Island of Enchantment (La Isla del Encanto)
Puerto Rico is frequently the first stop on the Eastern Caribbean cruises sailing out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. It is also the initial departure location for most of the Southern Caribbean cruises.
If you are on an Eastern Caribbean Cruise, you may be limited in the time you have to explore this island which is only 40 miles by 100 miles in size. Seeing Old San Juan and maybe El Yunque Rainforest is probably the most you can expect.
But if you are going on one of the Southern Caribbean Cruises, I would suggest that you plan a day or two before or after the cruise so you have time to explore the countryside of Puerto Rico. Like most Caribbean destinations, the "real" people and places are still those outside the traditional tourist sites.
This lens will explore what you need to know about the island and some of the key destinations within the Island. Each cruise line has their own shore excursions, and are generally worth participating in. However, don't neglect the out of the way, personal side trips, when you have the opportunity.
Puerto Ricans are citizens of the U.S. and many speak some English (a lot in the tourist areas), but the national language of Puerto Rico is Spanish.
This lens is one of a series that the author is providing on over twenty cruise destinations in the Caribbean. Each lens will include general information on the destination, suggested shore excursions, and video and photographic illustrations where appropriate.
Contents at a Glance
Aerial View Of Old San Juan
San Felipe Del Morro (El Morro) Fort In The Foreground
Docking Facilities
"La Lancha" ferry is a major means of transferring Puerto Ricans from Cataño to Old San Juan and makes frequent round trips throughout the day. I remember well the "Aguanta la lancha, vamos a Cataño" ("Hold the ferry, we're going to Cataño") yell frequently heard at the dock when I spent a year in Puerto Rico.
The other seven piers accomodate the cruise ships which allows tourists to walk to major attractions such as Old San Juan and it's famous fort "El Morro". The Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships are frequent visitors to this dock.
It is only seven miles from the dock to the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, making it a simple task for cruise passengers who come to San Juan to start their Southern Caribbean cruises.
Old San Juan Ship Dock
Selected Shore Excursions In Puerto Rico
"Sample List From Carnival Cruise Lines"
Barcardi Evening Experience: 3.75 hours tour of Barcardi, the largest rum factory in the world. Board a ferry for a short ride across the harbor. Take a shuttle bus to the Bacardi Rum Factory, an approximate 15 minute drive. At the Bacardi Factory, you will enjoy a visit to the Rum Museum where you will learn about the age-old processing of this fine Rum and its family history. Have the opportunity to enjoy the aromas of the different kind of Rums & see the replica of the first distillery built in Cuba 1862. After the tour, you will enjoy two complimentary drinks and the Bacardi gift shop. On your return trip you will make a 15 minutes stop at Plaza Colon Square where you can take photos of San Cristobal Fort. 
Bike Adventure: 3.5 hours biking, swimming and beautiful scenery are the main ingredients in this first class excursion. Take a 30-minute bus ride through the Isla Verde area and along the Northeast Coastline of tha Atlantic Ocean before arriving at the Pinones area. Arrive at the Pinones Forest Visitors' Center for an orientation and pre-ride ability test to given there. Be outfitted with a backpack containing water and supplies. Start your ride on the boardwalk, carving through the mangrove forest. Break free from the shade and head into the sun towards the coastal side. Continue along the waters edge. Break at a beautiful white sand beach and enjoy the beach, water or do a little swimming. 
Bioluminescence By Kayak Tour: 5.5 hours. Bioluminescence Bay is one of the few places in the world considered to be a wonder of nature. Take a 1-½ hour trip to Fajardo, as your guides provide a narrative of your surroundings. Paddle across the mangrove channels of "Las Cabezas de San Juan" natural reserve. Pass the Fajardo Light House under the enchanting blanket of the night sky. Marvel at the water, rich in bioluminescent organisms. Your guide will provide an informative narration of your surroundings as you kayak through this tranquil environment. 
