First off, I must really love AA to wake up at the butt crack of dawn (actually no dawn didn't exist at 4:15 am) to head toward our flight. We headed from DC’s National to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to San Juan. Arriving in San Juan has some interesting details

You can’t enter the airport if your waiting for arrivals. That’s right you have to wait outside.
Taxis have set rates. It cost 12 bucks from the airport to our hotel in Isla Verde.

We arrived in Isla Verde to our hotel, the Intercontinental San Juan. It is the most upscale and tourist points. This area of San Juan has most of the chi-chi hotels (the Ritz, El San Juan, and of course ICON-San Juan). We arrived at a quarter to 3 pm (PR is an hour ahead of Eastern time because it doesn't recognize Daylight savings time) which meant our room wasn't ready. We let the doorman grab our bags (oh by the way, they knew who we were when we arrived) and walked down to the beach for some drinks and food.

We hit some drinks and some food and finally got in our room (after watching at least three couples complain about some portion of their accommodations). We had a city view which I really didn't care to enjoy but either way it was a bed, a shower, and free wireless internet and that's all I needed.

We rested then, got dressed to walk along the beach. As soon as we touched sand, it rained. Back up stairs and redressed to head out to Condado. We had tapas at Buenos Aires Bar and Grill - which was so so. I don't do Coconut Shrimp which I learned at dinner.

We returned back to ICON and had drinks at the bar then upstairs to seriously rest.

Tomorrow we conquer Old San Juan!

1 of 6

View:One entry at a time | All entries

Report Abuse

Yvette (View Yvette's trips)

Thank you for sharing. I am taking my sons ages 15 & 10 to San Juan Dec 25 to 31, 2009. I will be staying at The Courtyard Marimar.

Posted 3 years ago.

Report Abuse

Michelle Moy (View Michelle Moy's trips)

Wow. What a story. We are planning a trip for April, and I almost booked the Intercontinental. I will try and keep your adventures and misfortunes in mind. Rain, thieves and city views are not the only memories from your trip. Was Condado walkable from the ICON?
Thanks for sharing your story.

Posted 4 years ago.

Report Abuse

Auburnyellwrose (View Auburnyellwrose's trips)

I had a great trip BUT be mindful of identity theft especially at the chi-chi hotels.

I would see the good in folks but this was definitely a case where I had to be kinda mean about it.

Posted 4 years ago.

Report Abuse

Share Your Thoughts