Old San Juan
Old San Juan is a city within itself protected inside a 40 foot tall stone wall which surrounds the city. This wall was constructed by the Spaniards over 500 years ago as a fortress to their city. You enter Old San Juan through large iron gates which were built in the 1600’s. Once inside this city you will feel as though you have gone back in time. From cobblestone streets, to beautifully restored forts and buildings you will be immersed in history. There are many fine restaurants, bars and cafes to enjoy a meal or cool drink. The best way to see Old San Juan is through a leisurely walking tour.  Touring one or both of the two forts is definitely worth the time as the tours are very inexpensive and you will learn much about the history of this old city and the wonderful job which is being done to restore and preserve this important piece of history.

Copyright (C) 2008 J. Hopke

Special tips:

• When you enter OSJ park in the garages near the cruise ship piers as these will be least expensive and provide easier access in and out
• From the parking garages, walk a couple of blocks up to San Cristobol Fort. Many people bypass this fort and go only to El Morro, however San Cristobol is better restored with many more exhibits. You can buy tickets for both forts for $5.
• Inquire about the informational talk given by a ranger at San Cristobol.  The talk is only about 15 minutes but will give you great information that you may otherwise miss.
• Our favorite day to go is Sunday morning.  Get to OSJ about 10:30 am as there is no traffic, you'll also see the wonderful kite displays as families spend the day near El Morro flying kites and enjoying picnics.  There will usually be street musicians on the weekends.
• The views from El Morro fort are amazing

Culebra and Vieques

Vieques is located just seven miles from the eastern coast of PR.  The name was derived from the Taino word bieque meaning small island.  You will also see Vieques referred to as la isla nena or little girl island.  The US Navy held a large presence on Vieques at the start of the cold war and took over more then 2/3 of the island. The navy presence has always been an emotional issue for the Puerto Ricans and in recent years the navy has pulled out of Vieques.  Clean up efforts are now in the works to rid the island of old exploded and even some unexploded ordinance. 

The island has numerous stunning beaches that will virtually be empty save for a handful of people.  Vieques has minimal development and commercial presence and is also home to the most stunning of Puerto Rico's three biobay's.  (A must see if you are staying in Vieques)  Things are changing however as this little island is being discovered-this also being a controversial subject with the Puerto Ricans. However if deserted beaches, great snorkeling and a laid back vacation are your style you will probably feel at ease sipping a pina colada at a local bar.

Culebra is located 13 miles off the eastern coast and is halfway between PR and St Thomas.  President Roosevelt declared Culebra a wildlife refuge in 1903 however during WWI and WWII and the Vietnam war, the Navy also held a large presence on Culebra by using the island as target practice for its ships.  Although the Navy no longer has a presence (due to anti war protests in the 70's the local people finally reached an agreement with the Navy to leave the island) you can still see the ghost of an old tank on Flamenco Beach.

Culebra remains a pristine island in large part due to the designation as a wild life preserve and home to many different seabirds.  You will not find much commercial development, and the only town is Dewey.  The population on Culebra is about 2000 residents.  However if you want to see and experience some of the most beautiful untouched beaches, vibrantly colored fish, sea life and corals, and if your idea of a vacation is beach, hammock, pina colada, and siesta, then Culebra may be just what you're looking for.  Culebra's main attractions are Flamenco Beach which is among the top ten in the world along with abundant snorkeling opportunities.

Although these islands are just a few miles from PR it is really best to spend a few days at a local guest house, rent a jeep and enjoy exploring them in this way.  For visitors who are in PR for only a short time of for those who need more excitement then these islands may offer, then you can easily visit these islands as a day trip.  There are several options for this.  The cheapest being the ferry which costs $2.00 each way to Vieques and takes about one hour, or $2.50 each way to Culebra which takes about one and a half hours.  The other great option is to fly over from Ceiba airport.  It will cost about $54 RT and you will be there in about 15 minutes.  You will travel via a small 8 seater commuter plane and the views from above will be stunning!   Also for those who wish to see the highlights of Culebra by snorkeling at a wonderful nature preserve and spending the afternoon on Flamenco beach (the definite highlights of Culebra) then East Island Excursions also offers a convenient snorkeling trip.  East Island Excursions also offer the ONLY excursion to the Vieques biobay in which you do not need to stay overnight.  (see snorkeling excursions page for details)

Vieques Air Link or Flamenco Air are two of the carriers which depart Ceiba airport several times daily to Culebra and Vieques. This is by far the quickest way to get to either island.  Reservations are best made 1-2 days in advance or a few weeks in advance if you plan to visit during a major holiday.

