All of the neighborhoods you mentioned are fine. Old San Juan has many night clubs, restaurants and museums. If you are on a budget you can stay in the Plaza De Armas in Old San Juan and be within walking distance to all the city delights.

What your interests are really dictates more where you should stay. Are you a nature lover? Then you should stay out on island. Or, if nightlife is a must than San Juan (and all the municipalities you mentioned) would be a must. There is also plenty of shopping.

Do not stay in Isla Verde, nothing but a strip of hotels, a continous traffic jam and nothing Puerto Rican about it. More like a concrete jungle: tacky, truly tacky.

I agree with arawak, and I am glad to see that there is someone brave enough to admit it! My choice would be either Condado or Ocean Park.

Tony

Thanks for the advice. I have decided on Condado as my first choice and Old San Juan as my second. It was hard to narrow my choices down because there is something good about each of the main districts. Condado and Old San Juan seems to have more in the way of shopping,entertainment and dining than Isla Verde. The Isla Verde area seems like a great choice if I was traveling with a significant other and wanted a low-key vacation.

Amen!...I too am not all that crazy about Isla Verde with a few exceptions. On the whole I never stay there. I feel it's more geared towards families and business travelers.

I suggest Condado over Old San Juan. Only for the reason that Condado has the beach, and it is very easy to get to one from the other. When I go to San Juan, I spend my days on the beach in Condado & Ocean Park. Then I head into Old San Juan for the late afternoons & evenings, then depending on the night, either back to Condado for nightlife or a destination in Old San Juan.

It's a great place to go alone, the people are very hospitable and there is so much to do. I would opt for the smaller hotels over the large. My personal recommendation would either by the Coral Princess Inn (Condado) or Andalusia (Ocean Park).

That said...my flight departs for my weekend getaway in exactly 43 hours and 49 minutes. WEEEEEEEEEEPA!!!!

Wow...i hate to be the "lone bird" here, but I have to say that I love the Isla Verde area. I lived there for two years, and never ran out of things to do. The area is always electric with lots of people, clubs, restaurants, and beautiful beaches. Yes, it does tend to have a feel of a "concrete jungle"...but as a single traveler looking for fun would surely enjoy it. You 'did' imply you wanted to be in a fun area fit for singles right?!?

The Condado area is also nice, but I actually feel 'that'area is more geared towards families. (i worked as a teacher for a year at a school in Condado). Also, there is a lot of construction going on there now, which makes walking a bit tough.

I, and all my "local" friends choose Isla Verde for fun and excitement. I can name five or six bar/ restaurants that have live music each night and fun crowds. The Ritz Carlton, El San Juan, and InterContinental are exceptional, luxurious properties that give a nice tropical feel...in their beautiful pools and beach areas.

As a dedicated "San Juanero" I have to respectfully disagree with the previous posts. I feel that a young, energetic, single traveler would be extatic in Isla Verde.

Keep us posted on your choice!

As I have mentioned previously, I think all of the neighborhoods have alot to offer. I wasn't certain as to whether or not some areas were better suited for families,some for couples and others for singles. I now realize that each area offers something for everyone. Therefore, I have decided to stay in the

Condado/Ocean Park area because it is in beteween Isla Verde and Old San Juan. I will probably spend one day in Old San Juan and one day in Isla Verde so the central location will work out perfectly.

Maybe a better question would have been which hotel/guesthouses s in each area seem to better suited for singles as opposed to couples and families. Thus far, I have contacted the El Canario at the Lagoon and the Andalucia House for availability. I am still waiting to hear back from them.

Hosteria Del Mar is another great guest house (in Condado/ Ocean Park area)...although they dont have a pool. You might want to try them.

I have heard/read some very nice things about the Hosteria del Mar along with the Andalucia. I am pretty much all but set with the Andalucia Guest House (just waiting for confirmation). Should any thing go awry, I will contact the Hosteria del Mar. Once again, thanks to you and all of the other peope who have shared their input.