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Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Claudia (---.ny325.east.verizon.net)
Date:   01-13-07 19:24

Hi,
I am traveling with some friends to Culebra and just realized that there is no speed boat!! cant believe it, seemed so convenient. Now the plan is to take a flight from San Juan to the island. I was checking the airlines and Air Flamenco departs from the Luis Ribas airport (not the Intl airport where we arrive) , how far is one from the other? also, can anybody suggest where can we stay that night? we are looking for something simple and convenient. We arrive to SJu 1 am and plan to take an early morning flight to Culebra …thanks!!

Claudia
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Tate Kauffman (---.hsd1.pa.comcast.net)
Date:   01-13-07 22:39

Luis Ribas (Isla Grande) is about a 15 minute taxi ride from the international airport. It is a joy to fly in and out of after dealing with the lines, security, etc. of other airports.
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: wendy (---.wi.res.rr.com)
Date:   01-14-07 09:15

We stayed right at the airport hotel and it was like an oasis after a loooooong day of travel with 3 kids. It was also reasonable after comparing other rates. Dependent on when you actually arrive and your circumstances, I'd just hang at the airport until a.m. to save the $.
Why not take Isla Nena right out of the Intl. airport. It seems that rates are all similar and you would avoid the taxi fair/time to the other airport. I don't know about where to stay, we've always rented a house and prices are high for a family of 5. ~~Wendy
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Claudia (---.ny325.east.verizon.net)
Date:   01-14-07 13:30

Thanks guys ! i will check the airport hotel and the Isla Nena flights
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Ann Crumpton (---.hsd1.al.comcast.net)
Date:   01-14-07 19:21

We are coming in February and ran into similar problems although we arrive in San Juan around 10 or 10:30 p.m. instead of 1:00 a.m.! I thought the airport hotel sounded pricey for a Best Western so we decided to take a cab and stay in a hotel in Condado ( I think it is supposed to be a 15 minute cab ride), sleep late and unwind then take a flight that afternoon to Culebra. It was a little more about getting into the vacation/island mode than just the money but I was watching prices also. You might want to consider getting away from the (International) airport for the night if you are flying out of the other airport anyway. I am NOT a local and am going to be a first time traveller to Culebra although I have travelled a great deal in my life and been to places where the commuter air travel was similar. Getting there relaxed and on "island time" can be very beneficial to the whole experience, I think. Just my opinion. Have a great trip!
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Claudia (---.ny325.east.verizon.net)
Date:   01-14-07 23:00


True, the Best Western is pricey; will have to consider the round trip cab ride though...but still Condado could be a better option. We prefer an early flight because we will be in Culebra only for 3 days and the more i read about the island the more we want to maximize our stay there!! we will sleep at the beach :)) . Enjoy your trip too!!
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jackie Pendergast (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date:   01-15-07 01:16

You can get a room at Tres Palmas Inn for about $100.00. The cab to Tres Palmas will cost about $12.00 and from the Inn to Isla Grande the next morning will be about the same. It does not have a restaurant but does have complementry breakfast.

Airfare from Isla Grande to Culebra is about 1/3 less than International.
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Claudia (---.ny325.east.verizon.net)
Date:   01-15-07 08:17

Thanks Jackie, that sounds very reasonable and convenient!! will check it out.
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.aurorasys.com)
Date:   01-15-07 14:30

It's worth noting that the airfare is quite a bit higher out of SJU than Isla Grande (Luis Ribas). There a several budget priced hotels in Isla Verde, the Condado and Old San Juan worth looking into.

Kayak.com revealed the following entries, using the date Feb. 5 as an example.


-Hotel el Portal $79 http://www.hotelelportal.com/
-Mango Inn $90 http://www.themangoinn.com/
-Coral by the Sea Hotel $92 2 Rosa St, Carolina, PR, PR 00979; 787-791-6868
-Casa Mathiesen $95 Calle Uno 36, Villamar, San Juan, 00979; 787-726-4330
- El Canario by the Lagoon $98 http://www.canariohotels.com/lagoon.htm
- Comfort Inn $99 Calle Clemenceau, 6, San Juan, PR, PR 00907; 787-721-0170

Of these, I have only stayed at the Comfort Inn. It wasn't fancy, but adequate for our needs.

Doug
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Arroz (69.73.202.---)
Date:   01-15-07 16:54

We stayed at the Casa Mathiesen last year and were underwhelmed. We will not stay there again and I would nor recommend it. For one thing the room was not very clean and the furniture was bedraggled.
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Claudia (---.ny325.east.verizon.net)
Date:   01-15-07 20:35

Thanks everyone for the info and suggestions. I think we will go for the Comfort Inn , seems to be only 2 miles away from Isla Grande airport and we know what to expect from it..!

This is a very useful and active Forum, is great!
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Ann Crumpton (---.hsd1.fl.comcast.net)
Date:   01-15-07 21:17

Thank you for the name of this inn. I had booked elsewhere in San Juan for layovers coming and going and was not completely happy about my choice. After reading this post I looked at the Tres Palmas website and called to talk to a very nice gentleman who booked us for our stay. I cancelled the other hotel- which had no pool, no jacuzzi and probably not much view. Although we will be there only overnight coming in and going out I wanted a nice place to "set the tone".
Thanks again for the help and suggestion.
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-15-07 22:01

Ann,

I have my parents and my in-laws booked at Tres Palmas for one night in March. I agree - they seem quite friendly and it's reasonably priced. I booked it on recommendations from other persons that live on Culebra, and was delighted to see Jackie recommended it as well.

The other places I looked at for the parents were:

http://www.atwindchimesinn.com/
http://www.canariohotels.com/inn.htm

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: BJN (---.c3-0.sbo-ubr1.sbo.ma.cable.rcn.com)
Date:   01-16-07 21:27

I stayed at tres palm Inn and liked it. Don't forget your camera. While in the jacuzzi you see the ocean behind you and it is a nice picture. This was quite a few years ago. Alot of the "travelers" use them. I would highly recommend it. The people were friendly and helpful. We had kids with us they loved it. Just remember you are in PR not the US.

BJN
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Re: Layover in San Juan
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Ann Crumpton (---.hsd1.al.comcast.net)
Date:   01-16-07 21:47

Curious about your last sentence "Just remember you are in PR and not the US" - is there something I am missing there? I think perhaps you mean, "slow down and smell the roses" and just be on vacation- is there a message otherwise????
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