Puerto Rico's little know facts (hotels, beachfront, resorts)

[jay_jay26]

Originally Posted by mainelander

except American citizenship and learning english

There are always exceptions, like my family.

We always celebrate American holidays, and know really good English.

And how do I show appreciation for my citizenship? I joined the navy; my dad was a marine, my brother is one too, and most uncles and cousins from my mother's side joined the military by themselves (despite that the older relatives were drafted). Believe it or not, Puerto Rican people do appreciate the citizenship.

[jay_jay26]

Originally Posted by Sandhillian

I wish they had an outlet in Ponce. Where do they have outlets outside of the San Juan area?

Prime Outlets PR is in Barceloneta: a city that's an hour from San Juan, very close to Arecibo, the city with the world's largest radio telescope.

[jay_jay26]

Originally Posted by Sandhillian

Beauty pageants are a really big deal on this island. Girls talk about it from a very early age and they even have miniature beauty pageants with queens for different events. There is a strong cultural emphasis on women being decorative. I even heard someone say that having a contestant in the Miss Universe contest was a reason for Puerto Rico to not become a state! LOL. You are right though about there being many pretty women on the island.

I wanted to participate in Miss Universe PR so I can land an audition for a telenovela (the winner gets the chance to audition for telenovelas), but when they notified me they have full authorization to alter my body whenever way they want (as in plastic surgery), I had to say no. So, I didn't filled the contract, and used the franchise money to get married instead (to a sailor).

Now, instead of having a fake DD and a nose job, I wear the navy uniform. This is more useful than looking pretty for gay men and old women. I rather learn the basis of avionics (aviation electronics) than a silly TV script (that's not better than what I can write; since I also attend college, and I studied script writing).

[jay_jay26]

Originally Posted by WIHS2006

Dident Applebee's only just open it's first locations in PR?

Most chains found in mainland do have a presence in PR albeit some more limited then others. Subway, Burger King, and Church's are very common but McDonald's, Wendy's, and Quiznos for example are not as common but can be found.

Those three are everywhere these days!!!!!!!!!

What was the last time you went to PR? 15 years ago?!

[jay_jay26]

Originally Posted by debsk

PR is very "westernized". There are Starbucks everywhere, Chili's, Macaroni Grill, Johnny Rockets...just to name a few. I'm surprised when I read negative remarks about PR. I suppose not every place is for everybody...which is fine. I have loved exploring the island over the past year. My fav places to date are Rincon, Culebra and Vieques. Personally, I think that vacationers that leave here without having had a good time most likely lack the ambition to seek adventure or are just not meant to vacation in a "tropical" environment. This is a beautiful island with beautiful people.

It is the best place ...to visit.

To live? I don't think so, and I live there for over 18 years!!!!!!

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by jay_jay26

Those three are everywhere these days!!!!!!!!!

What was the last time you went to PR? 15 years ago?!

Yeh, really. I can't believe how many McDonalds there are in PR.

[Migue]

the reason people might not see a chili's,mac. grill etc etc on the western area is because they're obviously opening locations close to the metro areas to see how well they do. Think of Ponce as a more country-ish area where things are a bit of a longer drive compared to the metro areas,just like every state in the USA has a country side and a metro side to it. Anyways,the drive from Ponce to SJ is just a little over an hr.

[jay_jay26]

Originally Posted by Migue

the reason people might not see a chili's,mac. grill etc etc on the western area is because they're obviously opening locations close to the metro areas to see how well they do. Think of Ponce as a more country-ish area where things are a bit of a longer drive compared to the metro areas,just like every state in the USA has a country side and a metro side to it. Anyways,the drive from Ponce to SJ is just a little over an hr.

It also depends on the time of the day. During rush hour, it could take someone over two hours!

A happy medium? The northern/central area. Is not as populated as San Juan, but not as far away as Ponce. Arecibo, Barceloneta, Hatillo, Manati are a few cities that are as good as San Juan or Ponce.

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by RUBIES77

I had the same experience in St. Thomas!!!!! They were not friendly at all.

A good reason is that there are no non-tourist related jobs, and the cruise ships, not one line, but many, daily dump thousands of day trippers into/on the place......if you want friendly islanders, watch old disney/hollywod faux documentaries of the "friendly" islanders per the 40's-50's.....Hawaii same thing, though they are a state......

[Alansd]

we have been to San Juan twice on vacation and had a great time both times. Drove all over the island and enjoyed the scenery and food a lot. Did not feel uncomfortable or threatened anywhere we went.