Local Dining Surprises in Puerto Rico

 On my last visit to Old San Juan, just a short trip, the plan was to not have a plan.  I instead dined on and shopped for and admired the beauty of whatever happened to present itself on my path. As is usually the case when travelling with a loose itinerary, I stumbled upon some very special places. Among them were some wonderful dining experiences, some in well known restaurants, others in hidden gems, and even some right out on the street. Here are some worth taking a chance on as you wander through the historic byways of this beautiful city and the surrounding area.

El Convento

I stayed at this lovely old convent turned hotel, and it turned out to be not only a charming and comfortable home base but also a great place for wine and appetizers. I never did have dinner here, as I spent most of my time out exploring, but I probably will make a point of it next time I visit.  The tapas, especially the hummus and the ceviche, were perfect, and the complementary wine and cheese reception each evening for guests is a welcome perk. The attentive, warm and friendly service always made me feel welcome here.

Restaurante Airenumo

At about 8:30 pm on a Wednesday evening, it wasn’t busy. I settled in with a pitcher of fruity red sangria. Dinner was an inventive dish of scallops, manchego and garlic, cooked to perfection and generously portioned with six scallops. Cheese and seafood aren’t a go-to combination for me, but I was glad I took the leap this time. The dish was well-balanced and satisfying, and the cheese allowed me to forgive myself for really enjoying the red wine with the seafood!

Blessed Cafe

Especially welcoming to travelers dining alone, this Caribbean haunt lured me in with the island music that wafted out its doors. A super friendly gentleman (perhaps the manager or owner, I should have asked, but was too giddy talking about all the local fare with him) recommended the oxtail stew. It was some of the best I’ve ever had, and the delicately flavored coconut rice a perfect accompaniment. My new friend sampled me a taste of the goat curry, too-what a treat! I’d love to go back with a group, order a bunch of the authentic caribbean dishes, and while away a long,  laid back evening chatting, noshing,  and grooving to the steel drum beats.

311 Trois Cent Onze

 Located in a trendy and bustling neighborhood, 311 stands out as an elegant and cozy oasis in an area dotted with louder and rowdier haunts.  It boasts a sleek, sparse ambiance and impeccable service and features French-American cuisine, with a Puerto Rican flourish. I had a tender rack of lamb served with a berry wine reduction, a very traditional dish, and it was lovely. For dessert, my splurge hit the spot: chocolate mousse with rum, appropriately decadent and delicious.

Since most of my meals in Old San Juan centered around cuisines other than Puerto Rican, I must recommend an excursion into nearby Pinones. It is several miles out of the city, past Isla Verde- but it’s well worth a budget car hire to take a jaunt there. You will be captivated by the tastes, sights and sounds of the diverse local offerings, and there’s always a charge of excitement in the air. There is ton of delicious local fare available at kiosks all along the beautiful beachfront, and it really does represent ethnic street food at its very best. Just follow your nose to amazing fire-kissed chicken or pork skewers (amazing!) and more fresh seafood bites than you can shake a meat-stick at. The vibe is joyful, and the food pure Puerto Rico.

Financial Technology That Invests in Puerto Ricans’ Wealth Health

For a territory that yields a 50% poverty rate, Puerto Rico has decided to invest in the people of their community as well as technology and has projected more than $1.5 billion in restructuring costs through the fiscal year 2023. With foundations in place in order to reconstruct the country’s financial institutions and restore health to the mounting debtthat Puerto Rico has been dealt, financial technologies are returning power to the hands of the people in order to allow them to take control of their own finances in times of crisis.

Island Ready to Welcome Tech

Managing your money in an uncertain environment like Puerto Rico or the US is a task that is best tackled with the help of innovative financial technology. As more tech companies begin to invade the banking and financial sectors, more tools emerge in order to help people from various communities stay on top of their money while learning how to manage them effectively. As the governor of Puerto Rico has noted, the biggest draw for technology companies will be the opportunity to experiment with cutting-edge technology as the residents continue to rebuild the island and the financial institutions that support it.

Turning Learning Opportunities into Financial Strategies

Puerto Rico has one of the strongest records of educational development, with the average education of Puerto Rican workers doubling from 6.2 to 12.2 years between 1960 and 2000. This is a record that no other country has attained, demonstrating the incredible learning abilities that Puerto Ricans have in regards to increase their status. This type of tendency for learning can be transferred into the financial sector as well as people engaging with technology to manage their wealth and stay smart about their finances. Aside from providing tools that allow people to learn how to budget, these types of apps can help Puerto Ricans automate their finances, monitor spending, save coupons, invest and even strategize their spending categories to optimize their savings.

Practical Uses for FinTech

As part of the rebuilding of the island, Puerto Ricans will need to learn how to manage their own money in order to stay ahead of and engage with the financial reconstruction happening around them. Practical uses of this type of financial technology mainly center around applications that are free to download and generally easy to use. Mint is is an all-in-one app for creating a budget, tracking your spending and getting smart about your money. You Need a Budget is great for individuals who need help getting out of debt and provides learning resources that complement the app’s functions. If you are looking to invest the money you have saved in a safe way, you can take a look at Acorns and enjoy the benefits of robo-investing.

Investing in Your Own Wealth Health

As the government continues to dedicate time and effort into helping Puerto Ricans safely and efficiently reconstruct the world around them after a series of hard blows, citizens can individually and personally manage their own wealth health. By taking advantage of financial technologies, you can invest in your own financial health and continue to learn more about strategies that will help ensure you and your money are safe as you work towards building a healthy future.

Tackling Puerto Rico’s Road Safety Problem

Despite being up-to-date with some of the most progressive road safety regulations, such as the ban on mobile phones, Puerto Rico features poorly in terms of road safety. While statistics from the North American Law Enforcement Liaison show the effective rate of 8.4 deaths per 100,000 people - better than the US average of over 10 - this still can be much improved. For example, the United Kingdom has a rate of only 2.9, despite similarly high automobile usage.

Even if the rate were significantly better, it makes sense to continually improve road safety. Improving public safety helps to improve public health. Taking steps to improve the roads is simple, but requires thought and effort from everyone in society.

Improving current processes

Road safety awareness is something high on the agenda of Puerto Rico’s leaders. In 2011, then Governor Luis Fortuno proclaimed 2011-2020 the road safety decade. What actions have people taken to date to improve the roads? Three years into the program, a study by University of Puerto Rico found that government incentives and a safety-positive approach by the private sector, including offering subsidies on insurance and purchases for safety conscious motorists were effective. Married to public health campaigns that emphasized the need to drive carefully and without inebriation, the study found good progress had been made.

Taking these processes to the next level requires that further push from the federal and state authorities. An example of where this has been done well is Denmark. There, enforced speed limits and a push for reduction in private vehicles has improved road fatality levels to some of the best in the world. What this shows is that, once a culture of safe driving is established, the next step is to really drill down into the root causes of road accidents.

