Attention So Corny will set foot on American soil ...

[Centexfarmer]

In Old San Juan there's a hole in the wall Cantina that serves the BEST house made Sangria.

Oh, and take the trip by ferry from Old San Juan to the Bacardi plant. You get to see the Bay and the surrounding sites. You'll love it!

 

[Corny]

I mentioned that Puerto Rico isn't like the United States for some practical reasons. First, you might get ideas about the United States from your visit to PR that aren't necessarily grounded in reality.

Yes, I'm 5 years old, never saw a globe and for the first time abroad

For one thing, they don't practice that same in-your-face friendliness that is the norm in the Continental United States;

Well this would be a HUGE pro over mainland US ...
Also: your experience? Or, like usual, something a friend of yours told you? Because I have been in contact with several natives during the past weeks, planning accommodation and tours, and ALL of them were super friendly. Except one guy from New York who is the manager of an apartment rental. Go figure.

The mosquitos breed in fresh water. You'll be fine in San Juan. At El Yunque, Arecibo and Ponce, wear your mosquito repellent, though.

My partner already got something local

In Old San Juan there's a hole in the wall Cantina that serves the BEST house made Sangria.

Now, that's the info that I'm looking for! Do you still remember the name/location of that place ?

Oh, and take the trip by ferry from Old San Juan to the Bacardi plant. You get to see the Bay and the surrounding sites. You'll love it!

Yes, as I said, it's planned

 

[youfiad]

Hu? Anyway, my socialist communist health care works even in the US

I would double check that if I were you. A german student at my school that I had the unfortunate circumstance of having to work with had to go home for his surgery because the the it was cheaper to have it done in Germany than here.

 

[Thad1527]

I was in Puerto Rico many years ago with my ex, who taught and translated Spanish and had local contacts in Puerto Rico. I loved it. I'm sure you will too.

We stayed at a guest house in the Ocean Park neighborhood of San Juan. I loved the neighborhood and its beach! You WILL get a feel for the USA there, seeing the US Postal Service mailmen in action making their deliveries to houses that seem much like those in Florida.

My favorite place to eat? Kasalta Bakery, which is still there. Everything was good!

El Yunque is well worth the trip; it's a beautiful tropical rainforest. We went to Ponce, a very pleasant small city on the south coast, for a day and enjoyed it also.

Old San Juan is historic and beautiful. Even if you're not staying there, have a drink at the bar at the Hotel El Convento. Yes, it's a converted convent that's one of the prettiest hotels on earth. In Old San Juan, don't miss Casa Don Q, a tasting room and mini-museum sponsored by the local Don Q rums. It's free...and a free drink!...and you can make it a quick stop in your explorations.

And be sure to see the Caribe Hilton, too. The grounds are fun to wander around. There's a lot to see.

 

[MisterMajestic]

Yeah Corny..We know you’re not gonna Post ANY Full Body pics of you and your Man so be sure to post your BEST headless shots…We’ll get M10000 to Crop Alexander Beyer & Andrew Sachs heads to your bodies for a more natural Visual aid.

Haben einen sicheren Flug & viel Spaß in Puerto Rico und genießen Sie den Strand und Super Wetter.

 

[joshj50]

2 weeks is too long, I got pretty bored after a few days, take a side trip to one of the nearby islands for a few days.

 

[MisterMajestic]

2 weeks is too long, I got pretty bored after a few days, take a side trip to one of the nearby islands for a few days.

Josh that was YOUR experience Buddy...2 weeks VACATIONING is NEVER too long even if it's on the MOON...Did you go by yourself, with friends, or with a Boyfriend?

 

[Corny]

I would double check that if I were you. A german student at my school that I had the unfortunate circumstance of having to work with had to go home for his surgery because the the it was cheaper to have it done in Germany than here.

Totally depends on the kind of surgery, severity and medical necessity. But if anything happens, you're fine. Also, it's possible that when he's on a student exchange, that he's not covered by his usual healthcare, because he's not just a tourist.

We stayed at a guest house in the Ocean Park neighborhood of San Juan. I loved the neighborhood and its beach!

That's where we're staying

My favorite place to eat? Kasalta Bakery, which is still there. Everything was good!

That looks good

El Yunque is well worth the trip; it's a beautiful tropical rainforest. We went to Ponce, a very pleasant small city on the south coast, for a day and enjoyed it also.

We are not sure about Ponce yet, but we might go there.

Thanks a lot for all the San Juan tips, we might check them out!

 

[CowboyBob]

Pictures or it didn't happen.

 

[star-warrior]

Are you going there just to try the pat downs?

 

[joshj50]

Went with family and friends, saw/did pretty much everything there was to do in just a few days, stayed in the Ritz Carlton and there was a casino next door, went there one night which was fun, went to a bathhouse another night which was awful, pretty dirty and no good looking guys. The people there are not the nicest in the world, a lot of them live in pretty poor conditions. They all looked pretty depressed. I would not return to PR.

Josh that was YOUR experience Buddy...2 weeks VACATIONING is NEVER too long even if it's on the MOON...Did you go by yourself, with friends, or with a Boyfriend?

 

[bankside]

Is this your first time to set foot in the Americas?

 

[MisterMajestic]

Went with family and friends, saw/did pretty much everything there was to do in just a few days, stayed in the Ritz Carlton and there was a casino next door, went there one night which was fun, went to a bathhouse another night which was awful, pretty dirty and no good looking guys. The people there are not the nicest in the world, a lot of them live in pretty poor conditions. They all looked pretty depressed. I would not return to PR.

