36 Hours in San Juan

I am confused about the conflicting information coming from different sections of the Times regarding Puerto Rico. On January 13, the News section of the Times ran a lengthy piece entitled "A Wave of Daytime Killings Has Puerto Rico On Edge". The article noted that the murder rate in PR is four times that of the States and on par with Mexico, a place I refuse to travel to currently because of the horrible crime, no matter how many people keep insisting we should go there. The Times article stated that the governor was calling emergency meetings and requesting additional FBI agents. It portrayed citizens as in terror as more and more brazen violent crime is occurring, especially in San Juan. Now the Travel section puts a piece forward encouraging travelers to head out there, just as the section frequently does regarding Mexico, without any mention of what the News section is reporting. I find this ongoing disconnect highly disturbing and as long as there are continued articles highlighting massive amounts of violent crime at escalating levels in both PR and Mexico, I won't be going. I do hope very much to safely visit both places for their warmth, history, culture, food, music, and scenery--but not until headlines about "Killings" stop appearing in the Times. So you all huddle there in Manhattan and get back to us about what's really going on in San Juan because reading the two articles, one would never know you're under the same roof there on 8th Avenue.

For those with a car and a nose for natural wonders point yourself to a bioluminescent bay kayak tour some dark night, or to the caves, or El Yunque forest for a hike, or west to Isabela for gorgeous beaches, or into the interior for a zip-line through the canyons, or drive the tertiary roads through the karst hills and coffee plantations, or take the ferry from Fajardo for a day trip to nearby Vieques or Culebra, or check out the galleries, or go snorkeling or hear some great music on the Condado...Puerto Rico is so much more than San Juan. Anyyone who spends a week in Puerto Rico has an opportunity to sample a lot of this beautiful island.

Want to try something new when you visit Puerto Rico? Consider spending a day visiting or volunteering with Para La Naturaleza, a Puerto Rican environmental group that works at different locations throughout the Island (https://www.paralanaturaleza.org/). You can help protect sea turtles, participate in an iguana census, plant trees, remove invasive vines, transplant seedlings or zip-line across a canyon.

I was in San Juan for a week vacation, last month. The city is, pretty much, back on its feet and the Puerto Ricans are as nice as ever, maybe more, which is one of the things I love about going to the island. If you go buy local, stay at small hotels if you can, eat at the little places, make your dollars reach as much people as you can, they'll appreciate it and you'll discover beautiful places and the nicest and more friendly people in this continent. If you can spend several days, as opposed to just a weekend, go further than San Juan on your explorations. Go to Cayey for the best Puerto Rican food, go to Ponce to enjoy another colonial jewel of a city and a world class art museum, go to the beach, any one you can find, all of them are gorgeous!

Puerto Rico is gorgeous. Anyone should be lucky enough to experience. Just awful how this beautiful island is being mistreated--https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/6/puerto_rico_vulture_funds_to_make -- Make it a state already!

The artisan fairs in the old city are marvelous proving that the truly creative people are still there. Seek them out especially the ones that make things that honor the islands heritage such as the Flowers, shells and foods.

Delightful; on my next cruise I will visit San Juan and enjoy the food, drinks, sites, atmosphere, people, and experiences.

You have barely scratched the surface. Favorite haunts: La Vergüenza, La Garita, Mojito and Istambul.

Next month I'm heading to San Juan for a few days--the first time since the hurricane. My first visit was during spring break 1968, also in March that year. Over the years I have been able to see much of Puerto Rico: I'm very much looking forward to my trip, but also kind of nervous about what I'll see. However, what could be more traumatic than finding a small Spanish bar in Old San Juan, with flamenco music and dancers, during my student years had become a McDonald's by my first visit return visit about 10 years later?

Thank you NYT for all of the recent articles in your Travel section featuring Puerto Rico!

In 1947, my mother had gone through a dangerous surgical procedure and was told to rest for at least one month. My father suggested that she and I take a ship to San Juan and spend two weeks at the Condado Beach Hotel (the one and only hotel in the area). Mom and I boarded the S.S. Borinquen in New York and spent ten days at sea before arriving at the Condado Beach. What an experience -- we drove completely around the island. The natural beauty was stunning. At that point we decided that we would like to live there. During "Operation Bootstrap" my dad opened a factory in Old San Juan. My parents eventually moved there and we were blessed to spend many holidays in San Juan together. I still consider Puerto Rico like a second home. Thank you for some beautiful recovered memories.

Just got back from San Juan on Tuesday and am bookmarking this for next year's trip which is already booked. We used to stay closer to Rincon but San Juan is luring us closer and closer to the city. We're falling for it more and more every year!

Old San Juan is an architectural and historical dream. If you’ve never been there, plan to go!

I stayed at the El San Juan in October --- it is nowhere near ready to host guests. 1/8 restaurants open, 1/2 pools, 1/~6 guest floors. The employees said it wouldn't be finished until 2020, at the earliest

My wife and I just returned from a long weekend with a large group of friends who have been going to the Condado every Super Bowl for the last 10 years (just as an excuse, of course). What a fun time we had, hanging out at the beautiful La Concha Hotel drinking various tasty libations at the pools and on the beach! Walking into Old San Juan was wonderful on a beautiful day, where we enjoyed dinner at Triana Tapas (with Spanish guitar & Flamenco) followed by live jazz across the plaza at Carli's. The island is still in recovery from Hurricane Maria, but many parts have come back very well. It's time for everyone who can afford a nice short or long vacation to go there to relax and to spend money. Our presence was greatly appreciated.

I'd like to visit in the Spring. I have a question, though. Is renting a car a "must" or is it easy to get around another way?

You'll pardon me for saying that this is one of the strangest tours of San Juan I've ever read. I think I know the city. My wife and I, over decades, have spend months there. But here I hardly recognize San Juan.

We, the Puertorrican Community, feel very thankful for this uplifting article that will inspire the new visitors to enjoy the Island with so many precious natural resources as well as the artistic and humane ones. It is our honor and mindful pleasures to have you and your family as our most beloved guests. Shanti Barreto