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Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: John Deterling (208.49.179.---)
Date:   03-07-08 15:42

We'll be arriving in San Juan late in the afternoon and wanted to hang out in San Juan and check out the old fort. The kids want to swim etc. Can anyone suggest a good place to stay that will be affordable and handle both needs?
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.250.80.190.m.sta.codetel.net.do)
Date:   03-07-08 16:05

You can look for a place in Condado. ALos ther is a small beach right after (or before, depending where you come from) the bridge between Condado and San Juan (Old San Juan is the only 'real' San juan - the rest is the metro area San Juan).

I would stay at a hotel in the old city and take the kids swimming for a couple of hours. But I seem to be in the minority in my opinion about Viejo San Juan on this board ;)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: John Deterling (208.49.179.---)
Date:   03-07-08 16:42

I'm sorry but I'm unfamiliar with Viejo San Juan. It that what they call the old San Juan city? Thanks for the help.
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   03-07-08 17:52

si. viejo=old

the kids will likely really dig the fort - good for a few hours right there.
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: beachbound (---.231.40.69.ip.alltel.net)
Date:   03-08-08 10:54

John,

Is this on the way to or from Culebra? And you will have just the afternoon/evening in San Juan? If both answers are yes, then I would suggest ditching the swim part of the equation and stay in Old San Juan. (Nothing against San Juan beaches, but if you are going to be on Culebra, the beaches in San Juan just don't compare) We had an afternoon/evening on the tail end of a trip last year and stayed at Hotel Milano on Fortaleza in OSJ. Very reasonably priced for OSJU and easy walking to lots of cool sights and sounds. We also easily picked up the free public "trolley" that dropped us off right at El Morro. The kids LOVED that fort, and we could have spent another couple hours walking around if the youngest in our group hadn't started to melt down. We never had time to get to the other fort, San Cristobal?, but are definitely planning to see it another time.

Be warned that most of the hotels in OSJ have a two night minimum if it is a weekend night. Good luck!

Sue
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.codetel.net.do)
Date:   03-08-08 11:32

Well put Sue!

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.codetel.net.do)
Date:   03-08-08 11:33

Oh and here some places to choose from:

http://www.islaculebra.com/puerto-rico/accommodations-old-san-juan.html

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: John Deterling (---.suscom-maine.net)
Date:   03-11-08 11:09

Thank you both so much for your input. We are so looking forward to the trip and Culebra beaches. Our plan is actually to stay in San Juan on the way to Culebra and catch the morning ferry. The kids are 17 and 18 so, I'm not sure how excited they will be about the fort. I expect they will want water in some form, like a swimming pool at the hotel. My wife and I would love to stay in the old part of the city and see the forts.
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: beachbound (---.231.40.69.ip.alltel.net)
Date:   03-11-08 11:28

My kids are younger than that, but I would think that El Morro would appeal to all ages. If the Fort doesn't flip their boat, I think they would enjoy checking out the different areas of OSJ, lots of fun stuff to see. But you know your kids best. El Convento does have a small pool on the roof, but there definitely wouldn't be a "pool scene" (you can get good deals there on Hotwire). BTW, if you are planning on the early morning ferry, you know you are going to have to get up REALLY, REALLY early to leave San Juan, right?

Sue
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: John Deterling (---.suscom-maine.net)
Date:   03-11-08 12:47

Our plan is: Ferry leaves at 9, Cab ride 90 minutes, leave hotel at 7:00. Does that sound right?
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   03-11-08 13:38

17 and 18? yeah I guess that is sort of the age where one is too cool to act like they noticed anything. but hey I was pushing 40 when I first saw el Morro and thought it was great (outwardly I still pretended I wasn't impressed).

what is a "good" deal at Convento these days? I stayed there shortly after 9-11 when everything anywhere was discounted and it was still a splurge. beautiful, and worth a peek, nosh and drink.

I s'pose if you want to stock up on outlet Polo and Coach across the street... get the kids some preppie bling!
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date:   03-11-08 15:39

The Caribe Hilton is on the island of San Juan - a quick cab ride to the old city, even a walk is possible and a small beach and a pool, where the 'kids' can be cool.

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.coqui.net)
Date:   03-11-08 16:11

Gee, I was pushing 50 when I went to El Morro and so was the guy I was with...we ran around playing soldiers for a few hours laughing our heads off and being amazed (I LOVE forts! growing up in Florida we had lots to play in and I will never quit wondering as I'm wandering about what it was like..). 17 & 18...depends on the kids (mine liked forts all the time, still do - or at least they faked it so Mom wouldn't pout - then we have a problem, Houston).
But...better a "I'm not impressed" attitude than being poked in the shoulder 20 times by a 6 year old...(yes...I have grown up kids...well, they are more grown up than I am - or so they tell me).
The beach is right next to the fort, so if they don't get a pool, the sea is there for them.
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date:   03-11-08 17:06

Please, do not go into the water near El Morro! On the harbour side it is extremely dirty and on the Atlantic side extremely dangerous.

What were you thinking, MJ?

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   03-11-08 17:44

Michael: what kind of question is that?
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: John Deterling (---.suscom-maine.net)
Date:   03-11-08 18:14

The girls know that the only real beach is on Culebra and all they really want is to get off the plane , get to the hotel, and hit the sun and water by the pool. I bet we could persuade them to check out the fort though. Thanks all for your support.
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   03-11-08 18:40

John,

Leaving at 7am to catch the 9am ferry is probably not enough time. I'd add an extra 30 mins.

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: Hotel in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.coqui.net)
Date:   03-12-08 00:07

OH! I was thinking of the beach off of Old San Juan...up the way from the fort. I saw a lot of people (parents, kids, couples) in the water there...there is a walkway along the top, beach below. But truthfully, I don't know anything about that beach except what I saw, which was NOT below the fort but very near it. If it's dirty and dangerous, forgive my ignorance; ask for local knowledge. I had no idea..
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