Puerto Rico Master Thread

[penina]

any all inclusive hotels anyone can suggest?

El conquistadors is be a dutiful. It's not in San Juan. It's a bit further near fanatic but worth the trip

[penina]

Sorry about the spelling. Beautiful

[penina]

And it's near fajardo

[Joe4007]

El conquistadors is be a dutiful. It's not in San Juan. It's a bit further near fanatic but worth the trip

Sorry about the spelling. Beautiful

And it's near fajardo

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Thanks.

[alpicone]

Is the el San juan a nice hotel?

The El San Juan was OK. We had a decent experience (unlike the horrible reviews online) but would not recommend the hotel especially if staying with young kids.

The hotel is basically a large club which is nice if you want to party but not so great it you are there with kids on a family vacation. A lot of people complain about the staff and the noise. I was pleasantly surprised by most of the staff who were very nice and helpful. We were on the 7th floor so we didn't have an issue with loud music but I was woken up at 4am one night from people the the hallway on the way back from their room. Other people that I met in the lobby were complaining to me about the noise but I guess I was too tired to hear most of it.

We were upgraded to a Jr Suite which was very spacious for 2 adults and 2 kids even with a roll-away and crib. My biggest complaint was that the room was not cleaned well. Didn't bother me much but my wife wasn't happy. The also said that the room doesn't come with a fridge(even though the website says it does) and wanted to charge me $26/day for the fridge. They sent it and never charged for it so I didn't have to fight that one. They must have charged someone else as I was charged over $100 for charges that weren't mine. They took it off when I went to the front desk but it was still annoying.

The pool and grounds were nice overall and we had a good time but would not recommend the hotel.

I picked this hotel over the Ritz because it was $50 less per night with the Chabad rates but if I were to go to PR again (which I probably won't) I would stay at the Ritz.

Although now I wouldn't recommend staying in that part of town unless you want to be near Chabad for shabbat. Not the nicest part of PR.

[robbie]

never been to puerto rico. Im looking for a nice hotel (all inclusive will be nice) something with good pools and near beaches as always the point of going away isnt to spend time in the hotel room. (singles getaway) ive been looking at the El San Juan.
how is the location there? is it in main part of the city? any other hotels or tips?

[Mordyk]

never been to puerto rico. Im looking for a nice hotel (all inclusive will be nice) something with good pools and near beaches as always the point of going away isnt to spend time in the hotel room. (singles getaway) ive been looking at the El San Juan.
how is the location there? is it in main part of the city? any other hotels or tips?

the el san juan is in the main city. not to far from the old city. pretty old but decent hotel(check a few posts ago on this thread) for more attractions ideas check wiki or start reading this thread from the beginning. there are some good recommendations.

i have been to the ritz carlton(right next to the el san juan) i am a big fan of that hotel. beutiful and the service was amazing.  gorgeous beach too. chabad puerto rice online has very good pricing

[robbie]

the el san juan is in the main city. not to far from the old city. pretty old but decent hotel(check a few posts ago on this thread) for more attractions ideas check wiki or start reading this thread from the beginning. there are some good recommendations.

i have been to the ritz carlton(right next to the el san juan) i am a big fan of that hotel. beutiful and the service was amazing.  gorgeous beach too. chabad puerto rice online has very good pricing

thank alot, I have read the thread about the El San Juan, some of the reviews online do scare me a bit...
can you explain to me in brief the difference between the old and new city?

[Mordyk]

thank alot, I have read the thread about the El San Juan, some of the reviews online do scare me a bit...
can you explain to me in brief the difference between the old and new city?

The old city is mostly a tourist attraction. No hotels over, its just if you are not going to another city then its good to be in the area

[arid]

never been to puerto rico. Im looking for a nice hotel (all inclusive will be nice) something with good pools and near beaches as always the point of going away isnt to spend time in the hotel room. (singles getaway) ive been looking at the El San Juan.
how is the location there? is it in main part of the city? any other hotels or tips?

I went back in 2009 and I stayed at the Gran Melia. I still think that it is one of the nicest, most relaxing hotels I've ever stayed at. Perfect for couples. Not too far from the city (take the highway with a toll to avoid TONS of traffic). Gigantic pool with jacuzzi spots in the pool and those "beach chairs" partially submerged in the water. The upgraded rooms have a full big fridge. Not sure about basic rooms. If you are a big spender, we saw the private villas with private pools/jacuzzis off the water. Insane.
I see the hotel with decent prices go on sale from time to time on travelzoo or cheapCaribbean.com
I still dream of going back there but my wife won't go bec she's already done PR.
Also, one of the coolest things I've ever done was kayaking in the Bioilumenecent Bay at night with the light up water. If you go to PR w/o doing this, the trip was a waste.

