Anyone been to/live in Puerto Rico?

[tin.risky]

I'm going to be heading to Puerto Rico at the end of April (tentatively 4/19-4/26) and I just wanted to ask if anyone could recommend places to visit. I'm going to be in Loiza, so places near there would be great. Anyone else going to be there around that time or live there that might want to meet up one day?

Also, what's a good way to get around? I don't imagine there's a convenient bus/train system that connects the different areas. I've been a bit spoiled by living in New York. Are there reliable car services that aren't crazy expensive or would my best bet be to just rent a car? I'm just worried about driving around there because I have no idea how the traffic is and I'm not familiar with the area. If someone could let me know how the traffic and road conditions are like in San Juan/Loiza that would be great.

[KirkHMB]

Been there 2x for work, took buses and taxis and local drivers every time. Never rented or drove myself. Stayed in downtown San Juan and old San Juan for the most part.

We did go to a bio luminescent lagoon and went kayaking at night. Couldn't take pix very well, very dark, but I didn't have my SLR. Think this was it.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2005-05-02-puerto-rico-lagoon_x.htm

Beware of the party boats, some are really low end. Some friends got sick.

[eeeksNYC]

I went last year during the off season and stayed in Old San Juan. There's definitely no loss for great images there. The weather was wonderful and clear, and with it being off season there were very few crowds. Even the public beaches were deserted.

We stayed at Il Convento in Old San Juan.

Getting around my girlfriend and I rented a Jeep and drove the island. It was actually pretty easy to get around.

[Displaced]

If you drive around, make sure you count to 5 before taking off at a red light. At one point we counted 13 cars that ran the red light before we could go on green. On some 4 lane side roads they use the right hand lane to park. Had more than one occasion where people stopped in the right lane in front of us, got out of their cars, and ran into a store.

Don't miss Old San Juan.

[mrgtturbo]

My GF moved here to Maine about 2 years ago. She lived her life up to that point in San Juan. She says to make sure you check out Old San Juan, other than that it depends what you are lokking for. If you want to know anything about the area ask and I'll either have her post here, or I'll post for her. Or, naturally... you could always PM me.

Aaron

[tin.risky]

Thanks for all the advice guys (especially about people running the red lights). I will be sure to visit Old San Juan. Thanks for the offer mrgtturbo, and thank your gf for me too :D.

I'm looking for good places to eat and nice beaches. I know that there are a lot of beaches near San Juan and in Loiza (the two places I'll be staying at). If there's a particularly nice/secluded beach I'd be sure to visit that. Besides those things, I'm also looking into a caving trip. The one I found is called Adventuras Tierra Adentro. They seem to be pretty experienced and the "caving adventure" sounds amazing. Mrgtturbo, has your gf ever heard of them or know of something similar? Here's a link to their site if anyone else is interested: http://www.adventurespr.com/default.html

I hear that a visit to the rainforest, El Yunque, is a must. Are there any specifics I should know about a trip to El Yunque? Anything in particular to bring or any particular area of the forest that's especially interesting? I also love horseback riding, snorkeling, and kayaking. Any recommendations for where to do these things? Thanks again for all the help guys. Just another reason why I love POTN :D.

[KirkHMB]

Beware of the beaches. When the dangerous surf flag is up, they mean it. When I was there in May, the flag was up, and people were still in the water. Forget if they lost 2 or 3 people the three days we were there. Stayed at the Marriott, the beach right off the back side of the resort, and moving west less than 1 mile.
http://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/photos/153882160_5DWYp-L.jpg

This is people watching the copters looking for the bodies.

[mrgtturbo]

tin.risky

I'll be asking the GF tonight... but I do know as for as places to eat she's going to say Chillis. :rolleyes:

[silversldr]

I live in Puerto Rico now, but on the west side. I can definitely help out if you are going to head this way.

[eeeksNYC]

El Yunque was kind of a let down when my GF and I went (Mid February). Not so much in terms of colorful foilage. It was a bit cloudy when we went, but it was a fun drive up the mountain in Hector (our rental jeep). You may have better luck. Spectacular views however around sunset.

[neil85]

hit up FREDDYCR ... hes a very avid poster in the glam/nude section and is in PR i beleive

[silversldr]

freddycr lives in Costa Rica.

[tin.risky]

Silversldr, thank you so much for the offer. I'll be staying on the east side since I won't be there long and I won't have access to a car the whole time. Maybe on my next trip I'll give you a call :D.

[equetefue]

A couple from over there

http://s152588970.onlinehome.us/PiCs/Puerto%20Rico/HD80-Dump-115.jpg


http://s152588970.onlinehome.us/PiCs/Others/PR%20Vacation%20resized/Cavernas%20de%20%20Camuy%20011%20Large%20e-mail%20view.jpg


http://s152588970.onlinehome.us/PiCs/Others/PR%20Vacation%20resized/El%20Morro%20and%20more%20PR%20061%20Large%20e-mail%20view.jpg

http://s152588970.onlinehome.us/PiCs/Others/PR%20Vacation%20resized/El%20Morro%20and%20more%20PR%20303%20Large%20e-mail%20view.jpg


http://s152588970.onlinehome.us/PiCs/Others/HDR/Generated-HDR---Tone-mapped.jpg


http://s152588970.onlinehome.us/PiCs/Others/HDR/Carnivale-HDR.jpg

[silversldr]

Gotta make it quick. I am in the Coast Guard and stationed here, but in the summer I will be transferring to South Padre Island, Tx.

[AngryCorgi]

I'm going to be heading to Puerto Rico at the end of April (tentatively 4/19-4/26) and I just wanted to ask if anyone could recommend places to visit. I'm going to be in Loiza, so places near there would be great. Anyone else going to be there around that time or live there that might want to meet up one day?

Also, what's a good way to get around? I don't imagine there's a convenient bus/train system that connects the different areas. I've been a bit spoiled by living in New York. Are there reliable car services that aren't crazy expensive or would my best bet be to just rent a car? I'm just worried about driving around there because I have no idea how the traffic is and I'm not familiar with the area. If someone could let me know how the traffic and road conditions are like in San Juan/Loiza that would be great.

I've never been, but I hear it's a nice place. Probably a good place to shoot with your zeiss lenses --- if only you still owned them. :-P

[tin.risky]

I've never been, but I hear it's a nice place. Probably a good place to shoot with your zeiss lenses --- if only you still owned them. :-P

Haha, as soon as I get the money I'll be buying them back. It was awesome while it lasted. I can't wait for this trip. Only a few more weeks to go.