AA to Puerto Rico

[Chirimoya]

Thanks for all the wonderful advice and encouragement. We're going to investigate the ferry tomorrow and if it doesn't work out for any reason will go back to the airline option.

Not really considering other islands, the main reason is to spend a few days with friends who will be there - the only other island we were considering was Cuba where we also have friends, but we decided to leave that for a later date - maybe Semana Santa. Our PR friends have already put together an itinerary, which sounds great!

Day 1: Tour of Old San Juan, surrounding beaches (Isla Verde, Pinones, Loiza) Condado for dinner/visit other friends

Day 2: Tour of inner island and South (lunch at Guavate, Cayey - lechonera and see live salsa dancing), maybe Ponce, hot springs at Coamo or Lake Guajataca on the way back

Days 3,4,5 - Vieques or Culebra (off Eastern tip of Island) to stay through New Year's.

Day 6 - Return to San Juan - stop by food kiosks and El Yunque Rain Forest on the way or visit Plaza Las Americas (plenty of options to chose from: Marshall's, Gap, Walmart, Office Max, Computer World, Macy's, Penny's, Sears, Borders, whatever...!). Old San Juan at night.

[Kiboko]

Glad to be of help. That sounds like a great itinerary.

If you are planning to go to Cuba for Semana Santa, it would be a good idea to book the flights well in advance. There are only two flights a week to Havana, on Thursday and on Sunday, and when we tried to book for Semana Santa this year, the plane was already full and there was a waiting list. Havana is a place I've been wanting to visit for a long time, so it was quite disappointing. However, we've finally found the time again to go and are heading there this week for a long weekend birthday treat for me. Can't wait!

Kiboko.

[dringa]

Hi Guys

If you would like, I can take upto 7 people in my plane - the cost roundtrip per person - based on 7 people will be 425 - including all taxes etc per person. You would fly from Higuero to Isla Grande Airport in San Juan and then be picked up at the same airport for your return. I have a turbo-prop plane here in Santo Domingo. Robert / AZB were on board today - as we enjoyed a day by flying upto Puerto Plata. So they are my references on the comforts / reliability of the aircraft. My flight time from here to San Juan is 1 hour 10 minutes - send me a PM if your interested as that is a very busy time of the season - thanks

[mariel]

Chiri can you please post the price of the ferry once you've found out? Thanks.

[Chirimoya]

Originally Posted by Kiboko

Glad to be of help. That sounds like a great itinerary.

If you are planning to go to Cuba for Semana Santa, it would be a good idea to book the flights well in advance. There are only two flights a week to Havana, on Thursday and on Sunday, and when we tried to book for Semana Santa this year, the plane was already full and there was a waiting list. Havana is a place I've been wanting to visit for a long time, so it was quite disappointing. However, we've finally found the time again to go and are heading there this week for a long weekend birthday treat for me. Can't wait!

Kiboko.

They're adding a Tuesday flight to the SDQ-Havana route - probably only for the Christmas season but I'm not absolutely sure. Have a great time when you're there - try to combine it with a trip to the colonial city of Trinidad on the south coast.

Originally Posted by dringa

If you would like, I can take upto 7 people in my plane - the cost roundtrip per person - based on 7 people will be 425 - including all taxes etc per person. You would fly from Higuero to Isla Grande Airport in San Juan and then be picked up at the same airport for your return. I have a turbo-prop plane here in Santo Domingo. Robert / AZB were on board today - as we enjoyed a day by flying upto Puerto Plata. So they are my references on the comforts / reliability of the aircraft. My flight time from here to San Juan is 1 hour 10 minutes - send me a PM if your interested as that is a very busy time of the season - thanks

Oscar, that sounds like such fun - but there are only three of us and we have now opted for the ferry. Some other time, perhaps?

Originally Posted by mariel

Chiri can you please post the price of the ferry once you've found out? Thanks.

Here goes:
US$183 per adult foot passenger
US$163 child under 11 with or without cabin

US$213 per adult with cabin

We're going for the cabin so it still comes to less than US$600 total for the round trip.

[mariel]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

...

Here goes:
US$183 per adult foot passenger
US$163 child under 11 with or without cabin

US$213 per adult with cabin

We're going for the cabin so it still comes to less than US$600 total for the round trip.

Is that price t/r, including meals, taxes, etc.? (stupid question I know ) Where can you book the cabin? Their site has an "online" booking which is sending an e-mail but it has nothing about prices. Thanks.

OT: how do you quote several people in one quote?

[Chirimoya]

Originally Posted by mariel

Is that price t/r, including meals, taxes, etc.? (stupid question I know) Where can you book the cabin? Their site has an "online" booking which is sending an e-mail but it has nothing about prices. Thanks.

It's a round trip fare. I booked by phone and need to go to their office in Gazcue and pay in the next couple of days. I didn't ask about other payment options. I'm sure it doesn't includes meals. I'll check about taxes and let you know.

OT: how do you quote several people in one quote?

You only quote once by hitting 'quote' the usual way, then you have to cut and paste the text and add the quote tags and insert the poster's name manually.

[ quote=sampleposter ]...[ /quote ]

(spaces added to display coding)

[mariel]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

It's a round trip fare. I booked by phone and need to go to their office in Gazcue and pay in the next couple of days. I didn't ask about other payment options. I'm sure it doesn't includes meals. I'll check about taxes and let you know.


You only quote once by hitting 'quote' the usual way, then you have to cut and paste the text and add the quote tags and insert the poster's name manually.

[ quote=sampleposter ]...[ /quote ]

(spaces added to display coding)

Thanks and have a nice trip to and from PR.

Edited to add: Chiri, would you mind, when you pay your trip, asking if the price includes the meals, just to double check? Thanks a lot.

[Chirimoya]

Alas, it may all be up in the air (literally).

After taking the reservation by phone this morning, with all our details, and assuring me that all was in order and that I had to go to the office and pay within 48 hours, we went along this afternoon with the cash in hand, only to be told "I can't get through to the Puerto Rico office to find out whether there's space, can you come back tomorrow?"

Now - is it unreasonable of me to find this unacceptable?

After our tempers cooled, Mr C and I decided that we would give them one more chance but would ask to see a manager tomorrow. Because WTF? Having to cross the city once is bad enough...

[suarezn]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

Alas, it may all be up in the air (literally).

After taking the reservation by phone this morning, with all our details, and assuring me that all was in order and that I had to go to the office and pay within 48 hours, we went along this afternoon with the cash in hand, only to be told "I can't get through to the Puerto Rico office to find out whether there's space, can you come back tomorrow?"

Now - is it unreasonable of me to find this unacceptable?

After our tempers cooled, Mr C and I decided that we would give them one more chance but would ask to see a manager tomorrow. Because WTF? Having to cross the city once is bad enough...

That's ridiculous. When my mother traveled by Ferry she used to just buy the same day (typical Dominican that she is) right at the boarding place and there always seemed to be plenty of space. The time of the year you guys are going though I wouldn't risk it...