Antonio
I want to travel to Puerto Rico and need some advice on where to stay, eat, things to do and see...let me know. Price ranges for a 5-day trip would be nice
Answer
Puerto Rico is extremely diverse. We have beaches, dry forests, rain forests, mountains and small islands. There is eco type tourism, luxury hotels and the in between local paradores, also vacation home rentals. So depending on what you love to do, what you want to do and what you can afford to do there are many different answers to your question.
If you love to shop, gamble, eat out and go out then San Juan is the obvious choice. You can stay in Condado, Old San Juan or Isla Verde. The hotels are pricey in these areas, but there are also vacation rentals for a lot less if a resort is out of your budget. While here you can visit many of the tourist attractions like Old San Juan, EL Yunque (rain forest), take day trips out to the Camuey Caverns and go south to Guavate where the famous Lechon (whole roasted pig) is made.
IF you are more into a small Intimate setting and are a lover of nature you can stay right in the rain forest, which is only a 30 min drive from San Juan. For this you do need a rental car. But I believe that anyone who wants to really see PR needs a car anyway. There are a few options for accommodations in the rain forest. http://villasevilla.net/ http://www.rainforestinn.com/ http://www.coquishideaway.com/
If you like a big beach resort with all the accommodations, including a water park and access to a ferry that takes you to a private beach for world class snorkeling then El Conquistador is your place to go. http://www.elconresort.com/
Surfing and diving your thing, then out west is where you should be in Rincon. Stay at the Rincon Beach resort http://www.rinconbeach.com/ http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/dive-desecheo-island/
Things to do in PR
Old San Juan historical sites
Bacardi rum factory tour
El Yunque Rain Forest
Camuey Caverns
Caja de Muerto
Gilligan's Island
Hiking in Toro Negrro
Cueva Ventana in Utuado
Dos Bocas, lunch on the lake
Vieques Bio Bay
BEACHES!!
Here is a great site to find ideas about day trips in Puerto Rico. http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/
Puerto Rico is extremely diverse. We have beaches, dry forests, rain forests, mountains and small islands. There is eco type tourism, luxury hotels and the in between local paradores, also vacation home rentals. So depending on what you love to do, what you want to do and what you can afford to do there are many different answers to your question.
If you love to shop, gamble, eat out and go out then San Juan is the obvious choice. You can stay in Condado, Old San Juan or Isla Verde. The hotels are pricey in these areas, but there are also vacation rentals for a lot less if a resort is out of your budget. While here you can visit many of the tourist attractions like Old San Juan, EL Yunque (rain forest), take day trips out to the Camuey Caverns and go south to Guavate where the famous Lechon (whole roasted pig) is made.
IF you are more into a small Intimate setting and are a lover of nature you can stay right in the rain forest, which is only a 30 min drive from San Juan. For this you do need a rental car. But I believe that anyone who wants to really see PR needs a car anyway. There are a few options for accommodations in the rain forest. http://villasevilla.net/ http://www.rainforestinn.com/ http://www.coquishideaway.com/
If you like a big beach resort with all the accommodations, including a water park and access to a ferry that takes you to a private beach for world class snorkeling then El Conquistador is your place to go. http://www.elconresort.com/
Surfing and diving your thing, then out west is where you should be in Rincon. Stay at the Rincon Beach resort http://www.rinconbeach.com/ http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/dive-desecheo-island/
Things to do in PR
Old San Juan historical sites
Bacardi rum factory tour
El Yunque Rain Forest
Camuey Caverns
Caja de Muerto
Gilligan's Island
Hiking in Toro Negrro
Cueva Ventana in Utuado
Dos Bocas, lunch on the lake
Vieques Bio Bay
BEACHES!!
Here is a great site to find ideas about day trips in Puerto Rico. http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/
Does anyone have any information about Costa Rica or Panama or suggest another retirement location?
krute
If anyone can offer any information on Costa Rica, Panama, or another retirement destination (outside the U.S) it would be greatly appreciated. We would be interested in the following:
1) the cost of a modest place to live
2) Relative closeness to conveniences such as groceries, hospitals, banks, etc.
3) climate
4) proximity to the beach
5) overall cost of living
6) Approximate population of americans in that area
Any information given would be deeply appreciated. Thankyou!
