we might be taking our family vacation this year to east puerto rico and i've never been there so i'm wondering whats there to do that you guys would recommend

 

There is a ton to do in PR. Where are you staying? Fajardo is in the east and has the biggest resort in that area, the El Conquistador. From there you can get to El Yunque Rain Forest, Luquillo Beach, and are a short drive from historic Old San Juan (not super close, but close enough). You can also get to Vieques or Culebra, which are islands off the coast.

If you wanted to stay in San Juan, there are a ton of options, ranging from large hotel/casinos to boutique hotels, mostly all on the beach. There is way too much to type without knowing specifically where you plan to go and want to do, but I'm happy to help if you have questions.

I worked and lived in San Juan and Dorado Beach for about 4 months, then traveled there for another 2 months, so I have a decent idea about where to go.

 

well first of all food is on my things to do list, i love good food espically if its authentic.

second i personally like nature so i know el yunque is some place to go aswell, my parents like to gamble and i know there is plenty of casinos around the area

we'll be staying in humacao and my family likes a variety of things but they are open to anything thats interesting, maybe a nice beach a trip to the nearby island, deep sea fishing is good too.

i wish i knew how to describe all the tastes we have in our family haha but its some times easier to pick from a list lol

 

Well, I don't know much about Humacao, so I can't be of much help there. If you're into food, definitely check out Old San Juan. There are a bunch of really good restaurants out there. Some are authentic, others are more international. Parrot Club is great authentic food. Whatever you do, make sure you try plenty of plantains and flan, which are both popular. Oh, and Baru, which is something of a Puerto Rican fusion restaurant is awesome.

Casino/nightlife - Try the El San Juan Hotel, which is actually in the Isla Verde neighborhood. It has the best casino and nightclub in San Juan. I like Spy Bar, which is in Condado neighborhood, also.

Outdoors - There is plenty to do outside in PR. As I wrote before, El Yunque is near where you're staying. Culebra is an island that is almost completely uninhabited and undeveloped. Its pretty much just beach. You'll need to charter a flight out there, but its not hard. I think you can take a ferry too, but its a long ride. Check out the bioluminescent bay if you get a chance (all the way on the other side of the island). I didn't make it out there, but have heard that its awesome. Also, if you're willing to drive (and be careful driving, the cops LOVE giving tickets to mainlanders), you can see the Arecibo radiotelescope, which is south of Arecibo (about an hour west of San Juan). Dorado Beach has great golf courses. Finally, Ponce is supposed to be beautiful, since its on the Caribbean side of the island.

Definitely try to see the Forteleza del Morrow if you make it to Old San Juan. Its a gigantic Spanish fort that was built in the 1500's. Very cool.

Its been a while since I've been back to PR, so I'm struggling to think of some more activities. Humacao is also on a side of the island that I didn't spend much time.

All in all, you'll have a great time down there. PR is a great, great place, with awesome people.

 

thanks so much for all the great tips

 

No problem at all. I really enjoyed my time there and love talking about it.

Oh, if you speak Spanish, just be prepared for Puerto Ricos somewhat provincial dialect and slang.

 

Go to old san juan for food, I thin its called the dragonfly, great sushi.

Cock fights are available (never went) right near the Ritz.

I like isabella, Villa montana.

http://www.villamontana.com/villas-hotel.html

great resort, great food, get a villa with an ocean view, ask the the one closest to the pool. Great for just chillin, de-stressing.

If you want the night life stay in San juan.

 

we're planning on just renting out a villa b/c its cheaper.. a hotel villa costs over 1,000 per day i think while renting one for a week is only 1800 bucks (by private owner) and you get to stay on the country club on a beach shore.

 

Have fun, hope you get nice weather.

 

NOt too much of a traveling tip for things to see but some areas can be shady and there are some pick pockets. When I am in a questionable area in PR or Jamaica (I have had people try to mug me before but I was always in larger numbers than the muggers so we would chase them off) I carry an old junk wallet with about six bucks us and an old health club ID or something. I will stash cash in a money belt or shoe sole.

Never needed to use that trick but have had a friend mugged in Bahamas one night and gave up the fake wallet with about $5 in it and kept the couple hundred stashed in his shoe.