Technology improving safety

In its early years, the technology that everyone uses today - smartphones, navigation systems, and so on - were a liability behind the wheel. Distracted driving went on to become the cause of 15% of all driving deaths according to the NHTSA. This led Puerto Rico to ban all handheld devices while driving, in line with 14 states and 3 other overseas territories.

Today, technology can enable drivers to be safer. Many new vehicles started the trend through inbuilt safety features like proximity sensors, automatic emergency brakes and blind spot detection. Joining them are ever evolving gadgets. Some navigation systems now deploy a hologram system, which means you can drive without ever taking your eyes off the road to glance at a screen.

Combating tiredness

As workers work longer and longer hours, something dedicated Puerto Rican workers will be familiar with in the fallout of Maria, the risk of road accident due to tiredness increases. Manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz and Lexus have implemented controls to preempt driver tiredness. This ranges from intuitive engine controls from Mercedes that detect minute changes in ability; to high quality cameras in the Lexus dashboard that tracks the driver’s face for discrete tiredness-foreshadowing features.

Road safety is an important area of public health safety. In Puerto Rico, improvements are being made, but more can always be done. A continuing commitment to public education alongside the use of technology is the way forward.

5 Must-Have Traditional Puerto Rican Dishes

The flavor of Puerto Rico presents itself in many ways. You can find it in the way the people of this island nation love family, friends, and good conversation. It can be seen in the brightly-colored traditional clothing they wear and the fast-paced dance styles they prefer (merengue, plana, etc.). And it can be heard in their distinctive music, which blends world styles to create a sound that is uniquely Puerto Rican. But Here are just a few that you'll have to try.

1. Lechón. This island delicacy may be a bit difficult for some visitors to take in, mainly because it's a whole, roasted, suckling pig. But you only have to get a whiff of cooking pork for your stomach to start the rumbling that tells you it's time to eat. Often, roasted meats are cooked in a Creole fashion with a blend of spices called adobo (including garlic, oregano, peppercorns, and generally a vinegar, lime, and olive oil concoction), but lechón may be flavored in a variety of ways. The one thing that is certain is that the people of Puerto Rico love this dish enough to name a road after it (Ruta de Lechón), so you can imagine that it must be delicious.
2.  Mofongo. You can't talk about Puerto Rican cuisine without mentioning the plantain, and cooks use it in a wide variety of recipes. One of the most popular is a dish called mofongo, and you can order it a hundred times and never get the same thing twice. The reason is that it pairs fried plantains with all manner of other foods, including meat, seafood, and vegetables, as well as spice blends that range from sweet to mild to hot. In fact, you can find a mofongo for just about every taste. Even better, this dish is available everywhere in Puerto Rico, so you'll probably see versions of it at any restaurant you stop in at (as well as any private homes you might visit).
3. Tostones. Although you'll find plenty of meat dishes to love in this island nation, the population also loves fruits and veggies (although they tend to prefer frying them). Tostones are a simple but classic dish composed of fried slices of under-ripe breadfruit. They are most often used as a side dish, but you may want to try them on their own to get a feel for the flavor.
4. Asopao. This gumbo-like soup most often features a base of chicken, rice, broth, and spices, but it may also include seafood, pork, and a variety of vegetables. It is as popular in Puerto Rico as chicken soup is in America, so you'll no doubt find it at dozens of eateries.
5.  Arroz con gandules. Made with rice and pigeons peas, this common side dish is not nearly as boring as it sounds on the surface. Puerto Ricans love to add spice to their food and a rice and bean dish is one that could use some extra flavor. So it is traditional to add a particular spice blend known as sofrito (onion, garlic, coriander, and more). And many versions also come with meats and vegetables to create a colorful, appetizing, and irresistible medley of tastes.

Sarah Danielson is a contributing writer for Grub with Us, where you can find the amazing restaurants in Los Angeles and a variety of attractions and events.

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Puerto Rican Kitchen Essentials

If you go into the kitchen of a Puerto Rican person whether they live in San Juan, New York, Chicago or Florida, there are 10 items you will find in every one of those kitchens. You can't cook Puerto Rican food for Puerto Rican Recipes if you don't have these items.

These are the essential items in any Puerto Rican Kitchen

• Pilon
• Tostonera
• Caldero
• Cafetera
• Colador
• Sazon
• Adobo
• Sofrito
• Recaito

Pilon – Puerto Rican version of a mortar and pestel. Preferably made of wood, this is a large hollowed out bowl on a stand with a small, rounded wooden instrument used to grind, mash or pulverize ingredients and seasonings such as garlic or dried oregano to use for flavoring meats or other items being prepared for cooking. Can also be used to mix your own version of adobo and other seasoning needed for Puerto Rican Recipes.

Tostonera – these come in various sizes and shapes. The most common tostonera is 2 pieces of flat wood screwed together with hinges. One should have a rounded out impression for making right sized Tostoneras. This kitchen essential item is used to smash down fried green banana portions to be fried a second time. Other variations will have a small piece of wood in one side and a larger indentation on the other side to form the plantain piece into a small cup to stuff with shrimp or other foods. These can also be used to make mini mofongos.

Puerto Rican Food

Caldero – assorted sized cast iron pots are absolutely required in any Puerto Rican kitchen. Asopoa, Sopa de Pollo, carne guisado, rice and other Puerto Rican Recipes all need to be cooked in a cast iron pot to come out perfectly, although some may prefer to use a modern rice cooker instead. Cast iron pots are perfect for even heat distribution while cooking and always add a little sabor.

 

Cafetera – Usually a cast aluminum 3 piece coffee pot that steams the water and forces it up through the coffee to make perfect Puerto Rican Coffee. This is different from a regular drip pot that only allows the hot water to drip through the coffee. The forcing of steam through the coffee gives it the richest flavor.

Colador – another option to making Puerto Rican Coffee by boiling the ground coffee and in a pot and straining the coffee through the cloth strainer to hold back the coffee grounds from the rich full flavor brewed coffee. Because of the staining of the coffee grounds, this kitchen item is often referred to the dirty sock.

Sazon - is a seasoning is used on meats, fish, poultry and even to flavor soups and stews.  Most common ingredients include, cilantro, achiote, garlic, salt. Sazon is used to season many Puerto Rican Food dishes.

Puerto Rican Recipes

Adobo – Adobo is a very basic seasoning for all Puerto Rican cooking. Adobo is made up or several dry ingredients mixed together and sprinkled on meats before cooking or in asopaos or guisados. Adobo is made by mixing garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano and black pepper. Salt is also added but should be used sparingly to avoid over salting of your food. There are many commercial brands of adobo, Goya being the most popular in the United States and Bohio brand is more recognized in Puerto Rico. We recommend making your own adobo so you can adjust the amounts of the separate seasonings used to your own taste.

