing like what you are used to in Mexico, either -- maybe it is elsewhere, but it wasn't at that beach, it was just kind of the harder brown sand. I didn't like the beach there very much, nothing close to Isla Mujeres, which I did like a lot. If chilling out on the beach during the day is a big deal to you, you might want to stay elsewhere. However, it could suit you if you really don't want to do anything but sit in a chair looking at the water as there were plenty of folks there doing that.

If you have not decided on a place to stay you can check out my trip report, on April 6, 2012. Our family stayed at the El Conquistador in Farajdo. Enjoy your time, I like to switch up destinations also!

The original poster wants to be able to walk to restaurants, etc. and you certainly can NOT walk to restaurants and night life from the El Conquistador. In fact, you have to take their ferry to get to the beach.
I would agree with the Isla Verde area. The beach is nice and there are all sorts of restaurants there. Taxis are readily available if you want to go into Old San Juan.

We had planned a trip to PR for this November. After several months of research, we decided it was not what we wanted and scrapped the trip. We travel to Mexico almost every year. PR is really going to be the opposite experience to Mexico.

PR is a huge metropolitan city with a beach. I found that the Condado area has the most restaurants and nightlife within walking distance and closer to the San Juan area. Isla Verde has the better beaches, but not so much within walking distance and much farther to San Juan, so it's a trade off to what you really want; beach or convenience. The most recommended hotels were the Marriott and the La Concha in Condado. We are so used to finding great prices for food and drinks in Mexico. One of the things that really turned us away was the exorbitant prices for food and drinks there.

If you never leave the city of San Juan (not PR or OLD San Juan) then that will be your experience, a city. The same would be true in a Mexican city. So saying Mexico is the opposite of Puerto Rico is just silly. If the OP wants a beach out of the city in Puerto Rico there are plenty. But if a great beach AND nightlife then we're back to the Greater Metropolitan San Juan area. It's what the OP is asking.

Not really. I have been to PR before though it was several years ago. Have you ever been to Isla Mujeres or the Riviera Maya area or Mexico? If you have then you will know what I am talking about. Comparing PR to Isla Mujeres or the Riviera Maya area of Mexico is comparing apples to oranges. It's not silly by no means to say they are quit opposite.

Ah, well, never mind then. We seem to have missed the point. As you say, apples to oranges which means the comparison is faulty by definition. In any case, since Nancy says "thought we'd try Puerto Rico for something different" your criticism may be a moot point.

"...there is a LOT more to Puerto Rico than just San Juan and it's metropolitan area. It is a beautiful island with a lot to offer."

Thanks, schmerl, my point too and maybe clearer coming from another angle or a different voice. I should not have used the "s" word. Apologies, I was frustrated.

Schmerl, I do agree with your comment. When I typed PR, I meant the San Juan area, which is the area the OP implied where they wanted to stay. Again, I have been to PR and that is my personal opinion of San Juan. I also believe it's a very nice destination with plenty to offer. We are hoping to return eventually. During our recent research I was quite disappointed in the reviews of the hotels and the high prices of food and drink, which is why we scrapped the trip for now. We decide if we wanted to pay those prices we rather go to Costa Rica instead.

I was frustrated also. It might be best in the future for others to not respond so harshly or jump to inaccurate conclusions of what others knowledge is or isn't especially when you do not know them. I do understand though things that are typed may not necessarily relate in the manner in which it was attempted to be stated.

I stand by my original post of Condado vs Isla Verde. The OP will probably have to make concessions of which is really important to them; beach or walking distance to restaurants and nightlife. Another reason we scrapped our trip as we didn't want to make those concessions.

If the OP is wanting something different than Mexico, than PR would definitely be that.

I stick by my posts too. My retraction is for the single word only. I jumped to no conclusions, as I said, "I know nothing about you". It has gotten boring though and I accept my half of the blame. Sorry readers.

...My wife and I have traveled to PR a number of times. We generally drive a lot and have been to many of the major areas on the island. Given what you want to do, you probably need to be near a car rental place. My recommendation would be for you to stay in Isla Verde, Fajardo or for some place different, Arecibo. Isla Verde gives you access to the beach, great views and you are within easy walking of night spots and you could easily go to Viejo San Juan, Bacardi's and more.
...Fajardo has El Conquistador with its private beach accessible by boat. There are also many places to see in the area including Las Bocas de San Juan wildlife area, a bioluminescent bay and many restaurants. A short trip to El Yunque should also be included.
...Arecibo is much less touristy. Some great beaches and nearby are a cave area, an observatory and some mountain lakes.
...Although you may not find everything you want, consider Rincón on the north west coast. Laid back but with great beaches, good restaurants, night life and lovely places to stay.
...Arecibo and Rincón are more difficult to get to than are Isla Verde and Fajardo but would help you meet your $250 daily budget for housing.