Definitely go to Culebra or Vieques for the best beaches/snorkeling part if you can.

The sandwiches at the local panaderias are amazing.

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and agreed on skipping the Fajardo bioluminescent bay tours...absolute mayhem in the mangroves.

Agreed - we used to go and it was a peaceful experience, and many years ago you could even get out and swim. Then sometime around the Covid era it became this jam packed instagram experience. So you may see some reviews that say it's a must-do, but I don't think it is anymore. I imagine part of it is that they want to protect the organisms, but then they cram people in there now, which can't help.

Oh, and agreed on skipping the Fajardo bioluminescent bay tours...absolute mayhem in the mangroves.

Two random tips I haven't seen mentioned if you want something a little off the beaten path:

Cave of the Swallow / Cueva de las Golondrinas - amazing views/caves/rocky shorelines about 45 minutes west of San Juan

If you like coffee, check out Sandra Farms (a little further away from San Juan) for a tour/tasting. We stayed there for 2 nights at their off-grid cabin thing last summer and it was great.

We're going back this spring and spending most of the time on Vieques (didn't make it over there last time).

Anonymous wrote:We are planning a last minute trip to PR for March 24-28. Thanks for the great infor above.

But we need the basics -- where to stay? We have never been.

We usually do very high end hotels, but we just did an expensive trip at Xmas. So looking for very very nice but not 3000k a night nice.

Want golf, good vibe, interesting for 17 yo girl and 15 yo boy, good pool, beach, close to stuff. Ha, you know, everything.

Recs? Anyone been to Fairmount recently. Mixed reviews. Usually Fairmounts are very nice. Seems to have more of a party vibe, which may not be so bad. Our xmas trip was very low key beachy, etc (Hawaii).

Thanks. Sorry for hijacking this thread.

We've been to the Fairmont several times (without kids), and it definitely has a party vibe, especially on the weekend. There are 2 pools though. The main pool (closest to the ocean) is the one with the party vibe - cabanas, pumping music, heavy drinking, etc. The back pool (closest to the hotel building) is more family friendly (although you can still hear the music and see the partying in case that's not your vibe). The beach is much nicer in Isle Verde (where the Fairmont is) than Condado (where the Vanderbilt, Hilton, Marriott are).

Do the caving adventure - it's great for teens. https://www.youvacationpr.com/

We are planning a last minute trip to PR for March 24-28. Thanks for the great infor above.

But we need the basics -- where to stay? We have never been.

We usually do very high end hotels, but we just did an expensive trip at Xmas. So looking for very very nice but not 3000k a night nice.

Want golf, good vibe, interesting for 17 yo girl and 15 yo boy, good pool, beach, close to stuff. Ha, you know, everything.

Recs? Anyone been to Fairmount recently. Mixed reviews. Usually Fairmounts are very nice. Seems to have more of a party vibe, which may not be so bad. Our xmas trip was very low key beachy, etc (Hawaii).

Thanks. Sorry for hijacking this thread.

Highly recommend you take the Segway tour of Old San Juan. Lots of fun.

El Yunque is awesome but make sure you have reservations in advance. I didn't know this was needed and almost missed getting tickets. Also follow the parking guidelines carefully. I saw several people get $150 parking tickets.

Anonymous wrote:My advice is to NOT do the biolumenescent bay kayaking in Fajardo. When we went to PR in 2022 we were supposed to spend a few days in Vieques but had to cancel because the ferries weren't running due to bad weather. The whole reason we were going to vieques was to do that night kayaking tour, so we were excited to find out that there are tours out of Fajardo. It was a nightmare. There are multiple excursion companies all running out of the same spot, and they pack everyone in. It was literally like being on the beltway at rush hour. So if that's something you're really looking forward to do, take the time to either go to Vieques, or go south to Lajas/Paguera.

vieques is also great for snorkeling.

+1

I didn't get a paddle or branch to the face. But plenty of people did.

My advice is to NOT do the biolumenescent bay kayaking in Fajardo. When we went to PR in 2022 we were supposed to spend a few days in Vieques but had to cancel because the ferries weren't running due to bad weather. The whole reason we were going to vieques was to do that night kayaking tour, so we were excited to find out that there are tours out of Fajardo. It was a nightmare. There are multiple excursion companies all running out of the same spot, and they pack everyone in. It was literally like being on the beltway at rush hour. So if that's something you're really looking forward to do, take the time to either go to Vieques, or go south to Lajas/Paguera.

vieques is also great for snorkeling.

Visit discoverpuertorico.com and look at all the cool instagram stuff on PR adventures and stuff. It’s a really unique and interesting island.

You’ll have a blast! First: check out the old threads on dcum. Many of us have posted detailed tips a million times.

You’ll see the old architecture in Old San Juan. Rent a car for your trip so you can venture into OSJ throughout your stay. Visit the old forts and plan to walk everywhere once you’ve parked (there’s a big garage).

Watch YouTube videos and google tips specific to what your family likes.

Stay at the beach. Read reviews. Post back once you’ve narrowed down hotel options for input.

El Yunque is the rainforest. The day you drive there, you could spend the other half of the day grabbing lunch at the kioskos and hitting the public beach in Luquillo.

You can do tours for the bio bay and snorkeling.

PR is always fun imho.

It's a couple of years old, but this substack post on Puerto Rico was helpful:
https://famventure.substack.com/p/issue-3-spring-break-in-puerto-rico?utm_source=publication-search

Looking to spend about a week, first time. Kids are over 18.
Interests are old architecture, rainforest, snorkeling, and kayaking in the bioluminescent bay.

Could you please share any advice, if you’ve done this? TIA!