Sofrito – is essential when cooking beans, rice dishes, soups or asopaos. Sofrito gets most of its flavor from recao and aji dulces, little sweet peppers. Roasted red pepper, yellow onions, plum tomatoes, garlic and cubanelle peppers are also added. Sofrito is usually cooked in annatto oil or olive oil with cured ham or salted pork.

Recaito – is very similar to sofrito but has more culantro. It is a mixture of culantro, peppers, garlic and onions. It gets its name from being referred to as "little culantro". Great for seasoning stews or soups.

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History of the Three Kings Day Celebration

An Important Time 

Every culture has a time of the year that is very  important to them. Puerto Ricans know especially how vital it is to celebrate their heritage. Tradition is important because it offers flavor and spice, it tells the world a story about a certain culture. Three Kings’ Day is a celebration that takes place on January 6th every year.

While Puerto Ricans do celebrate Christmas, this event is not over even when the new year passes. That is because everyone is anxiously awaiting El Dia De Los Reyes. This has also been known as “The Feast of the Epiphany”. If you have celebrated this holiday many times, but are not sure what the meaning is behind it, don’t worry, we are here to help.

The Three Wise Men

This holiday is a celebration of baby Jesus meeting the three wise men. According to the gospel, the wise men found Jesus by following a star across the desert for 12 days. The wise men travelled by horse, camel, and elephant in order to give three gifts with different symbology.

One wise man offered Jesus gold, which was meant to be a symbol of his royal standing. The gift of frankincense told of the divine nature of Jesus, and symbolized that he was not an earthly King, but a son of god. The last gift, myrrh, was a symbol of the mortality of Jesus, and foreshadowed his death. All three symbols were vital for the story of the life of Jesus and the holiday celebration.

A Time of Travel

In order to truly get the most out of a traditional holiday such as the Three Kings’ Day Celebration, it is best to experience the authentic thing. This means that you should travel to Puerto Rico to truly get back to the roots of this holiday.

You don’t even need to go with friends, family, or a spouse. There has been a fast-growing trend where people are traveling solo, which allows them to more profoundly experience events like Three Kings’ Day.

In the story and history of Three Kings’ Day, there was a lot of traveling done by the wise men to find Jesus, so traveling for the holiday is very appropriate. Whether you bring along friends and family is up to you, because anywhere this holiday is  celebrated, you are likely to be welcomed with open arms. 

Many Festivals

Puerto Rican culture is very rich. The Three Kings’ Day celebration is not the only great holiday. There are so many that are celebrated all over the world. The *Puerto Rican Parade of Newark, New Jersey  for example, may be celebrated in America, but it is rich with Puerto Rican culture.

Puerto Rican culture has become so influential and wide spread over the world that it is easy to find it anywhere. These festivals and celebrations often include music, food, dance, clothing, and gifts that all express a unique Puerto Rican flavor that distinguishes them from other holidays.

the Origins of Plena y Bomba

The "plena" and "bomba" are still thriving in Puerto Rico. Like the Calypso from Trinidad, the "plena" is characterized by its simplicity and repetition, like all folkloric music, it is spontaneous expression of everyday occurrences. In Puerto Rico, it was influenced by people with African heritage. Themes included religion, local and national events, recipes, advice, and superstition. The philosophical element is also present. In other words, it embellishes themes that lure the imagination of the people.

Plena y Bomba

There are several theories as to the origins of this indigenous music. The first, traces its roots to the beginning of the 20th Century. Social activities were usually celebrated on Saturdays and Sundays. People danced and sang outside under the bright light of the "luna llena" or "luna plena" - the full moon.

Another vesion narrates the story of a couple from Saint Kitts, an island southeast of Puerto Rico, which used to play a guitar and a "pandereta" or tambourine along the streets of Ponce, the largest city in the South of Puerto Rico. Occasionally people heard the husband telling his wife, whose name was Anna, in their language: "Play, Anna ! Play, Anna !" It is possible that the word "plena" is derived from this phonetic interpretation.

Origins of Plena y Bomba

According to most historians, the plena was born in Ponce and later became popular throughout the island. A well-known verse from a plena song, roughly translated, indicates that in fact it is from Ponce:

The "plena" that I know
is not from China nor Japan
because the "plena" comes from
Ponce from the "Barrio of San Anton"

At the beginning of the 1920's, the predominant instruments used for the plena were on or tow "panderetas" or tambourines. later were added the guitar, the "cuatro" or six-string guitar, the "guiro" or gourd, "macaras" , "congas" and drums. The vocal part of the plena is performed by a soloist and a choir. Usually there are no more than two voices in the choir. The soloist, improvising, begins to sing and the choir answers back

The "bomba" dance is composed of an array of dances and songs with no specific choreographic characteristics. All songs and dances are improvised. Historians say that the "bomba" dances were influenced by African and French cultures. Its African origins included such names as: "cocobale", "lero", "cunya", among others. Sometimes these names indicated the country or origin, such as "holandes" (Holland), and "danua" (Denmark); others by the way they were danced, like "lero" (the phonetic interpretation of the French "le rose") which is a dance performed in a circle shaped somewhat like a rose.

Bomba dances were performed outdoors with a few musicians. As people gathered to listen the drums, the crowd, including children, grew. Initially, the musicians and the newcomers practiced, but soon the real show started. Usually, a female began to sing. The choir answered her back. When the dance started, one of the dancers gave cues to the drummer, who in turn answered back with a rhythm following the dancer. Everybody took turns dancing and playing the drums.

The musical instruments used in the "bomba" are usually two drums called "bombas" one smaller than the other, two "cua" or "palillos" - sticks and a "maraca", dried gourd that is shaken.

VACATION RENTAL - Villa Mary Adjuntas Puerto Rico

VACATION RENTAL - Villa Mary Adjuntas Puerto Rico

Location: Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, Caribbean (Adjuntas is 20 Mins Away from Ponce, Taking Route #10)

Accommodations:  House, 5 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)

Escape back to a quieter time! Villa Mary is located on 6 acres in the lush verdant green mountains of the Cordillera Central in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Build in the 1920's by Mary Aguayo Casals, wife of Antonio Ferre' Bacallao. This was the summer retreat house for the Ferre' family. The Villa is fully furnished in antique Puertorican Mahogany furnishings and is located on a 6 acre tropical garden of palms and fruit trees. The Villa now is available for artists retreats and short term rentals; weekends, weeks. It has 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, full kitchenware, sheets and towels, a 200 ft wrap around balcony. Property managers live on the grounds. Perfect for weekend get aways, VERY PRIVATE. 20 mins from Ponce, 1 hr 45 mins. from San Juan. Located on a hill right in town. 5 min walk to Plaza. Grocery stores and Bakery . There is a 2 day stay minimum. It can accommodate from 6 to 8 persons. Call us. Evening temperatures are cool, throughout the year.

