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 234130 times)

Offline myb821

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #260 on: October 30, 2014, 12:24:39 PM »
i may have "fallen" out of my kayak in the bay.

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #261 on: October 30, 2014, 12:27:05 PM »
i may have "fallen" out of my kayak in the bay.
Poor you ;D

Either way, I believe they can't really enforce touching the water, swimming OTOH isn't allowed at the other bays either.

Offline myb821

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #262 on: October 30, 2014, 12:28:40 PM »
it was pretty cool.

Offline milechazzer

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #263 on: October 31, 2014, 01:17:49 PM »
Can anyone provide any current/recent feedback on staying (with family) in the Rio Grande area at either Gran Melia or Wyndham? It seems that most people around here have stayed closer to the city, but both of these hotels seems to have very nice facilities, and I see great "mystery hotel" deals for them on hotwire and travelzoo (as low as $145/nt including taxes and fees).

thx

Offline Crazy tools

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #264 on: October 31, 2014, 02:09:48 PM »
Can anyone provide any current/recent feedback on staying (with family) in the Rio Grande area at either Gran Melia or Wyndham? It seems that most people around here have stayed closer to the city, but both of these hotels seems to have very nice facilities, and I see great "mystery hotel" deals for them on hotwire and travelzoo (as low as $145/nt including taxes and fees).

thx
I just stayed at Gran Melia for 2 nights. We got it on express deals on priceline for about $115. (there aren't many options in that area, so if you know how to work priceline you'll know which hotel your getting. We knew before we booked that we would get that hotel.)
The hotel is a couple minutes from any other civilization, but the grounds are really nice.
Room is decent size, was clean and there was plenty of room for a rollaway. View from room was really nothing. They wanted to charge an extra $150 for ocean view which didn't seem like there was any major view anyways. You need to request a refrigerator and they bring this thing they call a minibar, it worked OK. We had to switch rooms due to the ac not working well (new room didn't work great either), service was not to great, room did have a slight smell with old furniture.
But the grounds are really nice with an awesome huge pool that was pretty empty most of the day and night. The beds that they have in the pool were heavenly!
For the chilling out style vacation with factoring in the price that we paid we enjoyed.

From seeing the pictures I thought I was getting a gorgeous room, I was pretty let down with it when I arrived. After I switched rooms and my mindset it was a nice stay
« Last Edit: October 31, 2014, 02:17:33 PM by Crazy tools »

Offline curly

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #265 on: November 10, 2014, 01:21:02 PM »
The W in Vieques looks beautiful, and that island hold the Guinness world record for the most powerful bioluminescent bay in the world.

Yes, and there is also a really high cancer rate for Vieques.

Google it. Scary stuff.

Offline Danny29

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #266 on: November 17, 2014, 02:43:26 PM »
I am going to be staying in the Intercontinental the week of 12/7. I booked using the Chabad special rate for 149, which includes complimentary breakfast for 2, as stated on the chabad website. Does anyone know if this is a kosher breakfast? (If not, I don't really understand what the perk for the Chabad special)??

Offline Danny29

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #267 on: November 17, 2014, 05:10:39 PM »
Anyone?

Online Mordyk

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #268 on: November 17, 2014, 05:23:29 PM »
I am going to be staying in the Intercontinental the week of 12/7. I booked using the Chabad special rate for 149, which includes complimentary breakfast for 2, as stated on the chabad website. Does anyone know if this is a kosher breakfast? (If not, I don't really understand what the perk for the Chabad special)??
to save money??? ::)
#TYH

Offline Danny29

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #269 on: November 18, 2014, 09:36:27 AM »
Not that much cheaper than the regular rate. Few bucks

Offline milechazzer

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #270 on: November 19, 2014, 03:55:07 PM »
I am considering either the Embassy Suites (San Juan) or the Hampton Inn (San Juan) for a family trip (with kids), since they seem to be the only two hotels with reasonably priced suites or large rooms for a family. They both seem to have very similar rooms and are in the same general area.  Can anyone provide any input on either or both of these hotels, and which one might be better for a family stay with young kids.

