Vacation Rentals by Owner

Beautiful house, easy walk to town

Guest: Brady (Marshall, MI, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/03/11 Review Submitted: 03/10/11

We made a great decision in renting Tortuga Azul this year. It was a much better choice than renting a room at a hotel in San Juan del Sur. This is a beautiful house. The main room and the master bedroom have large doors that open to the pool area providing a very open feeling. Due to the breeze coming down from the hills, there was never any need for us to use the AC. For those who like to cook, the kitchen is well appointed with utensils, a full gas range and oven, a microwave, a toaster over and a full fridge and freezer. The internet is available through a USB key that plugs in your laptop and uses the local cell phone network. It is high-speed. There is a washing machine in the house and clothes lines behind the house. Because of the sun and breeze, clothes dry in an hour. The pool is the highlight of the property and we spent many hours around it from sunrise to those beautiful sunsets. Being out in the country with the dark starry skies, birds and wildlife was spectacular. We were concerned about being out of town without a car. There was no reason to be. The walk into town was flat, safe and took an easy 15 minutes. At night, Eli the taxi driver, will drive you back for $5. He was always available within 5 minutes of us calling him. The only reason a vehicle would be useful is for visiting the beaches north and south of San Juan. Some other tips... The beach down at Nascasolo Bay looks deceptively far away and steep from the house. It is actually a very short and easy walk. It is excellent at low tide for shelling. There are candle holders throughout the house. Bringing along a pack of tea candles and using them at night is a very romantic alternative to the electric lights. Climbing up the hill behind the house in the development provides amazing views of the beaches to the north, San Juan and even Costa Rica on clear days. Bring flashlights both for using around the property but also if you plan on doing any walking on the main road to town at night. There is no ambient light those of us living in cities are used to.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

fabulous

Guest: la chela (Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/29/10 Review Submitted: 07/06/11

Wonderful sunset views, spotless and comfortable house, excellent visit! The house is far enough from San Juan town to hear the howler monkeys, yet still within easy reach of all the amenities. The owners were very accommodating and helpful, so the whole process was easy: overall it was a great place to stay in the San Juan area.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Before Christmas Stay

Guest: Jeremy (Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 12/15/10 Review Submitted: 01/24/11

My family rented this house before Christmas, and we had a wonderful time. We had never been to Central America before, let alone Nicaragua. This house was perfect. It had comfort and opportunity to relax here, go to several beaches, or just hop over to town. They had great resources if you want to do something special or just get information about town. I would stay here again any time. Thanks for the great vacation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

great vacation home

Guest: Oregonterry (rogue river /oregon/USA)
Date of Stay: 03/19/10 Review Submitted: 04/06/10

Great house, great pool, great views, great caretaker. This was our second time staying here. Clean well maintained property. Can't say enough. We had a great vacation! We would recommend this house to anyone. Conveniently located between town and the beach. Terry P.S Pan de Vida is the place to go for great bread and cookies!!!!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Great vacation property

Guest: Oregonterry (rogue river /oregon/USA)
Date of Stay: 03/18/10 Review Submitted: 04/06/10

This is our second time staying here. We love the care the owner put into providing a clean well maintained property . The location is perfect. Close to town and close to the beach. Great caretaker, William is there to assist with whatever you might need. Hot water and WIFI available. Great pool, amazing sunsets.Do not forget to visit Pan de Vida in SJDS. Wonderful bread and cookies!! Terry

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/26/10 Review Submitted: 02/26/10

We made a great decision staying here. I was a little concerned not having rented a car, but Will the caretaker, had a friend who provided us rides anytime we wanted for $5 even on a moments notice, even late at night. The house is a great deal, and very well furnished. Master bedroom is huge, and the bed is very comfortable. Great views, and wonderful pool. John was a pleasure to deal with, and provided lots of excellent tips on the area. I'm already thinking about when I can make it back to San Juan and stay there again!

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Guest: Tranquillo (Elkton, Maryland, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/23/10 Review Submitted: 01/23/10

Staying at this house was one of the best decisions that i made regarding my trip to San Juan Del Sur. It's nice to be a bit out of town for some peace and quiet, but it's not too far either. I felt safe and secure at this house, and you simply can not beat waking up to a view of the ocean. House was very clean when we arrived. William, the caretaker was great, I felt like I could ask him for help with any problem. Kitchen had everything we needed, beds were super comfortable, and overall it was pretty much perfect for our group. If I come back to the town, I'll be staying at Tortuga Azul. John was really nice in the booking process, always responded quickly and had lots of helpful information.

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Great house!

