Island-wide rental accommodations, from $87
Puerto Rico is among the thousands of destinations covered by Rentalo.com, a directory of rental properties worldwide. The most affordable offerings include a stay in one of San Juan Beach Villas' nine apartments, located in the ritzy residential areas of Ocean Park and Condado in San Juan. Rates start at $87 per night for travel through November and remain in the $97-$175 range through April 2008. A family-friendly alternative is a spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that sleeps up to eight people in the Rio Mar Beach Resort on the northeastern coast of the island, near El Yunque rain forest and San Juan. Resort amenities include a pool, a sauna, 13 tennis courts, and two golf courses. Rates start at $250 per night through Dec. 20 (and jump to $500-$560 for the holidays and spring). Keep in mind in both cases that staying in an apartment with a kitchen helps cut down on the cost of meals.
When: Ongoing based on availability.
Details: Taxes are additional and vary based on the rental location.
Contact: 877/710-5914, rentalo.com.
San Juan beach resort, from $235
The Courtyard Isla Verde Beach Resort has a four-night Holiday package that includes salsa lessons, admission to El Morro Fort in Old San Juan, a holiday gift, dinner nightly at Salsa, breakfast daily, and 5,000 Marriott Reward bonus points. The rate is $940 per room for the four-night minimum stay (in other words, $235 per room per night).
When: Dec. 16-27, 2007.
Book by: Nov. 15, 2007.
Details: Taxes are an additional 7 percent. Based on double occupancy. The package rate represents savings of about 15 to 20 percent.
Contact: 800/791-2553, marriott.com.
Old San Juan historic hotel, from $310
The Hotel El Convento, a restored onetime Carmelite convent in Old San Juan, is offering a Colonial Escape package right before Christmas. It includes a four-night stay, an upgrade to deluxe accommodations, two glasses of sangria upon arrival, a signature tote bag, an afternoon wine reception daily, a walking tour of Old San Juan and the Bacardi distillery, a tasting at Il Perugino restaurant, and breakfast daily. The rate is $1,240 per room for the four-night minimum stay (in other words, $310 per room per night).
When: Dec. 17-25, 2007.
Details: Hotel taxes of 22.08 percent are included. Based on double occupancy and availability. Restaurant tips and taxes are additional. The package rate represents savings of about 15 to 20 percent.
Contact: 800/468-2779, elconvento.com.
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}Remember that no passport is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Puerto Rico, unlike much of the Caribbean. For more information on what to see and do in Puerto Rico, visit the official tourism Web site. Before you go, check the at BudgetTravel.com.
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