San Juan Travel Guide
Tags: Know the Law / Driving Laws / International Road Permits / Celeb Travel / → All Tags
No International Driving Permit Needed Here
Sweet ride! Johnny Depp gets carted around in style on the Puerto Rico set of "The Rum Diary," in which he stars as a young newspaper reporter. That's costar Aaron Eckhart in the car with him.
Neither Depp nor Eckhart would need an International Driving Permit to take the wheel of that sweet convertible -- a US driver's license would suffice. But if they wanted to island-hop to, say, Antigua or Jamaica after shooting, an IDP would come in handy. Even if a local car rental in one of the 155 countries that accept it doesn't ask for it, it can't hurt to be covered for the price of $15 and 2 passport photos in places where an American driver's license isn't accepted.
Besides, this may be the last year it's that easy to drive around the world: The IDP was set up back in 1949 by the UN, which is expected to revisit the regulations at a road safety conference in November. (Host country Russia also accepts the IDP, but take it from us: don't drive there.)
Related Stories:
· Application for International Driving Permit [AAA.com]
· Victoria Beckham Parties At That Hot LA Club DMV [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Faded Youth Blog]
Tags: Celeb Travel / George Clooney / Mustaches / → All Tags
Roughing It Travel: Where Is George Clooney's Mustache?
Why, in Puerto Rico, of course! World famous bachelor George Clooney took some time out from filming his new movie "Men Who Stare At Goats" to play a pickup basketball game, complete with the mustache he (or someone) has apparently chosen for his character. Looks like nose hair gone wrong, right?
Clooney is also co-producing the film, which is using the Rio Piedras neighborhood (where a campus of the University of Puerto Rico is located) as a stand-in for the Middle East.
The movie costars Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges as US military officers trying to find strategic applications for paranormal powers.
Related Stories:
· Clooney and Cast Arrive in Puerto Rico [Clooney's Cookie Crumbs]
· George Clooney Grows a Mustache [Telegraph]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: PopSugar]
Tags: Jaunted Field Trips / Puerto-Rico-Travel-Guide-Map / Old San Juan / Islands / → All Tags
Old San Juan: Built to Keep Out the British
Yes, Old San Juan is touristy. But Old San Juan is totally worth it. Founded in 1521 by the forever young Ponce de León, the city was heavily fortified with turrets and walls to protect it from British invasion.
These days Old San Juan is the tourist center of Puerto Rico. Full of cruisers in for one night and day trippers coming back from the beaches, you'll see slack-jawed fanny packers by the busload.
That said Old San Juan is an interesting place, full of small town Costa Blanca influence, Puerto Rican style and US commercialism. One thing's for sure, the Puerto Ricans did successfully stave off the British. We didn't see a single Union Jack.
Tags: Jaunted Field Trips / Puerto-Rico-Travel-Guide-Map / Restaurants / Mofongo / Islands / → All Tags
Jaunted in Puerto Rico: The Best Eats
Sure you could spend your entire time in Puerto Rico hitting US fast food chains like Subway and Wendy's for lunch, then sit down for dinner at places like Chili's and Outback, but what fun would that be?
Puerto Rican food has plenty to offer, almost too much, but if you find yourself with limited time you at least have to try two things: the seafood and the mofongo.
Tags: Active Travel / Kiteboarding / Puerto Rico Travel / → All Tags
Active Travel: Kiteboarding in Puerto Rico
When it comes to active travel, we've checked out some pretty crazy stuff. But when HotelChatter tipped us off to kiteboarding, we had to investigate. The adventure sport puts riders on a small surfboard that's a bit like the more-popular wakeboard--and then hands them the reins to a big kite. Riders strap their feet into bindings before letting loose.
The sport is still in its infancy, but there are plenty of places to check it out. Our suggestion? Kiteboarding PR. The one-day Kite Control Class helps beginners master kiteboarding techniques, everything from kite setup to takeoffs and landings. Advanced lessons and custom camps are also available for those anxious to ride the waves like a true pro.
Our number one tip for the newbies? Well, it came from the experts:
The best way to feel like you're not at your local Costco meat section is to be sure all the boys wear board shorts over their wetsuits.
Related Stories:
· Kiteboarding PR [Official Site]
· Why Take Lessons [Kiteboarding Magazine]
· Kiteboarding and Sand-Biking are Big at La Zebra [Hotel Chatter]
[Photo: BlogKite]
Tags: New York Times / Travel Media / Caribbean / Islands / Matt Gross / Hotels / → All Tags
Ingesting His Way Through San Juan
Our fave budget traveler, Frugal Matt, is back this week with a look at Old San Juan. When last we heard from him, he was in Switzerland, so it's good to see we're back to warmer climes.
He snagged a deal on a room at the Nuyorican Cafe, which has just opened a new boutique hotel: Da House (pictured above). Though from the sound of it, he didn't spend much time there:
The sun was setting, and I was just heading home when Nacho called. A friend of a friend, he'd heard I was in town and wanted to know if I was up for a night out...I can't say I remember very well what followed, but we bounced around, never spending more than $2 for a beer.
Now, that's our kind of town. Matt spent plenty of time grubbing too, with stops at a street-side stand for an empenada and a diner for a ham-and-cheese breakfast sandwich. Though he skipped Tantra--maybe the only restaurant in town with tandoori mofongo--he did finally end up at the Nuyorican Cafe after a long night and a plate of hot wings. The verdict? Sounds like they were amazing.
[Photo: chgosfs]
Related Stories:
· A Cheap Room Puts Old San Juan Within Reach [NYT]
· Nuyorican Cafe [Official Site]
· Da House [Official Site]
· Jaunted's Matt Gross coverage [Jaunted]
Tags: Celeb Travel / → All Tags
J.Lo Saves Wedding
Taking a cue from her role in 'The Wedding Planner 'and perhaps knowing what it's like to stroll down the aisle herself (um, 3 times) J.Lo saved a wedding reception at the Hotel El Convento in San Juan, P.R.
J.Lo is in town working on "El Cantante" with hubbie Marc Anthony and realized her filming was disrupting the newlyweds' festivities. She ordered production to halt until the party ended, not wanting to steal anyone's thunder. A surprisingly classy and nice move J.Lo. Congrats.
Related Stories:
· Jennifer Lopez in Puerto Rico [Lovetripper.com]
