Julie and I went hurricane hunting in the southern Caribbean in October, 2000, and the trip turned out to be a disaster.....if finding a hurricane would have been the measure of success for our venture. Instead of focusing on what we didn't find, we decided to look at our trip for what it turnend out to be: a relaxing adventure in a sun drenched paradise.
We found non-stop flights between Southern California to San Juan, Puerto Rico, something that has become a rarity these days and is sorely missed. It was a long but pleasant flight, and we enjoyed reading, eating and watching a movie en route.
Flying in two days early not only saved money on the flights but allowed us to explore San Juan, a terrific, diverse locale. We stayed in the Condado area, which is where many of the best hotels are located. We stayed in a Comfort Inn located close to the nice resorts like the Condado Plaza Hotel. It was clean and pleasant, but I’d recommend splurging a little to get one of the better properties on the beach. We didn’t rent a car this time, although driving in San Juan looks as easy as driving in the continental U.S. Instead, we hoofed it everywhere. Being on the beach, which is where we generally headed, would have saved us a lot of time.
Everywhere we went in San Juan, music filled the air. One of the best snorkeling spots is a beach next door to the Caribe Hilton. The Caribe Hilton looks dated and less than spectacular from the street, but once on the other side, the commanding view of the ocean beyond a wonderful pool area is sure to please anyone who loves Caribbean life. We passed through the expansive lobby and pool area to get to the snorkel beach, and this hotel would be a great place to stay. While snorkeling, a salsa band started playing to entertain the folks sipping Pina Colladas poolside, which was a nice bonus. 
The night life in San Juan is exciting, with delicious food, rhythmic music and a sensual island feel. There are lots of great beachfront bars located in the various resorts. The Condado Plaza features a nice casino and great lounges, making it a wonderful one-stop destination.
Everywhere we went in San Juan, music filled the air. One of the best snorkeling spots is a beach next door to the Caribe Hilton. The Caribe Hilton looks dated and less than spectacular from the street, but once on the other side, the commanding view of the ocean beyond a wonderful pool area is sure to please anyone who loves Caribbean life. We passed through the expansive lobby and pool area to get to the snorkel beach, and this hotel would be a great place to stay. While snorkeling, a salsa band started playing to entertain the folks sipping Pina Colladas poolside, which was a nice bonus. 
The night life in San Juan is exciting, with delicious food, rhythmic music and a sensual island feel. There are lots of great beachfront bars located in the various resorts. The Condado Plaza features a nice casino and great lounges, making it a wonderful one-stop destination.
