Gay San Juan
Last 3 Days to Win a Trip to Puerto Rico!!
I mentioned this before, but it bears repeating, especially as we are down to the last 3 days of the promotion. The 3rd Annual Puerto Rico Tip-Off Prize Giveaway is down to its final weekend, and you have to register before November 9 for a chance to win a 6 day, 5 night vacation for two people at the Conrad Condado Plaza from November 18 through November 23.
The prize package includes:
- Roundtrip airfare for two to Puerto Rico
- Tickets for all 6 sessions of the college basketball games that will be featured on the island (a total of 12 games)
- A room at the Conrad Condado Plaza
- Five days' car rental with Hertz
- A day trip to El Yunque National Rainforest
A Sneak Peak at the W
You can't spell wow without W. And my first glimpse at the spanking new luxury hotel on Vieques Island produced a wow. If the W, slated to open in early 2010, lives up to this standard shown in this preview of one of their guestrooms, you can bet the hotel is going to do wonders for the island's already bustling tourist industry; quite simply, there's nothing like it currently in Vieques.
The first W Retreat and Spa in North America, the hotel will have 157 rooms, a restaurant by superstar chef Alain Ducasse, and top class spa and gym facilities. Will it crack my top 5 places to stay on Vieques? Time will tell, but it sure looks promising.
November Calendar of Events
And that's not even covering the biggest reason to love November in Puerto Rico: Thanksgiving. Check out the full list of events and activities.
On to Better Scares
A lineup of DJs, infernal decor, and a horrifically good time await at you this Saturday night. Tickets cost $20 and are available from Ticket Pop. And if that's not enough ghoulish fun for you, check out the Yellow Halloween party at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in the Hato Rey suburb of San Juan.
...About that Fire
Naturally, this is a freak occurrence that should have no impact on any trips you've planned to the island. The situation is apparently under control, after a scary weekend for many in and around the capital, but the worst seems to be over.
Get Your Holiday Shopping On ...
Halloween Blog Carnival
The Caribbean in general isn't a typical Halloween destination, but even Puerto Rico has a few tricks and treats up its sleeve. And a very exciting one is the 2nd Annual Puerto Rico Horror Filmfest. I first wrote about this special event in my September Calendar of Events, but at the time the full details had not been published. That's all been taken care of now; check out the full schedule of film entries from Germany to Argentina.
Where to Watch the Game
NFL season is in full swing and even if you've taken some time off to escape to the Caribbean, I'm sure fans of the fame won't want to miss game-day Sundays (I'm firmly planted in front of my TV as we speak). So without further ado, here are my favorite places to watch the game:
- Dunbars: in Ocean Park, this casual institution has enough TV screens, cheering room and even great food to occupy you for the day. Between the games, play some pool, enjoy the ambience, and check out the wall of happy (in many cases, quite sexy) customers. Located at 1854 McLeary Avenue in Ocean Park, call 787-728-2920.
- The Brick House: Come for "Super Sports Sunday," stay for mouthwatering chicken wings available in roughly 60 saucy variations, and enjoy the down-home atmosphere at this conveniently located sports bar and home of "Gringo-Rican" cuisine. Located at 359 Tetuan Street in Old San Juan, call 787-559-5022.
- Seņor Frog's: Anyone familiar with bars in Mexico and the Caribbean has probably heard of Seņor Frog's. This is a raucous place where the drinks flow continuously, the young crowds flock consistently, and the party tries never to stop. On Sundays, it's also a good place to catch your favorite NFL games.
- Lupi's: On Isla Verde, Lupi's is a classic marriage of large portions of Tex-Mex foods, massive margaritas, and a sports bar atmosphere. It's a casual, relaxed place to be that stays open late and has plenty of room to show the big games. Located on 6369 Isla Verde Avenue in Isla Verde, call 787-253-2198.
About those protests...
What was it all about? Puerto Rico's economic slide and the resulting unemployment. How does it affect you, the tourist? Well, start with this statement from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. The island is fully committed to business-as-usual for the tourism industry, and travelers to the island should not feel threatened by the strike. If anything, exepct a warmer reception than ever when you come to Puerto Rico. The island, and its people, will be happy to see you.

