Suggestions for Puerto Rico

[jamisoncollette]

I don;t know how I missed this! I am the resident Puerto Rico expert becuase I am the only one getting married in PR! First some questions:

1. Do you want a tourist experience or a local experience?

2. Do you like crowded or well hidden?

3. Food preference?

4. Old San Juan or the trendy outliers?

[lambert13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamisoncollette I don;t know how I missed this! I am the resident Puerto Rico expert becuase I am the only one getting married in PR! First some questions: 1. Do you want a tourist experience or a local experience? 2. Do you like crowded or well hidden? 3. Food preference? 4. Old San Juan or the trendy outliers?

I'll jump in here for the time being....

1. We want local/authentic
2. Well hidden or off the beaten path
3. Anything local or native to where we are
4. We are staying in Rincon which is on the west coast about 2 hours from San Juan. We are going on a day trip to Old San Juan while we are down there though.

[amyh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucky k72 Oh and my husband insists we go to a place known as "Pork Rind City". lol. Can you tell Jason loves pork?

Hmm, I wonder if this is the city of Guavate?? Hans's family took us there and they have these "Lechoneras" lined up in the Marketplace. They had live Bachata music, everyone dances, we had a great time. It was a beautiful drive from San Juan. Not too far.

But this is all you see.. poor piggies! I eat meat but I really didnt want to eat this, lol. Oh and beware of the "Morsilla" FI, FSIL and FMIL neglected to tell me I was eating a bloody pork sausage stuffed with rice!

Quote:

On a Sunday join the locals for feasting and live music at the famous lechoneras outside San Juan in Guavate where outdoor restaurants specialise in whole roasted pig over an open fire. Basted in a sour orange juice, the pork exudes a unique flavour and comes with side dishes of yams, cassava, sweet potato, dasheen and plantain.

But we had a great time in Guavate! Guavate serves pork 'n' bands | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Travel | Dallas Morning News

I know this isn't really a local, off beaten path, restaurant, but I had the best Ropa Vieja in Condado at Ropa Vieja. So yummy! Ropa Vieja Grill Review Visit The Coqui Restaurant & Dining Reviews Puerto Rico - Ropa Vieja 12/21/2005

[Karen]

Amy thanks for the information. I have heard about Guavate. Sounds so cool. Believe it or not, I think there may actually be another town dedicated to pork. I'm just imagining my husband looking at that picture of roasted pork and lusting after it and drooling.

 

I can't look at the articles right now but definiately will later. Thanks!

[jamisoncollette]

My number one suggestion for dinner in Old San Juan would be La Ostra Cosa. It's hidden, so it's not as noisy but the ambience is very nice, the food is good, and every dish has a "passion" rating. There is also a sweet old woman who comes by selling flower garlands. It's at 154 Cristo St, you'll go through an archway and it is at the end of the hall. Lunch can be found on any street corner. There are alot of vendors in front of El Morro. Or if you are there on a Saturday, vendors line La Princessa.

 

I don't have any reccomendations for Rincon, I never made it past Cabo Rojo.

[luckygirl]

My most favorite cheap restaurant in the world is Metropole (sp?) across the street from the Ritz Carlton on Ave. Isla Verde. Cheap and delicious!!! It's a wonderful fusion of puerto rican/cuban. I am seriously thinking of trying to have my wedding in PR just so I could take our guest there for the reception dinner.

The ESJ towers had my most fav. breakfast... a banana daquari with a 151 rum floater (you do get fruit right??).

Also, Il Perugino was a yummy Italian restaurant.

[Karen]

Thanks for the info! I have heard of a couple of those restaurants. I'm really looking forward to Old San Juan. I've heard the best time to go is whenthe cruise ships are in port.