Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel Spa & Casino, The, NIV
Casino Thrill > Casinos > Puerto Rico
By: TravelAndSports.com
The sensation that overcomes you when you walk into a casino is like none other. The high energy, colorful flashing lights and frequent shrieks of joy at Puerto Rico’s casinos are invigorating. Boasting more than 180,000 gaming square feet, players have consistently rated Puerto Rico as the Caribbean’s most enjoyable gaming destination. Here you’ll find a great variety of table games from such classics as Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat to the trendy Texas Holden Poker.
Casinos aren’t just for high rollers. With rows upon rows of slot machines averaging a 93% payback the jackpot could be just a coin away. Island-wide, there are more than 5,000 slot machines; the Radisson Ambassador Plaza in San Juan leads the pack with 428 slots followed closely by the Holiday Inn Mayagüez with 417. Slots in Puerto Rico come in various denominations, from nickels to $25 slots and all casinos have a good variety of each. They also range in complexity from the basic three-reel, single pay-line, lever slots to state-of-the-art, themed multi-line video slots. At The Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel Spa & Casino in Isla Verde, you’ll get a sixties flashback at the Monsters machine which depicts all the characters from the classic TV program.
Although the majority of the casinos are in metropolitan San Juan, Lady Luck does get around the Island. Make a date with fate at the Wyndham El Conquistador Resort’s Casablanca-themed casino in the eastern municipality of Fajardo. The 9,500-square-foot casino has 221 slot machines and 22 table games.
Two more casinos in the east—both in Río Grande—are at the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and at the Paradisus Sol Melia Puerto Rico. The luxurious casino at the Paradisus is the newest addition to the Island’s roster and offers live music every night.
All of the Island’s 18 casinos are monitored and regulated by the government. Gaming division personnel are on site at every casino during operating hours and high-tech security protect both the casino and the player. These measures ensure the enjoyment of the game and more importantly preserve its integrity.
Casinos in Puerto Rico are an exciting pastime for both visitors and locals and most are open until 4am although a few -- the Courtyard by Marriott, Condado Plaza, Marriott Stella Maris and The Ritz Carlton-- are open 24 hours. You must be at least 18 to enter and appropriate attire is required—tasteful casual during the day and elegant casual for the evening. Have fun and good luck!