There may have been a time when Puerto Rico was a cheap getaway but those days are long gone - there are some alternatives though.
Puerto Rico is heavily dependent on imported goods and fuel and that's reflected in prices from a taxi ride from the airport to the mojito at your hotel. And it is, after all, the Caribbean, where tourists should expect eye-popping bills in season.
There are, of course, cheaper options. There are also things to do that don't cost anything at all. Here are five of them:
BEACHES
It's an island about the size of Connecticut so there are many beaches, about 300 according to some estimates. In the capital, Isla Verde Beach is good for swimming and lolling on soft sand, groomed daily. Playita del Condado is a protected cove that is ideal for young kids and a surprisingly good place to snorkel for being in the middle of San Juan.