Puerto Rico Visit

Have the chance to visit Puerto Rico for 10 days soon. Staying near the airport in San Juan. Any suggestions for things to do or things not to miss during the 10 days. Should we have a car for the entire time or just for a few days? Staying at the Intercontinental Resort. Going to visit Vieques for a day. Is it worth it?

Vieques is very nice and nighttime illuminescece (sp?) in watch is beautiful. Quiet place with friendly locals

If you're doing a day trip it won't be an option so I would highly recommend at least one night to see the Bioluminescent Bay. Truly one of the most beautiful things we've ever experienced in the Caribbean and worth the cost of the stay over. For a while there, the organized trips to the bay were stopped so make sure they're still doing them.......it's really an incredibly beautiful thing to see and being on the bay rather than looking at it from afar is really the best way to see it in all its glory. My understanding is there is also a bioluminescent experience on the mainland PR but supposedly its not nearly as beautiful. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

This is a very full day and a real ADVENTURE, but well worth the experience. (May want to have map in hand)

Get up early and head west on PR2 towards Arecibo.

Possible Side Trip:
If you are into science and space you can visit the Arecibo Radio Telescope, which is the largest of its type in the world. The telescope is built into the valley of mountains. Arecibo Telescope was also featured in the movie Contact and James Bond Golden Eye. If you decide to go there, you will have to back track to Arecibo to continue on Hwy 10.. If the telescope is not interesting continue below.

The Trip continues:

The ride of your life and to see the beauty of PR take Highway 10 from Arecibo across the mountains to Ponce. It has been a long time… (30 years) since we have done it, but the views and sights are amazing. This ride is not for the weak of stomach if one is prone to car sickness.

Possible Side Trip off Hwy 10
Puerto Rico is known for their coffee and there are a few plantations along the way. You would have to research their hours. The towns of Utuado and Adjuntas are along the way for short respites. The flora and fauna are amazing. Take it slow and make sure it is a pretty day when you do it.

Possible Side Trip off Hwy 10
If you are feeling really adventurous and comfortable with the drive once can cut off on highway 143 to Cerro de Punta. It is the highest point in PR and if it is a clear clear day you can see about 90% of the island from the top. It is about 30-45 minutes off Highway to 10 to get there and the same to get back.

** There are folks on the side of the road selling chicken and ribs and much like the lolos in SXM some of the best food can be found there.

Time to go to the hotel: Ponce Back to San Juan
It is the second largest town on the island and does have a nice art museum if that is your kind of thing. If not, continue on PR 52, which is a much nice highway over the mountains via Caguas and back into San Juan. Pretty sure it is 4 lane all the way now. If it is San Juan rush hour you may want to stop in Caguas.

This will be a lot of car time, but you will truly get to see Puerto Rico. Do not do on a rainy day!

We will be there a couple of nights in feb....have booked with ellis to take uson a day trip to the rain forest,beach,local food and to farado to the bio bay trip by boat.....he sounds delightful and it frees us up to see rather than navigate and drive....he only takes your party...found him online by typing ellis and Puerto rico...have a wonderful timr....the intercontinental is a gorgeous hotel with great pool...

It's not that great a pool. I found the swim up bar stools to be a little on the firm side!
G

Metropol restaurant ... Metropol
Great food. Walking distance from your hotel.
Go for lunch one day, you'll come back for dinner another!
Don't miss it!

For Bio-bay, you want to go when there is the least illumination from the moon; try to plan accordingly. On a Saturday or Sunday a visit to the Lechoneras in Guavate. Usually live music and fabulous P.R. pork off the spit with all the trimmings, served family style. A nice mountain drive in the interior. My favorite spot is El Rancho.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
Love the Metropol!

We have stayed on Puerto Rico twice on our way to other islands. Things we did –

Wandered around Old San Juan. We stumbled into a tour of the governer’s mansion, which was very interesting.

Both forts. You could do both in a day.

Private rainforest tour with http://elyunque.com/islandwalkers.htm. Typically, we aren’t the type to hire private guides but holy cow, was it worth it in this case. His recommendations on timing (to avoid the crowds) and particular hikes were valuable and certainly enhanced our experience. He picked us up at the hotel and returned us afterwards. He was a very informative, interesting guide.

Lunch at liquido beach (based on the above guides recommendations)

Fajardo bio bay tour. We did the electric boat tour and that was a good choice for us.

Actually it's Luquillo Beach and the little beaten up strip building hides some of the best restaurants you'll ever find. Ay Bonito is an awesome place.

We love the restaurant Baqua. You should cab it there and back as parking is limited and the neighborhood is hard to navigate.

Thanks to all for the great ideas. We met a woman a few days ago who has traveled with her husband to PR on business. Been there quite a few times and she recommended the rain forest and a night at the Bioluminescent Bay. I'll report back on all that we had a chance to see and do.