Puerto Rico recommendations

[tc_rain]

I am looking for recommendations for places to stay and dive in Puerto Rico. We usually do Curacao or Bonaire and like to stay in a small apartment (less than 12 units) with a full kitchen. We rent a car and experience the area rather than staying on a resort. I am unfamiliar with Puerto Rico so I would appreciate any help and recommendations I can get.

 

[drrich2]

Try this thread - Diving in Puerto Rico. Especially note posts by Ginovega, who expressed some familiarity with the dive scene there.

Richard.

 

[ibj40]

Just got back from eight days in Puerto Rico, four in Old San Juan, and the other four in Playa Santa, diving with Island Scuba. Still looking through pictures taken with our new Sealife DC1400, but we were very pleased with Island Scuba as a dive shop (two of three days of diving, we were the only two on the boat), and the wall diving experience.

The OP can PM me if they have any specific questions, might be a while before I can put a trip report together.

 

[drrich2]

ibj40:

Out of curiosity, what led you to choose Puerto Rico? Just diving, or other concerns?

Richard.

 

[jlevine]

I've been diving in La Parguera for ten or so years between Christmas and New Years. I've used West Divers (West Divers, Inc.) and Paradise Scuba (Scuba Diving Puerto Rico | Dive La Parguera). You could probably find a good place to rent on VRBO. Rincon is great. You could use Taino Divers (TAINO DIVERS). For rentals in Rincon I've used Rincon Real Estate - Tropical Coast Properties | Rincon, Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is a great place to dive and to vacation in general. You have the Latino/Caribbean charm and flair with many of the conveniences that you would find in the mainland US.

I will give you one non-diving tip: Do not speed in Puerto Rico!

 

[ibj40]

ibj40:

Out of curiosity, what led you to choose Puerto Rico? Just diving, or other concerns?

Richard.

"Just got back from eight days in Puerto Rico, four in Old San Juan, and the other four in Playa Santa, diving with Island Scuba."

If you have never been to Old San Juan, which is one of the most unique cities in the world, then you have not traveled. The depth of the history, as it relates to the development of the Americas is amazing (notwithstanding the great restaurants and other features), and as an Architecture major in college, the city has an appeal to me that is undefinable. We went there six years ago, and it has been on our list of destinations to repeat ever since.

As to diving with Island Scuba out of Playa Santa, when we went to PR about six years ago, we dove two days out of Rincon (both sides of Desecheo) and one day in La Parguera on the wall (with West Divers). While we found Desecheo interesting, we were intrigued with the wall, and have been planning to go back and focus on diving there ever since.

Our research had shown that diving the wall was better served out of Playa Santa and using Island Scuba, and were were not disappointed. As I pointed out, two of our three days, we were the only two divers, and Island Scuba delivered both days (as opposed to other dive ops who will apparently cancel unless they have a full boat).

On our final day, we were joined by a private divemaster out of San Juan with three clients, but that didn't change a thing. Diving the wall was superior, and the shallow dive that day (as the others prior) was equal. Once I have a chance of downloading and editing the picture of my wife on the wall with a shark, I'll post it up, along with a variety of others.

In response to your question about "other concerns", the only one that comes to mind is: When can we get back?

 

[Oldbear]

Old San Juan is an incredible and fun town. The food is just awesome. The diving I did there was shore diving near the Hilton. It was ok.

IMHO the best diving was on the eastern or southern sides of PR.

 

[drrich2]

If you have never been to Old San Juan, which is one of the most unique cities in the world, then you have not traveled. The depth of the history, as it relates to the development of the Americas is amazing (notwithstanding the great restaurants and other features), and as an Architecture major in college, the city has an appeal to me that is undefinable. We went there six years ago, and it has been on our list of destinations to repeat ever since.

Thanks for the added info. Each dive destination has its pro.s and con.s. I like to find out what they are for each one. If Puerto Rico's value draws partly on the topside attractions, someone who 'just went to dive' might miss out. I've been, oh, I think 3 times; once 3 days at the Hyatt Dorado right after a honeymoon cruise (pretty grounds), and twice single days on cruise ship stops. We toured a fort, and my wife rode a Segway on Puerto Rico.

Richard.

 

[jlevine]

When it comes to the wall in La Parguera, Playa Santa is much closer which will cut your travel time on the boat by about 15 minutes. Diving out of La Parguera itself requires more boat time but gives you a few more things to do in town in terms of restaurants, food kiosks, coffee, etc. West Divers does require a minimum of three divers to go out. They will go out with two if you pay more. San Juan Divers is definitely a larger operation. I liked them. If you stay in La Parguera and dive out of Playa Santa, it's about a 20-25 minute drive.

I agree with all the comments about Old San Juan. The city is fantastic...the diving...meh. There are several cruise ship docks there. When they are full, getting around can be a bit of a challenge.

There is a small beach on the edge of Condado on the other side of the bay from the Escambron dive park. I did enjoy snorkeling from that beach. There are some artificial reef structures at the edge of the swim area and a reasonable amount of fish life.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Are sny of you Puerto Rico aficionados able to speak to Vieques? For some reason the place is resonating with me but I hesitate because I'm concerned that the diving might be meh.