PUERTO RICO, “ISLE OF ENCHANTMENT”
BY Clay Larroy
BY Clay Larroy
There is nothing more exciting than travelling. Whether
you are going for a road trip to see something new in your own state, or
heading off to the Caribbean for the very first time to visit a city you have
always dreamed of, there are some travel
basics that you should know. Travel in the
off seasons to avoid crowds, save money and enjoy temperate weather. In those
months, many families with children cannot travel due to school commitments,
making many tourist attractions much less crowded. This may also result in
lower costs for airfare and hotels. As an added bonus, the weather in May and
October is usually perfect for traveling -- not too hot and not too cold. When you are
ready to plan a vacation contact me!
Things to see and do in Puerto Rico
Arecibo Observatory
Get starry eyed at Arecibo
Observatory (www.naic.edu),
site of one of the largest radio telescopes in the world. Located in the
unusual karst country of Puerto Rico, the 8-hectare (20-acre) dish can be seen
from an observatory platform at Arecibo's visitors' centre.
Bioluminescent bays
Puerto Rico boasts three of the world's bioluminescent bays (also
called phosphorescent bays), and all three welcome night-time visitors to see
this show of natural lights dancing in the water. Caused by dinoflagellates and
a cluster of conditions that make their movement visible, the biobays are
located in Fajardo, the town of La Parguera, and at Mosquito Bay on Vieques.
Castillo Serralles
Castillo Serralles sits on a hill overlooking Ponce; the former
home of rum magnate Serralles is open to the public for tours. Equally impressive
is La Cruceta de la Vigia, an observatory shaped like a cross; from the top,
you can see all the way to the Caribbean Sea.
Crashboat Beach
This frequently photographed beach on Puerto Rico's west coast is
appealing because of the number of colorful boats resting on its shore. Other
excellent beaches on the mainland include Luquillo Beach in Fajardo, with its
postcard-perfect palm trees; Escambrón in San Juan, frequented by local
families; Combate Beach on the southwestern coast, which is ideal for
sunset-spotting; and Flamenco Beach in Culebra, named one of the world's best
by Discovery Channel.
El
Capitolio
Puerto
Rico's capitol building is a must-see for architecture and history aficionados.
The majestic marble capitol sits directly in front of the Atlantic Ocean as you
enter Old San Juan. Don't just take photos outside; the interior dome features
a gorgeous, colorful mosaic depicting the island's history. The Puerto Rican
constitution is also on display.
El Yunque
Rainforest
El Yunque
is the only rainforest in the US Forest Service's system. Popular walking
trails include La Mina, which leads to a waterfall and natural swimming pool (yes,
you can get in!) and the less strenuous Piscina Grande (Big Pool), which you
can't take a dip in. On a clear day, climb the look-out tower in the park for a
view of mountains and ocean.
Fideicomiso
Sites
Fideicomiso,
Puerto Rico's nature conservancy, is dedicated to preserving properties of
historical and cultural importance and opening these sites to the public for
guided tours. Ranging from old sugar and coffee plantations to biodiverse
nature parks, these sites are among Puerto Rico's best-kept secrets.
La Pared
Puerto
Rico's most popular diving spot, La Pared (The Wall) is a 35km (22 mile) coral
reef located off the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico. Water depths range from
16m (52ft) to 457m (1,500ft), offering something for every type of diver.
Loiza
Though
there isn't much to see here officially, this town is important because it is
the birthplace of bomba y plenamusic and it's the
cradle of Afro-Puerto Rican culture. The Maria de la Cruz Cave is an
interesting peek into Puerto Rico's indigenous past; Tainos are said to have
lived here. Check out the town's main church, San Patricio, and ask about the
history of the black St Patrick.
Mata la
Gata
Located
off the coast of La Parguera, Mata la Gata is not an attraction well known (if
at all) to most tourists. Ask a local boat captain at La Parguera's piers for
information about motoring out to Mata la Gata, a swimming area that's popular
with local families.
Museums
San Juan
hosts an array of interesting museums: Casa de los Contrafuertes houses the
African Heritage Museum; Casa del Callejón is a traditional Spanish-style home
that holds the Museum of Colonial Architecture and the Museum of the Puerto
Rican Family; the San Juan Museum of Art and History is in a 19th-century
building, and its patio often used for concerts.
Old San
Juan
The
wonderful colonial Spanish fortresses of El Morro and San Cristobal are both
perched on cliffs, and most of the old city remains enclosed by a wall built in
the 16th and 17th centuries. The wall follows the peninsula's contour,
providing attractive views of Old San Juan and the Atlantic Ocean, and leading,
finally, into the only remaining original doors leading into the old city. Blue
cobblestone streets, intimate plazas, and colonial-style homes provide many
opportunities for memorable photos.
Plaza de
las Delicias
Plaza de
las Delicias (Plaza of the Delights), Ponce's main plaza, is one of the
island's most eye-catching and lively squares. A red and black firehouse, a
cathedral, fountains, and statues all beg to be photographed. King Cream, a
family-owned ice-cream shop, sells unusual flavours, including maní (peanut) and parcha (passionfruit);
the queue is always long, but it moves fast.
Ponce
See the
beautiful town of Ponce, on the southern side of the island and connected to
the capital by a toll road. Ponce, called 'La Perla del Sur' or 'Pearl of the
South', is Puerto Rico's second largest city and its architecture, while also
colonial, is quite different from the styles typical of San Juan. Visit the
excellent Museum of Art in Ponce, which contains more than 1,000 paintings and
400 sculptures, ranging from ancient classical to contemporary art. Its
collection of 19th-century Pre-Raphaelite paintings is considered among the
best in the Americas.
San José
Church
See the
second-oldest church in the Western hemisphere. This is where Ponce de León's
body was interred for almost three centuries before being moved just down the
street to St John the Baptist Cathedral. San José has been undergoing
restoration since 2002 after being listed on the endangered list of the World
Monuments Fund, and is considered by scholars to be one of the best examples of
Spanish Gothic architecture in the Americas.
Tibes
Indian Ceremonial Centre
Explore
the Tibes Indian Ceremonial Centre, an ancient Indian burial ground near Ponce.
A replica of a Taino Indian village has been built here and multiple guided
tours are offered daily. There is also an on-site museum with Taino artifacts.
REFERENCE SITE
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
Culturally, the arts of Puerto Rico is really unmatched by any other island.
Fat Joe
No comments:
Post a Comment