Condado Or Isla Verde, Puerto Rico

Many times I have been asked, where to stay in the San Juan area of Puerto Rico?  Isla Verde or Condado?  The answer, it depends on your individual taste.


Isla Verde and Condado are very similar, in what they offer, with just a few differences:


Isla Verde


The main attraction in Isla Verde is the beach.  Isla Verde beach is the best beach in the San Juan area, was voted one of the best urban beaches in the world and is a favorite of tourist and local residents.  Resorts hotels and condominiums, surround this three mile long, uninterrupted beach, lined with coconut palm trees, and white sand.  Many water sports: jet skiing, kitesurfing, and parasailing are practiced by local water sport enthusiast and tourist. Beach rental services are available.


The main strip in Isla Verde, Isla Verde Avenue, is two blocks from the beach.  Here you will find many places to eat and drink, as well as many night life activities.  The area is very walkable to hotels, restaurants, bars, and night clubs.  Some favorite local restaurants are: Platos, MiCasita, and Metropol.


Isla Verde is centrally located to other tourist areas of San Juan.  Isla Verde is 15 minutes from Condado and 20 minutes from Old San Juan.  Other popular towns on the island, like Fajardo, and Humacao, are easy to get to from Isla Verde.  Also, Isla Verde is about an hour from El Yunque Rain Forest, and five minutes from San Juan's International Airport.


Condado


Condado is located between Old San Juan and Isla Verde.  The area has numerous hotels, restaurants, and nightlife activities.  The landmark hotels: Vanderbilt Hotel, and La Concha Resort are located here.  Condado is a residential area with an adjacent lagoon on one side and on the other the ocean.


The main avenue, Ashford Avenue has many shops, restaurants, casinos, and nightclubs.


The area of Condado is more dense with people and buildings.  It is more city like and it is closer to Old San Juan than Isla verde.


Both Isla Verde and Condado are great locations, but if your priority is the beach, then Isla Verde is the location for you!


Enjoy your stay in Puerto Rico!



                                                                 

                                                                         

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Top Five Things To Do For Cruise Visitors

If you visit Puerto Rico while taking a cruise, these are the top five things to do:

1- Old San Juan- as you get off the ship you can
Take a walk around Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, and visit:

El Morro Fort
San Cristobal Fort
The San Juan Cathedral
Museums
Walk the Paseo de la Princesa and paseo del Morro
Old San Juan Gate
There are also many restaurants to fit your taste and budget.

2- The beach - Isla Verde and Condado are the closest.

3- El Yunque Rain Forest - take a tour of the largest rain forest in the Western Hemisphere

4- Bio Bay- the tour of the Bio bay is only at night, so your cruise has to stay in port overnight.

5- Shop- Many stores await in Old San Juan and Condado. You can also visit the largest mall in the Caribbean, Plaza Las Americas and The San Juan Mall, for higher end stores.

Bonus:
Bacardi Rum Factory- if you like rum, take a tour of the Bacardi rum factory.


                                                             

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The Beach Club To Be Built In Isla Verde, Puerto Rico

A multi-use development to be known as the Beach Club will be built at the former site of Tropimar Beach Club & Convention Center in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.  Engineering firm MLM Group will invest $5 million to develop the Beach Club.


The Beach Club will be located in the middle of the Carolina public beach and it is within sight of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and minutes from the popular Isla Verde tourism area.


The Beach Club will include a restaurant, also called The Beach Club, that will feature open-air dining and a river-shaped pool.  The Music Venue, a concert hall with a capacity for 2,000 people, will occupy the second floor of the complex.  Several other restaurant and retail establishments are also expected on site.


The project is expected to generate around 200 direct jobs.  MLM Group will also be in charge of the operations at the Beach Club in Isla Verde.  The Beach Club in Isla Verde will complement other beach attractions: the Blue Flag public beach and the Aquasol Water Park.


                                                                   

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Paradores In Puerto Rico

Paradores (small inns) in Puerto Rico are very popular with the locals particularly during long weekends.  You can find paradores all over the island and they are a great option to large chain hotels.  Paradores are known for their hospitality, affordable rates, Puerto Rican cuisine and picturesque locations.  Each parador has a unique experience and they can be found at the beach, mountain, coast or town. 


