San Juan, Puerto Rico? | FerrariChat

San Juan, Puerto Rico?

Discussion in 'Latin America' started by flyguyskt, Dec 30, 2009.

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  1. flyguyskt

    flyguyskt Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2009
    443
    South Dakota
    Full Name:
    sean
    hey all i am looking for a vacation somewhere warm. flights to san juan are cheap right now. anyone from there or been there?
     
  2. Radiopilot

    Radiopilot Karting

    Dec 10, 2009
    112
    Savannah, GA
    Full Name:
    Nick R.
    Sure I'm from Puerto Rico... when we go I stay at Palmas Del Mar... you can book a weekend or whatever rent a mansion if you'd like to spend a month or more... rates are decent and for the money and safety this or the Dorado Hilton are the better places to go... At Palmas Del Mar there's horseback riding on the beach, casino, and beautiful pools and people, all one village.

    http://www.palmasdelmar.com/v2/index.php

    When you get there plan on going to 'El Yunque' rain forest, 'El Moro' Spanish Fort built in 1536, and a host of other places, if you like astronomy... make a day to visit the Arecibo Observatory (the largest radio telescope in the world)...

    Nick
     
  3. flyguyskt

    flyguyskt Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2009
    443
    South Dakota
    Full Name:
    sean
    cool thanks, i get employee rates at the radisson so room is not a concern. does a person need to rent a car? or just taxi it?
     
  4. Radiopilot

    Radiopilot Karting

    Dec 10, 2009
    112
    Savannah, GA
    Full Name:
    Nick R.
    #4 Radiopilot, Dec 30, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2009
    Definately rent a Jeep... this way you can ride up to all those trails, and up 'El Yunque'... here wet your whistle here:

    http://www.elyunque.com/

    Then there are the other beautiful beaches 'Luquillo Beach', Vega Baja Beach, and definately visit 'Ponce' home of Barcardi Rum, visit the Bacardi Mansion, and drink up on various rums... So much to do... how long you visiting? Definately do not stay at the resort all day long although very nice... the smells and sounds of Puerto Rico are unbelievable but be careful and follow the directions of others who've been there before... there are some troublesome areas in Puerto Rico but are very well known by the resort managers... ask them.

    The west part of Puerto Rico is less populated and therefore more beautiful than San Juan... but doesn't have quite the night life as Old San Juan or Isla Verde (the equivalent of Miami's South Beach) beautiful bodies, beaches, and exotic cars...

    Nick
     
  5. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    35,532
    Victory Circle
    Full Name:
    HUBBSTER
    So where is the new Black Angus ? :)

    That place was fun
     
  6. Radiopilot

    Radiopilot Karting

    Dec 10, 2009
    112
    Savannah, GA
    Full Name:
    Nick R.
    Most of our time eating at Palmas was at La Brochette... if you've been there that's where we get our Angus...

    Nick
     
  7. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    35,532
    Victory Circle
    Full Name:
    HUBBSTER
    Black Angus wasn't the Steakhouse we have in the US

    It was more place for Ladies of the Evening ;)
     
  8. Radiopilot

    Radiopilot Karting

    Dec 10, 2009
    112
    Savannah, GA
    Full Name:
    Nick R.
    Ahhhh... I get it now... I don't waste one dime on these types of places so I wouldn't know.
     
  9. flyguyskt

    flyguyskt Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2009
    443
    South Dakota
    Full Name:
    sean
    looks like ill be there first part of february, for about a week? any fishing holes you can let a guy know about?
     
  10. Radiopilot

    Radiopilot Karting

    Dec 10, 2009
    112
    Savannah, GA
    Full Name:
    Nick R.
    I'm not a fisherman type although my son and I do go out back and throw in some sinkers... might try the resort managers as they probably have some good guides/boats they use for guests... I mean they're on the resort parked waiting for guests...

