FLORIDA MOM MAGAZINE - June '08 - 'la isla bonita' - Puerto RicoBy: Michele Gillis
 A mere two hour flight from Orlando, Puerto Rico offers an interesting mix of local exotic hideaways, miles of white sandy beaches, mountains, tropical rain forests, valleys and many other natural wonders for those who want a nice get-a-way in which to lose yourself for awhile.
On your vacation, you can indulge yourself in a fun mix of shopping, dining, dancing or whatever entertainment you fancy. Adventurous travelers will want to partake in deep-sea fishing, snorkeling or diving excursions.
But don’t forget to take time out to pursue the islands other charms including visiting the cathedrals, museums and stately Spanish squares that abound.
Though you may not be able to conquer all of Puerto Rico’s 3,500 square miles in a single visit, you can focus your attention on certain main attractions and sites to quench your thirst until your next visit.
If you are an architectural buff, then you are in luck. The Columbus Quincentennial in 1992 sparked a major refurbishing of the colonial architecture of Puerto Rico.
The Island's architectural heritage is Spanish, which is evident in the narrow, winding cobblestone streets, the pastel-colored, tile-roofed buildings with ornate balconies and heavy wooden doors that open onto inner courtyards in the style of Andalusia, in southern Spain.
Current restoration and renewal projects focus on Old San Juan and the city of Ponce. It is estimated that there are at least 400 structures of historic value in Old San Juan.
San Juan, named after Saint John the Baptist, is the capital and largest municipality in Puerto Rico. San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, who called it Ciudad de Puerto Rico, which means “Puerto Rico City.” In addition to being the oldest city in Puerto Rico it is the oldest European-founded U.S. city, older than even St. Augustine, Fla.
San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean. San Juan serves as one of Puerto Rico's most important seaports and is the island's manufacturing, financial, cultural, and tourism center.
San Juan is a popular cruise ship origination and destination spot due to its vibrant shopping district El Condado and many other tourist attractions and excursions.
El Condado is an oceanfront, tree-lined, vibrant pedestrian-oriented community in San Juan which is famous for its speciality shops and stands that sell wooden carvings, handmade cigars, coffee, musical instruments, lace, ceramics, hammocks, masks and baskets. Puerto Rico is also a large producer of rum with many different types ranging from light rums to dark brandy-type rums.
Old San Juan is located on a small island connected to the mainland of Puerto Rico by bridges and a causeway. This is a 465-year-old neighborhood consists of a seven square block area that has evolved into a charming residential and commercial district.
 The city is characterized by its narrow cobblestone streets and colorful buildings which date back to the 16th and 17th century when Puerto Rico was a Spanish possession.
The Old San Juan attracts many tourists, who also enjoy the gambling casinos, fine beaches and tropical climate. More tourists visit San Juan each year than any other spot in the Caribbean. A leisurely foot tour is advisable for those who really want to experience this bit of the Old World, especially given the narrow, steep streets and frequently heavy traffic.
Old San Juan has several plazas including Plaza de San José, which is a favorite meeting place for young and old alike. At its center stands the bronze statue of Ponce de León, made from a British cannon captured in during Sir Ralph Abercromby's attack in 1797.
Next to Plaza San José is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario (Quincentennial Square) which opened in Oct. 12, 1992. This plaza is the cornerstone of Puerto Rico's commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the New World, has a 40-foot sculpture to commemorate the event.
Another plaza that serves as a meeting place is Plaza de Armas is Old San Juan's main square on San José Street. It features four 100 year old statues representing the four seasons. It was carefully planned as the main city square and has served as a social meeting place for generation
El Morro is Puerto Rico's best known fortress. Spanish troops fortified this ‘morro’ which means ‘promontory’, to keep seaborne enemies out of San Juan. Today this dramatic castle welcomes multitudes of arriving cruise ships and aircraft to the busiest port in the Caribbean. Over two million visitors a year explore theme windswept ramparts and page ways, where the history of 400 years of Spain in Puerto Rico comes alive.
Construction on the fortress began in 1540 and was completed in 1589.
San Felipe del Morro was named in honor of King Phillip II.
Interestingly, most of the walls in the fort today were added later, in a period of tremendous construction from the 1760’s to 1780’s.
Rising 140 feet above the sea, its 18-foot thick wall proved a formidable defense and fell only once, in 1598, to a land assault by the Earl of Cumberland's forces.
The fort is a maze of tunnels, dungeons, barracks, outposts and ramps. El Morro is studded with small, circular sentry boxes called “garitas” that have become a national symbol. The views of San Juan Bay from El Morro are spectacular. It has the distinction of being the largest fortification in the Caribbean. In 1992, the fortress was restored to its historical form in honor of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Puerto Rico by Christopher Columbus. El Morro Fortress is a National Historic Site administered by the National Park Service.
Nowhere in the world will you be able to enjoy the wealth of rare wildlife available to you than in the El Yunque National Forest.
The El Yunque National Forest is the sole tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. Even though the forest is only 28,000 acres, which is small compared to other National Forest, it’s packed full of interesting finds.
The rugged Luquillo Mountains that rise to 3,533 feet above sea level comprise most of the forest land. Their steep slopes can sometimes receive rainfall of over 200 inches at higher elevations. Caressed by gentle easterly winds the forest has an average temperature of 73 degrees and seasonal changes are almost imperceptible. It is the ideal climate for exuberant tropical vegetation. The rain forest is noted for its biodiversity and is home to thousands of native plants including 150 fern species and 240 tree species. The El Yunque National Forest has no large wildlife species but hundreds of smaller animals abound in this gentle forest, many of which exist nowhere else on the planet! Each year they welcome about 600,000 visitors from all over the world who come to sample the rain-forest’s eco-tourism pleasures while developing a greater understanding of its ecological importance by walking their many beautiful trails. The forest contains rare wildlife including the Puerto Rican Parrot, which is one of the ten most endangered species of birds in the world. Its scientific name is Amazona Vitatta. The Puerto Rican parrot is a small Amazon parrot, about a foot in length, bright green, with red forehead, blue primary wing feathers, and flesh-colored bill and feet. Its primary habitat is the upper zones of the Luquillo Mountains. Approximately 50 other bird species are found on the Forest. The Forest is a wildlife
refuge so no hunting allowed.
You can’t go to Puerto Rico without visiting its famous beaches known for the powder white sand and crystal clear waters.
 Luquillo Beach, which is 30 miles east of San Juan, is considered a great beach for families. Those heading for Luquillo Beach know they will get better sands and clearer waters there than in San Juan. Other attractions are its tent sites and other facilities, including picnic areas with changing rooms, lockers, and showers.
In the southwestern corner of Puerto Rico, you will find Boquerón Beach, which is best known for its scenery. The beach town of Boquerón itself is filled with colorful scenery and stands at the heart of a three mile bay with palm-fringed white sand curving away on both sides.
If you are looking to escape to a beach with a little more privacy, the main island is filled with isolated sandy coves that only the locals seem to know about. Beginning in the west, directly east of the town of Cabo Rojo, you'll discover Rosado Beach, Santa Beach, Caña Gorda Beach, and Tamarindo Beach. The access to many of these beaches is limited because of poor roads, but the effort is worth it. But, be sure to bring the necessary supplies. |
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