THE ISLAND OF ENCHANTMENT
“The island of enchantment”, a name locals have given Puerto Rico, was inspired by the island’s many charms and exceptional places.
PALMAS DEL MAR
Let start our journey starts in Palmas at the most obvious place- the ocean and the beach and their many water activities. The most popular being just relaxing! For those who are more active there are many water sports to enjoy, including snorkeling and scuba diving our beautiful reefs or deep sea fishing, sailing and surfing. You can arrange these activities at Anchor Village contacting Capt. Matt at Maragata Charters787-637-1802 or access his web page at: www.maragatacharters.com
PUNTA SANTIAGO
Exit Palmas, and go east towards Punta Santiago on Route 3. On the way there you will find the Punta Santiago Natural Reserve. Within the Reserve you will find many trails for light hiking and biking. Kayaks are also available to use in the interconnected lagoons (both can be rented). Of course, fishing is an option on the long stretch of beach as is picnicking in the reserve’s pavilions. Plenty of birds and Iguanas! For more information on the Reserve call 787-852-6088. You can also find valuable information by visiting : http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/humacao-nature-reserve/
MAUNABO/ MONKEY ISLAND
Continue to Maunabo, the next town northeast from Palmas, where you can take a boat or kayak trip to a most unusual place: Monkey Island and The Caribbean Primate Research Center! On the island you will find (from a safe distance) a colony of 950 monkeys (in the wild) which are part of a study of the social behavior of primates. You can contact Paco (Frank Lopez) Telephone 787-316-0441. His boat can take up to 20 people on this journey snorkeling and kayaking close to the island. He supplies snorkeling gear, lunch and a lively conversation. An option is to go on Maragata Charters (mentioned above) which leaves from the dock in Palmas. (To read an interesting article with great pictures about this mystical place, go to the Article section of this web site and read the article named “The Caribbean Primate Research Center in Cabo Santiago”-http://seepalmas.com/the-caribbean-primate-research-center-in-cayo-santiago/
VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
The islands of Vieques and Culebra, off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, are another pleasant surprise. The beaches are stunning and unspoiled and the people are warm and friendly. Vieques has the extra added attraction of an incredible bioluminescent bay which has to be experienced to be believed. (A bio bay is a body of water that contains millions of micro-organisms that glow in the dark for a second when agitated). Since the bioluminescence has to be viewed at night, to experience it in Vieques usually requires you to spend the night on the island. But if that’s not convenient there is a tour operator (East Island Excursions) that leaves from Marina Puerto Del Rey in Fajardo (take highway #53 towards Fajardo, exit #2 ). The trip includes transportation to Vieques and back (the same night), dinner at one of the local restaurants and a trip in the bio bay by pontoon boat with an electric engine. Telephone 787-860-3434. Culebra counters with Flamenco Beach, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, if not the world! To get to these islands you can take a ferry from Fajardo or you can take an airplane from San Juan or Fajardo on either Vieques Air Link or Air Flamenco. For more information on airlines and ferries go to <Vieques-island.com> or <tamarindoestates.com> or to the airlines’ website. ¿¿???
BIOLUMINESCENT BAY FAJARDO
Fajardo also boasts its own bioluminescent bay, a somewhat less luminescent version, but a lot easier to get to! It’s called “Laguna Grande” and there are plenty of kayak tours leaving from Las Croabas, a fishing village past Fajardo and the famous El Conquistador Hotel, which also merits a visit. A typical tour lasts about 2.5 hours. For a list of tour operators and their telephones go to <puertoricodaytrips.com> The article is “Bio-bay in Fajardo by kayak”- http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/?s=Bio-bay+in+Fajardo+by+kayak&x=24&y=16
EL YUNQUE
Another gem is El Yunque, the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest Service. Its unique ecosystem, unspoiled natural beauty, waterfalls, rivers and hiking trails offer the visitor a world of exploration and adventure. So spectacular is this forest that it was a finalist in the worlds “new 7 Wonders of Nature”. Stop by the entrance for information and videos about the forest. Visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/elyunquefor more information and photos. To get to El Yunque on route #3 from Palmas you pass Luquillo Beach, a favorite of the locals. And even more of a favorite are the many kiosks right outside the beach were you can get local fritters and fried fish.
TRAVELING WITH KIDS?
Get good ideas on what to do to entertain them at <puertoricodaytrips.com> The name of the article is “23 Things To Do with Kids within one hour of San Juan” Or I may add, within one hour of Palmas!
With all these attractions and natural beauty, it’s easy to appreciate why Puerto Rico is called “the island of enchantment”.
OLD SAN JUAN
We must also highlight the charming walled ancient city of old San Juan with its cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture. Not to be missed is its imposing fortress, El Morro and San Cristobal. And to top if all off, visit the old city’s many fine restaurants and boutiques. From Palmas the old city is about 55 minutes away, depending on traffic. Route 30 and highway 52 take you without a traffic light! Visit http://www.topuertorico.org/city/sanjuan.shtml for more information and photos
RIO CAMUY CAVE PARK
Going towards the center of the island, the Rio Camuy Cave Park is also a phenomenon to enjoy
as are the Arecibo Observatory (on the way to the caves), zip lining, kite boarding, kayaking, ATV tours, and hand gliding. Check them out at <seepuertorico.com> or <puertoricodaytrips.com>