    I normally take the Jeep and ride all over the island with my wife and two kids... there's so many places to visit... do you watch 'Bizarre Foods with Zimmerman' he's done a very good show on Puerto Rico and some off shoot places I've never been... some I have... next time we'll be up 4000 feet eating in a restaurant at the very top in San Lorenzo (see the link below)... excellent views...

    http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Bizarre_Foods/ci.Puerto_Rico.show?vgnextfmt=show&idLink=9d2440d78762d110VgnVCM100000698b3a0a____

    Nick
     
  11. flyguyskt

    flyguyskt Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2009
    443
    South Dakota
    Full Name:
    sean
    well we are heading to san juan in feb. also goin to spend a couple days in vieques. have a few things planned...any inside info i should KNOW??
     
  12. sailquik

    sailquik Formula 3

    Feb 27, 2006
    1,645
    In a temperate zone
    Full Name:
    Charlie
  13. sailquik

    sailquik Formula 3

    Feb 27, 2006
    1,645
    In a temperate zone
    Full Name:
    Charlie
    Best Resort outside of the metro area:
    El Conquistador: www.elconresort.com
    For tourists, I think this one is better than Palmas. Rooms are better, service is better, private island beach is better as well.

    Best hotel in the metro area:
    Ritz Carlton San Juan: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SanJuan/Default.htm
    Right in front of the best beginner surf beach, so you can rent a soft-top for $25 each morning and get your daily workout! (or better yet, take a lesson and shorten your learning curve)

    Must see?
    El Morro in old San Juan- Generally speaking, two forts, one in the land entrance to the old city called San Cristobal and one in the sea entrance (opening to SJ Bay) called San Felipe del Morro (hence the name). Designed to protect the colonial Spanish city from (mostly British) invaders. http://www.nps.gov/saju/index.htm

    El Yunque- Rainforest, walking trails, river swimming (brrr...cold water), waterfalls, good picture taking opportunities.
    http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/
    http://www.elyunque.com/about.html

    Arecibo Observatory: Largest Radio Telescope in the world, open to the public through the visitor's center. Run by Cornell University. http://www.naic.edu/

    Cuevas de Camuy: http://welcome.topuertorico.org/city/camuy.shtml

    Places to windsurf:
    http://windsurfingpr.com/windspots.htm

    Places to surf:
    http://www.surfline.com/travel/index.cfm?id=2726

    Best Marina:
    http://www.blueflag.org/Menu/Blue+Flag+beaches%2Fmarinas/2009/Southern+Hemisphere/PuertoRico/PuertoRico/Marina+Puerto+del+Rey
     
  14. flyguyskt

    flyguyskt Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2009
    443
    South Dakota
    Full Name:
    sean
  15. Ingpr

    Ingpr F1 Rookie

    Jun 30, 2009
    2,619
    PR
    Full Name:
    David
    Wow,
    Tu si sabes como disfrutar aqui!!
     
  16. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 27, 2004
    15,924
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Jim Pernikoff
    For a really good, authentic lunch, go south from San Juan on route 52 (the toll road to Ponce), take exit 33, turn left and go about 7 km to a little place called Guavate. The road there is lined on both sides with lechoneras, open-air places serving roast pork cut right off the pig, usually with machetes (!). You order by weight, and you'll probably get some of the skin, too, which is edible, but these guys do a marvelous job of avoiding fat and bones, so all else you get is meat. Have it with arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) and maduros (sweet fried plantain) and you'll eat well for under $10.

    Make sure that someone in your party is fairly fluent in Spanish; unlike in San Juan you won't get by with just English. And the road is quite slow and curvy, so be careful. You'll see a few lechoneras starting just as soon as you leave route 52, but for the best ones keep going until you reach Guavate; you'll know because suddenly they'll be one after the other on both sides of the road.

