Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Right
Lechoneras
Eating and Accommodation Tips
!
Colmados and
*
Accommodation
Most of these restaurants
are open Friday through
Sunday and are popular
among locals during
public holidays.
%
Alcoholic Drinks
Fondas
These brightly painted
general stores scattered
throughout the country
sell pastries, sandwiches,
and cheap meals -
usually simple local
dishes such as
fricase
(stew) or roast chicken
with rice and beans. An
interesting alternative is
to savor a hearty, inex-
pensive lunch at a
fonda
,
a simple workmen's café.
@
Fresh Fruit and
Types
Accommodations in
San Juan range from
charming colonial hotels
with period furnishings
to international-style
modern beach resorts
and casino hotels. There
are also a few cheap
guesthouses and
apartments. Large all-
inclusives line much of
the north coast. Up in
the mountains, there are
country inns and guest-
houses offering cozy,
albeit simple, lodgings.
Vieques is known for its
trendy boutique hotels.
Most international
brands are available in
Puerto Rico, but local
beers and liquors are
as good as any. Try the
refreshing lager-style
Criolla, Medalla, Silver
Key Light, and India
beers. Rums are aged for
three ('white” or
carta
Blanca
), five (“golden”
or
dorado
), and seven or
more (“aged” or
añejo
)
years - the older the
better. A tour of the
Bacardi rum distillery
(see
p62)
provides a primer.
Vegetables
There is no shortage of
delicious tropical fruit to
be enjoyed in Puerto
Rico, but be sure to peel
or thoroughly wash the
food items before eating.
Salads and other raw
preparations in higher-
end establishments are
usually safe to eat, but
should be avoided in
colmados
and
fondas
.
(
Paradores
Paradores
are family-
owned and operated
inns outside San Juan.
They range from centuries-
old haciendas to small
properties in out-of-the-
way coastal villages.
Although promoted for
their intimacy, many are
barely distinguishable
from soulless motels,
so if you plan on staying
in one, try to check up
on it before making
reservations.
)
Reservations
^
All-Inclusives
These large resort
hotels are ideal for
vacationers who prefer
all the hotel costs to be
included in a single rate
(see p111)
. Most of them
offer buffet meals and a
choice of one or more à
la carte restaurants. They
usually offer watersports
and entertainment too,
and can be a great way
to enjoy a beach vacation
at bargain rates.
£
Bills and Tipping
Most upscale
restaurants include a
10-15 percent service
charge in the bill. This
may or may not find its
way to the staff serving
you, so feel free to leave
an additional 10 percent
if the service warrants it.
$
Lechoneras
It is advisable to
book at least your first
few nights prior to your
arrival. During high
season
(see p102)
, it is
wise to reserve all your
accommodations well in
advance, as the island
gets very crowded. You
can usually travel around
during low season
without pre-booking.
&
Hotel Tax
All regular tourist
hotels levy a 9 percent
hotel tax, which you
will find added to your
bill.
Paradores (see
below)
charge 7 percent,
while resort hotels add
an 11 percent tax on
room rates.
Puerto Ricans are
fanatical about pork,
their favorite dish, which
is best enjoyed at a
lechonera
(an open-air
roadside restaurant,
where whole suckling
pigs are spit-roasted).
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