Guest: Tranquillo (Elkton, Maryland, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/27/09 Review Submitted: 01/23/10

Staying at this house was one of the best decisions that i made regarding my trip to San Juan Del Sur. It's nice to be a bit out of town for some peace and quiet, but it's not too far either. I felt safe and secure at this house, and you simply can not beat waking up to a view of the ocean. House was very clean when we arrived. William, the caretaker was great, I felt like I could ask him for help with any problem. Kitchen had everything we needed, beds were super comfortable, and overall it was pretty much perfect for our group. If I come back to the town, I'll be staying at Tortuga Azul. John was really nice in the booking process, always responded quickly and had lots of helpful information.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Great Place!!!

Guest: kimincda (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho USA)
Date of Stay: 11/13/09 Review Submitted: 05/27/10

This was my first trip to Nicaragua and my nine-year-old son’s first trip out of the country. We had a wonderful relaxing time. The house is very beautiful and comfortable. It has a great kitchen with everything you need to cook at home, the bedrooms are very nice and large with bathrooms attached. The pool and the view are amazing. We spent 10 days in San Juan del Sur and felt very relaxed. I wasn’t sure what to expect in Nicaragua, I was amazed at the beauty of the jungles and the ocean. My Spanish is not very good, but there were lots of people who spoke enough English that I got by. The town is close enough to go in for dinner or activities, but when you are at the home, you feel like you are away from the hustle and bustle of life. John is very knowledgeable about the area and attractions that you “must see and do”. We went zip lining through the jungle with the monkeys and horseback riding on the beach. My son tried out boogie boarding in the ocean and spent half the day in the beautiful water. There are markets in the near by towns for a fun shopping day where you can see the artisans making pottery and jewelry. The local taxi driver, Elli, is a great person. If you need a lift to the airport or other destination, he is very nice, a good driver and speaks English very well. I hear he knows all the good surf spots too. It was fun getting to know him on our trip out to the airport. I would highly recommend staying at the Tortuga Azul during your stay in Nicaragua.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Very Relaxing

Guest: Spicer (Houston,Texas)
Date of Stay: 08/07/09 Review Submitted: 08/12/09

John , I fell in love with your home, very cozy, nice view, overall had a great time, William (the porter) was very helpfull and friendly. I am looking forward for my next vacation so I can stay at your place again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Lance9 (Oklahoma)
Date of Stay: 07/27/09 Review Submitted: 07/27/09

The owner's description of the house on the beginning of this page pretty much sums it up. My girlfriend and I just returned from Nicaragua and we had the time of our life. The house was incredible. It is really clean. Everything still looks brand new. The views are incredible and the sunsets are even better. The pool was a welcome respite, because Nicaragua in June can get a little warm. William, the caretaker, is warm and caring, and will do anything to help. I would highly recommend this house. We are already trying to plan a return trip. Thanks John, for sharing your house with us.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/24/09

Just got back from 10 days in San Juan. Loved the place, loved the house! It was beautiful, clean, had great views. Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us. William was great, as well.

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A birthday to remember

Guest: Cavell (Kalispell, Montana, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/07/09 Review Submitted: 03/20/09

This vacation was a dream come true. I planned this trip to Nica. to get away for my birthday & discover my roots. My grandmother and great grandmother were both born and raised in SJDS. I was fortunate enough to speak with Stacia's brother & found out about there lovely home. The location is incredible and the view of the ocean & sunsets are incredible! We enjoyed the evenings there and were able to make wonderful dinners. So much nicer than eating out all the time. Not to say that there aren't some wonderful restaurants. El Colibri is a must! The mediteranean food is wonderful and so is the owner Mary Jane. We were there the 2nd week of Feb. 2009 and the weather was great. The average temp. was 86 degrees! A far cry better than the 18 degrees in Montana! William is wonderful and you can't help but love his little dog Ralphie.... Of course I can't say enough about Kerstin and Clemens..... They are incredible people and such a help if you need anything or have any questions. We had wonderful swims in they're fabulous pool. And my birthday was the BEST ever! I went in search of family records, if any still existed and found out that I had a lot more excitement in store..... I found out that I am related to the Mayor of SJDS ( ex-mayor as of 2 wks. before I arrived). Pedro at Aurora Reality is the one who figured out the connection! He made a call and low and behold we set up a meeting and sure enough, we are family! He took us to the cemetery and showed me my great grandma's grave and to the mayor's office to see some very old documents that were still there. He even remembers my great grandmother. I never had the opportunity to meet her, but by visiting with him I have learned so much. There will be a family reunion in SJDS this July and I intend on being there once more! All I can say is thank you so much to John,Stacia, and Jeff for making all of this possible. When in Nica. you must stay more than a week and staying in this lovely home will make your visit even more special. The quiet, the birds, and all the sweet creatures that you will see. Cavell