Horseback Riding: 4.5 hours. The fascinating and unique El Yunque Rainforest is the setting for your hoseback riding adventure. Take an approximate 1-hour ride to the beautiful Hacienda Carabali for a short orientation before the ride begins. Ride gentle and spirited "Paso Fino" horses along the foothills of this world famous rainforest, you will get up close and personal with this wonder but you do not enter into the rainforest. Venture into the heart of the Puerto Rican countryside. Ride for 1 hour, winding along the edge of El Yunque and the banks of the Mamey River.
Juan Carlos & His Flamenco Rumba: 2 hours. See Juan Carlos and his Flamenco Rumba. Learn about The Flamenco, not taught in conservatories, it is a very private type of art in which one has to prove their ability to be ranked in this group. Experience flamenco from the man who has played throughout Europe and North Africa. Hear his wonderful singing in a strong baritone voice. See the show that opened in the former MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Spend an evening with the most highly reputed Spanish showman in Latin America and the Caribbean. 
Museum Tour with Airport Transfer: 6 hours. Puerto Rico has a rich history of visual arts which spans form Colonial times to the present. The Museo De Arte was developed to preserve this history and is a must see for anyone visiting San Juan. Experience the museum consisting of over 130,000 square feet of modern facilities and it's permanent collection in 18 exhibition halls. Tour the museum featuring foremost Puerto Rican artists such as Antonio Martorell, Rafael Tufino and Myrna Baez. See some of the world's finest exhibitions from contemporary Japanese art to Kandinsky and the Russian Vanguard, to name a couple. Enjoy the facility's conservation laboratory, interactive family gallery, studios, workshops, 400-seat theatre and five-acre sculpture garden. 
Night Horseback Riding: 5 hours. Ride on horseback through the foothills of the rainforest, where only the stars in the sky and some friendly local fireflies light well-groomed trails. Take an approximate one-hour drive from San Juan to a local ranch in the rainforest. Be introduced to your horse and participate in a short orientation. Leave the ranch along trails that lead along the foothills of the rainforest. Ride as trail dogs keep the horses on track and the guides keep you and your fellow riders spaced. Appreciate the tranquility and peacefulness of nighttime of the rainforest, you will not be lead into the rainforest itself. Stop by a campfire to roast marshmallows, have a cold drink and learn a little bit about the area from your guides. Re-mount and head back to the ranch for the return trip to San Juan.
Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: 2.5 hours. You'll find a new appreciation for the old world charm of San Juan in this walking tour at sunset. Take a short bus ride from the pier to San Felipe Del Morro Castle. Begin your guided walking tour through the Ballaja Sector and San Jose Square. See the amazing architecture of San Jose Church and its surroundings.
Continue down the cobblestoned Cristos Street to La Rogativa Monument. Walk through San Juan Gate and Princesa Boulevard. Enjoy some shopping or walk directly back to your ship at the end of your walking tour.
San Juan City Tour & Museum: 2.5 hours. Puerto Rico has a rich history of visual arts which spans from Colonial times to the present. Tour the museum which features foremost Puerto Rican artists such as Antonio Martorell, Rafael Tufino. These artists, as well as many others, depict the history of San Juan's culture and folklore in their paintings. See some of the world's finest exhibitions including Japanese and Russian artwork. Be driven to Old San Juan where you will pass by San Francisco Church, the Governor's Mansion and then enjoy a self-guided tour of San Cristóbal Fort before going downtown for shopping. Enjoy this guided excursion as your opportunity to learn the history and culture of one of the oldest cities in the new world.
- Rainforest: 4.5 hours. Drive to the northeastern central area of the island and visit the only tropical rainforest in the United States territory, El Yunque.
- San Juan City and Shopping Tour: 2.5 hours. Discover the sights and sounds of Sn Juan and do some shipping in the heart of the old city.
- San Juan City Tour & Barcardi Distillery. 3.5 hours. Discover the beautiful and historic city of San Juan and visit one of the most prolific rum distilleries in North America.
Satellite View Of Puerto Rico Courtesy Of NASA
The Land Of The "Coqui"
If there is one thing a visitor to Puerto Rico will never forget (if they are there at night) is the ubiquitous sound of "coqui", "coqui". It is the sound of a small frog (named "coqui" after the sound it makes), and has become the unofficial symbol of Puerto Rico. The "land of the coqui" generally refers to the coqui although it is found also on some of the adjacent islands.
