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Upload your photos. We may feature them.We've been asking top guidebook writers to recommend alternatives to well known tourist attractions.
If you had to recommend an alternative destination to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where would you recommend?
The island of Culebra, off the coast of Puerto Rico, is a stunningly gorgeous alternative to well-trafficked San Juan, where most tourists go. The island is a short plane or ferry ride from the main island of Puerto Rico. Unlike much of the Caribbean, Culebra remains low-key and unspoiled by resorts. Culebra's Playa Flamenco is one of the world's best beaches, but there are others, like Playa Soni, that are almost always deserted and just as beautiful.
The bioluminescent bay in Vieques also off the coast of Puerto Rico is another reason to move past the main island. This mind-blowing phenomenon is best experienced during a nocturnal swim, with water glowing in the dark and dripping from your fingers like sparkling gems—quite amazing and totally underrated outside Puerto Rico.
Think we've slighted San Juan? Please don't! San Juan is a terrific destination, both Budget Travel and The Rough Guides agree. We're just pointing out alternatives for some travelers.
If you think San Juan deserves more credit, let us know!
Each month, we pick one of our favorite cities and ask locals to show us around their all-time favorite spots. So, residents of Puerto Rico's coastal capital, we need your help! Fill out this online form and then watch for your town in an upcoming issue of Budget Travel.
MORE TRAVEL ALTERNATIVES
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Oh! San Juan is Fabulous!! We like the combination it gives you - gorgeous beaches for relaxation, but also trendy restaurants and shops in a dynamic urban setting. It was too expensive for us to consider going, though, until we were turned onto renting a timeshare. Fantastic!!! I can't say enough, and want to pass that tip along. We had a wonderful experience renting a timeshare through redweek.com.
Posted By Alice on September 4, 2009, 1:30 PM
Don't tell people about Culebra or it'll get spoiled! Folks, don't go there. You wouldn't like it. There's nothing to do. No night life. No shopping. It's hard to get to.
Incidentally, I think there are 5 beaches on Culebra. (Not to mention the island of Culebrita.)
Posted By juliet on September 8, 2009, 1:07 PM
I go to San Juan for the culture, atmosphere, architecture, and nightlife in Old San Juan. Beaches do not interest me very much; South Beach and Miami Beach is where I would go for the beach scene.
Posted By Joe Guggenheim on September 8, 2009, 1:53 PM
Culebra is so beautiful. The sea life while snorkeling was breathtaking and the beaches are a slice of heaven. I'd definitely go back!
Posted By Heidi on September 8, 2009, 4:18 PM
We loved Old San Juan and wanted to go to Culebra and Vieques but ran out of time. But we have another secret of Puerto Rico-Guanica. We like the fact that a US citizen can rent a car at a reasonable rate and use the US car insurance that one already has at home. Guanica is extremely reasonable when we rented a home using either VRBO or Home Away-I forget which one.
Posted By Inese Holte on September 8, 2009, 10:34 PM
We visited Vieques this year and highly recommend it. Our favorite beach was Navio beach, and the bioluminecent bay was wonderful. I recommend using Blue Caribe as your kayak rental. Bird's Nest Studios was where we stayed and it has a great view of the island.
Posted By Mark Arthur on September 9, 2009, 7:05 PM
@Joe Guggenheim: Florida waters are too cold! The beaches in San Juan (well, most of PR for that matter) are some of the best I have ever experienced.
The clear blue tint of the water and the bleach white sand it divulges, accompanied by its very calming warm temperature, make Puerto Rico’s beaches ideal. I could swim (or float) lazily for hours without noticing a minute while in the waters of Puerto Rico. Then, if I so felt the need, I could walk five minutes from the beach to have lunch at a five-star restaurant, or another five to a muggy local hamburger joint. None of which are as over priced and over rated as anything in Miami.
Personally, I like San Juan for its city aspect. But when I want to relax and cool down it’s fast paced fun, I head to Puerto Rico’s quieter Islands.
Another great Puerto Rican island to check out (if you can make find your way there) is Mona Island, off of the main island’s southwestern tip. If you haven’t been there -- and chances are you haven’t – you wont be disappointed if you do. Referred to as the Galapagos of the Caribbean, I saw things there that I have never seen before, and probably won’t ever see again.
Posted By sbstnh on September 14, 2009, 12:04 PM
I like most the island of Culebra, off the coast of Puerto Rico.
Posted By last minute hotels on September 16, 2009, 4:18 AM