    Here's more: http://www.visit-the-coqui.com/2008/11/guavate-home-of-the-lechon/
     
  17. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2003
    5,198
    Lecusay
    I had a friend from Minnesota who went and stayed for over a year, he didn't have a penny and got a job in construction, never knew what freedom really felt like until then, his words. He went from the best to the worst places and never had any problems at all. It's pretty save but just follow your instincts as you normally would in an unknown place. Also you can easily fly to other islands near by very cheap, Saint Thomas, St. Maarten etc. Also you can charter a helicopter flight to a secluded empty island to do as you please. Good luck.
     
  18. Ingpr

    Ingpr F1 Rookie

    Jun 30, 2009
    2,619
    PR
    Full Name:
    David

    Yeah! The" Lechoneras" are the best place to eat specially at Christmas season. When you mix the pork meat with some local Moonshine, ohh man that is heaven!!!
     
  19. Pearlcoupeg35

    Pearlcoupeg35 Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2007
    293
    Chester County, PA
    Full Name:
    Jon
    I was just in PR a few months ago....spotted a nice 430 actually :) ...and had a great time. Didnt stray far from the touristy stuff but still had some amazing food and soaked up some sun too.

    I can recomend a nice dinner at a place called BARU....and a really nice Italian dinner over at the Ritz Carlton.

    Nightlife seemed to be really good in our hotel lobby (La Concha) so thats where i partied every night - but i am sure there are other cool spots.
     
  20. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Jan 2, 2006
    8,061
    Wash DC area
    Full Name:
    Robert
    Time to revive this thread!!

    I am planning on taking the family down to Puerto Rico or St Thomas in March or April and need some updates on hotel locations, please!!!

    Most of the posts are a couple years old and places can change. I was looking at the Ritz in San Juan, but it seems to be getting mixed reviews. I was also looking at the Wyndham Resort in Rio Mar, it also is getting mixed reviews.

    For sure I know the places to visit, just worried about getting a great hotel. My daughter will be 8 years old, so having a nice pool and beach with snorkeling are a must!! Calm beach water, not the big waves and such.

    Ritz on St. Thomas is pretty booked, so need other ideas there as well, for a possible destination.

    Thanks guys for any help!!!!!
     
  21. Pearlcoupeg35

    Pearlcoupeg35 Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2007
    293
    Chester County, PA
    Full Name:
    Jon

    Cant speak for how the Ritz in PR was for families since i was there with my girlfriend, but there did seem to be a good amount of young kids hanging in the lobby listening to a live band when we arrived for dinner. As for the dinner - the food there was INSANE so if thats worth anything to ya - and also, the pool area (althouhg i walked it at night) was very nice.

    Have you considered the Atlantis on Paradise Island? Another great island getaway (if you havent already been)

    Cheers!
     
  22. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Jan 2, 2006
    8,061
    Wash DC area
    Full Name:
    Robert
    Jon,

    Yea, considered Atalantis and Paradis, but you need a passport for the Bahamas and I really don't feel like spending the $150 per person for passports if I can get a vacation without them. Mine expired a couple of years back and was full anyway.

    I am strongly considering the Gran Melia in Puerto Rico, which also hosted the PGA golf tournament, must be pretty good.
     
  23. VF1Skullangel

    VF1Skullangel Formula Junior

    Nov 22, 2008
    447
    San Marcos, CA
    Full Name:
    Jay
    My family is from PR. They love it. I don't know haven't been there myself but I've gotta feeling Ill experience it soon enough :)
     
  24. Pearlcoupeg35

    Pearlcoupeg35 Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2007
    293
    Chester County, PA
    Full Name:
    Jon
    ah thats right - forgot about that. Not having to use a pp for pr is def nice. makes travel easier too.

    Didnt see the Melia when i was there but stayed in a Melia property once in Mexico and loved it - for whatever thats worth. If you do go to PR def message me - i have some killer places to eat to share with you.
     
  25. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2003
    5,198
    Lecusay
    Last time I went to the Bahamas "Nassau" it was in 2003 and the USA birth certificate was good enough for travel, but I don't know if that has changed. Puerto Rico is USA territory and you can venture out where in Nassau I wouldn't venture too much outside the tourist area.
     

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