• Amenities
  • Washing Machine
  • Linens Provided
• Beds
  • Double
• Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Full Kitchen
  • Cooking Utensils
  • Catering Available
• Outdoor Features
  • Balcony
• View/Location
  • Mountain View
• Suitability
  • Pets Not Allowed
• Activities
  • Shopping
  • Hiking
  • Restaurants
  • Horseback Riding
• Other Activities
  • River and Waterfall is only 10 mins. away from property.20 mins away from Ponce.

For More Information on rates and availability please view the property listing information page

 

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Puerto Rico Coqui

Puerto Rico Coqui

The Puerto Rico coqui, or little frog, as it is known in Puerto Rico, lives in a family of over 600 species of frogs. It is a tiny tree frog, measuring about one inch in length. They are translucent in color, though some appear yellow, some brown and some green. Their toes are not webbed, but separated and have small pads on the bottom so they can stick to surfaces. However, lack of this webbing means that they can not swim.

The high pitched sound they make can be heard after dusk, and will travel quite far. They sing through the evening hours. This "co-kee" sound is where their name comes from. The females do not sing though, it is only the males that you hear. The males make this sound for two reasons. The first half, or the "Co" sound is to warn other males to stay away. The second half, or the "Kee" sound, is for attracting females. The coqui frog is a nocturnal predator. They will feast on spiders, moths, snails, crickets, while the younger coqui mostly eat ants. The males will eat eggs in their nest to gain nourishment.

Coqui Frog

The Puerto Rico coqui mate and reproduce year round. The eggs are laid on land, and the small coqui frog emerges with a tiny tail, that falls off soon after. There are approximately 28 eggs laid at a time, around 4 to 6 times a year.

The coqui frog occasionally engages in a type of singing competition. One coqui may tresspass in another's area, and challenge them to a singing game. The intruder will start a call and the other coqui must answer and keep the rhythm going. The first coqui who misses his turn must immediately leave, whether he was there to begin with or not. All species of Puerto Rico coqui frog perform this sing-a-thon, but some have a slightly different call. Coqui frogs are native to Puerto Rico, but have spread to the Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, and even to Florida and Hawaii. They have moved into these new habitats possibly by transferral while hidden in plants, or perhaps even by humans bringing them to a new place as a pet. They have become the unofficial symbol of Puerto Rico. More Information about the Puerto Rico Coqui

the Coqui - Escape to Puerto Rico 

Wikipedia the Common Coqui

Common Leisure Activities in Puerto Rico

Whether you’re flying in for a visit to Puerto Rico or thinking of staying here full time, you may be wondering what the locals do with their time. This can be a major concern before you head to a new place, so let us tell you what studies suggest are the most popular activities here.

Back in the early 1900s, Puerto Ricans had very little spare time as it was all about work, work, work. Although you might feel like this is still the way you spend most of your time, the chances are that you have some free time too. No longer working 14 hours per day and having vacation time makes a big difference to the way that we spend our leisure time.

The most common leisure activity for the people of Puerto Rico was to read, which isn’t too much of a surprise. Nearly 20% of those surveyed said that they had used this as a means of relaxing in the evening in the last few months.

Then, the next most common way for people to spend their time here was online in a variety of ways. Playing free bingo, chatting with friends and spending time on Facebook are just as popular here as they are elsewhere in the world.

Going out to bars and clubs also makes up a significant portion of how we relax, with males from 18 – 24 making up the largest percentage of this cross section. Following along from this, as many as 17.5% said that they used a lot of their personal time to cook and dine out. We all need to eat but this percentage stated that it was a hobby as well as a necessity.

Learning new skills was represented by a very small percentage of the group surveyed, as more people appeared to prefer existing leisure activities. Dance classes, vocational classes and finding new hobbies were among some of the least common activities in the group.

Other activities that didn’t appear to be very popular included checking out cultural events or concerts. There’s no end to all of these types of events, so it is strange that only 3% of people said they had done so in the past few months.

It may be that we are just too busy for these kinds of events or it could simply be that it requires much more effort than say reading a book. Though we tend to work fewer hours than our grandparents would have, studies suggest that our lives are generally more taxing. This can lead to less people making the choice to go out as they would prefer to stay home to relax.

Learning new skills was represented by a very small percentage of the group surveyed, as more people appeared to prefer existing leisure activities. Dance classes, vocational classes and finding new hobbies were among some of the least common activities in the group.

Other activities that didn’t appear to be very popular included checking out cultural events or concerts. There’s no end to all of these types of events, so it is strange that only 3% of people said they had done so in the past few months.

It may be that we are just too busy for these kinds of events or it could simply be that it requires much more effort than say reading a book. Though we tend to work fewer hours than our grandparents would have, studies suggest that our lives are generally more taxing. This can lead to less people making the choice to go out as they would prefer to stay home to relax.

Puntas Tree House Rincon Puerto Rico

Are you ready for a taste of Caribbean paradise? The Puntas Tree House is a three story family run vacation rental home just steps from Sandy Beach, famous for world class surfing, sun  bathing and it’s sand bottom, one of the only sand bottom beaches in the entire area and within walking distance to some of the best restaurants and bars in Puerto Rico. About Our Vacation Rentals Our Caribbean beach house vacation rental offers hotel quality amenities with a nautrical style furniture and theme at budget prices in a familiar environment so you can feel at home while you’re on your Caribbean vacation trip to Puerto Rico. Each floor has it’s own amenities and private access. You can rent the house per floor for smaller groups or for larger groups you can rent the entire property. The first floor of the Puntas Tree House is a one-bedroom studio with a queen size bed, air conditioning, HDTV and private bath, perfect for 2 people. Our second floor is a two-bedroom suite that sleeps up to 4 people, great for two couples or a family with children who want to enjoy a little bit of extra privacy. This unit has two bedrooms each with air conditioning, and queen-sized beds. This unit also features a full kitchen with a stove and oven, private balcony facing the ocean and HDTV. Our third floor penthouse has often been called the honeymoon suite. This one bedroom sleeps up to 6 people and has a large kitchen and living room area with two futons, queen size bed in the bedroom, air conditioning and a cozy private balcony with great views of Sandy Beach. Great for groups and couples alike. Hotel Quality Amenities Every floor has hotel quality amenities found in most Puerto Rico hotels like high speed WIFI, coffee makers, linens, basic toiletries and hotel quality shower heads but unlike some of the hotels in Puerto Rico we try to go above and beyond by providing the most down to earth and friendly service possible to keep you coming back on all our trips to Puerto Rico. What Makes Our Rincon Beach House Vacation Rental Special? We pride ourselves in being one of the only green vacation rental homes in Puerto Rico by supporting local and global conservation efforts by donating some of the proceeds from our rentals and doing our part by using green products and recycling. We hope you enjoy some of our up cycling projects around the property. If you’d like more information about our beachfront vacation rental click the Vacation Rentals and Rates http://www.puntastreehouse.com Book with the Owners Book with Air BNB

Vacation Rentals Guest House - Rincon Puerto Rico

 Our Rincon Vacation Rental is located a short walk, 150ft from the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea, where you can see picture postcard views of the sunsets. We are on the South West coast of Rincon where we have perfect beaches for children, snorkeling, collecting shells and sea glass or if you want to relax and enjoy the sun under a palm tree. Come and enjoy one of our many beautiful sunsets that Rincon Puerto Rico has to offer, having a BBQ in our backyard, over looking The Caribbean Sea, in Sunny Rincon Puerto Rico at EV's Vacation Rentals Barrero Beach Rincon PR.