[Joe4007]

Also, one of the coolest things I've ever done was kayaking in the Bioilumenecent Bay at night with the light up water.

+1

[myb821]

Also, one of the coolest things I've ever done was kayaking in the Bioilumenecent Bay at night with the light up water. If you go to PR w/o doing this, the trip was a waste.

yea was amazing, although read a recent article that there was something going on with it.

[Joe4007]

yea was amazing, although read a recent article that there was something going on with it.

Like? Was there 2 weeks ago, was beautiful.

[Aaaron]

Like? Was there 2 weeks ago, was beautiful.

It stopped glowing about a year ago.  I was back up slightly when I was there in December, but it was still far from as bright as it usually is.

[Mordyk]

It stopped glowing about a year ago.  I was back up slightly when I was there in December, but it was still far from as bright as it usually is.

-1  it stops glowing for a half a month, when the moon is full.  but the smaller the moon the brighter it is

[myb821]

-1  it stops glowing for a half a month, when the moon is full.  but the smaller the moon the brighter it is

no there was something wrong where it stopped glowing totally. Although it might have been one of the other ones in puerto rico http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/us/puerto-rico-debates-who-put-out-the-lights-in-a-bay.html?_r=0

[Joe4007]

-1  it stops glowing for a half a month, when the moon is full.  but the smaller the moon the brighter it is

It doesn't stop glowing for half a month when the moon is full, you just can't see it that good because of the moonlight. I was actually there the night before full moon and even so it was quite bright. At one point during the tour we covered all kayaks with a tarp so we could experience it to the fullest.

no there was something wrong where it stopped glowing totally. Although it might have been one of the other ones in puerto rico http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/us/puerto-rico-debates-who-put-out-the-lights-in-a-bay.html?_r=0

Yeah, that article is about the one off Vieques Island, though it does mention that the one in Fajardo has gone dark as well at some point.

[sburgs]

MY TRIP TO Puerto Rico---Summer of 2013 (PM me for any questions)

1) bio bay in fajardo (if you do nothing else DO THIS!!)

 *do the latest tour they offer
*try to go on a moonless night (ask them for details), when there was lots of sun during the day
*its in fajardo which is 45 min from San Juan
*book early, they run out!

we used kayakng puerto rico, tho their are plenty others and they're all the same

http://www.kayakingpuertorico.com/pages/biobay.html
787-435-1665

2) mini boat tour

*take a mini motorized raft into the ocean, go island hopping and snorkeling
*its expensive (150 for 2 ppl)
*driving is a ton of fun and the island you visit feels like out of a movie...literally.
*also beautiful snorkeling!
*full day activity 11-5 or something
they give you some food and drinks, some of the snacks are kosher
*also in fajardo

Mini Boat Island Hop & Snorkel

787-244-2828 (also kayaking puerto rico)

3) Monkey Island



*kayak over to an island w over 1000 monkeys (u watch but cant go on cuz they are dangerous and have HIV...)

private- just us and the male guide

*about an hour west of San Juan (opposite direction of Fajardo)



8)Bacardi Factory

*tour the Bacardi rum factory and get free drinks

*tours are FREE

*plain Bacardi mixed w anything kosher (i.e OJ) is kosher lol

*didn't get to do it but ppl say its fun

*in San Juan



9) Water Beach Club Hotel Roof Top Lounge

*super loud music

*beautiful view of the ocean

*fun to do at night (there isnt much to do at night)

FOOD SITUATION

-go on chabadpr.com and you can order groceries, raw meat for BBQ or dinner to go (dinner to go is expensive...)

-bring rye bread cuz they have no normal bread there!

-you can find random Kuf Q bread products in Walmart which is a good hashgacha

-we did 2 BBQs on the beach which was nice tho do it before dark or you will be attacked by nasty bugs/dogs (reminded me of the gemarah and will have to throw away all your meat

[robbie]

thanks heading there on Thursday! very helpfull

[Joe4007]

Nice report. Gotta disagree on taking the latest kayak tour as I can not imagine kayaking through those mangroves for the first time in complete darkness. It ought to be spooky! We went with the earlier tour and when we got to the bay it was already dark, so I don't really see what's to gain by going later.