You’re single, I’m single so The next time we'll go together…We Can enjoy the Festivals, the shops, Casinos, Bars, eateries by Day and go back to the Room late at night and French Kiss and Fuck until we fall asleep.

Leave Aunt Betsy & Cousin Floyd at home…

^That's all I was trying to say, Corny.

If you want a better source, I can get you one. I believe international travel writer Steve Birnbaum spoke of it at some length.

I don't supply any information in order to anger anyone, or to discourage anyone from visiting. I merely wish to be of service by giving information that smart travellers must be aware of when they visit.

Knowledge is everything.

...LOL....Oh Dearest Johann....Are you just a TAD-bit jealous that Corny is traveling there for 2 weeks with his lover? Your posts come across as if you're a little jealous...Just'saying...

 

[Callum]

Rumor has it the TSA performs circumcision on all foreigners that touch American soil. Watch out!

 

[Thad1527]

...no good looking guys. The people there are not the nicest in the world, a lot of them live in pretty poor conditions. They all looked pretty depressed. I would not return to PR.

Funny. I had the opposite impression. At clubs, at the theater, on the street...people looked good...well-dressed and attractive.

However, on the plane home...it was the opposite. Everyone looked horrible...ugly, poorly dressed, slovenly.

I was convinced, Puerto Rico keeps all its beautiful people, and exports the others.

 

[Thad1527]

And I forgot! I'm sure you won't need it...but Ashford Medical Center is considered the best in the Caribbean. Patients are airlifted there from other islands for emergencies.

 

[chatolandia]

Outside San Juan, there's less English speaking, but you will probably be fine, people make an effort.

Another thing, Puerto Ricans are very friendly and can be loud and touchy, it could be awkward for people with less experience.

People tend to be either very friendly or very not friendly, there's little in between. And like most places, the further from the "big city" the friendlier they are.


I know because I grew up there, and I realized how people were when I came back from living in a polite, but not overly friendly city.

If you want to do Mangroves, the east coast it's where it's at. Either at the Cabezas de San Juan, which is not in San Juan, or Ceiba.

To see extensive mangroves out South, you have to drive South West, to the other extreme of the island. Mainly Guanica, it has a dry tropical forest which is a huge contrast to the humid tropical forest in El Yunque. The area around Guanica Bay is gorgeous and full of small beaches, and a gay beach.


if you have more questions feel free to ask, I grew up there, and my parents would take us to all kinds of places in the island when we were kids. A benefit of living in a place that everything is a day trip

 

[Just_Believe18]

I am disappointed you are not making a traveling U.S. tour of every major area of the country to see us all! I would give you and your partner a royal welcome here in the NW!

 

[MTLDude]

The observatory in Arecibo is nice... Been there when I was 5 years old... I even stopped the solar system (well, it was a model of the solar system, and I pulled the plug from the wall socket)

 

[Corny]

So we are back .. a bit longer, actually. Sadly some family stuff came up and I had (and still have) a few more important things to care about than this forum

Give me some time and I will post a few pics .. I have plenty

Are you going there just to try the pat downs?

Fun thing, we only got the pat downs (and nude scanners) when leaving American soil. Can't explain that ...

And I forgot! I'm sure you won't need it...but Ashford Medical Center is considered the best in the Caribbean. Patients are airlifted there from other islands for emergencies.

We walked past it many times. Hospital, directly on the ocean. Pretty cool.

I visited San Juan for one day and I loved every minute.

I also assumed (wrongly) that there would be a lot less English than there was. Of course, the touristy areas will.

Outside San Juan, there's less English speaking, but you will probably be fine, people make an effort.

We got along with English pretty good. Even outside of San Juan. Not everybody spoke decent english, but with a few spanish words, hands and feet you can get along all the time.

Another thing, Puerto Ricans are very friendly and can be loud and touchy, it could be awkward for people with less experience.

People tend to be either very friendly or very not friendly, there's little in between. And like most places, the further from the "big city" the friendlier they are.

Actually, the only loud people we noticed were American tourists. It was like an advanced warning and it was especially bad in El Yunque. You could hear them, but not see them for a few minutes

On being touchy .. yep. We were waiting at a busstop at sagrado corazon and I sat down right at the stop, while my partner was walking around. Some old lady sat next to me and said something in spanish, but I didn't get any of it. I assumed she was talking with another lady, but then she touched my shoulder and repeated it. I must have looked quite confused, because the next sentence I could understand "hable espagnol?" I explained that I can understand a little bit and she explained that she speaks only a little bit of English - and proceeded to try to tell me how she worked as a nannie in the carribean for rich american families for many years, but since then has forgotten a lot of english. But she seemed quite happy to tell somebody about it and asked how we liked our stay, where we are from etc .. then the bus came already and we both had to go (she took a different bus that arrived at the same time). Somehow I loved this short talk and it makes me smile to think about it

If you want to do Mangroves, the east coast it's where it's at. Either at the Cabezas de San Juan, which is not in San Juan, or Ceiba.

To see extensive mangroves out South, you have to drive South West, to the other extreme of the island. Mainly Guanica, it has a dry tropical forest which is a huge contrast to the humid tropical forest in El Yunque. The area around Guanica Bay is gorgeous and full of small beaches, and a gay beach.

This should be on everybody's "Must see" list. We drove south one day, through the dry forest and to guanica. Took the small ferry to cayo aurora .. although there were more people than we were used to, this was one of our favorite spots. Small islands full of mangroves, just a bit off the shore and little channels in between them. Heavenly.

The observatory in Arecibo is nice... Been there when I was 5 years old... I even stopped the solar system (well, it was a model of the solar system, and I pulled the plug from the wall socket)

Sadly we didn't make it to Acrecibo and the caves :-/