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Banks
There are hundreds of banks on Puerto Rico and ATMs all over the island. Bank opening hours are Monday - Friday, 9am-3.30pm.
Banco Bilbao, Vizcaya Puerto Rico, San Juan, t 777 2903
Banco Popular, 1500 Ponce de León, Santurce, San Juan, t 723 0077
Banco Santander, 207 Ponce de León, Santurce, San Juan, t 759 7070
First Bank Puerto Rico, San Juan, t 729 8150
Premier Bank of Puerto Rico, San Juan, t 264 4674
Scotia Bank of Puerto Rico, t 758 8989
Banco Financiero de Puerto Rico, Ponce, t 840 0050 |
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Beaches
There is a great variety of beaches along Puerto Rico’s hundreds of miles of coastline. Excellent snorkelling can be found on the southwestern shore, there are opportunities to surf on the northwestern tip of the island, and around San Juan there are large golden strands packed with holidaymakers which have a very lively beach culture. It is certainly worth a trip to the larger offshore islands of Vieques and Culebra and to the cays off Fajardo. The sand is generally whiter there, the sea a stronger shade of blue and there is much less development.
Going to the beach is a regular activity for many Puerto Ricans and so some of the popular spots have changing rooms, lockers, lifeguards, car parks and restaurants. These public beaches are locally known as balnearios.
Below is a selection of the best beaches in Puerto Rico -
Condado and Isla Verde, San Juan
Crowded and highly developed strips along San Juan’s beachfront. Two of the beaches, Carolina and Escambron, recently became the first beaches in the Americas to gain the Blue Flag award.
Luquillo, north-east
30 miles east of San Juan, Luquillo beach attracts local families with its vast sandy beach and clear water. Excellent place for young children to swim due to the protecting coral reefs that keep the water fairly calm. The beach can get very crowded on weekends. Changing rooms, showers, picnic area.
Fajardo Beach, north-eastern tip
Public beach with full facilities. It can get crowded but it is worth it for the dramatic views to a promontory with a lighthouse.
Punta Santiago, east coast
Long strip of sand that is relatively deserted in the week. South of Fajardo, on the east coast of Puerto Rico.
Playa de Ponce, south coast
Just outside Ponce on the south coast, this beach has calmer waters than those on the north of the island. There is a long strip of beautiful white sand with some facilities.
Playa Boquerón, south-western tip
One of the best known beaches on the island, a three mile, palm fringed bay in the southwestern corner of Puerto Rico. Local food stands provide snacks and the town of Boquerón is nearby.
Punta Higüero, north-west
World renowned surfing spot, often referred to as ‘Little Malibu’. Breakers can reach 20 feet. The windsurfing is also excellent.
Crashboat, north-western tip
The best snorkelling and swimming on the northwest peninsula. Protected beach that was named for an old US Air Force pier
Jobos, north-western tip
There are plenty of opportunities for watersports at Jobos, in the Isabela region of Puerto Rico. Good bathing and surfing on the partially protected beach.
Vieques and Culebra
Red Beach, Vieques
Situated on former US Navy land that is now the largest wildlife refuge in the Caribbean, Red Beach is an idyllic cove of pale blue water, white sand and coral reefs. Located on the southern side of Vieques.
Flamenco Beach, Culebra
Another Blue Flag beach, a spectacular curve of bright white sand, often named as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. On the northern side of Culebra.
Playa Carlos Rosario, Culebra
A fifteen minute walk over the hills from Flamenco beach, Playa Carlos Rosario offers some of the best snorkelling in Puerto Rico. A barrier reef almost envelops the beach where you are free to explore the clear waters. |
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Casinos
Puerto Rico is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations for casino gambling. According to the law, casinos must be maintained on the property of a hotel or resort and so you will find Puerto Rico’s casinos mostly in the large hotels, particularly around the capital city of San Juan and its suburbs. Generally they are open from midday until 4am, but hours do vary across the island. Many of them also have a strict formal dress code. Below is a selection of some of the casinos in Puerto Rico -
Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel & Casino, 1369 Ashford Avenue, San Juan, t 721 7300
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, 1309 Ashford Avenue, San Juan, t 724 8545
Wyndham Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, 6063 East Isla Verde Avenue, San Juan, t 791 1000
Diamond Palace Hotel & Casino, 55 Condado Avenue, Condado, t 721 0810
Embassy Suites Hotel & Casino, 8000 Tarak Street, Isla Verde, t 791 0505
Ponce Hilton & Casino, 1150 Caribe Avenue, Ponce, t 259 7676 |
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Check In/Check Out
As a rule check-out times are around 12 noon and check-in is generally not prior to 3pm, while the rooms are made ready for new arrivals. This is not usually a problem as most guests do not reach the hotel until the mid afternoon anyway. If you will be arriving earlier than that then let your hotel know and they may be able to let you into your room early. Some properties also provide day rooms/shower facilities subject to availability, or may be flexible on check-out time by prior arrangement |
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Cruises
More than a million passengers visit Puerto Rico on cruise ships every year. This includes the extremely large liners that dock in San Juan harbour as well as some smaller more stylish ships. Many of the cruises originate in San Juan and so you may want to consider taking some time on shore on Puerto Rico, or perhaps taking a few days in the British Virgin Islands or in the US Virgin Islands. Some of the smaller liners that put into Puerto Rico include Seabourn Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises. |
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