Topic Wiki

Info for the jewish traveler
http://www.chabadpr.com/


Hotels   (feel free to add suggestions)
   Before booking any hotel check the Chabad website they have very good rates for the popular hotels that are close to them

   Ritz Carlton

   http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SanJuan/Default.htm
        DDF'r Hotel Review
        http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg462832#msg462832
   St. Regis
   http://www.stregisbahiabeach.com/
       DDF'r Hotel Review
       http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg161581#msg161581
   El San Juan
   http://www.elsanjuanhotel.com/default-en.html
   Gran Melia
   http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/coco-beach/gran-melia-puerto-rico-golf-resort/index.html
         DDF'r Hotel Review
         http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg927319#msg927319


Preferred Car Rental
   http://www.chabadpr.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/2370163/jewish/Charlie-Car-Rental.htm


Kosher food
  Old San Juan
   Kosher in Paradise, Israeli style. With panini, falafel and more.  They can deliver to your hotel for a fee
   261 Fortaleza Street.
   787-244-3399
   Chabad (next to The Ritz and El San Juan)
   http://shop.chabadpr.com/   (please someone add info regarding this)


Things to do

   Bioluminescent Bay
   http://www.pureadventurepr.com/adventure_trips/bio_bay_lagoon_tour_excursion/
 
   El Yunque rainforest
   http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147324-d1448148-Reviews-The_El_Yunque_Rain_Forest-El_Yunque_National_Forest_Puerto_Rico.html

   ATV/Horseback Riding
   http://www.carabalirainforestpark.com/atv.php

   Casa Bacardi Distillery Tour- Rum Factory
   http://www.casabacardi.org/

   Explore Old San Juan-
   Castillo de San Cristobal- Old Forts in Old San Juan

   http://www.nps.gov/saju/index.htm

   Vieques and Culebra
    2 small islands with fabulous beaches that, IMHO are more interesting than the main island. (and Vieques has its own biobay)

  Mini Boat Adventure
  http://www.kayakingpuertorico.com/pages/island_hop_snorkel.html


Trip Reports:

   http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg651144#msg651144

   http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg1063469#msg1063469

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg2616327#msg2616327
« Last edited by yelped on August 02, 2022, 04:21:34 PM »

Author Topic: Puerto Rico Master Thread  (Read 234084 times)

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #460 on: August 04, 2015, 09:56:30 AM »
Actually best bio bay was in Cayman where you can actually immerse yourself!
http://caymanseaelements.com
Cool!

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #461 on: August 04, 2015, 10:22:43 AM »
Actually best bio bay was in Cayman where you can actually immerse yourself!
http://caymanseaelements.com
They used to allow it in PR too. Why can't you just "fall" in?

Offline E R K

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #462 on: August 04, 2015, 11:38:52 AM »
They used to allow it in PR too. Why can't you just "fall" in?
They do sting. We wore wet suits.

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #463 on: August 04, 2015, 02:06:11 PM »
They do sting. We wore wet suits.
Oh thanx for the heads up!

Offline Buruch

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #464 on: August 04, 2015, 08:44:14 PM »
Charlie's special is only for the smallest car. I would look into Vieques/Culebra. They are very nice, and I'm glad I went there instead of the overly-beaten path. If you plan on taking the ferry, you have to know what you're doing.

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #465 on: August 04, 2015, 08:56:08 PM »
Charlie's special is only for the smallest car.

Who's Charlie?

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #466 on: August 04, 2015, 09:58:20 PM »
Charlie's special is only for the smallest car. I would look into Vieques/Culebra. They are very nice, and I'm glad I went there instead of the overly-beaten path. If you plan on taking the ferry, you have to know what you're doing.
What do you mean "know what youre doing"? Aside from checking schedule and arriving early to buy tix?

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #467 on: August 04, 2015, 09:58:48 PM »
Who's Charlie?
Charlies car rental (thru chabad)

Offline Buruch

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #468 on: August 05, 2015, 07:29:34 PM »
What do you mean "know what youre doing"? Aside from checking schedule and arriving early to buy tix?

You have to know to arrive early :) like 2 hours early at least. Also, you can buy advance tickets sometimes from the trailer past the regular tickets window. And lastly, make sure to buy rt tickets so you don't need to buy before coming back.

