Puerto Rico: Isla del Encanto
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"!
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