|
EL
YUNQUE RAINFOREST: The Caribbean
National Forest -
Eastern Puerto Rico
28,000 acres of tropical rainforest
with dramatic ecological extremes
including an average annual rainfall
of 240 inches, many species of rare
wildlife and the towering Pico del
Toro, rising 3,523 feet above sea
level. It is popular for picnicking,
camping, birdwatching, hiking and
viewing foliage. [more]
Caribbean
National Forest: EL Yunque -
the oldest Forest Reserve
in the Western Hemisphere
CAMUY
CAVES - (1 1/2 hours
from San Juan)
This extensive subterranean cave
system is the third-largest cave
system in the Western Hemisphere
and the only one with a tropical
underground river running through
it. The Camuy Caves are open everyday
except Monday: 8:30 AM - 6 PM.
Going
Underground An
Article by Michael
deFreitas
Tucked away in the lush northwest
corner of Puerto Rico, about 50
miles west of San Juan, is one of
the island's best kept secrets;
the Rio Camuy Caves. [read
more]
IONOSPHERIC
OBSERVATORY - (1
1/2 hours from San Juan,
near the Camuy Caves)
Arecibo Observatory is the site
of the world’s largest electronic
radiotelescope. The huge dish is
1000 feet in diameter, and is suspended
above an underlying karst sinkhole.
It is in use 24 hours a day in search
for signs of extraterrestrial life.
BIOBAYS
OF PUERTO RICO
Explore
the Bioluminescent Bays
of Puerto Rico.
La Parguera near Guanica, Las Croabas
Lagoon in Fajardo (Brighter) and
Mosquito Bay in Vieques (Brightest).
Wondering what Bioluminescent is? An
explanation of bioluminescent.
LIGHTHOUSES
Puerto Rico has a great many (15)
surviving lighthouses, all worthy
of visiting. For a descriptive
listing, photos and links to further
resources on the lighthouses of
Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra
and the smaller commonwealth islands
visit The
Lighthouse Directory - Puerto
Rico
BEACHES
White and sandy the beaches of Puerto
Rico all rank high on the Great
Beach Scale. For a an unbiased
informative list of Puerto Rican
beaches go to The
Travel and Sports beach list. For
a more biased review visit the Frommer's
Best Beaches of Puerto Rico page.
The government-run public
beaches are called Balnearios.
They are equipped with dressing
rooms, showers, cafeterias,
picnic tables and gazebos,
pay phones, lifeguards and
other emergency personnel,
police and guarded parking
lots. Most are open every
day except Monday from 9:00
am to 5:00 pm and select holidays
SURFING
Rincon is the original surfer community
of the 50's, and then 60's, although
its uniqueness is starting to
fade with the influx of development
and tourists. The ocean is quite
rough lessening its popularity
for swimming or snorkeling, however
in storms and during winter its
incredible waves still attracts
surfers from around the world.
If you do go to Rincon be sure
to visit the Rincon Surf Museum.
Waves
of pleasure in Rincon Article
by Marie C. Franklin, Globe
Staff
A massive wave breaks off Sandy
Beach, carrying surfers by palm-shaded
guest houses, seaside bars and grills,
and thickets of bougainvillea. At
noon, the March sun is hot and this
splendid stretch of beach is nearly
empty as I gaze at the stream of
summer types gliding by on their
boards. [Read
more]
WHALE
WATCHING
Humpback whales may be seen in the
winter (late December through late
March) from the observation park
at the Rincón Lighthouse.
You may see them a few hundred meters
off the lighthouse during the peak
season which is February.
TOUR
COFFEE FARM
Finca
del Seto, a small coffee
farm in Jayuya, offers visitors
an eco-tour walk on the
two lower acres of the five
acre coffee farm Finca del
Seto is located about 15
minutes from "downtown" Jayuya;
about an hour from either
Ponce or Arecibo using HWY.
10.
GILLIGANS
ISLAND:
Take the Guanica Ferry to Gilligans
Island for some magnificent swimming,
and snorkeling around the mangrove
roots and on the reefs. The waters
are clear and cool. There are no
facilities. The ferry boat makes
this short crossing constantly throughout
the day until 5 PM.
CAMPING
Camping in Puerto Rico is terrific:
mild weather, tropical breezes,
and destinations that include
mountainous rainforest, fabulous
beaches, dry forests and caves.
[Read
informative article by Elena]
Campgrounds
on Puerto Rico
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Buen
Provecho or "bon
appetite" is Experience-PuertoRico.com's
guide to dining and eating
in Puerto Rico once known
primarily for its historic
architecture & fabulous
beaches is now known for
its fine dining. Puerto
Rico is truly a culinary
capital.
After
Dark: Whatever it is
that you're in the mood
for after the sun goes down,
whether it's a lively pub,
a pulsating dance floor,
or an action-packed casino,
you'll find it here-and
better than you ever imagined.
Read this guide to nightlife
in San Juan.
ART
ON PUERTO RICO
|
Puerto
Rico is a territory
(Commonwealth) of the
United States of America
and Puerto Ricans have
common citizenship,
currency and defense.
The 3.950 million people
that inhabit the island
of Puerto Rico make
it one of the most densely
populated islands in
the world. [