EV's Vacation Rental in Rincon Puerto Rico. Rincon is a small surfing town located on the west coast of Puerto Rico. EV Vacation Rentals has 3 large beautiful Hotel Style studio Guest House Rental rooms within walking distance to the calm beaches of Rincon Puerto Rico. This is that special place where you can just get away from it all. Relax and enjoy the West Coast Caribbean in Rincon Puerto Rico.

More Information visit our website: http://www.prvacationrental.com

Check us out on Trip Advisor and see what past guests say about our Rincon Vacation Rental - Trip Advisor

The Bioluminescent Bay at La Parguera in Puerto Rico

 The Bioluminescent Bay at La Parguera in Puerto Rico By Annie Turri 

One of the most amazing natural phenomena in our world's oceans is the presence of what is known as bioluminescence. Caused by small micro-organisms, known as Dinoflagellates, the water glows blue, green or white when disturbed. The result is a supernatural experience, a one-of-a-kind treat for the visitor.

Although bioluminescence in and of itself is not incredibly rare, the affect is often transient, coming and going at certain times of year or times of the night in areas which cannot be pinpointed. Some fish or small ocean organisms such as squid emit a type of luminescence. Often, sailors report seeing bioluminescence in the wake of a boat or the peak of an ocean wave at night.

The world has seven, known, year-round bioluminescent bays, three of which are located in Puerto Rico. These three, amazing bioluminescent bays are located across the island in Fajardo, Vieques and La Parguera. Each of these bays has a high concentration of dinoflagellates in a unique marine environment which allows for viewing year-round.

The bioluminescent bay at La Parguera is located on the Southwest corner of the island of Puerto Rico. The bay at La Parguera is the closest bioluminescent bay to the West Coast cities of Aguadilla, Rincon, Mayaguez and Ponce. La Parguera is a small, quaint fishing village surrounded with calm waters and buffered from the ocean with a bay created by mangrove islands. Easily accessed from the major tourist destination of Rincon, a visit to La Parguera is a great day trip for guests looking to explore more of the West Coast of Puerto Rico.

Tours of the bioluminescent bay depart from the marina in La Parguera. The bay is approximately a 20 minute boat ride from the main marina. Many tour operators offer a snorkeling experience which is unique to many bioluminescent bays. Snorkel underwater at night to experience the glowing organisms for a truly unforgettable experience.

Puerto Rico is known as the jewel of the Caribbean travel experience and with three bioluminescent bays, as well as hundreds of miles of white sand beaches, warm ocean waters and blue skies with ideal weather, it is little wonder why. Puerto Rico is located just East of the islands of Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and is reachable via many international flight. Visitors from the United States do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico, as the island is a US territory. Peak tourist season on the island is from mid-December through April.

Rincon Vacations offers complete travel information for visitors to Rincon Puerto Rico. Book Puerto Rico bioluminescent bay tours or lodging in Rincon Puerto Rico. This article may be reproduced given that the resource links remain intact.

Article Source: The Bioluminescent Bay at La Parguera in Puerto Rico

The Top 5 Golf Courses in Puerto Rico

The Top 5 Golf Courses in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has long been an American tourist’s paradise: it has all of the adventure of a foreign country and all of the color of a Caribbean getaway, but without the hassles of currency exchange or customs forms. The island’s golf scene is no different, with the beautiful vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, but all the luxuries one would come to expect from the mainland’s finest establishments.

It’s hard to narrow the list of fine Puerto Rican golf courses down to a top five, but these beautiful courses (or course complexes) truly do speak for themselves:

1. The Former “Rock Resort,” Hyatt’s two-resort, four-course golf complex used to belong to Laurence Rockefeller—yes, of those Rockefellers—and was recently refurbished. The Hyatt Regency Dorado Beach Resort and Hyatt Regency Beach Resort and Casino share the four Robert Trent Jones, Sr. courses between them. They all measure around 7,000 yards from the back tees, and include plenty of sand and water hazards

   . Chi Chi Rodriguez owns a home on the North Course’s 8th hole, and Jack Nicklaus once referred to the East Course’s 4th as one of the world’s toughest holes. All four courses have been recently renovated, but maintain Jones’s original vision.

2. The Golf Links At Royal Isabela. As the name suggests, this course is much like a links, and its location on the seaside is very reminiscent of the Scottish and English courses that characterized the early days of the sport. Visitors to the course will be surrounded with the most beautiful and breathtaking coastal surroundings. Royal Isabela is a bit out of the way—70 miles from San Juan in the northwest corner of the island—but it’s worth the trip.
3. Bahía Beach Resort and Golf Club. While the Royal Isabela was all about the coast, the Bahía Beach course is set with El Yunque National Rainforest as its backdrop. Palms and lush greenery surround the course, and the grounds are kept with an ecological philosophy in mind, so golfing at Bahía is quite a bit like golfing on a nature preserve. The course was refurbished by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. in 2007.
4. Doral Palmas Del Mar. If you can’t choose between the seaside and the nature preserve feel, Palmas Del Mar might just be the right place for you. With two courses, one designed by Gary Player and the other designed by Rees Jones, the Palmas courses take you through wetlands and marshes, along the shore, and across a river.
5. Wyndham El Conquistador Resort and Country Club. This is the place the rich and famous play: Bill Murray, Sharon Stone, former president George Bush, and Gloria Estefan have all been sighted here. The Arthur Hills course rises and falls quite dramatically, and treats the player to amazing sights while dealing punishment in the form of a 5th hole with a breeze that has been known to knock balls dead to the ground.

Of course, there are plenty of great places to golf that we haven’t been able to mention—take these five as a jumping-off point for your own Puerto Rican golf adventure. Make sure to plan accordingly for all trips abroad, and consider trip insurance for your next adventure!

A Walking Holiday Where the Water Provides the Lighting

A Walking Holiday Where the Water Provides the Lighting

A walking holiday is an enjoyable way to combine sightseeing, adventure and the great outdoors. An excellent destination for a trip of this nature is to Bahia Mosquito. This is otherwise known as Phosphorescent Bay in Puerto Rico.

