So, I’m thinking about taking a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico at the end of the month. I had a few questions, if the Teeming Millions could help me out:
1.) I speak no Spanish. None. I can, of course, jot down a few phrases, and I’ll be sure to learn “please,” “excuse me,” “thank you,” “yes”, and “no” in Spanish, but that’s about it. Can I realistically expect to get by in San Juan?
2.) Can I get by without renting a car?
3.) Can anyone recommend a good cheap hotel?
As always, thanks!
1.) I speak no Spanish. None. I can, of course, jot down a few phrases, and I’ll be sure to learn “please,” “excuse me,” “thank you,” “yes”, and “no” in Spanish, but that’s about it. Can I realistically expect to get by in San Juan?
San Juan is the capital. It’s the biggest municipality and main part of the metropolitan area (área metro). Which part of San Juan are you talking about? In Old San Juan, I’d say yes, for sure, you can get by in English. If you go to any tourist attraction or museum, yes, there will be English-speakers. If you want to venture to less touristy areas… Well, their English is probably better than your Spanish, but how well each other will be understood may vary.
2.) Can I get by without renting a car?
NO. NO. Not unless you are using a tour company or scheduled tours and then they can arrange travel for you. If you were better in Spanish, I’d say try giving public transportation a shot, but nope. Really… Just… no… Taxis are very expensive, you’re better off renting a car.
The only place I can make an exception is if you stay all your time in Old San Juan. Then you certainly wouldn’t need a car, as everything is within walking distance. Well, you may have to walk a lot, but it’s not a killer walk from La Fortaleza (Governor’s mansion) to El Capitolio (Capitol).
3.) Can anyone recommend a good cheap hotel?
In San Juan touristy area, nope. I know there are some places, but I’m not exactly sure where or how to get the contact information. I’m from San Juan, my family lives there, I don’t need a hotel. 
I’d say, and this is a born and raised city girl: GET OUT OF SAN JUAN!!! My island is beautiful, it is precious, and it is so much prettier outside the city!!! The best beaches IMHO are outside, food is better (and cheaper) outside.
There have been other recent threads about Puerto Rico… I’ll try to dig them up.
What KG said. With the following addenda:
In San Juan and its touristy next-door neighbor Isla Verde (actually part of the municipality of Carolina) you will indeed find it quite survivable as an anglophone. Do indeed bring the phrasebook (actual book or “app”), though. Can be a life-saver or at least a face-saver. Speaking of which…
Road signage is NOT bilingual even in most tourist areas (any Mayor trying it gets roundly ridiculed; identity politics at work), so make sure you have the GPS and up to date maps.
Also, our most sincere apologies for the “offensive driving” you’re likely to encounter. I blame it on that we learned to drive from compatriots who spent their youth in Boston and Manhattan…
Geez… SJU is not what is commonly deemed a “bargain” destination. You’d have to better define what you think of as both terms good and cheap, to be able to tell if I know of anything that fits. There are quite decent places at $120/n but again, I don’t know if that’s in your range or if it would be at a location that suits you.
Don’t forget to drop into the Convent San Tanco and say “Hi” to Sister Bertrille. 
Yeah, I never knew where they found so many Mexicans in Puerto Rico 
I’ve heard crime can be bad in some parts of the city. Watch your step.
Heh. Glad to see that Anglophone Americans aren’t the only ones capable of linguistic jingoism. 
I’m thinking, thanks to this thread and further research, that I’ll probably vacation elsewhere. Both to save money, and to avoid the need to drive. Dumb, I know, but I hate driving, and avoid it whenever possible.