My Guide to Puerto Rico!

[Caribbeanprincess]

So, I've been getting asked a lot by other members of the forums about vacationing in my little home island of Puerto Rico. So I thought I'd start a thread where those of you planning to vacation here can ask questions and ask for recommendations and I'll do my best to give you all the info you need.

I'm here to help!

 

[pr surfer]

bump de un boricua a otro

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Hey there!

 

[Uncle Remus]

So, I've been getting asked a lot by other members of the forums about vacationing in my little home island of Puerto Rico. So I thought I'd start a thread where those of you planning to vacation here can ask questions and ask for recommendations and I'll do my best to give you all the info you need.

I'm here to help!

I can't visit any time soon, but please run your toes thru the beach sand there for me.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

I can't visit any time soon, but please run your toes thru the beach sand there for me.

Will do!

 

[pr surfer]

Hey there!

Cómo esta todo? De donde eres?

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Cómo esta todo? De donde eres?

Muy bien. Soy de San Juan.

 

[pr surfer]

Muy bien. Soy de San Juan.

neat... Soy de SJ tambien, pero vivo en las islas virgenes.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Will do!

Muchas gracias.

 

[Mayra]

cool thread!!!

 

[clarabelle]

ok since you offered...
Is Puerto Rico a lot like going to some of the other Island vacation destinations?
Does it have all inclusive resorts?
How expensive is it Compared to US hotels?

Thanks

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

ok since you offered...
Is Puerto Rico a lot like going to some of the other Island vacation destinations?
Does it have all inclusive resorts?
How expensive is it Compared to US hotels?

Thanks

I would say it's pretty much like other islands in the Caribbean, I mean we share the same sea. But I guess Puerto Rico is different in that there's a lot to do and because we have a relationship with the US you can find many of the same things here.

I believe there is only 1 all inclusive resort in the island and it is quite expensive.

I wouldn't say it's expensive, it all depends on where you decide to stay. The big and famous hotels in the metropolitan area can go anywhere from $100 a night to upwards of $500, depending on the season of course. Summer is a good time to be here because most hotels have big specials. There is also the alternative of staying in 'Paradores' which are our version of the motel. They're small, inexpensive and usually located near the beach or some cultural place.

No prob.

 

[4nana]

Well hello Caribbeanprincess!

We will be visiting your beautiful PR in April, unfortunately only for one day (via cruise) and are in process of researching. We are interested in learning more about and touring old historical SJ, so will be following this thread with much interest. Any info/advise you may have to offer will be much appreciated!
TIA

BTW ~ pls. don't be offended, but your video siggie sorta creeps me out!?!?!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Well hello Caribbeanprincess!

We will be visiting your beautiful PR in April, unfortunately only for one day (via cruise) and are in process of researching. We are interested in learning more about and touring old historical SJ, so will be following this thread with much interest. Any info/advise you may have to offer will be much appreciated!
TIA

BTW ~ pls. don't be offended, but your video siggie sorta creeps me out!?!?!

Oh, awesome! There's quite a lot to do at Old SJ. First off, there is a lot of good shopping with great discounts. We have Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Coach, Dooney and Burke, etc. Plus a lot of souvenir stores where you can find bargain gifts. Be sure to visit El Morro, the fort where Pirates was almost filmed. It's beautiful and a great place to fly a kite. You can also visit La Fortaleza, the official home of our governor, and have a tour. For food be sure to visit La Bombonera for really good typical food and be sure to have a Mallorca and fresh lemonade. Hard Rock Cafe is another amazing place to eat.

Oh and my video siggie is from the Twilight movie, hehe

 

[LoraJ]

We'll also be there in April. We will be staying at the Marriott Stellaris hotel & Casino for a couple of nights before our cruise. Do you know of any good restaurants in that area?

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

We'll also be there in April. We will be staying at the Marriott Stellaris hotel & Casino for a couple of nights before our cruise. Do you know of any good restaurants in that area?

There is a very good restaurant about a 15 minute walk from your hotel called Ropa Vieja, it has Cuban food. I've never been there myself, but I've heard very good things about it. There's also a great pizzeria nearby, but I can't recall the name at the moment.

 

[pr surfer]

ok since you offered...
Is Puerto Rico a lot like going to some of the other Island vacation destinations?
Does it have all inclusive resorts?
How expensive is it Compared to US hotels?

Thanks

Puerto Rico shares some cultural elements with other Caribbean islands, as well as a similar climate to the other mountainous islands in the region (wet up north, dry down south, daily rainstorms in summer); however, culturally it is quite unique. The majority of the islands that people consider vacation destinations were settled by the English, French, Dutch, and Danish, and have lovely diasporas... Puerto Rico was settled by the Spanish and had quite harsh immigration standards, so as a result, it is quite homogenic (this isn't to say there isn't diversity. There is... but what Puerto Ricans have in common with each other far outweighs their differences). Immigrants to PR up until the US claimed it as a war prize, quickly assimilated and brought their skills but none of their baggage. So as a result, you have lots of last names like O'Neill and Giovanetti... but no Guinness and no Italian Mob. Also, compared to other Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico is likely the most urbanized. Some might disagree with me and say that Santo Domingo or Kingston (or even Havana) takes the prize... but I think they're wrong. I've been to those 4 cities, and I believe that PR is the most urban of the islands.

There are a few all inclusives in PR... the Gran Meliá Coco Beach, the Westin Rio Mar, the Wyndham El Conquistador, and Copamarina among others.

Prices are going to be more expensive than in the US, but as far as the Caribbean is concerned, PR is one of the cheaper destinations. I believe that the Dominican Republic is the only cheaper destination... but for Americans without a passport, it isn't an option.

 

[LoraJ]

There is a very good restaurant about a 15 minute walk from your hotel called Ropa Vieja, it has Cuban food. I've never been there myself, but I've heard very good things about it. There's also a great pizzeria nearby, but I can't recall the name at the moment.

We actually ate at Ropa Vieja the last time we were there. I think I had a ropa vieja quesadilla and it was delicious.

 

[pr surfer]

We'll also be there in April. We will be staying at the Marriott Stellaris hotel & Casino for a couple of nights before our cruise. Do you know of any good restaurants in that area?

Make a left out of the hotel and you'll have Danny's (VERY casual argentine food, open late... GREAT pizzas), and Ummo (argentine grill. Expensive, good). Across the street from those two, you have Via Appia, which was my childhood pizza place, and Tijuana's which serves Mexican.

Make a right out of the hotel, and you'll come across a newer Sushi place. I haven't tried this one yet. Go a few blocks more, past the fast food places, past La Concha (actually, stop in there for a drink), and then you'll have more choices.

There is a very good restaurant about a 15 minute walk from your hotel called Ropa Vieja, it has Cuban food. I've never been there myself, but I've heard very good things about it. There's also a great pizzeria nearby, but I can't recall the name at the moment.

Tremendous place Sorry I stole your thread.. lol

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

No problem, more info! I don't really know all the names of places, but I do my best, lol