Planning to visit the Puerto Rico? Here's some information for you which is extracted from the third edition of The Adventure Guide to Puerto Rico by Harry S. Pariser. This text is copyright1997, Harry S. Pariser. All rights reserved.Contact the author for reprint or other rights.
A revised version of these are coming, as is Explore Puerto Rico, the definitive travel guide to Puerto Rico and successor to Adventure Guide to Puerto Rico. Expect to see it in the winter of 2002.
Despite the fact that Puerto Rico has been part of the territorial United States since 1898, most Americans know little or nothing about the island. Yet, Puerto Rico is perhaps the most exotic place in the nation--a miniature Latin America set in the Caribbean. It is also one of the oldest locations in the territorial US: San Juan was a thriving town while Jamestown was still an undeveloped plot of land. A very attractive island, Puerto Rico contains numerous forest reserves, beaches, ancient indigenous sites, an abundance of historical atmosphere, and the only tropical National Forest in the US. Sadly, the vast majority of visitors get stuck in the tourist traps of Condado and never experience the island's charms.
CLIMATE: With an average temperature of 73° F during the coolest month and 79° F during the warmest, the island has a delightful climate. Located within the belt of the steady NE trade winds, its mild, subtropical climate varies little throughout the year. Winter temperatures average 19 degrees warmer than Cairo and Los Angeles, seven degrees warmer than Miami, and four degrees warmer than Honolulu. Temperatures in the mountain areas average eight to 10 degrees cooler than on the coast. Lowest recorded temperature (40° F) was measured at Aibonito in March 1911. Only five days per year are entirely without sunshine. Rain, which usually consists of short showers, is most likely to occur between June and October. The N coast receives much more rain than the S, with San Juan receiving 60 in. per year as compared with Ponce's 30. Trade winds produce the greatest amount of rain in the mountain areas, with El Yunque averaging 183 in. (4648 mm) per year, which falls in some 1,600 showers.
WHEN TO COME: Anytime is the right time but holiday seasons tend to be crowded and the summer can be quite hot and receives more rain.
WHO SHOULD COME: Puerto Rico is suitable for everyone from those seeking a stay in a luxury resort to those who appreciate smaller establishments. While not the best place for those on a budget, it is possible to get by here.
PLANNING EXPENSES: Puerto Rico can be as expensive as you wish it to be. At a rock bottom, you should allow for US$50 pd. Restaurant meals are comparable to Europe or the US, although you can snack for considerably cheaper. Market food (except for bread) is higher priced than in the US mainland.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY: Although there is no list of must-see places, every visitor should spend at least a day in Old San Juan. The main reason to come is to enjoy yourself, and you can do this best by being laid back. Don't try to cover too much territory. The outlying islands of Vieques and Culebra as well as Ponce's restored old town are well worth a visit.
GETTING THERE: USAir flies to San Juan from Charlotte, Philadelphia, and (seasonally) from Orlando,Carnival flies from Miami, JFK, and Newark to San Juan and has connecting flights to destinations as diverse as LA, Wooster, and White Plains. Check with them for details. Delta flies directly from Atlanta, and TWA flies from NY. American Airlines also flies from NY and Miami to San Juan. for Aguadilla: American flies to Aguadilla nonstop from New York and Miami. for Ponce: American flies to Ponce nonstop from New York. Carnival Airlines flies daily from JFK and Newark to Ponce. Puerto Rico may also be reached by air from everywhere in the Caribbean except Cuba. for Culebra and Vieques: Flamenco (tel. 725-7707, 723-8110) flies to Culebra from Isla Grande and Fajardo, and Vieques Air Link (tel. 722-3736, 723-9882 in San Juan) flies to Vieques from Fajardo and Isla Grande. Carib flies to Culebra from the international airport.
Arecibo Observatory--This 600-ton platform, largest of its kind in the world, is a 20-acre dish set into a gigantic natural depression. It may be visited.
Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve--Purchased in 1975 by the Conservation Trust for $5.7 million, this 316-acre area, on the island's NE tip, comprises a number of different ecological communities including mangroves, coral reefs, a dry forest and a series of lagoons; the largest lagoon (Laguna Grande) is seasonally phosporescent. This wide variety of ecosystems in such a small area is part of what makes the reserve so special. It is the only place on the island where all but one (rainforest is missing) of Puerto Rico¹s natural communities may be viewed in one area. Tours are available.
Caguana Indian Ceremonial Park and Museum--Perhaps the most important archaeological site in the Caribbean. Originally excavated by the famous archaeologist J A Mason in 1915, the park has been restored and established under the auspices of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.
Culebra--Set 22 mi.to the E of Fajardo across a blue expanse of sea, this miniature archipelago--consisting of the seven-by-four-mile island of Culebra, and 23 other islands, cays, and rocks--still remains relatively unspoiled and set apart from the world. Much of its land, which includes dry scrub and mangrove swamps, has been designated as a National Wildlife Refuge.Today, Culebra largely remains a neglected and forgotten backwater, which is what gives it its appeal.
El Yunque (Caribbean National Forest)--The only rainforest national forest in the territorial US, El Yunque is well worth a visit for anyone who has ever dreamed of visiting a rainforest.
Guanica Forest Reserve--One of the finest reserves in the Caribbean, this area protects one of the few remaining expanses of tropical dry forest in the Americas.
Hacienda Buena Vista--Restored by the Conservation Trust, this "Good View Estate," a former coffee plantation, contains slave quarters, a two-story estate house, and exceptional hydraulic machinery. Hacienda Buena Vista was founded in 1833 by Spaniard Salvador de Vives. Tours are available.
La Parguera--The eastern branch of Bosque Estatal De Boquerón, commonly referred to as La Parguera, after the town of the same name. The name itself derives from pargos, a type of snapper. This area contains what is probably the most famous marine attraction in Puerto Rico. La Bahia Fosforescente (Phosphorescent Bay) contains millions of luminescent dinoflagellates, a microscopic plankton. Any disruption or disturbance causes them to light up the surrounding water. Pick a moonless night and take one of the twice-nightly boats (times vary) departing from Villa Parguera's pier.
Loíza Aldea--The sole remaining center of Afro-Hispanic culture on the island. Loíza Aldea was founded in 1719, and its Iglesia del Espiritu Santo y San Patricio (begun 1646) in the Plaza de Recreo is the island's oldest active parish church. Its fiestas patronales of San Patricio takes place around Mar. 17, and the Festival de Buréén (a flat stone used for cooking) is held in Feb. Loíza is one of the three poorest municipalities in Puerto Rico.
Maricao Fish Hatchery--A hatchery and reserve near Mayagüez.
Mayagüez--Despite its reputation as a center of industry, this western port, the third largest city on the island, still retains much of the grace and charm suggested by its lovely name, taken from majagua--the indigenous name for a tree plentiful in the vicinity. It has a small zoo and agricultural research station.
Old San Juan --This restored old section is a remarkable place to visit. It has a number of small museums as well as forts.
Ponce --The island's second largest city, Ponce has a delightful restored old town which has a number of small museums.
Rincón--The island's chief surfing town.
River Camuy Cave Park --This park taps the island's extensive network of underground caves--the result of carbonic acid dissolving limestone over the course of thousands of years. Tours are available.
San Germán--Second oldest and certainly the most attractive town on the island, San Germáán retains its quiet colonial charm and distinguished architecture. It has several museums and an old church.
Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center--Predating the Caguana site near Utuado, it was discovered after a hurricane and subsequent flooding by Luiz Hernandez, a local resident, in 1974.
Vieques --Set seven miles off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, this special island possesses its own distinct magic. Its name comes from the TaĠno word bieques ("small island"). Horses roam freely all over the island which is dotted with the ruins of pineapple and sugar plantations and more than 50 magnificent beaches.
This page was designed by Harry S. Pariser.