This year we decided to do Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico, The perfect time to go, with thoughts of late summer still in our heads, we put on our coats for the last time in a week, and headed for the airport. Arriving in San Juan 5 hours later, we stepped off the plane into an 80 degree late afternoon, and a 20 minute cab ride got us to our room in Carolina, overlooking the Atlantic ocean.  A Pina Colada later we were ready to embark on our adventure.

What to do and see:

Old San Juan:
Catedral de San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist Cathedral),
Built in 1521, and restored in 1917, this cathedral is one of the only examples of medieval architecture in the new world.

Casa Blanca
Casa Blanca was built in 1521 by the family of Ponce de León, who lived in it for 250 years until it became the residence of the Spanish and then the US military commander-in-chief. It is now a historical museum which is well worth a visit.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro
El Morro was initially fortified in 1539 and completed in 1589. Rising 140 feet above the sea, its 18-foot-thick wall proved a formidable defense.

Carolina Beach
Located between Isla Verde and Piñones directly behind the airport.The beach is wonderful, clear water and white sand, great for walking, laying out or surfing lessons are avail at several locations on the beach.

Night-Life:

Babylon
Babylon is as elegant as its host hotel, the San Juan Hotel & Casino, and enforces a very-strict, semi-formal dress code.

EL San Juan Hotel
Salsa the night away at this beautiful club. Live music Fri-Sun. Rooftop dancing under the stars.

Cafe Matisse
Offers live jazz and blues, classic rock and roll, and poetry readings Tuesday-Sunday.

If You are considering a day trip, you are less than an hour from:

El Yunque rainforest   www.elyunque.com
The Puerto Rico El Yunque rainforest is a sub tropical mountainous forest located in the eastern part of Puerto Rico where the trade winds first meet the island. This guide will tell you all about the rainforest, the beaches, little offshore island tours and eastern Puerto Rico’s nicest small inns and lodges and hotels. The photo gallery offers both pictures and over 20 videos of the rainforest and eastern Puerto Rico. 

Flamenco Beach
Located on the island of Culebra, about an hours ferry ride from San Juan, This beach is rated in the top choices in north america by the travel channel for its natural beauty.

So as you can see, sand, sun, and relaxation are simply a pina colada away.