El Yunque Rain Forest (Rio Grande, PR) — Get a chance to see a real tropical rain forest at El Yunque. The 28,000-acre park is about 24 miles (a one-hour drive) from San Juan and the only such forest in the United States. El Yunque is home to more than 240 species of plants, birds […]
Golf in Puerto Rico combines the visual cornucopia of its natural environment (lakes, rivers, rainforests, mountains, palm trees, and miles of beachfront) with the challenge of negotiating courses designed by some of the biggest names in the business. Here are the island’s best courses: Trump International Golf Club (100 Clubhouse Drive, Rio Grand) – located […]
Isla Verde Beach is the longest and widest in San Juan. It is ideal for swimming, and it, too, is lined with high-rise Miami Beach-style resorts. Many luxury condos are on this beachfront. Isla Verde is good for watersports, including parasailing and snorkeling, because of its calm, clear waters, and many kiosks will rent you […]
SAN JUAN BEACHES All beaches on Puerto Rico, even those fronting the top hotels, are open to the public. Public bathing beaches, with lifeguards and facilities, are called balnearios and charge for parking and for use of lockers and showers. Beach hours in general are 9am to 5pm in winter, to 6pm off-season. Most balnearios […]
Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino (101 Calle Brumbaugh, Old San Juan) — It’s impossible to ignore this ground-floor casino, the only place to gamble in Old San Juan. You can see the gaming room from the hotel’s main stairway, the balcony above, and the lobby. Light bounces off the Bahía de San Juan […]
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino (1309 Avenida Ashford, Condado) — The crowd is casual and the decor tropical and bubbly at this spacious gaming room. Right outside, there’s a huge bar, where Latin musicians perform on weekends, and an adjacent café.
InterContinental San Juan Resort & Casino (5961 Avenida Isla Verde, Isla Verde) — A blue neon light envelops you as you enter this casino, which draws locals and visitors with its elegant decor. Live music is usually available on Saturday nights.
El San Juan Hotel & Casino, The Waldorf-Astoria Collection (6063 Avenida Isla Verde, Isla Verde) — Neither the clangs of the slot machines nor the sounds of the salsa band disrupt the semblance of Old World. The polish continues in the adjacent lobby, with its huge chandeliers and mahogany paneling.
. Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular (56 Calle Fortaleza, Old San Juan) — This multifaceted foundation hosts a variety of events, including Latin music and dance performances and classes.