So my spouse has a work trip to Puerto Rico in April, and we are going to head down early and take a few days vacation before and after. The town where we will be working is either Santa Isabel or Isabella, I am not clear on which at this point, and they are on opposite sides of the island. Anyway, I would appreciate recommendations of great, yet affordable places to stay and stuff to do there. I am thinking that we should split our time between something rustic and on the inexpensive side, like an ecolodge, and then splurge on a couple days at a more upscale place on the beach. Work will be paying for the hotel during the work, so we probably don't have a lot of choice there.

I know we want to spend a little time in san juan and maybe check out the nightlife there a little, but I think we just want to find somewhere tranquil and natural to relax and hike birdwatch for at least part of our trip.

Suggestions please?

2/26/2009 10:55:18 AM

El Yunque is a small but nice rain forest near San Juan. There's a short hike that ends at a waterfall. It's not going to be devoid of other tourists, but it's not jam-packed either.

See the fort at San Juan. It's pretty awesome how far its walls go, plus it's cool to know that it was built hundreds of years ago and is still standing.

2/26/2009 10:58:20 AM

smoke the tree

2/26/2009 11:00:58 AM

yeah, i have been looking at ecolodges and that type thing on the border of el yunque. is it a reasonable drive to go into san juan for day trips?

2/26/2009 11:05:30 AM

i went over a decade ago and stayed with some family friends. they took us to a place called "Gilligan's Island". its a tiny island that's a short boat ride to the south. the fun of it is the grotto/mangroves that you pass through while sipping on a drank or two. it was off the beaten track back then, but seems to be well known now..

google "gilligan's island puerto rico"

and see if its still worth checking out

2/26/2009 11:11:43 AM

im going to PR in april too.

im gonna eat food and sit on the beach

2/26/2009 11:37:34 AM

I guess thats our basic plan when we arent picking soybeans but I don't want to be surrounded by drunk people constantly and eat pasta more than one meal, haha

2/26/2009 11:54:20 AM

Thing to do in PR

Hiking: El yunque national rainforest is always a treat
Kayaking: The best would be to kayak in Fajardo at night in the biolume bay. It is a bay that at night, when the water moves, it turns neon green due to a microoganism that lives in it.

Beaches: Depends...
Ocean Park is in COndado, San Juan. The "cool" beach. Very nice, but gets crowded in the weekend. The spot were locals go.

Rincon: To the west of the island, spectacular beaches for surfer (2 hour drive from san juan).

Isabela: Also amazing beaches, both this and rincon are top notch for surfing

Avoid: Cabo Rojo (filthy)

Isla Verde: the hotel beaches, not bad.

If you have time I suggest you to take ferry from Fajardo to culebra island for a day. Flemenco beach is top ten beach .

2/26/2009 3:56:11 PM

El Conquistador is an awesome resort.

2/26/2009 4:22:41 PM

bump

2/9/2010 8:51:44 AM

If you get a chance Vieques Island is a pretty neat place a couple of miles off the east end of the mainland. From what I remember it wasn't very expensive or crowded. There is also the bioluminescent bay on the island which is pretty cool to visit at night, however I believe there is also one on the mainland.

El Yunque and the fort/old San Juan is a definite for a visit if you can make it.

2/9/2010 12:48:19 PM

Traveling in May. I've been to San Juan, so I know what's up in that city.

Anyone ever rented a car and driven around the island? Any cool locales/beaches/festivals that you know about that you want to share? Any other ideas for day-trips in El Yunque?

I think we're definitely going to Fajardo, maybe Ponce.

2/9/2010 12:48:27 PM

^^ There's a great new resort (W resort) opening on Vieques Island in March. If you need a discount, let me know.

2/9/2010 1:09:09 PM

ponce was beautiful. we stayed in the hilton there, i'd definitely recommend it. we took a back road from el yuque to ponce. you can take the highway but being off the highway is infinitely more exciting. dont be afraid to stop at the little open air restaurants in the mountains- our best meal on the island only cost us like 10 dollars total with lots of criollo fare.

2/9/2010 4:18:11 PM

Quote :

"but being off the highway is infinitely more exciting"

Always the best way to go, no matter where you are

2/9/2010 4:44:24 PM

Culebra - Just awesome
El Yunque - Hiking
Arecibo Observatory - Science
Rincon - Surfing
Old San Juan - Historical
Isabela - Fun place

2/9/2010 8:25:13 PM

We stayed in Dorado last year. really nice beaches. then we drove to san juan and el yunque for day trips.

2/9/2010 9:57:41 PM