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Puerto Rico: Isla del Encanto

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Available Rentals in San Juan and other Main Island Locations

Puerto Rico is truly an "Enchanted Isle". From its' cloud shrouded Rainforest in the east to her primordial caves in the west, this island has all the dramatic sheer mountain slopes and lush green landscape that the mainstream tourist destinations offer.

Most people think of Puerto Rico as San Juan, and the casinos. Travelers pass through here on their way to other destinations. But she is much more than that and her history is full and she is still affordable.

Old San Juan Was a Spanish colony, and has two magnificent forts. Old San Juan is undergoing an major facelift, in its own restoration. The old city is undergoing great strides in restoring her to her former glory. From the Governors' mansion to the Capitol building, the architecture is striking. Puerto Rico was the crossroads between the Old World and New World. This is still her role. The Port of San Juan is bustling, handling many times the freight as the Port of Miami. Their are also many resorts in the northeast area of Puerto Rico. But most people haven't been adventurous enough to ever see the real beauty of the island.

Heading east and south from San Juan on Rt. 26 to Rt. 3, you weave your way through the busy suburbs of San Juan, and come in a short time to El Yunque. This other-worldly rainforest lies shrouded in the clouds during much of the year. Her fragile eco-structure is apparent when you drive up out of the new Welcoming Center into this National Park Service maintained area. From the time you see your first Tree Fern, it continues to get better and better. Fragile clay mountain slopes are covered with a thin layer of detritus which provides the limited nutrition to the millions of plants and creatures that occupy this remarkable landscape. The trees are whole eco-systems unto themselves. Palms covered in mosses and bromeliads of all flavors house a myriad of tree frogs, coquis, lizards, and insects. All living in union to provide the life that is the Rainforest. Rivers and streams, hiking paths, towers and recreation areas, all come together to give the visitor a full day of exploration in this wondrous place.

After leaving the Rainforest, we continue south through Fajardo, the point where the ferry can take you to Culebra or Vieques. Also in this area are the resorts Westin Rio Mar and El Conquistador. Both have incredible views and beautiful golf courses. Heading further south we come to the City of Humacao. Here there are many beautifully restored home/museums of colonial and Victorian eras. They are easy to get to and very well done.

Continuing south and west now on Rt. 3 and Rt.53, we head into some of the last remaining sugar cane country in Puerto Rico. Skirting the coastline now , we go through Yabucoa and Maunabo and west and south of Patillas, past Arroyo and Guayama to Rt. 52. Heading still west and south you go through all of this farm country, past Salinas. From here you can detour north a short distance to Los Baños de Coamo, the hot springs. There is even a Parador here for you to relax at overnight is you so desire.

Back on the trail of Rt. 52, you head to Ponce, wonderful Ponce, a city of old world beauty. Ponce is a mixture of architectural styles, and a center of culture and fine food. There is much to see in Ponce. One good way to see much of it is on the tour bus, but you really need to just walk the city too. Among the places you must see are the Serralles Castle and the Parque de Bombas. There is a wonderful museum and, if you're staying in town, THE best food in town is served at the Hotel Melia at Mark's at the Melia.

A short detour five miles north of Ponce on Rt. 10 is Hacienda Buena Vista, a fully restored 18th century plantation with a history that is Ponce. They have tours in english and Spanish. Call ahead for an English tour.

Back down to Ponce and west on Rt. 2, you can visit the Guánica State Forest, designated by the U. N. as an example of a tropical dry forest. Then, on to La Parguera on Rt 116. The bioluminescent bay here is not as spectacular as the bay in Vieques, but if you have never seen one, try to go. It's a nighttime treat.

A detour to Cabo Rojo on 303 to 301 will bring you to the southwestern most tip of the island. The lighthouse there is probably the most remote in Puerto Rico. Backtrack on 301 to 101 to San Germán and their magnificent Cathedral and the many restorations the town has to offer.

Now, you go northwest on Rt. 2 to Mayaguez. Restoration abounds. North again to Rincón, the surfers winter paradise and home to many funky and beautiful Inns and Hotels, most notably for its gourmet dining, the Horned Dorset Primavera.

North, again, takes you along the coast and up to Aguadilla,  and the old US Air Force Base, then to the northwest corner of the island and San Antonio with it's many malls and beaches. All  along the northern route you can detour east and see som beautiful mountain country like a trip to San Sebastian.

From San Antonio it's east on Route 2 and 681, along the coast, the beaches and the multitude of food kiosks set up along the way. If it's fried or fresh, you can buy it here from pique (hot sauce) to the best barbecued pork in the world. Arepas, tostones, BBQ chicken, amarillos, and lots of other Puerto Rican fun food, as well as fresh tropical fruit drinks like passionfruit, tamarind, orange, pineapple, and Medallas. Along the way take a detour to the Aricebo Observatory, a mile across radio telescope owned by Uncle Sam, and cruise to Morovis to check out the views.

You're almost back to San Juan at this point, and there's nothing left to do, but go back to the Bacardi factory and taste some more rum.

I know this is a real gloss over of the island, but you could spend a lot more time there than I have space for.

SO . . . DO IT!
HEAD FOR PUERTO RICO AND TASTE THE GOOD LIFE!

Remember! Relax, Go with the flow: "Manaña" doesn't mean "tomorrow", it means "not today"!

Sites to go to for more information on Puerto Rico!

Caribbean Island Flag Products

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Back to the Enchanted Isle

by Harry S. Pariser
an excellent resource for traveling on the Main Island as well as Vieques and Culebra.

Read about Vieques and Culebra in the October 2000 issue

Questions
   about Vieques?

Recommended 
Reading
The Boston Globe
Travel Article

or use the 
Open Directory Project 
which has taken on the monumental task of cataloging the Internet using editors,  working by hand to make your search a more relevant one.

If you're looking for a nice place to stay overnight in Fajardo, because you can't quite make your connections, try the Fajardo Inn.
www.fajardoinn.com