need advice... bahamas or puerto rico?

[vicb]

Trying to decide IF we are able to do a family vacation around xmas/new years should we go to Puerto Rico or Bahamas (Paradise Island)?? and if we did Bahamas should we do Atlantis or not? Just not even sure where to start with planning on this so any thoughts or advice is much appreciated. I've never been to either, just a lot of Florida trips, not sure Mexico appeals to us.

Traveling will be myself, DH, DD (20) and DS (17). Looking for warmth and sun either by pool or beach, relaxation, good food and some tourist activities but not a lot, more relaxing.

 

[Rabscuttle]

I am partial to Puerto Rico. Its almost guaranteed to be warmer. Old San Juan is beautiful. I love El Morro, the fort. El Junque the rainforest and the beaches are wonderful. The people are nice too.

 

[vicb]

I am partial to Puerto Rico. Its almost guaranteed to be warmer. Old San Juan is beautiful. I love El Morro, the fort. El Junque the rainforest and the beaches are wonderful. The people are nice too.

We could only be there for 4 full days (not the flying in and out days) would that be enough time? Any hotel recommendations?

 

[Wishing on a star]

What are your tastes...
Beaches.
Culture.
Sightseeing.
Relaxing.
Active.

The options are as varied as night and day!
So, it is all about choosing what is right for you.

I am a beach person...

As such, it would be somewhere with nice white sand beaches, like the bahamas. I would LOVE to go somewhere in the Great Exuma's where it seems so incredible... Where those gorgeous beach scenes were filmed in Pirates of the Caribbean. What was 'Isla Cruces' I think?

Turks and Caicos, Grace Bay Beach, is also that amazing.
I think it would still be fairly warm.
But, can be VERY pricey.

If one we more into the Latin American, Puerto Rico, Architecture, etc.. then Puerto Rico might be a choice. But, It wouldn't be my first choice.

In fact, if you are actually talking any week during Christmas-NewYears Holiday.... Prices for any caribbean beach vacation or cruise are the highest you will find, ever.

Check weather.com and wunderground, etc.. for the temperature averages.

I am afraid that you might have to go further south to be guaranteed warmer weather in December.

 

[tazlikesrobots]

Partial to Puerto Rico, but I must confess that I used to live there

Old San Juan is well worth the visit as well as the el Yunque rainforest. I will recomment staying outside the San Juan resorts as they tend to have the nice beaches with all the palm trees you see in the commercials!

 

[vicb]

I know it will be expensive time to go but I have one in college and one in HS and this is the only vacation they have in common. We might have the option to fly out NYday and return on the 6th before they both go back to school, not sure if it would be less crowded or expensive that week as opposed to between xmas and nye. Air fare looks similar at this point.

We are Hilton rewards members and can use points if we stay at a Hilton family hotel so that helps on the cash outlay.

We want some beach and some activity. I saw a cool zip line adventure in PR and Old SJ is appealing. I am not sure I'd like the crowds during the holidays at Atlantis.

I just checked weather.com averages and PR is definitely warmer on average than Paradise Island at that time of year. Hmmmmm.....

Neither is a direct flight from our airport unfortunately.

 

[Teacher Princess]

I would go with my hometown Puerto Rico..
The beaches are beautiful, our money currency is the dollar$ ( so you won't need money exchange) and you would love the Rainforest "El Yunque" as well as the delicious ( seafood as well as other restaurants) If you can stay in the "Isla Verde" area even better,. We have hotels like Holiday Inn and The Embassy Suites, is just a few miles away from the " Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan ( San Juan is our Capital) .
And also ( if things have not change) Americans do not need a Passport to travel to P.R. since is a USA Commonwealth and USA Territory..!

Check this websites for more information:

www.seepuertorico.com
www.topuertorico.org

and www.puerto-rico-tourism.com

There is also a county called "Arecibo" where they have the "Arecibo Radio Telescope Obseravatory and it's impresive and in my opinion worth to see!! this is their website as well: www.naic.edu . The movie "Contact" with Jodie Foster was filmed in there..

Good luck with your decision and I hope I help you in some way..

Proud Army wife of Major "G" and ESL Teacher..

 

[Rabscuttle]

I would go with my hometown Puerto Rico..
The beaches are beautiful, our money currency is the dollar$ ( so you won't need money exchange) and you would love the Rainforest "El Yunque" as well as the delicious ( seafood as well as other restaurants) If you can stay in the "Isla Verde" area even better,. We have hotels like Holiday Inn and The Embassy Suites, is just a few miles away from the " Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan ( San Juan is our Capital) .
And also ( if things have not change) Americans do not need a Passport to travel to P.R. since is a USA Commonwealth and USA Territory..!

Check this websites for more information:

www.seepuertorico.com
www.topuertorico.org

and www.puerto-rico-tourism.com

There is also a county called "Arecibo" where they have the "Arecibo Radio Telescope Obseravatory and it's impresive and in my opinion worth to see!! this is their website as well: www.naic.edu . The movie "Contact" with Jodie Foster was filmed in there..

Good luck with your decision and I hope I help you in some way..

Proud Army wife of Major "G" and ESL Teacher..

Darn! I KNEW I was spelling it wrong! Sorry about that. But yes, its a beautiful rain forest.

 

[stsomewhere]

What about a 3 or 4 night cruise?

 

[mjkacmom]

I haven't been to Puerto Rico, but I've visited the Bahamas during 3 cruises - Puerto Rico would be my pick. Atlantis is great, but I hear it gets VERY crowded at peak times. It's pretty poor, and the water will be chilly - I found it a little chilly in the beginning of November!

 

[Darcy03231]

Here's another vote for Puerto Rico. We like to stay in Old San Juan at Da House. www.dahousehotelpr.com It's not on the beach, but we just love the feel of staying right in Old San Juan.

 

[Imzadi]

The ocean there is fabulous in either place. Lots of snorkeling there to see the coral reefs & the marine life.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

You can also use your Hilton rewards to stay at the Caribe Hilton, which is at the entrance of Old San Juan, perfect location to go explore the city. Although, I suggest you either take a cab or drive to get into Old San Juan otherwise it would be a loooooong walk. The Hilton would be ideal for your family as you will be minutes away from great dining (onsite, in Old San Juan or in El Condado), on a private beach, with great amenities (pools, tennis court) and a wonderful spa for mom . Here is their website www.caribehilton.com

 

[malibuconlee]

I have never been, but when I worked in construction we did a couple of projects there. My boss, who could be a tightwad, would stay at the Ritz when he went to San Juan. He said the mid-price hotels there were not up to the standards on the mainland. This was about 10 years ago, maybe a little more.

 

[Jestocost]

The Bahamas can be downright chilly relative to Puerto Rico during the Christmas holiday season. Average December high and low temps in the Bahamas are 72/55, whereas in PR it's 84/72. Of course those are averages, so it can be warmer or colder in either location on any given day.

 

[kimmar067]

....Ive been to Paradise Island twice and PR 9 times....personally, I think you get more bang for your buck in PR. However, I like this little known place that's on the WEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND - Villas Montanas, located in Isabela, PR. If you just want a quick getaway where you can totally VEG OUT, this is the place to stay....no gambling, no tourists, no heavy traffic - just peace and tranquility and an awesome private beach!