*Cmgilpin*

mcda04

Welcome Back.

How was Puerto Rico? I was just searching vacation destinations yesterday and remembered you were just there.

QueerFemme

thanks for asking !!  It was amazing. We did a whole lot of nothing.  Lounged on the beach... went back to our room, napped, ate, lounged some more. 

I have great little guest house recommendations if anyone needs one. We were SOOO happy with our hotel selections.

I could probably skip San Juan if we go back.  I really loved Rincon (on the other side of the island, about 2 hours).  It's much more tourist focused and hustle & bustle.  If you are looking for nightlife though, that's the place to be. 

The only thing I didn't like was the abundance of stray animals (dogs, cats, horses). they were EVERYWHERE.. and it broke my heart.  I routinely ordered more food than I could eat so I could give it to a stray dog on the way outside.  It was shocking to see skinny horses on the side of the road. Just wandering around.  Not tethered or fenced.  Like, literally, on the side of the road.

Here are some photos.  Both of the ocean pictures were taken from the balcony at each of the hotels we stayed at.  the one of my partner and I was taken at this tiny little bar we found. 

mcda04

The pictures look amazing. I'm glad you had a good time. Thanks for the reviews, I'll let you know if I ever need the hotel info.

jennipea382

Beautiful pics! Could I get the info for where you stayed? We are looking at going to PR for our honeymoon and we are going crazy trying to narrow it down! Also if you have any suggestions of things to do while we're there, that would be awesome

QueerFemme

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_cmgilpin-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:1f090494-7d29-43cc-b895-072345107829Post:73f16d6a-1f3f-4531-990a-4f4a7a2a89ea">Re: *Cmgilpin*</a>:
[QUOTE]Beautiful pics! Could I get the info for where you stayed? We are looking at going to PR for our honeymoon and we are going crazy trying to narrow it down! Also if you have any suggestions of things to do while we're there, that would be awesome
Posted by jennipea382[/QUOTE]

We flew in to San Juan, and then rented a car and drove to Rincon.  It's about a 2 or 2.5 hour drive.  In Rincon, we stayed for five days at the Coconut Palms Inn.  It's a tiny little guest house... 6 rooms I think.  We stayed in the Coqui Room... I think it was $125.00 a night.  It's the only second floor room and you have your own little private balcony.  The owners of the guest house live in the unit directly next to that, so they are the only other people on the second floor.  You hardly ever see them.

They have a little deck where people relax in the evening or during the day, it has a barbecue area so you can go to the grocery store and cook out there if you want.  Every room has a little mini-fridge.

<a href="http://www.coconutpalmsinn.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.coconutpalmsinn.com/</a>

In Rincon, I would suggest just lounging around a lot.  Go to visit the lighthouse... go eat delicious plantains, etc.  You can also take an hour drive to Ponce and visit the Ponce art museum.  It is beautiful and they have some great pieces there.

In San Juan, we stayed at Tres Palmas Inn. We opted for the "oceanview suite".  Again, this is a small guest house... maybe 13 rooms I think.  All of them were lovely. But, since it was our honeymoon, we splurged. (I think $170.00 a night or something).    We were really glad we did... not because the other spaces weren't beautiful, but, the oceanview suite is on the second floor, and there is an adjacent deck with a hot tub.  No one ever came up to the second floor. We had that whole deck to ourselves, with the hot tub, overlooking the ocean. It was awesome.

<a href="http://www.trespalmasinn.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.trespalmasinn.com/</a>

Everyone was SUPER nice at both locations. San Juan is a much busier city, and has less of that easy going, laid back vibe.  Old San Juan was cool to wander around though, and easy to get to by bus or by car. 

We also went on a very cool snorkling trip with East Island Excursions.  It was $69.00 per person, and they took us to too offshore islands with reefs to snorkel.  they provide all of the snorkling equipment, and a great lunch.  Just the ride over to the islands was worth the price, honestly. It was gorgeous.

Good luck !!

<a href="http://eastwindcats.com/" rel="nofollow">http://eastwindcats.com/</a>

QueerFemme

PS. we REALLY didn't want to stay at a corporate owned, big all inclusive place.  there are plenty of those there, if that's the direction you want to go.  We just wanted to spend our money locally. I was a little worried, without going big marriott or hilton, but I was so glad we went with a small spot.   You won't get the "bring me a drink on the beach" service, so, if that's what you are looking for, you should look for the all inclusive resorts.  But it was so lovely to walk out of our room, and greet one of the rescued kitties that the owner of coconut palms rescues year round, and grab a towel, and go down to the beach.  They keep a supply of beach towels full, all day and night. So you can swim whenever you feel like it.   Tres Palmas does the same thing.

jennipea382

That all sounds amazing! We have a resort in mind (package deal, might be cheaper in the long run) but I really love the idea of just relaxing and doing our own thing. I will definitely have to check those places out!

How was driving around in PR? I read somewhere that they had a lot of crazy drivers, car jacking, stuff like that. Anything bad about it at all?

Thank you so so much!

QueerFemme

They drive fast fast fast. But otherwise, it was totally fine. We drove all over that island in sometimes very remote, non tourist areas. It was never an issue with theft or car jackings. They will try to sell you bottled water or fruit at stop lights. But not aggressively. We bought water quite a few times when we were stuck in traffic. They freeze the bottles so they are frosty cold. :