Puerto Rico for Christmas? (live, restaurants, shop)

[southkakkatlantan]

I am considering going to Puerto Rico for Christmas this year. Maybe 12/24-12/30 or so.

I'm assuming it will be pretty dead on Christmas Day...but can I expect for most restaurants/places to be open after that day? Will it be warm enough to enjoy the beach?

Also, what areas would you recommend? I've only considered San Juan but am open. I mostly would like to relax on the beach, do a little shopping, a lot of eating ...and if possible I'd love to go out one night. Maybe dancing somewhere...where there aren't too many "tourists" like myself LOL.

[papichulo2]

you should stay in the tourist areas for ur safety. and its aight all over the san juan metro area carolina, etc. and enjoy it and yah its warmer there then in the states and the best time to visit cus of the weather. plenty of clubs and dancing. but again stay in the travelers area.

[bamba_boy]

Puerto Rico is truly tropical. You can swim in 78-80F water in late December and the air temp will be in the high 70s to low 80s. Condado tourist strip is good for the beach plus the clubs and restaurants at night. If you like more secenery, less crowds, and also fine tropical beaches here are some other fine coastal towns:

1) Rincon on the west coast. Many mainlanders live here. In winter they have some high waves and attract surfing competitions. However beaches protected by headlands or facing other direction nearby are calm for swimmers.

2) East Coast: Humacao - Fajardo area has half a dozen huge golf resorts. Fajardo has a huge golf and it's own tiny beach island with free catamaran transport. You literally have no other competition for beach space. Also close to the fabulous El Yunque' Rain Forest National Park. Vieques and Columbra (sp?) are beautiful offshore islands you can reach by cheap ferry boat.

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