Here are the paradores in Puerto Rico:

Parador Bahía Salinas - Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Parador Boquemar- Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Parador Caribbean Paradise - Patillas, Puerto Rico

Parador Combate Beach - Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Parador Costa Del Mar - Yabucoa, Puerto Rico

Parador El Buen Café - Hatillo, Puerto Rico

Parador El Faro - Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Parador Guanica 1929 - Guanica, Puerto Rico

Parador J.B. Hidden Village - Aguada, Puerto Rico

Parador Joyuda Beach - Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Parador MaunaCaribe - Maunabo, Puerto Rico

Parador Palmas de Lucía - Yabucoa, Puerto Rico

Parador Perichi's - Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Parador Villa Antonio - Rincón, Puerto Rico

Parador Villa Parguera - Lajas, Puerto Rico

Parador Villas del Mar Hau - Isabela, Puerto Rico

Parador Villas Sotomayor, Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Parador Vistamar - Quebradillas, Puerto Rico

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Kiteboarding In Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has become the place for kiteboarding thanks to the constant winds of the island.  Puerto Rico has some great locations if you enjoy kiteboarding, or if you would like to learn, Puerto Rico has a number of schools.


Kiteboarding is becoming a very popular sport.  Those who enjoy it, go to the beach to catch the  constant winds of this Caribbean island.  There are many beach options for kiteboarding in Puerto Rico.  Some of the favorites are, Ocean Park beaches in San Juan, Isabela in the west and Dorado in the north.  


If you are new to kiteboarding, Dorado has a new school, Goodwinds, located at the Dorado Beach Resort.  The watersports center is part of the Ritz Carlton Reserve.  The watersports center provides classes in kiteboarding, windsurfing and sailing.


Have fun kiteboarding in Puerto Rico!  Tale a look at this video of kiteboarding in Puerto Rico:







                                                                 

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Top Five Beaches Of Vieques, Puerto Rico

Vieques, an island off the east coast of Puerto Rico has great beaches to enjoy.  Here are the top five  beaches of Vieques, Puerto Rico:


Red Beach

Red beach, with white sand and crystal clear waters, Red beach is located on the southern side of Vieques, and is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife reserve.


Esperanza Beach

Esperanza beach is located in the main town of Esperanza, and close to restaurant and bars.  Esperanza means hope.


Blue Beach

Blue beach, a long and blue isolated beach on the east side of Vieques.  Blue beach is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. 


Secret Beach

Secret beach is located in the center of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife reserve.  Secret beach is small and hard to find, but people love this beach.  


Sun Bay Beach

Sun Bay beach, is a favorite among the locals.  It is easy to get to and has picnic tables, restrooms, and a camp ground.


Have fun exploring these great beaches of Vieques, Puerto Rico.  Take a look at Secret beach:




                                                                      

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Leatherback Sea Turtles In Puerto Rico

At least four of the seven species of marine turtles are found in the waters of Puerto Rico, or nest in the  beaches of Puerto Rico.  Those turtle species are: the Leatherback, the Hawksbill, the Green Turtle, and the Loggerhead.  The Hawksbill turtle and the Leatherback sea turtle, are critically endangered.  All coastal waters surrounding Culebra and Mona Island in Puerto Rico are designated as critical habitats by the federal government.



Leatherback turtles can be found primarily in the open ocean.  Leatherbacks follow their jellyfish prey throughout the day.  Its favored breeding beaches are mainland sites facing deep water and they seem to avoid those sites protected by coral reefs.  Leatherback turtles have the most hydrodynamic body design of any sea turtle, with a large, teardrop-shaped body.  A large pair of front flippers power the turtles through the water.  Like other sea turtles, the Leatherback's flattened forelimbs are adapted for swimming in the open ocean.



The coastal area from Ocean Park to Isla Verde, lined by condominium towers and hotels, has the most popular beach spots for tourists and locals in San Juan, Puerto Rico, bringing thousands of visitors on a daily basis.  Despite the crowds and development, this sandy stretch remains a prime nesting ground for sea turtles.  Beach goers in Puerto Rico, have been able to witness first hand the birth of Leatherback turtles.  An example of this happened along a crowded stretch of beach in Ocean Park, in the San Juan area.  Dozens of endangered sea turtles were born, emerging from their sandy nest after two months of incubation and headed straight to sea, to the delight of people on hand to see the spectacle.  The crowd of people at the beach helped the newborn turtles to the water, as they welcomed them to the world.  Most hatches take place at night, to protect the turtles from predators, so this was quite an experience for the crowd.



