Thread: First time toPuerto Rico..suggestions?

how many people? do you want to stay near SJU? are you renting a vehicle? are you hoping to dodge the cruise pax?
we'll all be happy to contribute 2 cents worth of advice...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jpammit @ Jan 15 2008, 03:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

getting away with friends for a few days to Puerto Rico..into the nightlife, beaches, sights and sounds of the beautiful island..first time for us all..suggestions for those who only have a few days there?[/b]

I&#39;ve only been once but if I went again I would not stay in SJU like we did. It&#39;s expensive and not so nice. Check out the Fort and old areas of SJU but then venture out. Google "paradors". They are a system of local hotels kind of like B&Bs. They&#39;re more local and not like an american chain hotel. I think they&#39;re government sponsored.

Definitely hike in the rain forest. That was cool.

I&#39;d like to go over to Ponce. It&#39;s on the Caribbean side. SJU is Atlantic. If I couldn&#39;t make it all the way over to Ponce, I would check out ferry&#39;s over to Veiques or Culebra, smaller islands off the coast.

If you are choosing to stay near SJU/Old San Juan (with bus access) there are a few family-friendly small inns on the beach.
www.trespalmasinn.com nice place/people--they will address possible discount if not pre-cruise. across from water/beach with skinny road between--rooftop jacuzzis

I liked www.numero1guesthouse.com aka numero uno on the beach parador--a bit pricey sometimes...

If you&#39;re interested in cool place--Vieques is the hot island off to the east of PR--used to be primarily US Naval base( remember the news stories about "bombing" the beaches??) It has changed dramatically--still slightly remote, but that can be very good!!

I agree w/Chris about getting away form SJU unless you have short stay. Local buses are very friendly way to get around, too.