AboutNancy Torres Expertise I can answer questions about places to stay in Puerto Rico. As I live and work here, I can also help people with their questions on what to do, where to go, local transportation, government offices, working/studying/vacationing in the island. Spanish is my native language. I am also fluent in English.
Experience I currently live in Old San Juan and enjoy museums, hotels, social and cultural events, restaurants and sightseing.
Education/Credentials BBA University of Puerto Rico, Minor in English
Awards and Honors Magna Cum Laude, University of Puerto Rico
Question Hello, Nancy,
A friend and I will be visiting san juan from
april 23-27, and we will be arriving via cruise.
We are looking for an affordable place to say, in a safe area. Also, we would like to go somewhere where it won't be expensive to get to - so if you have any advise on bus/taxi to the hotel that would be wonderful as well!
Have considered hotel milano and mirador (a bit more expensive) and also a few other places such as el prado and el canario by the sea. Do you have any suggestions on new places or imput on these?
In addition, one must do for us is a trip to el yunque.
1) Do you know if it is possible to get to el yunque via a bus or shuttle (without having to rent a car?)
2) do you think a self guided tour would suffice or should we get a guided tour? I know you can start in the center and have an hour long tour for a reasonable price, so i thought we could start with that maybe?
3) any suggestions on place to stay at el yunque.
considered casa cuboy and flamboyant, but we are up for whatever is cheap and convenient to the rain forest.
Finally, one last question, will we be able to take a bus from san juan to the airport when we leave or will we need taxi/shuttle?
Thank you so much for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!
Answer Dear friends:
If you are coming to Puerto Rico and plan to stay from April 23 to 27, you must rush with reservations. I would say you should call immediately to the hotel of your choice. This is so because you are planning on a weekend and hotels are usually busy during those days.
As you are coming in a cruise, if you are not carrying too many luggage, for staying at Old San Juan I could say you can just walk to Hotel El Milano (787.729.9050) or to Hotel Plaza de Armas (787.722.9191, recently bought by the Howard Johnson Hotels, more rooms available at this very moment). Prices on both are $147.15 for a 2-bed room, taxes included.
While staying in Old San Juan, you can see all the place just walking or taking the trolley, which is a free bus exclusively for the area.
If you prefer to stay at the Condado or Isla Verde areas, there are many different choices there. I don't have prices now available, but you can check, for example: Comfort Inn(787.721.0170), Holiday Inn Express (787.724.4160), Hampton Inn and Suites (787.791.8777), etc.
If you are planning to visit El Yunque and some other places here through the island, I suggest your renting a car. That's the best way to travel and you will save money driving by yourselves than going on expensive tours. If you select to rent a car, let me know, to send you some choices, prices and telephone numbers. If not, I won't recommend taking a bus and the choice will be going on a tour from your hotel. Driving by yourselves, paying the $3.50 entrance fee and taking a guided tour once you are in El Yunque would be my suggestion and less expensive.
If you are staying in the metropolitan area of San Juan, there is no need to stay near El Yunque, as it is just a 1-hour drive and you could also visit the beautiful Luquillo beach in the same day. Perhaps you should plan to visit La Parguera, in Lajas (Southwest) and stay at Hotel La Parguera there, visit the Fosforecent Bay and take a boat trip to see the small islands nearby (there are many people there during the week end--I have a preference to stay there from Sunday to Monday). There are a lot of restaurants in the area also.
If you are driving, try visiting the Arecibo Observatory and the Camuy Caves (Northwest.
From San Juan to the airport, take a taxi or, if you rent a car, go by yourselves. That's an easy ride, if you are not driving in the heavy traffics hours.
More questions? Visit http://puertorico.com for detailed information on Puerto Rico, tours, restaurants and many other places to visit or, just write me again with your queries.
Enjoy your trip -- and please use comfortable shoes, like sneakers, when you are in Old San Juan.
Saludos,
Nancy
P.S. When in Old San Juan, go for breakfast or lunch at Café Manolín in Calle San Justo (ask for Jorge, he is my favorite waiter there).
