Lodging

San Juan's high-rise hotels on the Condado and Isla Verde beach strips cater primarily to the cruise-ship and casino crowds, although some also target business travelers and families. Outside San Juan, particularly on the east coast, you'll find self-contained luxury resorts that cover hundreds of acres. In the west, southwest, and south—as well as on the islands of Vieques and Culebra—smaller inns, villas, condominiums, and government-sponsored paradores are the norm.

Most hotels and other lodgings require you to give your credit-card details before they will confirm your reservation. If you don't feel comfortable emailing this information, ask if you can call or fax it in (some places even prefer faxes). However you book, get confirmation in writing, and have a copy of it handy when you check in.

Be sure you understand the hotel's cancellation policy. Some places allow you to cancel without any kind of penalty—even if you prepaid to secure a discounted rate—if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Others require you to cancel a week in advance or penalize you the cost of one night. Small inns and B&Bs are most likely to require you to cancel far in advance. Note that hotels in Puerto Rico add a hotel tax to your bill; the tax varies by hotel type, so ask at the time of booking if the amount is not clear. Many hotels, even if they do not market themselves as all-inclusive resorts, also add a resort fee, typically charged as a daily rate. Most hotels allow children under a certain age to stay in their parents' room at no extra charge, but others do charge for them as extra adults; inquire about the cutoff age for discounts.

Hotels

In the most expensive hotels, rooms are large enough for two to move around comfortably, with two double beds or one queen- or king-size bed, air-conditioning, a phone, Wi-Fi or other Internet access, a private bath, an in-room safe, cable TV, a hair dryer, iron and ironing board, room service, shampoo and toiletries, and possibly a view of the water. There is a concierge and at least one hotel restaurant and lounge, a pool, a shop, and an exercise room or spa. In Puerto Rico's smaller inns, rooms have private baths, air-conditioning or fans, a double- to king-size bed, possibly room service, and breakfast (continental or full) included in the rate. Most also have Wi-Fi or other Internet access in guest rooms, although some have Wi-Fi in public areas only. In some smaller hotels, several rooms share baths—it's a good idea to ask before booking. Throughout the island, smoking is prohibited in public places, including restaurants, bars, cafés, casinos, and hotel common areas.

All hotels listed in this guide have private baths unless otherwise noted. Hotel reviews have been shortened. For more information, visit Fodors.com.

Paradores

Some paradores are rural inns offering no-frills apartments, and others are large hotels; all must meet certain standards, such as proximity to an attraction or beach. Most have a small restaurant that serves local cuisine. They're often good bargains (usually $85–$125 per night for a double room).