Kelly
Shakopee
My husband and I are thinking about going to Puerto Rico next winter. We do not want to stay in the Old San Juan (we can do a day trip there). We prefer by the beach, bars and restaurants with in walking distance, and not super spring breaky!
Condado Area is perfect, great beach nice hotels and a super easy taxi or bus ride to Old San Juan-- which to be honest is where all the great restaurants are.
Well, during the winter, its not really "spring breaky" anywhere. Your best basic choice for having it all in walking distance is Old San Juan. Outside of there, Rincón (Puerto Rico)Rincon is pretty nice, but can be a 2 hour ride from the airport. Its beautiful, in the winter months its big on surfing. Fantastic sunsets there for sure. Tamboo Beside the Pointe is a nice spot to stay, there are plenty of others as well, a bunch of little small hotels there. For a more all in one place sort of thing the El Conquistador, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is pretty cool, big casino complex with restaurants, nightclubs, entertainment, spas, etc. Lastly, Dorado Beach Resort & Club is also pretty cool. There is plenty to do there as well, award winning golf courses, spas, etc.
The south side of the island has a couple of neat spots, but unless you're at least a passable spanish speaker you might have a little bit of a rough time in some of the towns. Outside of those few major spots, the problem is that most of the other beach towns are more small clubs/bars sort of places with not a lot of restaurant choices.
To me for a first time without knowing the island, i'd stick in the Old San Juan area. Its easier, close to the airport and has more fun stuff to do there in walking distance. Some great restaurants there, awesome beaches, plus the historical stuff. The fort is fun to see.
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try hotel San Juan Beach Hotel at isla verde.. or the The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan. Isla Verde is a street that has a few hotels, clubs, bars and is by the beach.. a very nice beach...
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