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The Kitchen Table Vacations

Vacation in Puerto Rico

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

DH and I would like to vacation in Puerto Rico in January/February 2019. We like nce beaches and good food. We do not surf and would like to swim. Do you have any recommendations?

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jim_1 (Zone 5B)

7 years ago

Old San Juan. Lots of history and beaches on the north side. There are other parts of the island are in OK (only) shape, but if the city doesn't recover, the country folks cannot recover either.

And the food...wonderful. Lots of small places that are for the locals and the service is supreme. If you speak Spanish, it is a plus, but not a requirement.

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Comments (8)

eld6161
7 years ago
Is PR up and running after all the devastation? Unless someone has been recently I think I would reconsider this as a trip.
chisue
7 years ago
We've enjoyed winter stays in the USVI (St. Thomas and St. John). The Bahamas should have warmed up by end of January.
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DH & I are going in about two weeks for a 5-day trip. We were also looking for a quick trip, nice weather, and a not-too-lengthy nonstop flight from a convenient airport. We like walking around & exploring urban areas on vacation, vs. spending all of our time on the beach, so we focused on the san juan area. In old san juan, el convento gets really good reviews, and was recommended by an attorney I met at a conference who lives in puerto rico; unfortunately el convento was sold out for part of our stay. So instead, we're staying at la concha, in the condado area just outside san juan (we also considered marriott stellaris but la concha had larger rooms). A few friends have gone to PR in the last few years, and loved it. They chose the resort approach, instead of staying close to or in san juan, maybe b/c they have kids or it may just be their preference. One family chose El Conquistador, raved about it, and went back the following year. Another family chose the Wyndham Rio Mar, in the same area as El Conquistador (near el yunque) but less expensive. I've noticed that there's less information about PR than other destinations, and wondered if travel agents might downplay the destination. But from what I've read, and my friends' reviews, I think that it will be fun. I did a short weekend trip to PR about 16 years ago while in law school, but I don't remember anything from that trip other than that the hotel was nice (ritz carlton) but not in convenient walking distance to most places, and that I enjoyed a day trip to el yunque.
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eld6161
7 years ago
The Bahamas would be a good choice!
terilyn
7 years ago
The resort areas in PR could definitely use the business! Check out Trip Advisor for resorts.
krmarchese thanked terilyn
krmarchese
Original Author
7 years ago
Terilyn - that is the exact reason we want to vacation in PR - we want to help the economy. We were in Rincon in June 2018 for a wedding and it was gorgeous. There was some evidence of the hurricane but not too much on the west end of the island. The resort we stayed in was very nice, but remote. We want something closer to restaurants and entertainment.

I am looking on trip advisor and hoping that someone here can also help.
User
7 years ago
I'd been several times before the storm...I'd go again! Hike the El Yunque Rain Forest. It took us ALL day to hike up each tower, make it to the top, out of the mist. Then on the main road, we hiked in to the local waterfall...which is the local swimming hole.

The Arecibo Observatory...fantastic! Yes, it was damaged in Maria, but still might be cool to visit. The cave tour, it's nearby. The fort and the Bacardi Rummery are in old San Juan. The snorkeling tours in Rincon. There's a "water glow" tour.

Quote:

The cause of this glow is flagellates, which are tiny micro-organisms. Specifically, the flagellates in Bioluminiscent Bay are dinoflagallates, a specific type of flagellate that is able to make its food via photosynthesis, and it is this process which causesthe bay to glow.
krmarchese thanked User
krmarchese
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you to Jim & Nicole - we will be looking at San Juan!

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