I have wanted to go to Old San Juan for quite some time. I decided to get out of a chilly Chicago, in late April, and head south. It is a four to five hour non-stop flight with no passports required and the US dollar is the currency. A piece of cake in terms of travel!! Not only does San Juan have a colorful history and wonderful colonial buildings, but it is becoming a big restaurant destination for “foodies” who come to sample great food by award winning chefs. The restaurant prices are, however, like those at Chicago restaurants. Even the smaller, local restaurants are not inexpensive.
In addition to the great restaurants in town, Jose Andres is opening a restaurant at the new Ritz Carlton Reserve, Jean George Vongerichten has opened Fern at the St. Regis Bahia Beach in Rio Grande and Alain Ducasse has miX on the Beach at the W Retreat & Spa on Vieques.
Taxis are available but not cheap like Mexico. From Old San Juan, taxis to Condado are $15 each way. I heard driving can be difficult so I opted to hire a guide and driver. I really enjoyed Luis Jaime Pantoja who works mainly for the Hotel el Convento and the Ritz Carlton. He is now CEO of Bespoke Lifestyle Management. He is dependable and offers great tour options and suggestions on what to see, do and where to eat. He is licensed to visit the National Forest where others are not. I recommend him highly. He really helped make my trip more enjoyable and my research for you more thorough.