Some species of sea turtles, are believed to return to nest many years later, on the same stretch of coastline where they were born.  Pregnant sea turtles come out of the sea and lay their eggs into the sand.  Once hatched, the baby sea turtles emerge from the sand and quickly try to reach the sea.  Sea turtles face threats from predators and human intervention before they are even hatched.  Local environmental officials, activists and community members work to protect these nesting grounds.  Recently, a subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources held a legislative hearing, on a bill introduced by Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, which would authorize the allocation of $5 million annually over each of the next six years to protect endangered sea turtles in Puerto Rico, other areas of the United States, and around the world.



Take a look at a video taken of a group of newborn Leatherback turtles making their way to the ocean:




                                                            

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Fritters: A Must Try In Puerto Rico

When visiting Puerto Rico, have a taste of the local fritters (cuchifritos).  Some of the popular ones are:

Alcapurrias

Sorullos de Maiz

Bacalaitos

• Alcapurrias - Made with yuca, green bananas, crabmeat or ground beef, and deep fried in oil.
  
  
  
• Sorullos de Maiz (corn sticks) - Made with corn and deep fried.
  
  
  
• Bacalaitos -  Made with codfish, flour, water or beer, sofrito, herbs and deep fried.
  
  
  
  Vendors sell these fritters at street side stands or kiosks (kioscos) throughout Puerto Rico.  A favorite place with locals and tourist to eat the fritters, is Pinones Beach.  Pinones, is east of Isla Verde and during the day is when everything is open.  You will find many kiosks (kioscos) where you can eat, and see them preparing, Alcapurrias, Bacalaitos and many more.
  
  
  
  Enjoy a fritter by the beach, but you are warned, you will be drooling to have more...... 
  
  
  
                          
  
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Visiting The City Of San Juan, Puerto Rico

Five places to visit while in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

The Fox News link shows: Exploring the ancient forts, walking among the waterfalls, exploring outdoor squares in Old San Juan, and visiting the beaches.

Here is the link: http://www.myfoxchattanooga.com/dpp/news/national/foxnews/San-Juan-In-5_93642741

Tourist areas of San Juan, Puerto Rico

Isla Verde Beach

Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, is the major tourist spot on the island.  Isla Verde, has the best beach in the San Juan area, and it is surrounded by resorts, including The Ritz Carlton, El San Juan Hotel, The Intercontinental Hotel and many more. Isla Verde is 20 minutes from Old San Juan and 15 minutes from Condado, the other tourist areas.

La Fortaleza

There are many activities in the area: water sports, shopping, restaurants, casinos and nightlife.  Isla Verde is an affluent area, where many celebrities live. The beach is lined with coconut palm trees and is a favorite with the local residents.  Isla Verde is 10 minutes from San Juan International Airport.




Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a major tourist attraction.  The historic nature of its picturesque colonial buildings and narrow streets made of blue cobblestone, some of which date back to the 16th century, is a tourist must see attraction.

The historic forts, El Morro and The Castle of San Cristobal , are located in Old San Juan.  There are many restaurants and art galleries in the area.

Condado Lagoon

Old San Juan was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983.

Condado, Puerto Rico, is a tourist area located between Old San Juan and Isla Verde.  The area has numerous hotels, restaurants, and nightlife activities.  The landmark hotels: Vanderbilt Hotel, and La Concha Resort are located here. Condado is a residential area with an adjacent lagoon.


The main avenue, Ashford Avenue has many shops, restaurants, casinos and nightclubs.






                                                                              

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Top Ten Puerto Rico Beaches

1. Flamenco Beach: Located in Culebra, an island 17 miles east of the Puerto Rican mainland.
   
   
2. Icacos Beach: Is a cay in the north east, a few miles off shore of Fajardo.
   
   
3. Seven Seas: In the east coast of the island, in Fajardo.
   
   
4. Crash Boat: In the north west, in Aguadila.
   
   
5. Isla Verde Beach: Located in Carolina, in the San Juan metro area.
   
   
6. Luquillo Beach: Located 30 miles east of San Juan.
   
   
7. Boqueron Beach: In the southwestern corner of the island, in Cabo Rojo.
   
   
8. Sun Bay Beach: Located in Vieques, an island 8 miles east of the Puerto Rican mainland.
   
   
9. Shacks Beach: In Isabela, north west coast of Puerto Rico.
   
   
10. Rincon Beach: In the north west coast, considered one of the best surf spots in the world.
    
    
    

Isla Verde Beach... El Yunque National Forest... San Juan, Puerto Rico

                                                                   

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