- Re: Isla Grande

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Isla Grande

Author: NATASA (---.unistarlc.si)
Date: 12-17-08 08:23

Hi everybody,

we managed to receive available seats on Air Flamenco, now I have one more question:

0n 25th Jan we're arriving with Adventure of the seas to San Juan Port and then we have flight arrangement at 4.30pm from Isla Grande. I suppose we could take a taxi from the port to Isla Grande, but I don't know what we can do there until 04.30pm. Are there some beaches near by, a restaurant, some place where we can put our luggage? If we go first to San Juan I don't what to do with the luggage...

And another question... If I give my Credit card information to Air Flamenco, when do they charge me? Now, or at arrival at the airport?

Please let me know,

thank you all,

Natasa

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Tricia (65.173.18.---)
Date: 12-17-08 08:54

Royal Caribbean always offers an excursion to tour San Juan if you want to take that. I would suggest you get off the ship perhaps tour one of the Forts, walk around old san juan, have lunch..or you could go to Isle Verde to one of the beaches there.
If you had time to rent a car the rain forest is wonderful as well.

There is no such thing as a bad vacation. Some are just better than others.

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date: 12-17-08 17:09

You can see the cruise ship docks from the terminal at Isla Grande, so it's a short ride. You didn't mention the estimated debarkation time, so I'll suggest the following: Head straight to Isla Grande and check your luggage for the flight. While you are there, ask if anything has opened up on an earlier flight. The beach you want is on Culebra, not in the San Juan area. If no earlier flight is available, you can at least judge from the layover time what is a reasonable pastime for the interval. Under 2 hours, stay in OSJ. 2-3 hours, tour a fort. 3 hours plus, you can try Isla Verde, but I find the beaches crowded and unremarkable, being spoiled by Culebra's. BTW, there is a fantastic Sunday Brunch at the Parrot Club in OSJ. A bit pricey...

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date: 12-17-08 18:33

Air Flamenco charges your credit card when you make the reservation.

Agree with others, the Forts are a must-do and can be done in a couple of hours.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: NATASA (---.unistarlc.si)
Date: 12-18-08 03:53

Hi everybody,

thank yoo all for your answers. We arrive 25 th Jan at 0700 am and have flight at 0430 pm. Since we will stay 2 days prior to our cruise in Saj Juan, we would maybe like to go somwhere else than the city. How far is El Junqe and can we do there? Is there enough time?

Also please tell me about the lugagge. Air Flamenco accepts only 50 lbs pp.
We will try not to exceed this. But in case we do, do you know where we can leave this buggage? IS there some possibilty in San Juan airport and what would the cost be?

Thank you,

Natasa

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date: 12-18-08 08:20

Air Flamenco only accepts 25 lbs per person, not 50.

El Junque is about a one hour drive east, and is very accessible - easy to do in a day trip. You could also go west to Rio Camuy Caves or Arecibo Observatory in a short day trip. Links below describe these legs of our recent trip; pictures follow each slide.

<http://web.mac.com/debalew/Travel/Puerto_Rico_2008.html#44>

<http://web.mac.com/debalew/Travel/Puerto_Rico_2008.html#117>

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date: 12-18-08 08:30

Debbie forgot to mention that baggage over the 25 pound/person limit incurs a charge. I'm not sure what the rate is, now, but it was 40 cents a pound.

I think your best bet to stash luggage is at the Flamenco desk at Isla Grande, not SJU. That's the wrong direction if you are heading to El Yunque, though. Don't forget to ask Flamenco if any space is available on an earlier flight, assuming that is optimal. It commonly is.

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: NATASA (---.unistarlc.si)
Date: 12-18-08 08:47

Thank you all very much!! Your reviews have been very useful. Debbie, thanks for the nice pictures, I can see you really enjoyed Puerto Rico. Since you have visited Costa Rica - Monteverde I'm interested, is El Junque simular or different to rain forests in Costa Rica?

Thanks,

Natasa

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date: 12-18-08 18:39

60 cents a pound is the going overage rate with Air Flamenco.

El Junque's elevation is not as high as Monteverde's, nor is El Junque (in area) as large as Monteverde. To be fair, I did not spent near enough time at El Junque. I would like to return to hike. It was pouring rain, and we only drove up and back, took a few pictures, and spent about 2 hours there. I spent three days in Monteverde. You will enjoy it.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date: 12-20-08 11:42

Debbie,

Good luck finding a dry day on El Yunque. A poncho is a mandatory item for hiking there, IMO. I guess that's why they call it a rain forest.

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date: 12-20-08 12:53

Hola! Here is the website for El Yunque rainforest: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/. There's info about the trails and how much time it takes to hike and what there is to see. Enjoy! Happy travels! J

supergarcia3

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Michael (---.ny5030.east.verizon.net)
Date: 12-20-08 17:22

I hiked for 3 days through El Yunque. My backpack weighed 3 times as much as it did the rest of the time ;) When you leave the official trails (recommended) make sure a. you know where you are and b. no ranger catches you - I once paid a fine :( climbing a riverbed upstream

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Isla Grande

Author: Jeannie G3 (---.aep.bellsouth.net)
Date: 12-21-08 14:30

Hola! I would not recommend hiking off trails. You can be fined heavily and it would be a Federal agency you would be dealing with, not state or municipal, can get lost as many locals and non local visitors have and can damage species of flora that scientists are trying to grow or conserve. I spent the last two years of my University studies hiking all over El Yunque and it is beautiful and unique. Help conserve its' beauty, take nothing except pictures and leave nothing behind except your footprints. Pick up any trash if you see any along the way and tell everyone of your visit. Check out the website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/
and get some insightful information as well as being able to plan your hikes and see what's along the routes you can take. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3

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