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/17/09

I couldn't have planned better for a more relaxing week in Nica. I visit San Juan del Sur 7 or 8 times a year and this is by far the best place I've stayed. Private yet near town, secure and the pool is incredible for 1st thing in the AM dips - not to mention after siesta, for the sunset, midnight, etc. We were there in November and the sunsets were exact bulls-eyes in the bay. The house is 1st class with great bathrooms and very comfortable beds. Kitchen is perfect for entertaining. The final touch is William the caretaker. Complete gentleman and knows everything about the house and property in the event of any pilot failure (me not knowing how to work something simple). Enjoy!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/07/08 Review Submitted: 07/07/08

This was my 3rd trip to Nicaragua. I decided to rent a house rather than stay in hotels. “Tortuga Azul “was great. It is so peaceful, clean and private. The house and pool are fantastic. The house is fully equipped and ready to go.I made several short trips into the country and really enjoyed being able to return to a place of my own. Much more private and relaxing than any hotel could ever be. San Juan del Sur was far enough away to afford a quite environment but close enough to be able to go eat, get supplies or enjoy the night life. The owners are a great resource and were able to answer all my questions about the area. Also they made some great suggestions on new places to explore. I’m in the process of planning another trip to Nica and plan to stay at “Tortuga Azul”. If someone is considering a trip to Nicaragua, San Juan del Sur is a great destination.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/06/08

This was my 3rd trip to Nicaragua. I decided to rent a house rather than stay in hotels. “Tortuga Azul “was great. It is so peaceful, clean and private. The house and pool are fantastic. The house is fully equipped and ready to go. I made several short trips into the country and really enjoyed being able to return to a place of my own. Much more private and relaxing than any hotel could ever be. San Juan del Sur was far enough away to afford a quite environment but close enough to be able to go eat, get supplies or enjoy the night life. The owners are a great resource and were able to answer all my questions about the area. Also they made some great suggestions on new places to explore. I’m in the process of planning another trip to Nica and plan to stay at “Tortuga Azul”. If someone is considering a trip to Nicaragua, San Juan del Sur is a great destination.

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Disappointed

Guest: ivyblue (Mill Valley, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/20/08 Review Submitted: 06/30/08

Description is not accurate as far as location is concerned. It is at least 15 minutes on a difficult dirt road to get to town. A 4 WD would be a good idea during the rainy season. It is not walking distance. It's 25 minutes on a difficult dirt road to get to a beach. If it's rainy or overcast, there's no hot water to take a shower. The house is not well-sealed, so there are many annoying flies. Scorpions came in the house while we were there (husband was stung twice). The pool was nice and the sunsets were lovely, and the property owner offered suggestions as to where to go and what to do, but all in all, can't recommend, especially during the rainy season.

Owner response:Road Update!! The road is now paved about 2.5 of the 3.5 kilometers to the house, and they have improved all of the roads immensely in the last couple years!! They have added a new bridge over the river to the beaches:) (used to have to go through the river!) Unfortunately there was a tropical storm over the time of your visit and this does make for a more difficult time in Central America in general. We did recommend that you get a 4wd vehicle, it is always best for ground clearance in Central America...everywhere! I wish we could control the weather, but we do not, every complaint was tied to the weather, I do not think this is a fair representation. They are in the process of paving our road, which will help in the rainy season, it is 3.5 kilometers to town, about 2 miles, this does not take 15 minutes. This reviewer failed to mention the special efforts we made, such as a special pick up in Masaya by our property managers, extra help in planning and giving good advice that they did not follow. I would ask that people don't hold us accountable for the weather and that they look at all of the wonderful reviews that we have from people:)

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Guest: Matt Turnbull
Date of Stay: 04/29/08 Review Submitted: 04/28/08

We thoroughly enjoyed the Tortuga Azul! It was our honeymoon and we couldn't have picked a better spot. The house was very comfortable with all the amenities. Beautiful views of the bay below from the front porch and in the pool ( saw whales swimming by one morning ). Perfect location, 10 mins to San Juan Del Sur and 10 mins to Maderas beach. Serene, relaxing and beautiful! We'll be back. P.S. William is awesome! Make sure to do something nice for him, he's a good man.