Guided to the light

 Taking part in a walking tour allows people to connect with the environment they are travelling through. Instead of seeing the countryside from the side of a bus window or the seat of a train, walkers are able to immerse themselves completely in their surroundings. Trips can also be tailored to best suit the individual. Tours can be with a guide or if people prefer to travel solo, comprehensive maps and route notes can be provided instead. Being on foot can allow entry to unspoilt parts of the world that would be inaccessible if using other forms of transportation. The main languages in the Phosphorescent Bay region are Spanish and English. The climate is tropical and does not vary much throughout the year. The months of May and September to November are the wettest. With untouched beaches and clear water for swimming in, this is a destination with much to offer people wanting a special holiday.

Magical moonlight

The trip to Phosphorescent Bay offers a ray of light for those on a walking holiday - literally! The shallow waters in this area are home to millions of phosphorescent dinoflagellates. Ripples in the water or movement along the surface cause them to light up. The organisms cast nearby objects with a green glow. Boats turn into wondrous bobbing lanterns and the overall effect is that the stars are swimming in the ocean rather than twinkling in the sky above. The fish darting by in the water are a natural light show. The microorganisms are completely safe and don't cause any harm if they come into contact with humans. There are many boat tours as well as kayaking experiences for those who want to paddle their way through the shimmering water.

Bio of the Bay

The bay is listed as a national natural landmark. There are several contributing factors that have created the perfect conditions for this beautiful phenomenon. Mangrove trees surround the water and the organisms feed off the dead leaves. The water is deep and cool and there is also limited modern development around the water. When the Spanish first came to the region, they thought the glow was the work of the devil and cordoned off the channel by dropping heavy rocks around it. This provided a safe haven for phosphoresce, quite the reverse of what the Spanish meant to do.

A trip to Phosphorescent Bay is an unforgettable experience. A walking tour provides the opportunity to explore even more of the region. There are areas rich in native flora and fauna to discover. A sunset in Phosphorescent Bay followed by the spectacle of the water lighting up as if by a thousand torches is one that will make every footstep towards it worthwhile. AUTHOR BIO Erika Morland is an experienced writer who contributes to a wide variety of publications including blogs, websites and industry periodicals. Erika is also a regular writer for adventure and travel blogs. She has been on several expeditions, both in a professional and personal capacity, similar to those featured on http://www.headwater.com/all/activities/walking.htm

The Port of San Juan and San Antonio Canal - A Gateway to the Caribbean

The Port of San Juan and San Antonio Canal - A Gateway to the Caribbean

‘Discovered’ by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in 1493, the dazzling archipelago consisting of a large ‘main’ island now known as Puerto Rico and surrounded by smaller islands stands at the head of a curving chain of Caribbean islands that sweeps south-eastwards down to Trinidad and Tobago off the coast of Venezuela. This idyllic location undoubtedly affords Puerto Rico – and particularly its chief port and capital city San Juan – the right to be regarded as the gateway to the Caribbean.

San Juan – the Caribbean’s most important port

San Juan’s port, situated along a narrow sea inlet known as the San Antonio Canal in San Juan Bay, has been a key part of the island’s history and economy for centuries. Today it is the second largest port in the Americas after New York, its sixteen piers divided between container-ship and passenger ship use. Puerto Rican produce including coffee, rum, tobacco fruit and sugar are all exported by ship from the port, whilst for a third of Puerto Rico’s five million-plus annual tourists, the bustling port is their first experience of the island as they step from their cruise ship. In fact, with twenty-eight cruise liners counting it as their ‘home port’, San Juan is the largest home-based cruise port in the world. Four of the eight piers dedicated to passenger-carrying vessels are for use by cruise liners, and for the operators such as Royal Caribbean Cruises and other major cruise lines, San Juan is a popular stopping-off destination.

The historic city beyond the port

Although Puerto Rico is officially an American territory its European heritage remains evident, and nowhere more so than in the colourful and historic architecture of Old San Juan’s lovingly restored buildings. Ancient cobbled streets wind through more than four hundred sixteenth and seventeenth century colonial houses and government buildings – many of which are now fascinating museums, and if it was not for Puerto Rico’s constantly tropical eighty-degree sunshine, you could easily believe that you were strolling through an older neighbourhood of Paris or Madrid. Originally, however, Old San Juan’s purpose was as a military fortification; a fact testified to by the fifteen-foot thick stone walls that surround this part of the city. These walls are only part of San Juan’s defences though; the threat of invasion by land and sea was taken care of by the city’s magnificent forts: Fort San Cristóbal and Fort El Morro.

San Juan’s forts – an unmissable insight into the city’s history

Standing proudly at the north-eastern corner of Old San Juan, Castillo San Cristóbal (aka Fort San Cristóbal) was begun in 1634 and completed more than a century later and is the largest fortress built by Spanish settlers in this area of the world. A masterpiece of strategic design, Fort San Cristóbal is actually five independent fortifications linked by a system of tunnels and moats and designed in such a way that should one or more of the five strongholds be breached the others would remain intact. Rising 150 feet above the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the views alone make a visit to the fortress well worth the low price of admission, but with a guided tour (in English) of everything from the battlements to the dungeons Fort San Cristóbal is the most entertaining and vivid lesson in the history of San Juan and Puerto Rico you could wish for.

Fort San Cristóbal’s sister fortification – Fort El Morro is no less impressive. Built on six levels this imposing sixteenth-century citadel boasts walls up to eighteen-feet thick featuring sentry-posts and is located on the headland that overlooks the entrance to San Juan Bay. Designed to protect the city from sea invaders, Fort El Morro’s defences failed it only once, resulting in the city’s brief occupation by the English Duke of Cumberland’s forces in 1598. Spectacular sea views and history brought to life are once again the order of the day here.

Modern San Juan

Whilst the beautiful buildings and historic plazas of Old San Juan from the central core of the city, the development of newer neighbourhoods beyond its ancient fortified walls has continued in later centuries. The Ocean Park district, between Condado and Isla Verde is where you’ll find one of San Juan’s best beaches – a typically Caribbean affair of pristine white sand fringed with palm trees where the waters are family-friendly and perfect for paddling, swimming and water sports such as kite-surfing. Ocean Park itself eschews the museums, casinos and other entertainments found elsewhere in the city, the emphasis instead on boutique hotels guest houses, chic beachwear and accessories shops and laid-back bars and restaurants. If nightclubs and casinos are your preference, however, you should head further along San Juan’s coast to Isla Verde.

Shopaholics should head for Fortaleza Street which, although in Old San Juan, offers some very modern shopping opportunities alongside traditional craft and jewellery stores. Forever bustling, Fortaleza Street is also where you’ll find some of San Juan’s best and most popular bars and restaurants. For a relaxing alternative to San Juan’s vibrant beaches, streets and shopping areas the Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto Rico is an exotic oasis of tropical and subtropical plants divided into themed gardens and liberally dotted with fine modern sculptures by Puerto Rican artists.

