We are taking a family trip to PR, preceding a bare boat cruise in Virgin Islands. Want to expose our boys (6 and 9) to a different culture, snorkeling, and interesting experiences. We are also traveling with my dad, who is a lively 73.

Tell us what we are missing, what we are doing wrong, and what you suggest!

Here is our plan

Day One: night in Old San Juan (staying at Wyndham Old San Juan)

Day Two: Explore El Yunque. Possibly do a quick trip to Luquillo beach. Drive to Parguera where we will spend two nights at Villa Parguera.

Day Three: Scuba/snorkeling trip (hubby really wants to fit in scuba) in bay. Possibly go out in the bay at night for Phospheresence.

Day Four: Not sure, possibly Gilligan island, or maybe Ponce. Drive to mountains where we will stay at Parador Hacienda Gripinas.

Day Five: Take Ruta Panoramica back to San Juan. Spend one night at Tres Palmas in Ocean Beach.

Day Six: Fly out from SJU to Tortola.

You might consider visiting the caves at Camuy if you are in the vicinity. Snorkling is not that good in PR but be sure to snorkle off Norman Island in the BVI. Also plan to visit the Baths

Only one suggestion. We overnighted in SanJuan prior to a Barbados trip and stayed at Tres Palmas. It was only okay for an overnight but probably wouldn't stay there again. Suggest you check out Numero Uno which is also in Ocean Beach. We ate dinner there at Pamelas. really nice. Candlelit Tables with umbrellas right on the beach. Excellent food. Didn't see the rooms but a couple who did said they were very nice. Think the e-mail is www.numerouno.com

Thanks so much for the responses. We looked at Numero Uno, but I believe it was almost $100 more per night (220 vs. 130). Is it worth it? What were the problems with Tres Palmas? Any other options to consider?

Cheryl--Prefer to answer the question off line. Feel free to e-mail [email protected]

Cheryl, do you plan on visiting Old San Juan? I don't see it on your itinerary. It's only a 10 minute walk from your Old San Juan hotel. If you don't plan on seeing Old San Juan, I would suggest to stay at hotels near the airport Isla Verde area since the rain forest is up that way. If would be out of the way to stay at Wyndham Old San Juan if you don't plan on visiting Old San Juan. Wyndhma Old San Juan is on the water front across from the cruise terminal. It's very quiet there at night. Nothing to do. Mostly cruise passangers stay at the hotel. It's 30 minutes from airport.

Isla Verde is 5 minutes from the airport. Hotels are line up along the beach on both side of the main st. There are fast food and nice restaurant along the main st. Food for every budget and you can walk around at night without problem. I stayed there & like it since you can walk around at night at Isla Verde and feel safe. But you can't walk around at the Wyndham Old San Juan since it's dead at night and no restaurant near by.
The Isla Verde beach is public beach. So even you don't stay at a hotel on the beach, you still can go to the beach. Water is calm & clean. No snorkel. Hotels across the street from the beach are cheaper. There are many hotels to choose from & fit all budgets. We stayed at the hotel next to Wyndham San Juan (the most expensive hotel) on the beach. Across the Street from the hotel is a shopping plaza with a small grocery store & fast foods. So for a family, it's good to buy bottle water, breads, cereal, fruits, cheese, etc. from the market to save money on restaurant. You can't find these stores in old San Juan. There is a bus stop in front of the hotel, we took bus to Old San Juan for $0.25. The bus takes 30 mintues and you get to see the neighhood (good & bad) from Isla Verde to Old San Juan. If you don't want to see Old San Juan, then rent a car and drive to the rain forest, takes about 1 hour. Traffic is light in that direction but roads are confusing. You'll need good direction since the rain forest entrance is not easy to find.