There have been many attempts to introduce this creature to the mainland United States, but up to now, with no success.
The Common Coquí or Coquí (Eleutherodactylus coqui) is a frog native to Puerto Rico belonging to the Eleutherodactylus genus of the Leptodactylidae family. The species is named for the loud sound (sometimes reaching as high as 100 dB at a distance of 0.5 m) the males make at night. This sound serves two purposes. 'CO' serves to repel males and establish territory while the 'QUI' serves to attract females. The Common Coquí is a very important aspect of Puerto Rican culture and it has become an unofficial territorial symbol of Puerto Rico.
Listen To The Coqui Here
History of Puerto Rico
Category: File - :Boriken.jpg|right|thumb|Puerto Rico
The history of Puerto Rico began with the settlement of the archipelago of Puerto Rico by the Ortoiroid people between 3000 and 2000 BC. Other tribes, such as the Saladoid and Arawak Indians, populated the island between 430 BC and 1000 AD. At the time of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492, the dominant indigenous culture was that of the Taínos. The Taíno culture died out during the latter half of the 16th century because of exploitation by Spanish settlers, the war they waged on the Taíno, and diseases introduced by the invaders.
Located in the northeastern Caribbean, Puerto Rico formed a key part of the Spanish Empire from the early years of the exploration, conquest and colonization of the New World. The island was a major military post during many wars between Spain and other European powers for control of the region in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The smallest of the Greater Antilles, Puerto Rico was a stepping-stone in the passage from Europe to Cuba, Mexico, Central America, and the northern territories of South America. Throughout most of the 19th century until the conclusion of the Spanish?American War, Puerto Rico and Cuba were the last two Spanish colonies in the New World; they served as Spain's final outposts in a strategy to regain control of the American continents.
In 1898, during the Spanish?American war, Puerto Rico was invaded and subsequently became a possession of the United States. The first half of the 20th century was marked by the struggle to obtain greater democratic rights from the United States. The Foraker Act of 1900, which established a civil government, and the Jones Act of 1917, which granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship, paved the way for the drafting of Puerto Rico's Constitution and the establishment of democratic elections in 1952. However, the political status of Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth controlled by the United States, remains an anomaly more than 500 years after the first Europeans settled the island.
Barceloneta, Puerto Rico Beach Scene
Present Weather In San Juan
Current weather conditions in San Juan, PR
Local Pollen Reports
81°F (Feels like 85°F)
Last update: 11/27/09 6:56 PM Local Time
Humidity: 74%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 72°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 29.90in rising
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: calm From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Low
Low: 76°F
Sunrise: 6:37 AM
Sunset: 5:46 PM
Saturday
Nov 28
N/A
High: 87°F
Low: 77°F
Sunrise: 6:38 AM
Sunset: 5:46 PM
Sunday
Nov 29
Scattered Showers
High: 86°F
Low: 76°F
Sunrise: 6:39 AM
Sunset: 5:46 PM
Monday
Nov 30
Scattered Showers
High: 86°F
Low: 76°F
Sunrise: 6:39 AM
Sunset: 5:46 PM
El Morro Video
El Morro of San Juan Video accompanied w Music of Revolución
Pics of Puerto Rico, great music--awesome. They're listed on MySpace, I let them know of this video and haven't protested using this track. If they want me to remove it, now, their loss, but I will. (Sidenote: don't use music w/o permission in videos, then you lose all your sound when the "big guys" don't like it! They still come after you even when you make it private!) * Location: Bayamon, Puerto Rico, United States * Genre: Alternative/Punk » Post-Grunge Biography The dictionary defines Revolución, or Revolution, as a radical transformation in any order. It is from this definition that this band from the island of Puerto Rico takes it's name. In their beginnings, the singer and guitar player of the band (Miguel Rodríguez, b.1980) decided to learn to play guitar in 1993, when he was only 13 years old, to form a band. The main reason he decided to do so was the lack of bands playing music which he truly liked. As time passed, he began to trust more his musical skills, so he started searching for members of his future band. The