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #469 on: August 05, 2015, 07:44:28 PM »
You have to know to arrive early :) like 2 hours early at least. Also, you can buy advance tickets sometimes from the trailer past the regular tickets window. And lastly, make sure to buy rt tickets so you don't need to buy before coming back.
ok thanx. ill keep this info in mind. Taking ferry on sunday

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #470 on: August 06, 2015, 01:05:10 AM »
I went 1.5-2 hours before departure in the middle of the week in March, and still missed it - I was next in line when the Culebra tickets sold out. I bought Vieques tickets instead, then made a b-line to buy advance tickets to Culebra for the next day. On Sunday, many Puerto Ricans go to Vieques and Culebra as a weekend activity, so you may need to be there even earlier, or try and buy in advance. On Vieques, I recommend going to Sun Bay beach. It's very long and much less crowded than the beaches closer to the ferry dock. On Culebra, Flamenco is the world class beach, but on the flip side it gets much more crowded. It really is amazing though. Zoni beach is another nice one on Culebra, and is practically empty, but in terms of sheer beauty, it doesn't really compare to Flamenco. Renting a golf cart is fun on Culebra, and costs about $40 for the day. If you're going to Zoni, definitely rent one, because the taxi vans don't go there. And even though it really doesn't seem possible when you're at the top looking down, the golf carts CAN make it back up the steep hill before Zoni.

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #471 on: August 06, 2015, 08:39:03 PM »
One of the locals told me that culebra tix sell out much quicker than Vieques as that's where the locals want to go. Also he told me schools start on Monday here so there shouldn't be a lot of people going to the islands on Sunday. He said they mostly go fri or sat and return on sunday

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #472 on: August 06, 2015, 11:14:26 PM »
Ime he was right about Culebra tickets going first, but ime Culebra was more crowded on Sunday.

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #473 on: August 09, 2015, 10:04:48 AM »
charlie car rental would be $151 for 4 days for under 25 yr old.
anyone find anything cheaper for underage?

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #474 on: August 09, 2015, 10:23:00 AM »
Never went by motor boat, but there's no way I'd have enjoyed it more than the kayak. Yes, with the kayak you do work harder to get there, but the experience is probably 10 X as rewarding.

The point isn't always to just see something and cross it off the list, but rather immerse yourself in the experience.
Yes, the point is to experience it. The experience is to see the water "glow", which we were able to do much better than had we been one of the hundreds of kayaks. We had a great guide and great time. I would highly recommend the motor boat over the kayaks.
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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #475 on: August 09, 2015, 10:23:50 AM »
They used to allow it in PR too. Why can't you just "fall" in?
Supposedly subject to major fines if you do go into the water...
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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #476 on: August 09, 2015, 10:26:04 AM »
charlie car rental would be $151 for 4 days for under 25 yr old.
anyone find anything cheaper for underage?
National, $48 for 3 days.
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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #477 on: August 09, 2015, 10:28:28 AM »
I read reviews of that Hyatt that there's a lot of construction and the beach is not so nice and the rooms were tired.
What's your opinion about that? Thinking of going in a few weeks but after reading reviews I was
having second thoughts staying there.

Hotel next door was in fact vacant. But theyre both on a large private property, with a golf course. So the vacant building didn't bother me. There weren't any squatters/homeless ppl there as far as I could tell.

The hotel is in middle of renvations. The lobby is now squeezed into a small room in the back of the hotel. We were put on the second highest floor, the noise from the construction did not reach us. (spoke with the manager Ivan (crazy name for a latino, right? :D ) and was told we would get a higher room)

The rooms are being upgraded. I was really happy with mine, although some of the décor was weird. (I attributed it to Caribbean style.)

I really enjoyed the stay at the hotel. The main con for me was we were a good 25-30 min drive from SJU and even further from most of the good attractions. Was tough to drive back because I got tired after a long day.

Re the beach. It's not large, but its the only hotel on that part of the beach, so pretty secluded and quiet.
Sand was soft and surf looked nice, though I didn't go in.
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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #478 on: August 09, 2015, 12:08:30 PM »
Yes, the point is to experience it. The experience is to see the water "glow", which we were able to do much better than had we been one of the hundreds of kayaks. We had a great guide and great time. I would highly recommend the motor boat over the kayaks.
Could you touch the water?

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #479 on: August 09, 2015, 12:39:41 PM »
National, $48 for 3 days.
for 24 year old?