Answer
The cost of modest housing in the city of Panama is affordable (less than $500/month mostly) with luxury stuff busting the seams at much higher prices (over $1000-2000). The beaches are similar. You can live in the interior or the highlands (David for example) for quite a bit less than the city. Boquete is getting more expensive all the time but is still a great deal for retirees (the prices, location and amenities).
Most of the conveniences are in Panama City, there are some in the David area, but more basic. Keep in mind, If you like to have options for shopping and food, Panama City is about it. It's about 7 hours from David by car.
Most everything is close to the beach... most options for living are Panama City & David area which are within an hour or less to some beaches or several retirement destinations at the beach. Coronado is recommended and is on 1.5 hours from Panama City. You get the basics plus some nice local amenities and great beaches with an easy drive to the City when you want it.
Overall cost of living is generally fractional if you live by basic means, but if you require the same luxuries you have lived by in North America, then you would find that housing prices vary from really cheap to unreasonable, good healthcare is much less, domestic help is extremely cheap (full-time live-in maid cost $160/month!) and domestically produced food and goods are much less. With the exception of clothes which are really cheap, imported items are generally similar in price.
There are no official numbers but it is estimated about 25-30,000 North Americans live in the area of David/Boquete (Chiriqui Highlands region). This area has a year-round "Spring-Like" climate that retirees really enjoy there. If you want the beach life Coronado is recommended. If you like city action and lots of options, stay with Panama City. Bocas del Toro is also very exciting but is too rustic for most retirees (not much for services or amenities available)
Conclusively Panama offers the world's best retirement program in a country which is very affordable. You will find cheaper (sure, perhaps the Phillipines) but not with better amenities and a more safe and stable environment in which to live. You also get to live tax-free, get huge discounts on most of the things you buy and do and this visa is easy to obtain. You even get bring your vehicle and household items here DUTY FREE. It's a great deal.
Conclusively, Panama has a beautiful City with amazing skyline and gorgeous towns in the beaches and mountains. Take a trip to San Jose and compare it. It is much cheaper and much closer to beaches everywhere here in Panama.
If you want more answers I'll gladly assist. You can e-mail me at livingwellinsd@yahoo.com
The cost of modest housing in the city of Panama is affordable (less than $500/month mostly) with luxury stuff busting the seams at much higher prices (over $1000-2000). The beaches are similar. You can live in the interior or the highlands (David for example) for quite a bit less than the city. Boquete is getting more expensive all the time but is still a great deal for retirees (the prices, location and amenities).
Most of the conveniences are in Panama City, there are some in the David area, but more basic. Keep in mind, If you like to have options for shopping and food, Panama City is about it. It's about 7 hours from David by car.
Most everything is close to the beach... most options for living are Panama City & David area which are within an hour or less to some beaches or several retirement destinations at the beach. Coronado is recommended and is on 1.5 hours from Panama City. You get the basics plus some nice local amenities and great beaches with an easy drive to the City when you want it.
Overall cost of living is generally fractional if you live by basic means, but if you require the same luxuries you have lived by in North America, then you would find that housing prices vary from really cheap to unreasonable, good healthcare is much less, domestic help is extremely cheap (full-time live-in maid cost $160/month!) and domestically produced food and goods are much less. With the exception of clothes which are really cheap, imported items are generally similar in price.
There are no official numbers but it is estimated about 25-30,000 North Americans live in the area of David/Boquete (Chiriqui Highlands region). This area has a year-round "Spring-Like" climate that retirees really enjoy there. If you want the beach life Coronado is recommended. If you like city action and lots of options, stay with Panama City. Bocas del Toro is also very exciting but is too rustic for most retirees (not much for services or amenities available)
Conclusively Panama offers the world's best retirement program in a country which is very affordable. You will find cheaper (sure, perhaps the Phillipines) but not with better amenities and a more safe and stable environment in which to live. You also get to live tax-free, get huge discounts on most of the things you buy and do and this visa is easy to obtain. You even get bring your vehicle and household items here DUTY FREE. It's a great deal.
Conclusively, Panama has a beautiful City with amazing skyline and gorgeous towns in the beaches and mountains. Take a trip to San Jose and compare it. It is much cheaper and much closer to beaches everywhere here in Panama.
If you want more answers I'll gladly assist. You can e-mail me at livingwellinsd@yahoo.com
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