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Guest: Stacey Schultz
Date of Stay: 04/22/08 Review Submitted: 04/21/08

This place is exquisite, and the view is breath-taking. I have enjoyed “Tortuga Azul” on three occasions and have not been disappointed. (Sept. ’07; Oct. ’07; Mar. ’08) My husband & I experienced one of the most relaxing vacations ever in October 2007. I am currently planning my fourth stay at “Tortuga Azul” to attend language school with four friends. The owners are great to work with, & the grounds-keeper, William, is a gem. The description on the listing is spot on; the master suite is, in fact, an oasis of its own. Waking up to the view of the Pacific just over the infinity edge pool is heavenly. The pool is luscious. The plantings are beautiful and the complete and utter privacy is phenomenal. If you can’t wind down and decompress at this luxury vacation home, then you’ve got serious issues! The people of Nicaragua are the friendliest you’ll find. You’ll fall in love with them. I serve the people of Nicaragua through Project H.o.p.e., based out of Springfield, Missouri. After years of coordinating short-term mission teams, I finally took the time to enjoy some R & R and soak up the beautiful sights of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. “Tortuga Azul” is a great find! What took me so long?!! You definitely need your own transportation for driving from the house to town. Likewise, you’ll want to venture out to the nearby beaches. It’s nice to have your own transportation. With the new Pali grocery store in town, you won’t have any problem finding what you need for dining in. When you’re ready to dine out, I highly recommend El Pacifico (in close proximity to the house). In town, visit El Timon (Try the batter-fried lobster tail – You get three for $12), Brisas (The shrimp are delicious!), O Sole Mio (Incredible pasta!), Mauricio’s (Great pizza and pasta.) El Gato Negro (Great for breakfast and lunch. Try the chocolate chip banana muffins and the espresso brownies!). I have heard great things about El Colibri, but haven’t tried it, yet. If you absolutely have to have a “fix” from the States, you can visit Subway in the heart of town, but why would you? If you’re not too stuffed after your beach-front dining, stroll down to Eskimo for a cone or sundae. For that extra-special night out - Pelican Eyes for happy hour to view the sunset, then stay for an incredible meal. You can’t go wrong staying at “Tortuga Azul,” while soaking up San Juan! Nothing will disappoint you, except for having to leave it all at the end of your stay.

Recommended for:

Tortuga Azul

Guest: Guster (Encinitas, Ca )
Date of Stay: 04/07/08 Review Submitted: 04/29/08

We thoroughly enjoyed the Tortuga Azul! It was our honeymoon and we couldn't have picked a better spot. The house was very comfortable with all the amenities. Beautiful views of the bay below from the front porch and in the pool ( saw whales swimming by one morning ). Perfect location, 10 mins to San Juan Del Sur and 10 mins to Maderas beach. Serene, relaxing and beautiful! We'll be back. P.S. William is awesome! Make sure to do something nice for him, he's a good man.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/10/08

This vacation home represents the charm Nicaragua with stellar amenities. This is a no-stress zone because as soon as you step onto the open patio and look over the beautiful infinity pool which overlooks the ocean, you can only take in a deep breath and feel the tranquility. The open living/kitchen areas have beautiful views of the ocean, so whether sipping your first cup of Nica coffee or ending the day with a flavorful Nica rum n’ coka. You are surrounded by lush landscape and the open bay. Though there is no need to head out for dinner as the kitchen is fully equipped, espresso machine and all, the casa is only minutes to the heart of San Juan del Sur where you’ll find access to some of the best cafés and restaurants.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/08/08

Weather was 85 to 95 degrees with nice breeze every day. Home is awesome! Cool, comfortable & had everything we needed. It's close to town, private, and has a georgous view of bay. Beautiful pool. Great town with friendly locals & visitors. We're goin' back!

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Great House!

Guest: NP (Milwaukee, WI USA)
Date of Stay: 02/17/08 Review Submitted: 04/10/08

This is a great property! After a long search of rentals in the area this house proved to have the best combination of location, price and amenities (plus friendly owners willing to answer questions!). The home has all of the western amenities you might expect plus a fabulous view, pool and stylish local Nicaraguan finishes. The property is just far enough away from San Juan del Sur that you can easily go into town for fun or supplies and then retreat to the peace of the house or the northern beaches as needed. Adventure in the form of canopy tours (Flying Frog) and surfing (Playa Maderas) are minutes away and great regional day trips are also possible.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guest: Nate P
Date of Stay: 02/17/08 Review Submitted: 02/16/08

This is a great property! After a long search of rentals in the area this house proved to have the best combination of location, price and amenities (plus friendly owners willing to answer questions!). The home has all of the western amenities you might expect plus a fabulous view, pool and stylish local Nicaraguan finishes. The property is just far enough away from San Juan del Sur that you can easily go into town for fun or supplies and then retreat to the peace of the house or the northern beaches as needed. Adventure in the form of canopy tours (Flying Frog) and surfing (Playa Maderas) are minutes away and great regional day trips are also possible.

