USA or Caribbean… Puerto Rico is both

One of the great Caribbean destinations is Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is one of the bigger islands in the Carribean. I have gathered some interesting information, just in case you like to visit Puerto Rico (it is the most visited island in the Caribbean). If you have any questions, please contact me.

Where You’re Docked
Ships dock in two places. The best location is just across from the Sheraton Old San Juan (formerly known as the Wyndham) because you walk off the cruise ship into the heart of the old city. Other times, your ship will dock just across the bay — a stone’s throw away — but it’s farther than it looks and you’ll need to take a taxi to get anywhere.

Getting Around
On Foot: It’s walking distance into the compact–yet fascinating–Old San Juan. Streets are uneven (constructed of blue cobblestones cast from furnace slag) and hills are steep so wear comfortable shoes.

Taxis: At the dock. You can also hail minibuses (called “omnibus”), which shuttle along main routes; to hail one, respond with a wave when the driver toots his horn.

What to See and Do
Shopping in Old San Juan. While San Juan is not a duty free port, at least its stuff isn’t taxed. You’ll certainly find plenty of ol’ craft and t-shirt shops (particularly along Fortaleza and San Francisco Streets). One tip: the further east you walk (going away from the cruise pier) the more interesting the shops and restaurants get. One great street for window shopping (if not buying) is Calle Cristo; highlights include Manolo Diaz (99 Calle Cristo), an artisan who works in his shop on crafts using recycled objects–old mirrors, wooden shutters, antique windows, and even pocket-sized religious icons. Prices start at $15 for one-of-a-kind pieces.

Historic sites of Old San Juan, such as El Morro, whose original parts were completed in 1539. Also on Old San Juan is San Cristobal Fort, which was built in 1771.

Take a tour of La Fortaleza. Visit the Catedral de San Juan, which dates back to 1540. Fans of the Spanish cellist Pablo Casals should check out the Museo Pablo Casals (Plaza San Jose), where the Spanish master’s collection includes manuscripts, photographs, and a library of video tapes of Festival Casals concerts (played on request).

The beach: While Old San Juan doesn’t really boast any, the beaches in the nearby areas of Condado and Isla Verde, stretch along high rise hotels and are a five to 10-minute taxi ride (longer during rush hour) from the cruise pier.

Visit the Bacardi Rum Factory. Take the ferry to Catano (it leaves from Pier 2, right next to the cruise ship dock, every half hour and costs $1 round-trip for the six-minute ride; a bus from the Bacardi Rum Factory will pick you up for the tour).

Best Beach for a Half-Day Visit: The beaches that run in front of Isla Verde’s luxury hotels (about a 20-minute cab ride); ask the cabbie to drop you off at the Ritz-Carlton or the El San Juan.

Best Beach for the Dedicated Beach Bum: Luqillo Beach (near El Yunque) is a real locals’ haunt; long stretches of sand, water sports rentals, and a great line of food stands offering classic Puerto Rican beach food.