Hi,

The Bacardi trip is fun and informative. Definitely take it! Dont miss El Morro Fort in Old San Juan. (bring your camera) And allow a lot of time in the Old City because there's a ton to do! You would both enjoy a walk down La Princessa (the walkway around the fort and bordering San Juan Bay).

InterCont is a wonderful choice. The beach in front is one of the best in PR. It may get busy on weekends but weekdays are nice and quiet. There are definitely more quiet beaches...but probably too far away from the Metro Area for you to see.

Next door in El San Juan you can see great live entertainment most nights. Go to El Chico Lounge for some hot Salsa.

The biobay is a "must do". Check out Casitllo Tours...they may be able to make a good deal for you. If not, you can also do their snorkel-sail. I HIGHLY recommend it!

Also check out EastWind and/ or Spread Eagle Catamarans for some great snorkel-sails. One website is www.snorkelpr.com

Have fun!

For a nice casual meal try Plato on Isla Verde Ave. left from IC toward the Ritz. I see that some recommend the Mexican food on the roof of the El San Juan, but I think its pretty bad. Lupi's next door is better. Take the bus to Old San Juan at least once. It leaves from in front of the IC and only costs .25. You'll see a little cross section of San Juan en route. Take a taxi back though. also, try to be in OSJ in the evening, just before sunset. If you can't dance Salsa, you have a few weeks to learn.

thanks guys :) we don't know how to learn salsa but i guess even if we don't get round to learning we can always watch.

the tips are great - will definitely try to go to el convento because it looks amazing and we love tapas.

we're wondering about the IC hotel rooms - we don't know if they're nice or not, and we just booked the standard one with city view though we'd really rather than ocean view (booked it through travelocity, i guess don't have much a choice of rooms). do you think free upgrades are possible given the low season?

people rave about the wet bar at Water Club and also Tangerine - is tangerine good? Also thinking about dragonfly or Parrot Club in OSJ for nice dinners. Are they expensive but worth a shot?

I think that the IC has a club you can join in advance of your trip that would entitle you to a free upgrade. You should definitely ask for an ocean view room, at this time of year it shouldn't be a problem. Definitely try the Parrot Club since it has a unique Purto Rican ambience. I don't remember it as being particularly expensive.

The Parrot Club is a great choice and not expensive. I've been to Tangerine twice. It's extremely elegant and very nice...but WAY expensive. Honestly, I think going to Tangerine is more of a "status thing"...versus being worth the money. Make sense??

If you want a nice, quiet, elegant experience with a varied menu you might want to try Carlis Cafe Concierto in Old San Juan. Their menu ranges from very expensive (griiled salmon, filet mignon, or lamb) to quesadillas and mushroom risotto. The service is 100% dependable and consistent.

The best part: Carli Munoz, the owner, is the ex-keyboard player from the Beach Boys. He plays live Jazz Thursday-Saturday nights on a grand piano...usually accompanied by upright base and drums.

"Carli's" is one of the "not so well known" treasures in San Juan! It's a favorite of me and my girlfriend.

OH...within walking distance of your hotel... try Metropol for great, consistent, and inexpensive local cuisine.

thanksss...

last question (hopefully) - any recommendations as to how we should go to luquillo beach? i heard it's really nice - but i don't know if we want to go to the rainforest. i'ev seen trips organized for the luquillo + el yunque, but what should we do if we just want to go to the beach and maybe the area around (what is around luquillo other than the beach?) for a day? is the best way to rent a car for a day and drive there? is there public transportation?

thanks - didn't hear about carli but will try to find that out! live music is always nice.

Since you are staying at the Inter you will have access to a lot of rests. in the area offering a full range of food choices. Being in the Isla Verde area you are close to Old San Juan and can get there using the bus system( its cheaper than taxis). If you are interested in going to Luquillo alone than I would suggest renting a car (its cheaper than public transportation). I think Castillo Tours located at the Inter also provides tours to the rainforest as well as the biobay which is a must do while here in Puerto Rico so check with them when you get to the hotel.

Have fun

Most of the good restaurants are at Old San Juan. A new restaurant with a micro brewery opened past Monday.

Many free outdoor activities are celebrated at the Old town. Salsa music on Saturdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the plaza next to the Tourism Information Center. The old fashion music could be listen for free on Sundays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m at the Princess Promenade two blocks away from the information center.

I recommend a guided walking tour in Old San Juan with a specialized tour guide. A local newspaper recently published an article about a guide that gives this tours and tells stories. A guide can also give you more information about places you can visit and activities you can do after the tour and the uncoming days.

Type the key words "Old San Juan walking tour" in www.yahoo.com for a list of companies or tour guides.

For transportation information visit the Puerto Rico Tourism Comapny website -

gotopuertorico.com/go_visitPuertoRico.php…

Wishing you fun.