Thread: Traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Any recommendations?

Originally Posted by SMW

Yes, I had some friends in our group stay at the Hilton. The Hilton has tons of pools (7 to be exact), their protected beach area is very nice, also a portion of the hotel is under construction. As for food, there is a lot of great places and all depends on what cuisine you are looking for, if your trying to find local places, walk down Calle San Fransisco to find many cafe's and such, you should try a dish called "Mofongo". Condado has a lot of tourist trap restaurants that are over priced and not worth the time. Couldn't tell you about the museums, but I know there are a few that might be worth checking out.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

That's good to know, I'll take a stroll down Calle San Fransisco.
Thanks!

Originally Posted by mrmikey32

The Hilton is amazing!

If I am not staying at my families place, or with a cousin, that is where I stay.

I am going to post some general stuff here, but will still call you.

Get a rental car. To go from the hotel to old sanjuan is about 20ish bucks. everything is the same price, and its by zones, not distance.

Within 4 trips, you can get a car for the whole weekend. get a small car like economy class. Driving in puerto rico is unlike anything you have ever experienced, unless you have played mario kart. It is basically like that, but with out the shells, stars, and mushrooms.

The Bacardi factory is the worst thing ever. About 5+ years ago they changed the tour. You do not get to see a single stage of production. Though, I do reccomend going to the factory to get a bottle of bacardi reserva limitada. You can really only get this stuff at the factory, and its amazing! its about $100 a bottle. As for the other rums, the factory is not the cheapest to buy them.

For food, the smaller the place the better. There is a small shack like place where you pick up the rental cars. Its outside the airport, and has some amazing authentic foods. You order by the pound.

The police are slightly corrupt, and they drive around with their lights on all the time. This is very normal, and it does not mean you are getting pulled over.

All of san juan/old sanjuan is a must see. Including the forts, cemetaries, and markets. They have night street parties which are a shit load of fun if you like to dance and drink. A live band will show up, and people just dance in the streets.

Like others said, be sure to check out Vieques. Its fucking amazing.

The rainforest is also amazing too! You can spend awhile there. But I am warning you now, if you plan on going to the waterfall, its a decent walk, and make sure you have shoes on! half the trails are paved, and half are what ever. Be sure to take a drink of the water too! Its very cold and fresh.

While at the hilton, be sure to stop by the restraunt and get a pina coloda. It is where the first one was made, and they are amazing as well.


I have way to much to contribute to this thread. I have been to Puerto rico 20+ times at least!

Thanks for the pics.
That's good to know about the taxi cab fares. That sounds like the same thing when driving in Greece LOL.
Really appreciate all the advice.

Originally Posted by GoHokiesGo

I would definitely recommend hitting up Kasalta's bakery if you make your way out towards Condado or Ocean Park. We rented an apartment for the week in Ocean Park, and went here every morning for breakfast. The emapanadas were awesome, and we usually grabbed several for the day as snacks. It's fairly famous there and I remember enjoying it.

And to mimic everyone else to - the best dinner I had was a random hole-in-the-wall that served Mofongo that we found heading back from Aguadilla to San Juan. Mofongo is definitely worth trying - it's a plantain and tomato mash that gets mixed with meats; sounds strange, but it actually goes together really well.

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll definitely check out the bakery.

Originally Posted by Dino V

Hi everyone, I will be in San Juan for a decent amount of time on vacation. Any recommendations on what is worth seeing, and any good places for dining?
Appreciate any recommendations you have.
I know that the rainforest is a must see, along with the one cave. Also the forts seem to be popular stops.

Thanks,
Dino

Hi I ran by this post through a Google Alert on Puerto Rico. If you are outdoors inclined and are into zip lines you must visit Toro Verde in Orocovis. While you are there you also need to visit Roka Dura restaurant that is 2 minutes away. Not only will you see a side of Puerto Rico must tourist miss ( the interior mountain side) you will also be treated to a great view. I don't represent any of these places it's just that I visited them with my wife and daughter yesterday and though they are jewels in our island.

I include pics of our trip. The ones from 4/08/12 are all from the area around Orocovis.
Http://dashoflighgallery.blogspot.com
Here is a link to unretouched photos.
Blogsy Photos - a set on Flickr
And here is Toro Verde's site:
Toro Verde Adventure Park

Dash of Light | Gallery correct link for the gallery!

Thanks, for the recommendations. I will look into that also.