first person who expressed interest was his brother (Adenawar Rodríguez, b.1978), who started playing with an old, horribly sounding drumset which was later upgraded for one that sounded as they previously envisioned. After practicing together for about 8 months, exclusively songs by other bands, they decided to complete their sound by adding a bass guitar. They did not want just any bassist, but one who had the same line of musical ideas that they had. They started asking their friends if they knew someone who was trustworthy, played bass guitar and was interested in forming a band. Miguel had a friend who had told him a couple of times that her brother liked many of the bands which Miguel also liked. One day, she happened to tell him that her brother (Delio Figueroa, b.1978) played bass guitar. That day, October 25 of 1996, Miguel and Delio had a conversation in which they decided to meet and play music together, just to see what happened. On October 27 of that same year, the band today known as Revolución was oficially formed. In the year 2001, Julio Miranda (b. 1980) replaced Adenawar on the drums and has become an integral part of the band. A musical production of limited release, finished in 1998, helped Revolución book various presentations in Puerto Rico. As they then noticed that progress kept pointing forward, it was decided to record a second production, made entirely by professionals. It took them about a year to complete the recording. This production includes seven songs, which are called About Anarchy, Today I'm Big, Chip-Chop, Hate, Is This The End?, Something and Superficial Fantasies. This last production was released on February 9, 2002. The visual art of the CD itself was painted by Puerto Rican artist Jomary Ortega. In March 2002, Revolucion's first music video was completed. The video is for the song Today I'm Big, which is one of the hits of the band. It was made entirely with 3D animation by Lemonade Studios, in Amsterdam. It is the first video of it's kind in all of Puerto Rico's history. Revolución played at the EAT'M conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2005, Revolución began production of their third recording, entitled "X", due to the tenth anniversary of the band. It was completed on December 28, 2006 and includes 14 tracks, entitled Captive, Epilogue, Fall, Farewell, Freedom, Generation, Lanzo, Media, My Own, No Life, Promise, Scream, The Patient and Who Will Save Us Now. Revolución currently continues to play in various places in the island of Puerto Rico, but they can be found usually in the capital, San Juan. http://www.garageband.com/user/Revolucion
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curated content from YouTube
San Juan Statistics
The population of 00901 is 872.
That's #10281 out of all 42,305 zip codes.
0% of the population is white, which is 74 points less than the national average.
The average household income in 00901 is $9,751, which is $19,947 less than the typical average.
This contributes to the average house being worth $215,600. When the survey was done in 2000, that represented a difference of 174% from the typical value.
Men make up 399% of the population, and the typical age in this part of PR is 36.3.
Stats about: San Juan, PR
Population: 872Number of Households: 4,162
Average House Value: $215,600
Average Income per Household: $9,751
Elevation: 0 ft
Population Breakdown:
Old San Juan Cemetery Along The Ocean, Down Hill From El Morro
San Juan, Puerto Rico: Overlooking Old San Juan Cemetery
I started the morning off early with a walk through the extensive grounds of the Embassy Suites / Golden Sands resort in Dorado, and around mid-day we made our way into the Puerto Rican capital -- San Juan. Old San Juan is a beautifully restored colonial city and was founded in 1521. We parked our vehicle close to the Puerto Rican Capitol and started walking west towards Old San Juan past Plaza Colon which features a statue of Christopher Columbus. After my initial explorations of the popular shopping street Calle Fortaleza I discovered the Governor's Mansion (la Fortaleza) where two local policemen enlightened me about the significance of this building. Then I came across the Parque de las Palomas where hundreds of pigeons swarm the tourists who feed them. Walking north I explored the Atlantic waterfront, the Old San Juan Cemetery and one of San Juan's most imposing fortifications: Fort San Felipe del Morro, begun in 1539, which today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I even hopped on the free open-air tourist trolley to get a more comprehensive view of Old San Juan and caught a nice sunset, looking south over the Bay of San Juan.
