Puerto Rico Other Types Of Accommodations

When Puerto Ricans refer to hotels, they typically mean the large American chains. These hotels are not listed in Let’s Go, but if you feel like shelling out, most major chains have web sites with full information. Hotel singles in Puerto Rico cost about $200 per night, doubles $300. However, many offer discounts for military personnel, businesses, AAA members, frequent fliers, and a variety of other groups.

There are also a few small hotels in most urban areas (and quite a few in San Juan) that charge much more reasonable rates (singles $65-140 per night). These hotels usually have the regular amenities—bathrooms, daily maid service, 24hr. reception, sometimes continental breakfast—but few of the perks, like casinos and pools. These small hotels can fill up fast, so it is best to reserve in advance, especially during high season. Hotel employees almost always speak some English.

University Dorms

Many colleges and universities open their residence halls to travelers when school is not in session; some do so even term-time. Getting a room may take a couple of phone calls and require advanced planning, but rates tend to be low and many offer free local calls and Internet access. For more information contact the University of Puerto Rico (In San Juan ☎787-764-0000, www.uprrp.edu; Aguadilla ☎787-890-2681, www.uprm.edu; Bayamón ☎787-786-2885; Cayey ☎787-738-2161; Mayagüez ☎787-832-4040, www.uprm.edu; Ponce ☎787-844-8181; Utuado ☎787-894-2828, http://upr-utuado.upr.clu.edu), which has campuses in most major Puerto Rican cities.

Home Exchanges And Hospitality Clubs

Home exchange offers the traveler lodging in various types of homes (houses, apartments, condominiums, villas, and even castles), plus the opportunity to live like a native and to cut down on accommodation fees. For more information, contact HomeExchange.Com, P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com).

Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes; a small membership fee may also be required. GlobalFreeloaders.com (www.globalfreeloaders.com) and The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) are good places to start. Servas (www.servas.org) is an established, more formal, peace-based organization, and requires a fee and an interview to join. An Internet search will find many similar organizations, some of which cater to special interests (e.g., women, GLBT travelers, or members of certain professions). As always, use common sense when planning to stay with or host someone you do not know.

Long-Term Accommodations

Travelers planning to stay in Puerto Rico for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent an apartment. A basic one-bedroom (or studio) apartment in San Juan will range $1000-1300 per month. Besides the rent itself, prospective tenants usually are also required to front a security deposit (frequently one month’s rent) and the last month’s rent.

There are no special requirements for foreigners renting an apartment in Puerto Rico. Because the island is a major tourist destination, almost every rental group is used to dealing with foreign renters. However, the sublet and rental markets are geared toward tourists looking for a vacation rental by the sea; it takes a little extra work to find cheaper, hole-in-the wall accommodations.

You can start your apartment search at http://puertorico.craigslist.org, www.yellowpages-caribbean.com/Countries/Puerto_Rico, or in the classifieds of Puerto Rican newspapers, such as the Puerto Rico Herald. Many vacation rental and real estate agencies (listed at the beginning of each major city) rent out vacation properties by the month ($1500-2000 for one bedroom) during the low season.