BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: DougR
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 12:30 AM

I've been to San Juan several times on business but that was also several years ago. If found the people friendly, the food very good, and would like to go back again.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Dec 07 - 11:56 AM

Sorry I am so late in getting back. My Rog echoes a lot of what Pamela just said. His work took him up in the mtns. into the small village. He said they pretty much "Old Country" i.e. Spanish and quite lovely and interesting. He also loved the beaches. He liked the mix of beaches, old villages, Spanish music and language, yet standard stuff available,too, i.e. large hotels, eating places, etc.

That largest radar dish was a big feature of that one Jodie Foster movie. What was it, "Contact?"

I would definitely try the fried plantains. Yummy!! Also, hope you like beans and rice.:-)

Have fun! My friends always refer to it as "PR."

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Dec 07 - 09:32 AM

Thanks very much Pamela. That's good information.

The rain forest and small towns appeal to me.

I like to travel, but I am getting tired of places where tourism is the entire economy. Such places become unreal to me after a while. I thought Puerto Rico might offer a Caribbean experience while remaining 'real.'

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 12:46 PM

My husband worked there half time for about 8 years.
It's wondefully warm and green in January-March - hot but
not unbearably so, especially near the water and up in the mountains.
Visit El Yunke (the national rain forrest), visit Aracebo (largest radar dish), visit the caves - all lovely. The mountain range rises
like a back-bone through the middle of the island. There are small
towns with narrow streets, guest houses where you can stay, local
restaurants (eat mafungo - tasty, greasy plaintains with garlic),
and some interesting pre-historic/pre-colonial sites.
Ponce in the south is entirely different from San Jaun, and well
worth the trip.

Traditional music? In 8 years I didn't hear much. Occasionally at holiday festivals. There are some interesting festivals around carnival time. And some around Christmas time - which lasts
until Jan. 5 down there. Three Kings is the big deal.
(mid-February) with street parades, traditional masks,etc.

There's also a lot of stuff that's very much like the USA,
but with a PR/Spanish accent. It is, after all, a US commonwealth
- almost a state - but that's a political hot button there.
For an interesting time, ask your taxi driver what they think
about possible statehood. You might get a variety of answers.

I liked inland best of all, even though that's not where we
were based. That's where you'll find the down-home folks.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 05:52 PM

Thank you, Mark and Mary. [I agree about the Rollex.]

Anybody been inland?

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 12:04 PM

It's beautiful and there is lots of traditional music around, (Spanish language, of course). Lovely beaches, lots of history,   Traditional Puerto Rican food (lots of rice, yucca and fried bananas) is delicious and unlike some places in the Caribbean you don't have to worry about health issues like drinking water. If you stay at the touristy places (especially the big hotels around San Juan - yes they all have casinos) it will be pricey!   I'd go back in a heartbeat!

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 11:37 AM

Visited San Juan a few years ago. Warm and sunny and the beaches were fair, but the hotels were nice. They all seem to have a casino though.
Visited the rain forest and the old fortress in town - usual tourist stuff.
Restaurants in town has a Spanish flavor (natch) although any cuisine can be found. Cab drivers make jokes about the people from the Dominican Republic - guess they do the opposite in Santo Domingo.
Oh - bought a Rolex watch from a street vendor for $ 30.00. Must have been legit - he was set up outside the police station!
Didn't get to the smaller towns so can't say much there. Did enjoy the trip but feel kind of ho-hum about going back.
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 05:24 AM

There is a fair bit of Puerto Rican music on YouTube - search on "cuatro" (the national instrument). Might be worth looking those performers up when you get there.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 06:25 PM

thanks all, but esp. kat. I'll be back.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: Padre
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 10:23 PM

Naval Station roosevelt Roads (now closed) had a really good Chief's club when I was last there.

Padre

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: artbrooks
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 08:10 PM

The traditional music is mostly in Spanish.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 08:08 PM

Hot...

Nice water...

Bad coffee, but hey, that was 30 years ago... I'm sure the coffee is a lot better now...

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 07:46 PM

I'll ask my Rog. He's spent some time there, in the boonies away from the touristy stuff. He liked it very much. I've also got friends from there.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: kendall
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 07:33 PM

I landed there once, didn't get to spend much time. It was hot.

Subject: BS: Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 06:41 PM

What was it like?

esp with respect to bird-watching, snorkeling, nature and traditional music.