What to Know About Puerto Rico: General Travel Information
Tourist Information: 800-866-7827; seepuertorico.com
Documents: No passport required for U.S. citizens
Getting There: Airlines to Puerto Rico include American Airlines, Continental, Delta, JetBlue and US Airways with frequent nonstop flights into San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), one of the Caribbean’s busiest hubs.
Currency: U.S. dollar
International phone dialing: 1 + 787 + seven-digit number
Getting Around: All the major car-rental companies have counters at the airport, but drivers beware because San Juan highways are plagued with stop-and-go traffic. Don’t fancy getting behind the wheel? Book a day trip with Carlos Medina of Charlie’s Custom Tours Puerto Rico. His four-hour jaunt takes you to Guavate for roast pork or chicken, with plenty of free time for dancing and exploring. 787-648-1912; customtourspr.com
Puerto Rico Resorts and Hotels
Caribe Hilton
This megaresort between Condado and Old San Juan has 910 rooms. Rest assured, however, that you’ll find some alone time on the expansive grounds, on the beach (where the strand is reserved exclusively for hotel guests) or in the Olas Spa. From $179. 877-464-4586; caribehilton.com
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
This hotel is smack in the center of all the action in the recently refreshed waterfront Condado district. The highlight: a collection of restaurants and bars that reflect authentic Puerto Rico in their food and decor. From $179. 800-228-9290; marriott.com
San Juan Water Beach Club Hotel
Trendy and chic with a water motif, this clublike spot in Isla Verde recently debuted a $2.5 million renovation. It boasts one of the city’s liveliest beaches, where resort attendants deliver lunch right to your chaise. Mist, the rooftop lounge, is the hot spot for tapas and drinks. Be sure to try the prosciutto croquetas with guava-rum sauce, a sweet and salty treat. From $175. 787-728-3666; waterbeachhotel.com
Puerto Rico Restaurants
Note: Our editors were most recently in San Juan to eat lechon (read the article here), so these restaurant choices are focused on San Juan though Puerto Rico has excellent restaurants all around the island.
Angelito’s Place
From San Juan, you’ll arrive in Trujillo Alto for a plate of roasted pork that will arrive at your table in just under 30 minutes. Owner Junior Rivera oversees the roasting of 30 pigs per week, but come December and January, he cooks more than 600 per month. He rubs the entire pig with pepper, oregano, garlic and salt before the spit is hung over hot coals, and the pork cooked to perfection in five hours. 787-755-2434
Casa Lola
This spot is popular with extended families on Sunday afternoons. The food is criollo with a dash of Roberto Trevino. Bar tables and three separate dining areas offer views of Condado. 787-998-2918; casalolarestaurant.com
Don Tello
This family-owned hot spot in Catano boasts pure Puerto Rican cuisine. Try the chuleta can-can (pork chop), on the menu daily. 787-788-1951; dontellorestaurant.com
La Ceiba
Located near Plaza las Americas, in Puerto Nuevo, just outside San Juan, this neighborhood deli serving Spanish and Cuban bites and meals is hopping from daybreak until well into the night. 787-781-0265
Zest
Each scrumptious dish that’s served at this Water Club eatery is infused with a unique scent and the creative touches of chef Raul Correa Soto. 787-728-3666