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curated content from YouTube
Helpful Sources For Puerto Rico Info
San Juan, Vieques & Culebra: Great Destinations Puerto Rico: A Complete Guide
%u2022 Chapters on lodging, dining, transportation, history, shopping, recreation, and more!
%u2022 A section packed with practical information, such as lists of banks, hospitals, post offices, laundry mats, numbers for police, fire, and rescue, and other relevant information.
%u2022 Maps of regions and locales.
Amazon Price: $14.78 (as of 11/27/2009) 
Puerto Rico "Mapa de Carreteras" and San Juan City Plan (Spanish and English Edition)
The MetroData "Mapa de Carreteras" of Puerto Rico is actually two maps in one: on one side, a full-size street map of San Juan and on the other side, a highway map of the entire island. The map also shows Isla de Vieques and Isla de Culebra. The highway maps show eight types of highways and roads, including specially-marked scenic routes. You can locate toll booths, highway numbers and exits/ intersections, as well as airports, beaches, recreational areas, and other points of interest. It includes inset maps of Mayaguez, Aguadillo, Ponce, Caguas, Arecibo, Humacao, Fajardo, Old San Juan, and Carolina. The San Juan city plan includes an index of streets, and also street names printed directly on the map where space permits. All the plans are very detailed and easy to read, featuring pale tints to identify parks, urban areas, etc. Bilingual: English and Spanish. Folded map on sturdy paper, designed and produced in Puerto Rico. Map scales vary.
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 11/27/2009)
Rum & Reggae's Puerto Rico: Culebra & Vieques (Rum & Reggae series)
This guide to the island of salsa, heat, and piña coladas includes everything savvy and sophisticated travelers need to know. From hotels, restaurants, casinos, and the bustling nightlife of San Juan to the calm waters of Boquerón and the fabulous links at Dorado Beach, all the major attractions of Puerto Rico are discussed in sassy, honest prose.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/27/2009)
Insight Guide Puerto Rico (Insight Guides Puerto Rico)
"Consistently rated the best guides to the regions covered...Readable, tasteful, appealingly designed. Strong on dining, lodging, culture, and history."-National Geographic Traveler. "A crisp and critical approach for travelers who want to live like locals."-USA Today. Distinctive for their accuracy, simplicity, and conversational tone, the diverse travel guides in our Great Destinations series meet the conflicting demands of the modern traveler. They're packed full of up-to-date information to help plan the perfect getaway. And they're compact and light enough to come along for the ride. A tool you'll turn to before, during, and after your trip, these guides include:
%u2022 Chapters on lodging, dining, transportation, history, shopping, recreation, and more!
%u2022 A section packed with practical information, such as lists of banks, hospitals, post offices, laundry mats, numbers for police, fire, and rescue, and other relevant information.
%u2022 Maps of regions and locales.
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 11/27/2009)
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Cruise Trip Toolbox
"Know Before You Go"
- Universal Currency Converter
- Check out the current exchange rates before you sail.
- Latest Customs Restrictions & General Information
- Get the latest Customs warnings, regulations, etc.
- Travel Advisories
- Travel documentation requirements and international travel reminders.
- U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings
- Get the latest U.S. Department of State travel warnings at this site.
- Foreign Entry Requirements
- Different situations require different documents. Please become familiar with the specific document requirements for the country(s) you are visiting. More information on these documents can be found here.
It's Your Turn Now!
I intend to continue adding more material to this lens. Any suggestions as to items of information that would benefit you that I do not have already, let me know with a brief comment here.
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Reply
- desi4eva desi4eva Jun 13, 2009 @ 4:44 pm
- Nice lens keep it live!
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Reply
- JenOfChicago JenOfChicago Mar 27, 2009 @ 11:54 am
- Great lens - my favorite sight is the rainforest!
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- WorldVisionary WorldVisionary Sep 26, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
- Nice lens - thanks for joining the Everything Caribbean Group!
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- beadbaby beadbaby Sep 10, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
- I was born in Puerto Rico with much of my family still there. I visit as frequently as I can. I like this lens. Keep up the good work.
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