Travel in Puerto Rico

We've just booked a trip to Puerto Rico at the end of this month (two adults, one four-year-old) and would be interested in any tips on the usual (where [not] to go, what [not] to do.) We're travelling independently, staying in small guesthouses near El Yunque and on Vieques Island.

I'm interested in art/culture/history (especially colonial-era), but we'll have to limit the museum visits in favor of more hands-on activities, due to the pre-schooler. Not much for shopping, but we'd be happy for any tips on really good shops. Husband is something of a foodie.

All suggestions welcome! Thanks!

music, dance, rum

Gee, thanks. Nobody's been to Puerto Rico?

Hello Cinzia.

I have gone on a couple of Caribbean cruises which left from San Juan, at which times I visited “Old San Juan” and absolutely loved. So after having had a horrendous tax season, and really needed a break (I am an international tax planner) I decided to go to Puerto Rico for the sun, the beach, the food and most importantly to spend a relaxing week. The hotel we stayed at was the Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort. Unfortunately I just saw that the place has closed down!

I was rather disappointed with Puerto Rico; I suppose the crime rate must be quite high because all the homes’ doors and windows had bars on them.

When we arrived to our hotel, there were guards at the gate! However, since all I wanted was to rest for a week, we did not do much, plus my daughter was really small, I think around 9 months old. We spent most of the time in the hotel, which was very lovely, the beach was beautiful and there was so much to do that really didn’t have the need to leave, however, one day we took a bus tour of the island, with some mandatory stops such as souvenir shops and the Bacardi factory. This is when I noticed the bars on the doors and windows.

I travel quite a bit and use Trip Advisor and Virtual Tourist as the initial guides before going somewhere, if you are not familiar with these websites; they are a place where travelers write reviews about countries, hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc.

I am sorry I could not help with the cultural aspect of it, but I hope you can find some information on the aforementioned websites. So my only tip is to not let your guard down.

I hope you have great weather and a wonderful stay.

Tigrita

Hi Cinzia, If you're interested in art the Old San Juan is the place to be as it has lots of galleries. Crafts Pier 1 or Pier 3 local artisan hangout.......El Yunque National Forest...............Bacardi Rum factory.......Rio Camuy Cave Park has an underground river..................these are 1/2 or full day excursions..........not a beach person , Condado beach is nice, one of main resort area......lots of museums...................lots to see and do there and it will cost........it's been a while............have fun

Hi Cinzia, If you're interested in art the Old San Juan is the place to be as it has lots of galleries. Crafts Pier 1 or Pier 3 local artisan hangout.......El Yunque National Forest...............Bacardi Rum factory.......Rio Camuy Cave Park has an underground river..................these are 1/2 or full day excursions..........not a beach person , Condado beach is nice, one of main resort area......lots of museums...................lots to see and do there and it will cost........it's been a while............have fun

Hi Cinzia, If you're interested in art the Old San Juan is the place to be as it has lots of galleries. Crafts Pier 1 or Pier 3 local artisan hangout.......El Yunque National Forest...............Bacardi Rum factory.......Rio Camuy Cave Park has an underground river..................these are 1/2 or full day excursions..........not a beach person , Condado beach is nice, one of main resort area......lots of museums...................lots to see and do there and it will cost........it's been a while............have fun

Hi Cinzia, If you're interested in art the Old San Juan is the place to be as it has lots of galleries. Crafts Pier 1 or Pier 3 local artisan hangout.......El Yunque National Forest...............Bacardi Rum factory.......Rio Camuy Cave Park has an underground river..................these are 1/2 or full day excursions..........not a beach person , Condado beach is nice, one of main resort area......lots of museums...................lots to see and do there and it will cost........it's been a while............have fun

Comments from a local

You can give a try to Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, as they have a whole section for kids and a beautiful garden. In Old san Juan you can also try the Children Museum, although I was not 100% crazy about it, kids will indeed have fun. El Yunque is a must. The caves in Camuy are great, but it will take you half a day, putting it together with the Arecibo Obserbatory, it's a whole day... Outlets at Barceloneta and Canovanas, another must... The Don Q rum tasting in front of Pier 1, another must. I can keep on and on, so give me more specifics of what you want to do or see.

And yes, you have to be a little careful, as criminality is high.

I am far from a Puerto Rico expert, but here are some highlights of a visit a couple of years ago:

- I second the El Yunque recommendation. Try to spend at least one night within the National Forest if possible. It is wonderful to fall asleep hearing the sounds of the coquis - (the onomatopoeically named diminutive frogs that are all over the place in the forest).

- Go on a night kayak tour of the bioluminecent bay in Fajardo or Vieques. I went to the former and it was great.

- A visit of the Arecibo observatory could also be interesting if you are into that kind of stuff.

- Old town San Juan is also an obvious must visit. There is some great food and nightlife there.

- There are a few historic monuments not too far from San Juan. The Fuerte San Felipe del Morro was one of them and provides you with some beatiful views of the ocean and the coastline.

Enjoy your time there!

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions so far. More information: we have reserved rental cars for the mainland and Vieques, so we will be fairly independent for getting around.

We'll be staying in Luquillo for five nights and on Vieques for five nights.

I understand Thanksgiving is a public holiday in Puerto Rico, so things will be closed. How do people generally celebrate the holiday? Will restaurants be open? (We'll be in Luquillo on Thanksgiving Day.)