Recommended for:

Guest: Scott and Nicole
Date of Stay: 02/11/08 Review Submitted: 02/10/08

We had a wonderful time at the house. It had everything that we needed, and the pool was great. Both Kerstin and William were very helpful. The house was so great that we kept thinking that it would be fun to come back with Nicole's family! Thanks again for sharing you wonderful Nica house with us, Scott

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Guest: Lee B
Date of Stay: 01/24/08 Review Submitted: 01/23/08

The home was super. The owners were very helpful in suggesting where to go and what their favorite restaurants were. The on sight caretaker kept the pool and surrounding areas clean. We enjoyed our stay in San Juan Del Sur very much and plan on a return visit.

Recommended for:

san juan del sur home rental

Guest: LeeB (chicago)
Date of Stay: 01/01/08 Review Submitted: 02/19/08

The home was super. The owners were very helpful in suggesting where to go and what their favorite restaurants were. The on sight caretaker kept the pool and surrounding areas clean. We enjoyed our stay in San Juan Del Sur very much and plan on a return visit. We would recommend renting a car or just using taxi service while staying in San Juan Del Sur. It is better to use the shuttle service to get from Managua to San Juan Del Sur and rent the car when you arrive.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Tony B
Date of Stay: 12/15/07 Review Submitted: 12/14/07

We had a wonderful time in NIC..... It was the best thing that I have done my whole life... You have a beautiful Casa and I hope to return soon.. Tony

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Peace and tranquility

Guest: Free Spirit (Oregon)
Date of Stay: 11/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/11/08

I would strongly suggest this vacation home for two couples or a small family. You will fall in love with the views of the beautiful infinity pool and ocean from the open living/kitchen area and the master suite. The charm of this vacation spot is represented by the architecture and furnishings with the comfort of a 5-star resort - I have found a new home away from home. Visiting Nicaragua will change you forever as the people are friendly, the air is clean and refreshing, and the coffee is the best I’ve had.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Nothing will disappoint!

Guest: StaceyS (Springfield, Missouri, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/08/07 Review Submitted: 04/10/08

This place is exquisite, and the view is breath-taking. I have enjoyed “Tortuga Azul” on three occasions and have not been disappointed. (Sept. ’07; Oct. ’07; Mar. ’08) My husband & I experienced one of the most relaxing vacations ever in October 2007. I am currently planning my fourth stay at “Tortuga Azul” to attend language school with four friends. The owners are great to work with, & the grounds-keeper, William, is a gem. The description on the listing is spot on; the master suite is, in fact, an oasis of its own. Waking up to the view of the Pacific just over the infinity edge pool is heavenly. The pool is luscious. The plantings are beautiful and the complete and utter privacy is phenomenal. If you can’t wind down and decompress at this luxury vacation home, then you’ve got serious issues! The people of Nicaragua are the friendliest you’ll find. You’ll fall in love with them. I serve the people of Nicaragua through Project H.o.p.e., based out of Springfield, Missouri. After years of coordinating short-term mission teams, I finally took the time to enjoy some R & R and soak up the beautiful sights of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. “Tortuga Azul” is a great find! What took me so long?!! You definitely need your own transportation for driving from the house to town. Likewise, you’ll want to venture out to the nearby beaches. It’s nice to have your own transportation. With the new Pali grocery store in town, you won’t have any problem finding what you need for dining in. When you’re ready to dine out, I highly recommend El Pacifico (in close proximity to the house). In town, visit El Timon (Try the batter-fried lobster tail – You get three for $12), Brisas (The shrimp are delicious!), O Sole Mio (Incredible pasta!), Mauricio’s (Great pizza and pasta.) El Gato Negro (Great for breakfast and lunch. Try the chocolate chip banana muffins and the espresso brownies!). I have heard great things about El Colibri, but haven’t tried it, yet. If you absolutely have to have a “fix” from the States, you can visit Subway in the heart of town, but why would you? If you’re not too stuffed after your beach-front dining, stroll down to Eskimo for a cone or sundae. For that extra-special night out - Pelican Eyes for happy hour to view the sunset, then stay for an incredible meal. You can’t go wrong staying at “Tortuga Azul,” while soaking up San Juan! Nothing will disappoint you, except for having to leave it all at the end of your stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.