Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

July/August, 2000

Island Etiquette Tips for Conference Attendees
by Ada Lugo

The El San Juan Hotel and Casino is one of the finest hotels in the San Juan Metropolitan area and they have a casual elegant dress code after 7:00 p.m., in order to maintain a nice ambiance. In general terms, they do not permit shorts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes in the public areas after 7:00 p.m. The restaurants, clubs, and the casino also require that after 7:00 p.m. guests dress in slacks (no jeans), collared shirts, and shoes. Ladies can wear dresses, slacks, pantsuits, and skirts. Jackets are not required. The only restaurant at the hotel that permits jeans is THE RANCH, which has a country western motif. There is plenty of night activity at the hotel with music almost every night so putting on comfortable slacks, shirt (blouse), and shoes (top-siders, penny loafers, pumps, flats) is worth it when you will be having a very enjoyable evening.

For the Puertoriccan Night, guests can dress casual which includes jeans and tennis shoes if they wish. No shorts please! The hospitalities can not be carried out in the hotel because of the costs, but we are making arrangements to carry them out in a club, which is about a five-minute walk from the hotel and has an ocean view. For the tours, the code is casual and shorts are permitted.

Outside of the hotel, there are plenty of fast food restaurants and right next door to the hotel is a popular bar and grill called Lupi’s, where casual attire is permitted. On the Isla Verde strip where the hotel is located, there are other places to relax.

Puerto Rico weather is usually warm (ok so it’s hot) and humid. In September the temperature fluctuates between 80-90 degrees but there is usually a nice breeze. It tends to rain in this month. Cotton wear (or a combination of) is the coolest material for this time of year. Bring an umbrella or a raincoat just in case.

We look forward to seeing you at the NADE National Training Conference!