WHAT'S OLD IS ALWAYS NEW

I've written about Old San Juan, Puerto Rico many times before on this blog.  Not only do I love it because my family is from there and I grew up vacationing there, but also because of its proximity to New York, its beautiful Caribbean waters, and its rich culture and delicious food!  So you can imagine my excitement when I saw an article in my December/January issue of Coastal Living magazine raving about Old San Juan, Puerto Rico as the perfect waterfront weekend spot!  They even compare the beautiful, tiny island to having the charm of Cordoba, Spain, yet much closer and with blue water surrounding you.  Here are their suggestions of what to do and where to stay when you visit...some I've been to (Hotel El Convento, Isla Verde Beach and Old San Juan), and some will be on my list of places to visit next time I'm there!
STAY: Hotel El Convento
SIP: Coffee with steamed milk at Cafe Cuatro Sombras
SHOP: Ole Boutique in Old San Juan
PLAY: Isla Verde Beach
DINE: Aquaviva- a restaurant serving modern Latino-Caribbean fusion cuisine

PUERTO RICO THE SHINING STAR

It's no wonder Puerto Rico is known as the shining star of the Caribbean...it has great culture, beautiful beaches and delicious food. Yes, I'm Puerto Rican, so maybe that makes me a bit biased. But, I will tell you that everyone I know who is not of Puerto Rican decent and has jet setted there has agreed with me. In fact, Shermans Travel ranks Puerto Rico as one of the best places in the Caribbean for being most affordable, for offering the best all-inclusive trips, for being on the beach by lunch, and as one of the best islands for culture and history.

The flight will get you there from New York in just under four hours...so you can be lying on the beach in no time! I just checked airfares and see deals for the month of December for $300 per person round trip, for direct flights (from JFK to San Juan). I used to spend my summers in Puerto Rico when I was growing up, and have not been back since 2004, but with deals like this and the winter months coming...that may change.

My Favorite Hotel in Isla Verde Area: El San Juan Hotel and Casino

My Favorite Hotel in El Condado Area: Caribe Hilton

My Favorite All-Inclusive Hotel: El Conquistador Resort

My Favorite Restaurant: La Bombonera

My Favorite Thing to Do besides lying on the beach: Shopping/Walking around Old San Juan's Cobblestone Streets