January is high season in Puerto Rico – hotels can be expensive and can fill up, so generally the earlier you reserve lodging, the better. The conference venue at University of Puerto Rico (UPR) is not far from the more expensive hotels of the Condado and Isla Verde, stretching east along the beach from old San Juan. For the location of the venue and parking see here. Hotels are less expensive slightly inland and closer to UPR, but there are fewer total rooms. More economical alternatives include short-term rentals through Airbnb, Homeaway, and VRBO can be quite good as economical alternatives and there are often a number of listings near campus. Another choice is to look further away in other parts of San Juan, and commute by the urban train, which has a stop at the university: UrbanRail.Net > North America > Puerto Rico > San Juan Tren Urbano (Metro). You should check that the timing and frequency of train service works for you. If you have a rental car you could commute from outside the city (parking at UPR will be available with classes not in session). Buses are generally not recommended, but Uber and taxis are reliable, safe ways to get around. Lyft does not operate in Puerto Rico.
Visit the Discover Puerto Rico trade organization website showing things to do and accommodation on the island: Puerto Rico Travel Guide | Visitor Information | Discover Puerto Rico
Scroll down to Places to Stay and click on Metro for the San Juan area.
List of suggested hotels (as posted by International Institute for Tropical Forestry for its visitors)
Hotels Close to IITF
Isla Verde, Carolina area Between (15- 20 minutes) (11 to 12 km)
1. Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort
7012 Calle Avenue Boca de Cangrejos, Carolina, 00979
(787) 791-0404 POC Federal: Jean Carlos Arroyo POC Groups: Joe Morales
2. TRYP by Wyndham Isla Verde
4820 Isla Verde Ave, Carolina, 00979
(787) 728-1300 POC Federal: Melody Overhuver POC Groups: Melody Overhuber
3. InterContinental San Juan
5961 Av. Isla Verde, Carolina, 00979
(787) 791-6100 POC Federal: Sales office POC Groups: Sales office
4. Embassy Suites by Hilton San Juan Hotel & Casino
8000 Tartak Street Carolina, San Juan, 00979
(787) 791-0505 POC Federal: Evelyn Colon POC Groups: Evelyn Colon
5. Verdanza Hotel
8020, Calle Jose M. Tartak, Carolina, 00979
(787) 253-9000
6. El San Juan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
6063 Av. Isla Verde, Carolina, 00979
(787) 791-1000
Condado Area (22 – 30 minutes) (11 to 13 km)
- Caribe Hilton 1 San Geronimo Street, San Juan 00901 +1 787-721-0303
- Condado Vanderbilt 1055 ASHFORD AVENUE, SAN JUAN 00907 +1 787-721-5500
- La Concha Renaissance 1077 Ashford Avenue, San Juan 00907 +1 787-721-7500
Old San Juan Area (25 – 40 minutes) (12 to 15 km)
1. Hotel Sheraton Old San Juan 100 Calle Brumbaugh, San Juan, PR 00901 1 787-721-5100
2. Hotel El Convento 100 Calle Del Santo Cristo, San Juan, PR 00901 1 787-723-9020
Some suggested Pre- or post-conference and free time activities:
Old San Juan – restaurants and night life
Old forts -El Morro and La Fortaleza
El Yunque National Forest
Luquillo beach
Condado beach (Condado is a nice pedestrian oriented beachfront neighborhood with shopping and restaurants)
Coffee plantations in interior mountains
Bioluminescent bays – Fajardo and Vieques
Ferries/flights to Culebra and Vieques, islands off east coast
U.S. and British Virgin Islands are also close, flights only