Puerto Rico Budget Travel Tips

Kioskos is Spanish for the English word kiosk. In Puerto Rico, the word often refers to a food stand where you can pick up a variety of island delicacies at modest prices. Care for a pionono? It's a sweet plantain stuffed with beef and topped with cheese. Don't knock it until you've tried it. Little risk here, because even if it isn't your favorite food, you won't spend more than a dollar or two for the sample. Plan a lunch or even a dinner at a kiosko and your budget will benefit as well as your taste buds.

When San Juan began to spread out in the early twentieth century, the historic center of the city began a slow decline to seediness. Fortunately, local leaders committed themselves to preserving the old city. The result of their efforts is one of the finest old city sections in this part of the world. Narrow cobblestone streets are often clogged with very slow-moving traffic. So if you're not in a hurry, it's a good idea to walk in this relatively compact area. You can find a some nice hotel bargains here, and you'll find some nice restaurant and shopping options, too. You'll also pay absolutely nothing to soak in the atmosphere. On weekends, there are a lot of sidewalk artists and displays that enhance the experience.

To be correct, the name is Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, but locals call it El Morro. It is the fort that once defended San Juan (and all of Puerto Rico) from invaders. Your initial reaction to walking around an old fort might be less than enthusiastic, but this is no ordinary historic site. It's easy to lose track of time as you look at walls 16 feet thick and designed so well that only one invader ever captured the place. As with most any attraction administered by the U.S. National Park Service, the costs of seeing El Morro are very modest in relation to the benefits. Anyone 16 or older pays $3 USD. Those 15 and under get in for free.

Like this view? It's from the front of my room at the Ceiba Country Inn, a bed and breakfast at the edge of El Yunque National Forest. A room, with breakfast, goes for about $100 USD/night. Tree frogs serenade you to sleep each night, to say nothing of this view! You see, San Juan often resembles a mainland American city: lots of tall buildings, fast food, and busy expressways. Nothing wrong with any of those things, but you should definitely consider leaving the city behind for a while to explore some of Puerto Rico's natural wonders. The good news for budget travelers is that prices for hotel rooms and meals tend to fall once outside of greater San Juan. Rent a car or take a tour, but explore other parts of the island.

El Yunque National Forest is a special place. It's the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. Forestry Service system. You'll have to pay for a car rental or a tour to get here, but once you arrive, the forest is yours to explore for free. The visitor center at the entrance charges a modest entry fee, but in exchange you'll find an impressive array of displays, a guided tour and a video explaining the ecosystem. A 13 km. (8 mile) road takes you upward in elevation, and you'll pass a number of pull offs for trails and overlooks. It's best to arrive early in the day before the tour buses pull in. At the top, elevations exceed 3,500 ft. There are 240 species of trees, 23 of which can only be found here. Did I mention all of this is free?