Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico for the First Time

A May 2006 trip to Puerto Rico by jonbarb709

Where on Puerto Rico do you want to stay? San Juan is where all the action is and there are beaches east of SJ. Or do you want to stay in the western end of PR by Acquadilla, beaches but a little quieter. Big concern: DRIVING.

  • 10 reviews
  • 1 story/tip

Puerto Rico for the First TimeBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Driving in Puerto Rico are the most memorable moments. Speed is a must. And don't worry about hand signals or the use of left/right light signals there will be none. Aim your car is probably the best description I can give. We had a great time, driving there is a chore.

Quick Tips:

We spent 6 nights on the West end and 4 nights on the east end. Should have reversed it. Driving along the coast of the west end is great, not a lot of traffic, but roads are narrow. Aguadilla is where the old Ramey AFB was located and now the Coast Guard owns a small part of the old base. The rest has been turned over to PR. The beaches around that area are worth a trip, but you don't need 6 days to see everything. There are some little towns and beaches that are worth stopping to see. Crashboat Beach, towns of Aguadilla, San Sebastian, San German, and Ponce. Much more to do at the East end.

Best Way To Get Around:

You definitely need a car. Don't see anyway around it.

BohioBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "El Bohio (Hotel Cielomar)"

High above Aguadilla is the Hotel Cielomar and a great restaurant. The waiters were excellent, the food delicious, prices were reasonable and the view -FANTASTIC. We ate there twice, had drinks in the afternoon twice that's 4 times out of 6 days. A great place.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by jonbarb709 on July 30, 2006

Bohio
Hotel Cielo Mar Aguadilla, Puerto Rico 00603
(787) 882-5959

Three Amigos (Parador El Faro)Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Located in the Parador El Faro resort. Food is a combination of Italian, Mexican and Local. Its an outdoor, covered sitting. Prices were reasonable, service was excellent and so was the food. Very nice place, enjoyed it. Would go back.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by jonbarb709 on July 30, 2006

Caro's Trattoria ItalianaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Right on the main road in Isabela, can't miss it. Great food, prices were reasonable, very small place, one waiter, but he husseled and did a great job..
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by jonbarb709 on July 30, 2006

Brass Cactus Bar and GrillBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

A great place to stop and have drinks and a great hamburger. Menu has everything. Prices are more than reasonable and beer was cold. Sat at the bar and talked to the bartender. (East of San Juan)
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by jonbarb709 on July 30, 2006

Brass Cactus Bar and Grill
Rte 3 Luquillo, Puerto Rico
(787) 889-5735

Café BerlinBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Cafe Berlin"

Its in Old San Juan. A neat little place. Great margarita's. And the quesadilla were outstanding. Menu is a variety of food. Prices were excellent and so was service.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by jonbarb709 on July 30, 2006

Café Berlin
Plaza Colon 407 San Juan, Puerto Rico
(787) 722-5205

Al DenteBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

There are a couple of things that makes this an ideal dining experience. First, parking is right across the street, it's town parking and very cheap. The restaurant is excellent, the decor is outstanding, the service is great. The waiters all speak excellent English. The food was excellent, the wine was good, the prices were reasonable. There are several painting on the wall, most of them done by the owner and they are outstanding. Should have asked the price would have loved to own one. Not open on Sunday, we wanted to go back a second time and drove to Old San Juan but unfortunately it was closed.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by jonbarb709 on October 26, 2006

Al Dente
309 Recinto Sur San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
+1 787 723 7303

Caves/Observatory/Taino tribesBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This is 3 places in one day. It can be done, really no rush, just don't waste time. Start at the Parque de las Cavernas del Rio Camuy. One of the world's largest cave networks - seniors get a discount. Got to see this to believe it. RTE 625, Km 18.9. If its raining up there, no tour. Now as you go back down the hill, stop at the Observatororio de Arecibo. Another got to see - two movies were made here, a 007 one and one with Jodi Foster. Senior discount. Rte625, Km 3 Now go towards Isabella to Parque Ceremonial Indigena de Caguana, 13 acres used by Taino tribes people, 800 years ago. There are 10 courts, some with petroglyphs. Another great place to see. Route 111, Km 12.3 All 3 in one day.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by jonbarb709 on July 30, 2006

Casa Bacardi Visitor CenterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

A beautiful park, a quick tour through the plant, some history, some explanations on how drinks were named, and, finally, two free drinks. They also have a gift shop. Worth a trip. We drove.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by jonbarb709 on July 30, 2006

Casa Bacardi Visitor Center
Bay View Industrial Park, Rte 888, K. 2.6 Catano, Puerto Rico
+939 787 788-1500

Rain Forrest -El YunqueBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

There are 13 hiking trails. Keep that in mind. You stop at the Visitors Center first - pick up a map - go to the bathroom. OK now ask about the trails. Pick one maybe 2 at the most. One is better. Go to it, stop the car, and walk. And maybe walk and walk and walk. Whatever they told you on how far and how long it will take to do the trail, double it. Remember it is a rain forest - it may rain, be prepared. Hat, rain gear, water, definitely water, if its in the summer time. It was hot in May.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by jonbarb709 on July 30, 2006

Old San JuanBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

This is where you can and most likely will spent a lot of time - Old San Juan. Shops, restaurants, bars, flea market, churches, art shops, hat shops, etc. First - just go in a parking lot and park the car. You can drive around for hours trying to find street parking, but the price to park in a covered parking area is very reasonable. Just walk around but at about 1 go over to the Tourist Information place and get a Free drink - a run drink of course. Prices seemed reasonable and people were very friendly.

About the Writer

jonbarb709
jonbarb709
The Villages, Florida

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