My husband and I are planning to spend two weeks in Puerto Rico next Christmas -- never been and not sure what to start. We are in our early 40s, no kids (prefer to stay in adult-only settings), casua
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My husband and I are planning to spend two weeks in Puerto Rico next Christmas -- never been and not sure what to start.
We are in our early 40s, no kids (prefer to stay in adult-only settings), casual/laid-back, like golf and spa, good food and casual bars, but nice hotels where we are pampered. We prefer smaller boutique hotels vs. the mega resort. We are more beach town than busy cities with discos.
We would like to stay in more than one location to really take it in. Any recommendations on where I should start would be great?
A number of years ago my wife and I spent a week traveling around the island. We rented a car and stayed at small inns that were called "Paradores de Puerto Rico. There were a number of them situated in different parts of the island- some in the central mountains and some near the coast. I don't know if they still exist but if they do, I would recommend a week doing this and a week in the San Juan area where you stay at one hotel and do the golf and spa thing as well as taking in the sites of the capital. Google "Paradores de Puerto Rico" to find them. Enjoy your trip- Puerto Rico is fantastic.
If yodu want a unique experience try Vieques Island. You can fly there from San Juan airport or better, a 90 minute drive to the far side of Puerto Rico, park your rental in a secured lot and take a hour long ferry (costs about 7 bucks round trip) to a beautiful place. It has small botique hotels, beautiful, secluded beaches and very friendly residents. Vieques also boasts one of the finest bioluminescent bays in the entire world...don't miss it! It is one of the most beautiful and lesser known islands in the Caribbean.
Two weeks should give you plenty of time to do a few things but be alerted that Puerto Rico has the longest Christmas season ever. Everyone is in a festive mood but that also means things slow down somewhat (too much partying on the previous night?) Also, very few vendors will provide watersports activities during "winter" because it is cold (70F city/65 mountains is cold for locals) and seas are a little rough. Nevertheless, if your stay extends until mid-January, you might get to be here during the "Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian" where the streets of Old San Juan become a huge party scene with displays of music and art.
You need to start your visit in Old San Juan. Plan for a couple of days walking around the city, visiting El Morro, The Governor's Mansion, and other interesting sites. Staying at El Convento Hotel, an old convent turned into a hotel, smack in the middle of Old San Juan, is a different experience.
Next step is Fajardo (northwest end of the island) for a stay at El Conquistador Resort. Since you like golf and spa, their Golden Door Spa, and Arthur Hills golf course should fit you perfectly. A ride on the hotel's ferry to their private beach at Palomino's island makes for a perfect day of relaxation.
Your next move should be to fly or ferry from Fajardo to Vieques for a stay at the W Retreat & Spa, the kind of boutique hotel you prefer. That's the place to relax and enjoy the slower pace of a small island. Vieques is part of Puerto Rico.
Finally, and if you can rough it, I would again ferry to an even smaller island, Culebra, also part of Puerto Rico, for a stay at the Bahia Marina, a small homely hotel. You shouldn't miss visiting Playa Zoni, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world or snorkeling the underwater trail on the coast overlooking Luis Pena Cay.
Be advised you would enjoy all of this in a warmer season instead of Christmas.
If yodu want a unique experience try Vieques Island. You can fly there from San Juan airport or better, a 90 minute drive to the far side of Puerto Rico, park your rental in a secured lot and take a hour long ferry (costs about 7 bucks round trip) to a beautiful place. It has small botique hotels, beautiful, secluded beaches and very friendly residents. Vieques also boasts one of the finest bioluminescent bays in the entire world...don't miss it! It is one of the most beautiful and lesser known islands in the Caribbean. Posted by malerntogo
--- can you elaborate on where the secure lot to park your car by the ferry dock? Thinking that sounds like a good plan.
We are going soon and we will be staying part of the time at Luquillo Beach. It is on the north east side less than an hour from San Juan. It looks like a beautiful beach. We found a smaller more economical motel (Yunke Mar) beachside. I have read that this is the beach the locals use.....and the food is also some of the best rated and cheapest in Puerto Rico This is very close to the rain forest, so it you have inclement weather or too much sun, you can head up the mountain. We will be doing the Bio-Bay in Fajardo one night. Be sure you do not miss the bioluminescent experience--there are only 5 in the world and three are located in Puerto RIco. Give yourself a day or two in Old San Juan as it sounds very interesting.
