Traveling through San Juan

starlit07 · Post by **starlit07** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:19 pm

This is our first trip down to this area and due to some flight issues may have to fly into san juan and stay there one night. Has anyone spent any time around there. Is it a decent area to spend an evening looking around etc. I would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks!!!

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:55 pm

There are several large hotels just outside of the airport and most of them have small casinos. There are more hotels in the Candado where there are shops and restaurants. The third choice is Old San Juan. We stayed in the Wyndham Old San Juan the last time we were there about five or six years ago. There are a lot of shops and restaurants around Old San Juan but they might close early. Those three areas are about five minutes, fifteen minutes and 30 minutes from the airport in a cab.

Good luck

JIM

LandLockedBeachLover · Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:13 pm

I would recommend the Condado area or even Isla Verde. It is bustling with much activity in terms of restaurants, bars & shopping. Also it is 15 min or so from the airport, depending on traffic. There are ultra expensive options (Ritz, El San Juan, Condado Plaza) or more reasonable options (Courtyard, Water Club etc) that are still very nice/clean. You'll have a great time there for the night - - go to the El San Juan for a drink at least. Their cigar bar and lobby area are to die for - - all mahogany & people dress to the nines for the nightclub there.

Chet · Post by **Chet** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:36 pm

Back in Feb of '07 I stayed in the Condado Plaza during a site visit, then spent a week there in May leading IT support for the Feria de la Segunda Juventud event. Now, others may extol the ease of traveling the short distance to Old San Juan...to walk around the old fort and stroll the cobblestone streets with their pastel painted colonial archtecture, shop the back alleys, or simply gaze in the windows then stop for an afternoon snack and a rum drink (Bacardi, please!). And anyone who has been to Cartagena will imediately see the similarity of the Spanish architectural styles and defensive ramparts of the two cities.

No, No, No. The place to be is La Ocho (Stop 8 on the bus), just past Parque Del Neuvo Milenio. On the right is a parking lot ($3.10). From there it's a 300 yard paddle out to the reef break. On a good day in Jan or Feb it breaks above 15'. You can rent a board at La Ocho Surf Shop on Ave Juan Ponce De Leon, across from Parque Luis Munoz Rivera.

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:35 pm

Just make sure you have a reservation prior to leaving! I once left a day earlier to beat a snow storm on the east coast so I wouldn't miss my Cruise departure and spent the night in the airport. By the time we arrived in San Juan most east coast airports were closed and there were no rooms available because no one could get out. We lived on Twizzlers once the airport closed for the night. I would go with the hotels suggested above near the airport since it's for only one day. Good Luck

DCphoto · Post by **DCphoto** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:14 pm

If your not picky about your hotel, we stayed at the Howard Johnson Inn Plaza de Armas Old San Juan PR for one night on our way back from St. John two years ago. I have clients in Puerto Rico and wanted a chance to stop by and say hi. The hotel is very old. It is in the heart of Old San Juan. We had a chance to walk around and see the Fort and also won $800.00 playing Black Jack in a casino that is walking distance from the Hotel. Great bars and resturants. Plenty of taxis to take you back the airport. Not very expensive. I believe it only cost us about $100.00 for the night. We did not expect luxury. We just needed a place to drop the bags and do a little sight seeing and gambling. Beware some of the rooms do not have windows ask for a room that does. The buiding is over 200 years old.

bobcside · Post by **bobcside** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:34 pm

We stayed in the Candado Plaza Hotel a few years ago and loved it. It's located right on the Atlantic Ocean but has a small bay/beach area joining the property near the pool and Beach Bar. No Casino when we were there but ones only a short cab ride or walk, day time, if you'd rather. There are many other nice Hotels but don't know what the $ dif. is.

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:36 pm

LandLockedBeachLover wrote:I would recommend the Condado area or even Isla Verde.

Thanks LandLocked.

I could not think of the name Isla Verde.

That is the area that I was thinking of when I wrote about the hotels outside the airport.

JIM

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:00 pm

We stayed one night in Old San Juan this past June. I posted a report with pics. If you have any questions pm me.

nothintolose

p.s. Old San Juan reminded me of the French Quarter with no strip joints and lots of hills

starlit07 · Post by **starlit07** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:16 am

Thanks for all the help it is much appreciated!!!

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