After dark, San Juan offers the culture of the elegant Teatro Tapia, an Italian-styled classical theatre which has seen many loving restorations since its completion in 1832 and on whose stage some of the world’s greatest names in ballet, theatre and opera have performed. Visitors seeking the traditional Latin American sounds of the rumba, salsa and samba will find plenty of vibrant clubs in which to practice their dance moves or to simply appreciate the music, whilst those who prefer to gyrate the night away to the latest dance music won’t be disappointed either.

Throw in an eclectic mix of excellent and atmospheric restaurants and bars presenting a host of delicious local and international cuisines, where you can dine alfresco or sit back and relax with an excellent coffee or a Puerto Rican rum in the warm evening air and it won’t be long before you appreciate exactly why the Port of San Juan is a perfect gateway to the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico Timeshares for Less

Puerto Rico Timeshares for Less

Situated in the northeastern Caribbean, Puerto Rico is home to over 270 miles of gorgeous beaches and approximately 28,000 acres of tropical rainforest, making it one of the most fascinating vacation destinations worldwide. Timeshare resales are the perfect way to explore Puerto Rico, as there are a variety of luxury accommodations available, ranging in size from studio units to suites with three or more bedrooms that can often sleep ten or more guests. Timeshares also provide a wider variety of amenities which are often not included in a standard hotel room. There are many types of vacation ownership, but each type of timeshare costs only a fraction of what it would cost to buy a vacation home or condo outright. Puerto Rico timeshare resales and rentals are a great way to experience an unforgettable vacation on the small but beautiful island at an affordable price.

By purchasing a Puerto Rico timeshare resale (timeshares for sale by owner), you can save a significant amount of money on your family's vacation, and with the ability to exchange your timeshare weeks at other resorts all over the world at places like Miami or Disney World, you have the flexibility to choose where you want to go. Purchasing or renting Puerto Rico timeshare through a company like SellMyTimeshareNOW makes timesharing even more economical due to the extremely discounted prices and the ability to negotiate directly with property owners to get the best possible deals. You can find many for-rent-by-owner resorts, condos and villa rentals for substantially lower prices than what it would cost to rent directly through a resort or hotel.

For example; situated on the northeastern coast of the island in Rio Grande, Sol Melia Vacation Club at Gran Melia Puerto Rico is an exquisite resort located just minutes from the awe-inspiring El Yunque rainforest. This impressive timeshare resort on Coco Beach offers a lagoon-style swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, two 18-hole championship golf course and host of other amazing amenities. Offering something for every vacationer, this resort provides the perfect way to explore all that Puerto Rico has to offer at great prices.

Another option for purchasing or renting timeshare in Puerto Rico is Hyatt Hacienda del Mar, a luxurious timeshare resort located in beautiful Dorado, where you’ll find the world’s longest river-pool filled with grottoes and waterfalls. This extraordinary timeshare resort provides guests with spacious, residential-style units decorated with elegance and comfort in mind, and equipped with everything you need to make you feel at home. Travelers seeking adventure need not go far to find a host of exciting activities like windsurfing, sport fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and golfing.

There are a variety of additional timeshares in Puerto Rico for sale and for rent through SellMyTimeShareNOW.com available at incredibly low prices.

About SellMyTimeshareNOW, LLC

Averaging more than 1.7 million pageviews per month, SellMyTimeShareNOW, LLC provides internet advertising and marketing for timeshare owners seeking to sell or rent timeshare while offering timeshare buyers and renters competitively priced vacation ownership and rental opportunities. SellMyTimeshareNOW.com is the global leader in connecting timeshare sellers, buyers and renters. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Dover, New Hampshire and Orlando,  Florida.

You may also be interested in learning What Happens to a Timeshare When the Owner Dies?

Savory Puerto Rican Meat Dishes

Savory Puerto Rican Meat Dishes

Puerto Rico, our favorite Caribbean island is well-known for its scenic natural landscape, diverse culture, and, of course, its savory meals. Puerto Rico is home to some of the tastiest dishes one can ever hope to experience. Puerto Rican meat dishes are particularly admired and loved for their brilliant and spicy flavors. Popular meals in Puerto Rico have various roots from numerous ethnic groups that immigrated to this country long ago from places in Africa, Europe and other Central and South American countries. Throughout the course of this article, one will learn how to prepare some authentic Puerto Rican, meat-oriented dishes.

One of the most popular meat-centered meals in Puerto Rico is undoubtedly Puerto Rican beef stew. Carne guisada Puertorriqueña, as the locals lovingly refer to it, is a hearty beef stew that consists of beef, bell peppers and various seasonings. The best recipes for this ethnic dish will include oregano, bay leaves, potatoes, onion, cilantro, peppers, tomato sauce and other vegetables. Creating this dish is relatively simple and begins with browning the meat via stove in a dutch oven or a large quart pot. Next, add some water and gradually add all the spices and herbs. Once this combination has come to a boil, lower the heat and let it simmer for about an hour or so before increasing the heat to medium-high and adding the potatoes and vegetables. Be sure to bring the mixture back up to a boil before reducing the heat again. Finally, this rich stew is ready to be enjoyed when the meat is tender. Feel free to add rice or top with a dash of salt and pepper.

Another wildly popular meal in Puerto Rico is chicken breast cooked with sherry, or pechuga de pollo con jerez. This dish is very simple to make and utilizes the compatible, tangy pairing of chicken and wine. Be sure to always begin this process by thoroughly rinsing the chicken with water. After cleaning the chicken, pat dry, cut into uniform strips and season with salt and pepper. An essential healthy addition to this meal is garlic. Mince up a few gloves and rub it over the chicken. The next step involves heating up a deep pan on the stove and adding a nice coating of olive oil. Once the olive oil spreads evenly around the pan, add the chicken, avoiding high heat, so the garlic and chicken do not burn. Allow the chicken to cook until it is brown on each side,then remove it from the stove. In a separate pan, heat up another tablespoon of olive oil, then add sherry. Be sure to use a 1/3 cup of sherry per chicken breast. Sauteed mushrooms and onions make a great topping for this dish.

The wonderful thing about these dishes is that they can be tweaked, in terms of seasonings and toppings, based on preference. As seen in this article, Puerto Rican dishes are rather easy to make and well worth it.

Alan Robbins is writer and editor for Lone Mountain wagyu beef.  He is a certifiable meat afficionado, who loves nothing more than trying new recipes.

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The Best Snorkeling Points in Puerto Rico

If you are a big fan of snorkeling you will certainly want to make Puerto Rico one of the hot spots that you choose to visit. You will find that Puerto Rico just may be the best place that you have ever chosen to enjoy snorkeling. No matter where you may have enjoyed snorkeling in the past, Puerto Rico can exceed your expectations as well as your past experiences.

Mona Island

One of the top spots off the west coast of Puerto Rico is Mona Island, known for its pristine reefs that are home to a wide variety of marine life including rainbow colored fish, octopuses, moray eels, turtles, sting rays, clownfish and even puffers. This area houses one of the largest groups of reef fish life that Puerto Rico has to offer. You will want to make sure that you bring all of your snorkeling equipment with you when you visit Mona Island, as there are no snorkeling or diving equipment rentals in this area.

