BootsnAll Travel Community

Article

"Puerto Rico has been aggressively branding itself a with a $36 million advertising campaign on the U.S. mainland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands has labeled itself "America's Caribbean."


Will more people go here now? What are the implications of this?

I am in PR now working, and have also read that article. It may be true, but PR has a LOT of catching up to do before it can capitalize on this windfall. Maybe I'm wrong, but I would think that people who go to the Carribean want sandy beaches and the infrastructure to go along with that. PR has neither IMO. Then again, if all they want is a 4 star hotel and pool with warm year round temperature, maybe it's OK. I am bored to death here.

My guidebook for the carribean seems to tell me there are two kinds of housing there. Expensive to Luxury.

the cheapest rooms are in the 40-60 dollar a night range. I guess that means there is no backpacker support here, unless they go into the town areas and rent a local room in a house.

Is this true?

That appears to be true. I have seen no sign of any backpacker here(or on my many flights here). Not only is lodging expensive, but food and drink is US big city prices as well. I can think of no reason to visit here compared to other Carribean destinations other than you don't need a passport.

I went to Puerto Rico for the first time in January; stayed at a hotel on the beach.
That's not really my scene, but if you like a nice beach and weather, and tropical drinks, etc, then it's a nice break.
But...the city, Old Town San Juan, is 20 bucks away by cab. So, plan accordingly.
San Juan has the nightlife, restaurants, El Morro historic site, etc.

My next trip, I will be skipping San Juan and all those hotels; I'll head to the rain forest, to secluded beachs and parks, etc. Also that radio telescope; caves, etc.

i think with the current backlog of passport processing, ppl that want to get to the beach but dont already have a passport will be going..

seattle times:
Want a passport? Be prepared to wait