peak seasons
If you visit the beaches between December and April, like most tourists do, you would be hard-pressed to find hotel accommodations and prime spots on the sand. The alternative, however, is not bright: May to November is hurricane season and while prices are cheaper and there are fewer travelers, you could get hit by a serious disaster. If you do decide to go in order to beat the crowd, keep an eye on forecasts up until the day you're supposed to leave. Nothing's worse than being in paradise and holed up in your room because of gale force winds that could peel the roof off of your shelter.how to get there... and around
Getting to Puerto Rico is no science. Most of the major carriers will fly to San Juan, as it is the most accessible Caribbean city. Luis Muñnz Marín International Airport is on the eastern tip of the capital -- just a short car ride away from the hotspots. Getting around on the island is more exciting. You can be adventurous in the small commonwealth and rent a car to tour the coast or at least navigate your own way through the city.You can do Puerto Rico the chump way, by basking day after day on the beach while sipping Bahama Mamas, or you can do it the real way, by experiencing all the country has to offer. It's not every day that you get to be in the Caribbean without feeling completely lost in a foreign country.
must-see attractions
After you check into your hotel, which will almost inevitably be resort-level price, gain your bearings and gape at the women at the pool and on the beach; and then head to El Yunque. It may sound strange to be in San Juan and not think "beach" right away, but it is best to do the unique mini-trips before getting mesmerized by the sand, surf and women.In El Yunque, which is approximately an hour drive from the capital, you'll find a mountainous rainforest (whose highest peak, El Toro, stands at 3,532 feet) with 13 clear, safe hiking trails meandering up the slope. Depending on your capabilities, you can chose a 15-minute walk or longer treks in which you delve deep into the forest, occasionally catching glimpses of parrots and even dancing under cool waterfalls.
It is a picturesque area and perfect for a refreshing picnic before returning back to San Juan with sore feet and a relaxed mind. If you don't want grubs crawling around your food, then Luqillo Beach, while not a getaway with all the food stalls around, provides a scenic area to eat and take a dip.
san juan: more than just a resort
As a trip to El Yunque will take up most of the day, some key resting time inside an air-conditioned hotel room might be needed. As night falls, San Juan proves that it's more than just a resort city -- it's actually the second oldest city in the Americas. Old San Juan has four old plazas and statues (the latter of which represent the four seasons), historic buildings, and friendly people surrounding them. The San Juan Beach and Resort area, just outside of the old city, is the place to be for nightlife: hotels, casinos, nightclubs, and chic boutiques line the streets.extreme activities
The next morning, after sampling some of Puerto Rico's fresh tropical fruit, it's time to enjoy the true Caribbean activities: snorkeling, windsurfing, and some crazy high diving; Puerto Rico has optimum conditions for all three. Top sites like La Parguera, Fajardo and Mona Island offer boat services to take you out into the ocean for underwater exploring, an experience people say is unmatched in beauty and wonder. Who doesn't like staring sharks and poisonous jellyfish right in the face? These three spots also boast the geography to let you dive deep into the water, where submerged canyons let you fall as deep as humanly possible.At San Juan's Condado Lagoon, novice windsurfers can practice catching the breeze and skirting the waves. If you get really good at it, Isabela, which is little more than an hour drive away from Puerto Rico and on its northwest coast, has more challenging and exciting stretches of surf. Basically, if you saw it done on a beach or in the sea, Puerto Rico has the facilities for it. From whale watching and deep-sea fishing to sailing, your days can be packed if you choose.
go nuts... or not
If you're ready to just chill on the beach, that's okay. You've now paid your dues as an adventurous traveler by hiking in the mountains and snorkeling. Go ahead with some sort of tropical mixed drink, sunscreen and your swimming trunks, and find a strip of sand with your name on it. You never know; there might be beautiful twin 24-year-olds next to you in desperate need of some lotion for their backs.For the rest of your trip, it's all about sun and relaxation. Mix in some beach volleyball, some more excursions into San Juan and perhaps a restaurant or two to sample local delicacies. Spice it up with dark-skinned local women of Latin flavor and you get one sweet stress-killing vacation.
With prime weather, location and accessibility, Puerto Rico provides a great spot to vacation when a more excessive trip is not possible. It allows you to get away without being too far. There is not much of an adjustment to make in terms of culture as it is often said that there are more Puerto Ricans in New York City than in San Juan, and there is no language barrier. Essentially, Puerto Rico is the Caribbean spot for beauty, beaches as well as a surprising place for culture and history.
tips for the trip:
Resources:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/caribbean/puerto_rico/facts.htm#top
http://welcome.topuertorico.org/tinfo.shtml
Puerto Rico Travel Guide
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