My friend Kim was sick of the long winter in Boston so she came down to PR for a few days while I was there. We made a weekend of it and stayed on the beach in Isla Verde at the Intercontinental Hotel.
Playing Tour Guide!
Kim has been to PR before, for my wedding. However, she was only there for the weekend, thus didn't really get to see much beyond the wedding events. So I happily played tour guide for a few days and brought her to some of my favorite spots in the San Juan area. Here is what we did:
Playing Tour Guide!
Kim has been to PR before, for my wedding. However, she was only there for the weekend, thus didn't really get to see much beyond the wedding events. So I happily played tour guide for a few days and brought her to some of my favorite spots in the San Juan area. Here is what we did:
Piñones Beach - Kim's first time having a beach to herself!
Well, we had to share it with a few rogue coconuts.
No visit to Piñones is complete without a little fried food. We stopped by one of the many kiosks in Loiza to sample some traditional Puerto Rican street food.
She tried bacalaitos for the first time - deep fried salt cod fritters.
Of course we had to visit Old San Juan:)
We went to my favorite square in Old San Juan, in front of the Convento Hotel. Later, we stopped at the Convento for a drink and I randomly ran into a former co-worker who was also visiting with a friend for the weekend. I guess we weren't the only ones escaping the Boston winter!
More Puerto Rican food - Mofongo at Mi Casita!
Lunch at the España Bakery: media noche sandwich and a mallorca. YUM!!!
One evening we had a drink on the roof deck of the San Juan Water & Beach Club. It's a great spot for sundowners, especially during the week when it's not crowded.
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Most of the time, we relaxed on Isla Verde beach with a pina colada in hand:)
A Message for the Intercontinental Isla Verde
The Intercontinental in Isla Verde was a good choice. The hotel is lovely, staff is nice, and the location perfect. However, there was one snafu worth mentioning. One night Kim woke up thirsty at 3:30am. Since we ran out of bottled water and the tap water tasted terrible, she went to the lobby to purchase a bottle of water. The woman at the front desk told her that it would take room service at least 15 minutes to get her water and recommended she go outside, across and up the street to the 24 hr market. At 3:30 AM. Alone. Needless to say we were both annoyed with the front desk. So Intercontinental, if you are reading this - stock more water in your hotel please and don't subject your patrons to potentially dangerous situations.
The Intercontinental in Isla Verde was a good choice. The hotel is lovely, staff is nice, and the location perfect. However, there was one snafu worth mentioning. One night Kim woke up thirsty at 3:30am. Since we ran out of bottled water and the tap water tasted terrible, she went to the lobby to purchase a bottle of water. The woman at the front desk told her that it would take room service at least 15 minutes to get her water and recommended she go outside, across and up the street to the 24 hr market. At 3:30 AM. Alone. Needless to say we were both annoyed with the front desk. So Intercontinental, if you are reading this - stock more water in your hotel please and don't subject your patrons to potentially dangerous situations.
Great Girls Getaway!
I often write about Puerto Rico because I visit my family there several times a year. This was one of the few times I've stayed in San Juan as a tourist and I enjoyed it very much! San Juan is a fantastic weekend getaway, particularly for US east coasters, because it's a quick flight away, relatively cheap compared to other islands in the Caribbean, has nice beaches close to the airport and still offers a lively nightlife and unique culture. Plus passports are not required if you are a US citizen.
I often write about Puerto Rico because I visit my family there several times a year. This was one of the few times I've stayed in San Juan as a tourist and I enjoyed it very much! San Juan is a fantastic weekend getaway, particularly for US east coasters, because it's a quick flight away, relatively cheap compared to other islands in the Caribbean, has nice beaches close to the airport and still offers a lively nightlife and unique culture. Plus passports are not required if you are a US citizen.
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