Travelling to Puerto Rico in September?

Question

I will be travelling to San Juan the first week in Sept. We are staying at the Marriott Stellaris Resort. Anyone been there? Is it a large enough resort to keep us occupied for a week or should we try and break up the week staying in another area of the island. Anyone ever stayed at the Marriott Courtyard on Isle Verde? What about the El San Juan Hotel . . .I've heard it's pretty old and run down now. Also . . . do we have to worry about drinking the water etc? And do we need a Visa? Two will be travelling as Canadians. If so . . . how do we get one. Makes me wish we had used a travel agent, but too late, already booked the airline!

Answer 1

If the Marriott Stellaris is the one near Condado area I have heard rumors about it being haunted. The San Juan hotel in Isla Verde is one of the most beautiful hotels that I have seen and one of the best run in the island. Weather in San Juan or Isla Verde (next door to airport) I`m sure that you will have a good time. About drinking water, as in the states, unless it`s New York water you`re drinking, I recommend bottled water. The Canadians in your group, should bring their passports since they`re not American citizens; contact the Tourism Office for their information on that matter or the Canadian State Department. You can also get information on all local hotels and resorts in the "Que Pasa" magazine or "Bienvenidos", www.enjoypuertorico.com and www.prhta.org. They have information on current events taking place around the island and neighboring municipal islands as well. Plus information on local "Paradores" (local Inns) that are more economical than most hotels and are spread throughout the island (www.Go To Paradores.com). There are several resorts, Westin Rio Mar in Rio Grande (About 30 to 40 minutes from San Juan Metro area on the north side of the island); El Conquistador in Fajardo on the east coast. Mayaguez Resort&Casino (www.mayaguezresort.com) located on the west coast. Coamo Springs, in the southern coast (www.coamosprings.com). Thre`s also Copa Marina Beach Resort in the southwest near Guanica. Playa Santa (sacred beach) is one of the most beautiful of beaches that I have seen. Here you can take boat rides to several small islands dotting the shore. The most popular is called "Guiligan`s Island" by the locals, although the local PPD and Independentistas political parties and government has tried many ways of discouraging Puertorricans from calling it that but the name remains Guiligan`s Island. It`s part of U.S. National Parks and local conservation agencies. This one place, along with the Camuy Caves Park, the Taino village atop a mountain in Camuy and Soni beach in the island municipality of Culebra are in my humble opinion the most beautiful places on the island, along with El Yunque. If you want to sightsee and enjoy a beach at the same time  I recomend these places. There`s also El Convento Hotel in Old San Juan,  very good food; the Normandie, right on the entrance to the Ciudad Amurallada (City of Walls), Caribe Hilton and other hotels that have been newly renovated and whose prior names have been changed, there`s about 3 or 4 in that area (Condado), There are a lot of hotels in Isla Verde, a lot of them built within the past 20 to 5 years. Enjoy your stay and good luck.

Answer 2

Traveling to Puerto Rico (for an american citizen) is no different than traveling to any other USA states. Any non-citizens will have to meet the same requirements necessary to visit USA.

There is no problem with the water in PR. Only when there is

a Huracane (like in Florida)sometimes if there is damage to the public water system It is recommended to boil the water or use commercial bottled water.

Any "name" hotel in San Juan is at par with their counterpart

in the USA. However, San Juan is a hub for turists and the prices are a bit higher than in the interior hotels.

If you really want to see PR you really should visit the interior towns of the island. The native dishes are delicious and at

reasonable prices. Nothing like San Juan prices.

Great towns to visit are Ponce (the pearl of the south) and

in the west Mayaguez. The people are very hospitable and you will have no difficulty with language. English is part of the school curriculum and most people under age 40 can speak English. All Banks personnel everywhere in the island speak english.

As to your Canadian friends they should get a visitors visa

thru their local US council office.

Going back to old San Juan two places that I always go back

for a meal are: "La Bombonera" excellent for breakfast and

lunches and the best coffee (who needs strarbuck?).

This place is a favorite of the "locals" so is always busy.

The other place for good legitimate spanish menu and

great old fashion ambiance is "La Mayorquina". Here the

price is more up to date with the best Hotels but the service

is much superior (as well as the food). La Mayorquina only

opens for supper. Again this place is a favorite of Old Fashion families in PR.

One Last Warning: Once you arrive and walk out of the

airport building you'll think that you walk into a Sauna Room;

So dress appropiate.

In San Juan casual dress is always OK except in the evening where "short:"pants are not necessary the mode.

PS: If you are a sufer go to the town of Isabela's  beaches in the northwest part of the island. People all over the world go there for surfing events.

Good Luck and Have Fun

Answer 3

i cant believe people think that PR its the monster island. how can someone that lived 10 years in USA can know how PR really is. i was born in USA and live in PR and i love it. PR its only dangerous if u are involved in illegal stuff, such as drugs, otherwise its safe to live and visit. PR its more of the safest countries for tourists to visit.

1. water is safe to drink. no bacterias and wont get sick. its totally drinkable.

2. if u are canadian u need a passport, u could get one at the nearest federal post office in america (i dont know about canada).

3. if u are an american citizen u dont need a passport, u just need a US id photo, such as lincense.

4. about hotels u should stay in a good hotel for the whole week. marriott or hilton. its cheaper staying in a good hotel than to move from place to place, taxes are a bit higher than the US and every time u check in a new hotel, they will charge taxes.

Answer 4

El San Juan Hotel has benn under remodelation for a couple of years and I can say it is the best hotel in PR.

Answer 5

I say just stay in one hotel. At least if you are staying in San Juan only. If you want to spend a night or two on Culebra or Vieques island or somewhere a little farther from San Juan then yes I would suggest splitting it up for that reason.  I do reccomend seeing a few things outside San Juan also. You can rent a car or take bus tours & don't worry because everything is reachable within a few hours. El Yunque rain forest is 45 mins away. Camuy Caves & Arecibo Telescope are about an hour away. Oh & yes the water is perfectly safe to drink, same as the US. I am not sure what you need as a Canadian to visit PR. You will only need whatever you need to visit any other part of the US. Have fun :)

According to this website I be;lieve you just need a passport:

http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/C...

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Answer 6

The Marriot Stellaris Resort is right, I would stay at one hotel than changing hotels during the week.

Water?  We have the same federal regulations for potable water quality, but to be safe order bottled water anytime you travel more than 300 miles away from your home.  Not matter is the travel is to Europe, America, Asia, etc.

Visa?  If you are comming from the USA no.  We are an unincorpored & organazed territory of the United States.  however if you have a VISA card bring it with you for any shopping you want to do.

Canadians?  They will need the same paperwork required to travel to Florida, California or Texas; probably just passport and driving license.

Call the airline for details.

Answer 7

the tips and travel links on this site is quite informatinal.  

http://redhotescapes.com/