La Paguera

 In southwest Puerto Rico, you will find that La Paguera offers many reefs surrounding the offshore cays. You'll be able to rent a boat that will drop you off at your location point and pick you back up at the time that you have prearranged. You can satisfy your snorkeling hunger with a view of all of the beautiful underwater life that calls the cays and reefs their home.

Fajardo

This location is on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico and has the clearest waters along the beachfront, making it a number one spot for snorkeling. The Seven Seas public beach makes a great spot as all of the great snorkeling spots can be found in this area and are within walking distance from each other. You'll be able to treat yourself to a spectacular snorkeling experience.

Caja de Muertos

Located off of the coast of Ponce is the island of Caja de Muertos which is uninhabited. Here you will find several outing services that will take you to the remote spots that they offer for a full day of snorkeling that allows you to enjoy the underwater world at its finest.

La Parguera

Located in Lajas, this snorkeling haven offers numerous keys and the chance to see millions of species of marine wildlife, including dolphins and barracudas. The waters here are about 40 feet deep and crystal clear, which makes it an excellent location for snorkeling. You will also be able to take advantage of all of the equipment rentals that you will need, as well as boat rentals. Le Parguera offers great lodging, as well as great dining experiences, for your adventure too.

When you are ready to treat yourself to an awesome snorkeling experience, let Puerto Rico be your place of choice so that you are able to enjoy all of the supreme places that it has to offer for a quality snorkeling event. Book your trip now, so that you are able to take advantage of all that Puerto Rico has to offer.

Justin Epley is an avid blogger with extensive experience as a travel consultant. He often sees travelers get into trouble overseas because of lack of correct information. He enjoys sharing his insights on various blogs.  Click here for more travel insurance information.

Puerto Rico Rainforest Tours Made Easy

Did you know that the El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico is actually the only tropical rainforest in the entire American National Parks System? With rainfall that exceeds 200 inches/year in certain specific areas. El Yunque offers a perfect jungle like setting with rivers, waterfalls and lush foliage. Apart from the hundreds of species of plants, trees, orchids and a handful of animals that you can explore, El Yunque provides some of the most breathtaking trails for hiking too! If you are traveling to this part of the world, Puerto Rico rainforest tours are certainly not to be missed!

To begin with, you would need to choose an experienced and reputable Puerto Rico rainforesttours provider, for complete convenience and safety. Provided you are able to choose your tour conducting service wisely, the experience could end up being one of the most satisfying and thrilling ones too! However, to begin with, some basic facts related to the tours could come in handy.

 Puerto Rico Rainforest Tours: Important Facts for Planning a Trip 

•  Remember, there would be no entrance fee charged for the forest. However, you can choose to visit the El Portal Visitors Center which offers entry for $4 per adult and $2 for senior citizens. Children under the age of 16 are free.
• The forest remains openly daily, including Sundays, from 7:30am to 6pm. However, if you choose to pay a visit on Christmas Day, there would be no security personnel or rangers on duty. The ranger station remains operational from 9am to 5pm and the gates of the forest close for the day at 6pm sharp.
• Depending upon the agenda you have at hand, you can spend just one hour or a full day at for Puerto Rico rainforest tours. On an average, half day tours are most popular with the general tourists though.
• Parking of vehicles is allowed only in identified areas where you have parking lots or areas cordoned off for parking purposes alone. If you are parking along the road, make sure you park in marked areas that are well off the main road. Be careful not to block any trails when you park.  Penalties could be hefty in such cases!
• It rains quite often in the forests, especially during the afternoons. So, it may be wiser to plan your Puerto Rico rainforest toursduring the first half of the day! Frequent rains make the trails slippery and dangerous. Hiking shoes or sneakers would be mandatory. Also, it would be a good idea to carry some light raingear in order to save yourself from cool sporadic showers.
• Considering that the climate is tropical, conditions are likely to be hot and humid! Trekking could prove to be immensely tiring here! You need to wear cool, cottony clothes that are well suited for these conditions. Do not forget to carry plenty of water along for your Puerto Rico rainforest toursas well!
• You could choose to visit the official website of “El Yunque National Forest” for more information.  Contact details can also be accessed here.

Ponce Tour: Some Must See Places

Ponce Tour: Some Must See Places

Did you know that the majestic city of Ponce is also referred to as “La Perla Del Sur” which means “The Pearl of the South”? Ponce, also the second largest city of Puerto Rico, is likely to mesmerize you with its Catalonian charm complemented suitably with a laid back atmosphere and small town flair. So, planning a Ponce touris must when on a trip to Puerto Rico.

Considering that a Ponce touris likely to be an elaborate affair, you might require the assistance of a reputed tour provider for effective planning. There are several of them to choose from. However, choices have to be made strictly on the basis of certain well established parameters including reputation, experience, service quality and the likes. Besides, a complete knowledge of the most preferred destinations to be visited would also be of help in choosing a tour operator that covers them all.

Ponce Tours: Top Attractions

Some important attractions to include in your Ponce Tours are:

1. Ponce Art Museum: The art museum at Ponce is surely a top tourist attraction. Completing 53 years in 2012, it is the only museum in Puerto Rico that has been accredited by the American Association of Museums. It displays some of the finest collections of French Academic, Italian Baroque and 19^th Century British art. There are over 4000 masterpieces on display here!

2. Hacienda Buena Vista Nature Reserve: This one is a coffee hacienda museum that has been restored perfectly. It provides a unique journey back in time, through the colonial history of the city of Ponce. There are houses, slave quarters, warehouses and coffee depots to explore. A tour of the entire hacienda could take up to 2 hours.

3. Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center: This oldest astronomical observatory was eroded by a storm and later rediscovered in 1975. This could be one of the most fascinating inclusions of your Ponce tour, covering nine courts as well as the largest cemetery and quite a few ceremonial parks. 186 remains of human bodies can also be found in the cemetery! Be sure to visit the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center.

4. Serralles Castle: If you wish to savor mesmerizing coastal views during your Ponce tour,a trip to the Serralles castle would be a must. It is basically a museum dedicated to the sugar industry which is located within a hill top mansion overlooking the majestic city of Ponce. The structure also includes an auditorium, a restaurant, and is duly adorned with manicured gardens and spectacular waterfalls.

5. Parque de Bombas: This one is an old fire station that served the city of Ponce in the earlier times. This emblematic structure is done up in shades of red and wood and was later transformed into the main firehouse of the city. And, it functioned in similar capacity for more than a century! The gothic style architecture portrayed here also depicts a Moorish touch. By far, the Parque de Bombas is the most prominent landmark on the island. Today, it only serves as a small museum that honors the heroic firemen of Ponce.

Besides, there are several other mansions and plazas that ideally must be part of your Ponce tour!