The regular ferry service departs Fajardo several times daily to Culebra and Vieques.    The good news is that roundtrip tickets are now being sold so you can be guaranteed a return seat. Ferry schedules are subject to change so check with the port authority for current schedules. 

Special Notes

• Things are very laid back...don't expect fast service at most places
• Don't expect lots of nightlife, shops, or things to do-this would definitely be a laid back beach vacation.
• You need to rent a jeep to explore the beaches of Vieques. Most are off road or very poorly maintained roads.  Most publicos will not take you
• Best way to enjoy the beaches of Vieques and Culebra is to spend a few days on the island
• During holidays and in summer lines at the ferry may be long and may form many hours before scheduled departure making it more difficult to secure passage during these times. We recommend going down to the ferry dock and purchasing tickets in advance.  They say you can call for reservations however we have never had any luck with anyone answering the phones.
• The ferry crossings may be rough at times, so plan ahead if you are prone to sea sickness

Las Cabezas de San Juan (El Faro)Nature Reserve

Don't let the name deceive you this wonderful tour is located right here on the east side in Fajardo.  The nature reserve is a 316 acre preserve acquired by the Conservation Trust in 1975.  El Faro which mean lighthouse in Spanish is the islands second oldest lighthouse which was built by the Spanish colonial government.  It has been in continuous operation since 1882. 

There is much more to this tour although the views from the light house are quite amazing.  You can see all the way to St Thomas on a clear day while getting a great birds eye view of Laguna Grande, the Fajardo biobay. 

The nature reserve is unique because of the many different natural environments.  You will experience a dry forest, mangrove forest, lagoon, coral reefs, turtle grass, along with rocky and sandy beaches.  The tour starts by boarding a tram where a knowledgeable guide will explain the different ecosystems, stopping along the way to point out such things as iguana nests, termite nests, different trees and plants along with their association in the ecosystem.  You will then arrive to the mangrove forest where you will meander along an elevated boardwalk.  YOur guide will explain the different species and the special role they play in erosion control and health of the biobay.  From here you will be taken to El faro or the lighthouse where you will be shown several displays of marine life and a wonderful interactive exhibit about the biobay.  The tour rounds out at a beach area where you will once again be shown the different elements of this ecosystem.  Returning to the center you will have opportunity to ask questions, and walk around the lovely area.  There are refreshments, restrooms, and a small souvenir shop at the center. 

Tours are by Reservation ONLY- Open Wednesday to Sunday- English tour is usually at 2pm. Cost $7 adults

Telephone: 787-722-5882 ext 240  Weekends 787-860-2560

Special Notes:

• When you call for reservations you will hear a LONG recorded message. 
• If a real person does not answer the phone you will be asked to leave your name and a return number.  (they are getting better about calling back the same day).  However if you do not hear back, just keep trying and if all else fails call the weekend number where someone will always answer.  They will try to tell you to call back the regular number however just kindly explain that you have attempted but that your phone calls have not been returned.
• Be SURE to tell them you want the ENGLISH tour (unless of course you are fluent in Spanish)

Hacienda Buena Vista Coffee Plantation-Ponce

This majestic property was purchased by the conservation trust of PR in 1984 from the Vives family. Since this time, by using old family records and photographs the conservation trust has worked to restore the buildings, machinery and grounds.  The setting is above Ponce is a sub tropical forest rich in plant and animal life.  The buildings have been restored to their old splendor which allows visitors to get a glimpse of a forgotten era.  The trust has done an amazing job at restoring all the old time machinery which was used in the 1800's and it is amazing to see all of this actually functioning.  With no electricity at the time, through a series of water sloughs from the waterfall, water is brought to an old paddle wheel which creates this amazing water powered system.

With the wonderful knowledge of your guide you will learn about the different plants, coffee production, life on the Hacienda, along with several interactive and fun displays.  There is a small gift shop, restrooms, and refreshments on premises. 

Advance reservations are required.  Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday.  Cost $7 adults $4 Children. 

Telephone: 787-722-5882   Weekends: 787-284-7020

Special Notes:

• When you call for reservations you will hear a LONG recorded message. 
• If a real person does not answer the phone you will be asked to leave your name and a return number.  (they are getting better about calling back the same day).  However if you do not hear back, just keep trying and if all else fails call the weekend number where someone will always answer.  They will try to tell you to call back the regular number however just kindly explain that you have attempted but that your phone calls have not been returned.
• Be SURE to tell them you want the ENGLISH tour (unless of course you are fluent in Spanish)
• This is a walking tour

Camuy Caverns and Arecibo Observatory
Camuy Caverns is truly a natural wonder. Located west of San Juan in the karsts region where you will see rugged landscapes of sinkholes, caves, rivers, and valleys. Camuy Caverns is the 3rd largest underground cave system in the world. A trolley takes you to the caves where you enjoy a guided tour. The park also features picnic areas and other attractions. It is a good idea to go early and visit the caves first as they only allow for 2000 visitors per day. It is also a good idea to call ahead for local conditions as some days the caves may not be open due to heavy rains. (787-893-3100)

Open: Wednesday-Sunday         Cost: $10 Adults $7Children Seniors $5.    Parking is $2.