Also, would appreciate any suggestions on finding the best rate for these (other than conventional hotel sites or Hotwire/Priceline).

Thank you

Offline Aaaron

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #271 on: November 19, 2014, 06:18:00 PM »
I am considering either the Embassy Suites (San Juan) or the Hampton Inn (San Juan) for a family trip (with kids), since they seem to be the only two hotels with reasonably priced suites or large rooms for a family. They both seem to have very similar rooms and are in the same general area.  Can anyone provide any input on either or both of these hotels, and which one might be better for a family stay with young kids.

Also, would appreciate any suggestions on finding the best rate for these (other than conventional hotel sites or Hotwire/Priceline).

Thank you

Can't directly answer your question, but we looked at those when I took my mom and sister and ended up using Airbnb for a 3br.  It worked out perfectly.

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #272 on: November 19, 2014, 07:48:43 PM »
I am considering either the Embassy Suites (San Juan) or the Hampton Inn (San Juan) for a family trip (with kids), since they seem to be the only two hotels with reasonably priced suites or large rooms for a family. They both seem to have very similar rooms and are in the same general area.  Can anyone provide any input on either or both of these hotels, and which one might be better for a family stay with young kids.

Also, would appreciate any suggestions on finding the best rate for these (other than conventional hotel sites or Hotwire/Priceline).

Thank you
Embassy suites usually gets you two separate rooms, which is nice with kids

Offline Geshmakeh Chulent Fresser

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #273 on: November 20, 2014, 03:08:55 PM »
Can't directly answer your question, but we looked at those when I took my mom and sister and ended up using Airbnb for a 3br.  It worked out perfectly.

We just booked a beautiful looking 3 bedroom apartment in Fajardo through VRBO.  At $155 per night its a small fraction of what a comparable option in a hotel would cost.

Offline Geshmakeh Chulent Fresser

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #274 on: November 20, 2014, 03:11:53 PM »
Does anyone know a way to purchase a "day pass" for the El Conquistador water park for someone who is not a guest at the resort?  It looks like this was an option years ago but their website now says only guests can get in.  Any advice would be appreciated. 

Offline milechazzer

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #275 on: November 20, 2014, 03:34:09 PM »
We just booked a beautiful looking 3 bedroom apartment in Fajardo through VRBO.  At $155 per night its a small fraction of what a comparable option in a hotel would cost.

Does that come with a pool?

Offline Aaaron

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #276 on: November 20, 2014, 04:22:27 PM »
We just booked a beautiful looking 3 bedroom apartment in Fajardo through VRBO.  At $155 per night its a small fraction of what a comparable option in a hotel would cost.

 :D

VRBO/AirBNB are great when needing multiple rooms.

Offline Geshmakeh Chulent Fresser

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #277 on: November 20, 2014, 04:24:16 PM »
Does that come with a pool?

The apartment is in a gated complex with multiple pools.  You can see pictures of the apartment I reserved below, but there are many apartments in this complex (Pena Mar) available on VRBO.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p254969?utm_source=SYS&utm_medium=email&utm_term=20141030&utm_content=hascpropid_text_o_lprop&utm_campaign=VRBO_replied

Offline milechazzer

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #278 on: November 20, 2014, 05:46:41 PM »
The apartment is in a gated complex with multiple pools.  You can see pictures of the apartment I reserved below, but there are many apartments in this complex (Pena Mar) available on VRBO.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p254969?utm_source=SYS&utm_medium=email&utm_term=20141030&utm_content=hascpropid_text_o_lprop&utm_campaign=VRBO_replied


It does look nice. But you booked my nights  >:(

Offline Geshmakeh Chulent Fresser

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #279 on: November 20, 2014, 06:29:56 PM »
It does look nice. But you booked my nights  >:(

Lucky for you there are plenty of other nice apartments available in the same complex:

http://www.vrbo.com/398502
http://www.vrbo.com/594413
http://www.vrbo.com/281418
http://www.vrbo.com/489295
http://www.vrbo.com/293922