Go to Puerto Rico
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October, 2008

You gotta go to Puerto Rico! It is a delightful Caribbean Island and it mixes to perfection a distinct local flavour as well as a comfortable 'western' feel.

This is our second visit and likely not our last. It is, in itself worthy of a week or two's visit and then like we did, as a perfect starting point for a Caribbean cruise.

What's there to see? Lots ...

Most people enjoy the usual sun, sea and beach for R&R and you won't be disappointed here in Puerto Rico.

There are absolutely no shortages of glorious beaches, both public and as part of the many hotels scattered along the ocean. Our favourite was Condado Beach and it consists of miles and miles of golden sand.

San Juan, the capital is quaint and interesting architecturally as well perfect for great shopping. There are two forts, both well preserved, and certainly worth a visit.

There are free green-painted trolleys which serve San Juan and are particularly useful when one has overdone the walking and one's feet hurt.

If you like to see places of interest when not on the beach, there are also some very diverse and unique places such as the Camuy Caves (the world's third largest underground river cave system).

And the Arecibo Observatory which boasts the world's largest and most powerful telescope for radio and radar astronomy, and complete with a fascinating museum there for all ages.

Cobblestone street in Old San Juan

Cobblestone street in Old San Juan


Fort San Felipe del Morro

Fort San Felipe del Morro

For nature lovers there is the El Yunque National Park. It's a rain forest with abundant bird and animal life as well as numerous waterfalls, which one can view from easy, short trails or much longer ones for the hardy trekker. We did, however, find the water temperature to be exhilarating!

Timeshare owners can stay at Sol Melia Vacation Club (if they are lucky enough to get a reservation because it's so popular) but which my husband and I simply called Coco Beach as it is situated on a beach of the same name. The first word to describe this fantastic resort would be: opulent. Quickly followed by: tropical oasis, beautiful, incredible, etc. etc.

As one arrives, there is welcoming fruit punch and then one sees the gorgeous pools and walkways throughout the resort with open sided no-walls type of construction.

Glimpsing lush vegetation and white marble pillars opening up to grassy areas, the pool and then on to the ocean.

Abundant international restaurants - six I think there were - make choosing what one wants for dinner rather difficult.

The Resort

Sol Meliá Vacation Club at Gran Meliá Puerto Rico I & II (#7597)
Highway 3 Int. 955 E.
Río Grande, PR 00745
Phone: 787.977.0766

Check out the water lilies if you go.

Dining at Sol Meliá

The pool was simply superb and I felt that when one swims from one end to the other, one has done a marathon. It's not called the lagoon pool for nothing. Of course it's an interesting shape and one can find seclusion or sit near to a thatched hut serving refreshments all day as well as supplying entertainment in the evenings as one sips on a tropical drink.

Snoozing poolside isn't a problem either as there are, what I would call, four-poster beds complete with puffy cushions and surrounded by veiled curtains so one can see but not be seen! I guess the snoring would give one away ...

The location of Coco Beach is just right. Yes, you'd need a car (San Juan is about 20 minutes away) but some would say, why leave at all. There are two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis courts and game areas are scattered throughout the resort.

There is also a children's pool and a supervised children's club. There is also a casino, a night club and a disco. What particularly impressed us was the balance between being able to get peace and tranquility or to embrace noisier pursuits including great nightlife if one chooses.

So you gotta go to Puerto Rico and Coco Beach.

- Linda Romain