After a morning at the Caves take the short drive over to the Arecibo Observatory where the worlds largest radio telescope makes its home. The enormity of this telescope is hard to understand until you come upon it as you drive over the final mountain. The telescope can detect a signal from over 1500 light years away! Here astronomers and scientists use the telescope to conduct research, examine things in our solar system, search for new stars, and conduct experiments (One project currently underway is SETI or Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence). The movies Contact, Goldeneye 007, Survivor, and Dream Team were filmed at this Observatory. The support towers, telescope, reflectors, and view from here are incredible. They have a nice visitor’s center, observation deck and gift shop.

Open: Wednesday- Sunday  Cost: $4 for adults $2 for children and seniors. Hours :Noon to 4 pm on weekdays and 9A-4P on weekends.

                     Mountains of Arecibo               Radio Telescope    Arecibo Lighthouse           View from lighthouse

                   Cave Formations                        Cave Hole                        Cave Entrance             Cave Formations

Special Notes:

• Get to the caves EARLY especially in the summer and during holiday periods.  There is NO reservation system-it's first come first serve.
• Bring a book, snacks and your own entertainment in case you have to wait
• YOu will see billboards and most likely be given advertisement to eat at a restaurant near the caves...Don't do it!  The food is barely passable and fairly expensive.
• If there is heavy rainfall, there is a good chance that the caves will be closed. 
• No one ever answers the phone (in case you want to call to make sure they are open)
• Go to the caves first and Arecibo in the afternoon
• If you will be staying in SJ prior to a visit to the eastern side, it will be closer to go from there.  Also if you are only here for less then a week, then we suggest doing some of the other great things closer to us. 
• If you have been to other cave systems such as Mammoth you may be disappointed, however if you have never been to a cave system you will really enjoy this tour. 
• At Arecibo you must walk up a long set of cement steps.  If you have physical limitations that prevent you from doing this be sure to tell the guard at the gate as they can escort you in your vehicle to the top.

Ponce
Located on the Southern side of the island and about 2 hours from Villa Sevilla, you will find the beautiful city of Ponce.  Ponce is rich in history and has seen some significant restoration in recent years. From museums, art galleries theater, orchestra, university, and beautiful boardwalk, Ponce makes the two hour trip worth while.
Ponce is also the “dry” side of the island and you will notice that our lush green valleys give way to dry grasslands as you make your way over the mountains.   Some must sees when you visit Ponce are
The Castillo Serralles
This large castle once belonged to the Serralles family who founded the island’s Don Q rum empire. For a small entrance fee you will have a guided tour of the castle and grounds and watch a very nice short movie about the family and its rum empire. They also have a small cafe with a beautiful outdoor sitting area which is surrounded in orchids and other beautiful plants trees and flowers. Also at this spot is Cruceta DelVigia which is a 100 foot cross sitting on a hillside overlooking the city. The Spanish Crown at one time posted lookouts at this point on the hill to monitor the ships coming into harbor. You can ride a scenic elevator to the top for panoramic views of Ponce and the countryside.

Plazas Las Delicias is Ponce’s central plaza and features a huge fountain surrounded by the famous lions of Ponce. From this plaza you see the beautiful cathedral de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe., which was built in 1836. As you pan around you will see an array of beautifully restored buildings in soft pastel colors, along with museums, vendors, and many people strolling or enjoying this plaza.

Paseo Tablado La Guancha is a ½ mile long beautifully restored boardwalk overlooking the yacht harbor. There is a concert pavilion along with multiple bars cafes and restaurants. It is a great place to enjoy a nice meal in the tropical breezes or merely to enjoy a cup a coffee and people watch. You will also see a very nice public beach on the east side of the boardwalk.

                                           Cathedral           Downtown Ponce        Castillo Serralles          Gardens at Castillo    Looking over Ponce

Special Notes

• We only recommend this day trip to guests who will be staying a week or longer.  If you are here a shorter time there are many other great things to see and do which are closer to us such as OSJ.
• Signage in the city is terrible.  Take a good map and just be prepared to stop and ask for directions
• Don't try parking at the Plaza.  This is always full and congested.  Park a few blocks away and walk over
• The boardwalk is really alive during the weekends and during the week many shops and restaurants are closed.

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