Puerto Rico.

130 Pages·2011·17.736 MB·English

by  Christopher P. Baker

EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
10
TOP
PUERTO RICO
10
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10 Most fun places for children
10 Best hotels for every budget
10 Liveliest bars
10 Top restaurants in each area
10 Insider tips for every visitor
YOUR GUIDE TO THE 10 BEST OF EVERYTHING

TOP10
PUERTO RICO
CHRISTOPHER P BAKER
EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
s Left Old San Juan Centre Bacardi Rum’s logo Right Parque Ceremonial Indígena Caguana
t
n
e Contents
t
n
o
C Puerto Rico’s Top 10
Old San Juan 8
Design, Editorial and Picture Research
by Quadrum Solutions, Krishnamai, 33B, Castillo de San Cristóbal 10
Sir Pochkanwala Road, Worli, Mumbai, India
Reproduced by Colourscan, Singapore Condado 12
Printed and bound in China by
Leo Paper Products Ltd El Yunque 14
First published in Great Britain in 2009 by
Dorling Kindersley Limited, 80 Strand, Vieques 16
London WC2R 0RL, A Penguin Company
11 12 13 14 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Culebra 18
Reprinted with revisions 2011
Copyright 2009, 2011 © Dorling Kindersley Parque de las Cavernas
Limited, London
del Río Camuy 20
All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any Centro Ceremonial
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior Indígena de Tibes 22
written permission of the copyright owner.
A CIP catalogue record is available from the
British Library. San Germán 24
ISBN 978 1 4053 6101 9
Within each Top 10 list in this book, no Museo de Arte de Ponce 26
hierarchy of quality or popularity is implied.
All 10 are, in the editor’s opinion, of
roughly equal merit. Moments in History 30
Floors are referred to throughout in
accordance with American usage, Museums 32
ie the “first floor” is at ground level.
Musicians 34
Outdoor Activities 36
Beaches 38
Festivals and Holidays 42
The information in this DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide is checked regularly.
Every effort has been made to ensure that this book is as up-to-date as possible at the time of
going to press. Some details, however, such as telephone numbers, opening hours, prices,
gallery hanging arrangements and travel information are liable to change. The publishers
cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book, nor for
any material on third party websites, and cannot guarantee that any website address in this
book will be a suitable source of travel information. We value the views and suggestions of
our readers very highly. Please write to: Publisher, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides,
Dorling Kindersley, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, or email: [email protected].
Cover: Front - Alamy Images: Mark Bacon bl; Photolibrary: age fotostock/S Murphy-Larronde main.
Spine - DK Images: Linda Whitwam b. Back - DK Images: Linda Whitwam tc, tl, tr.
2
Left Arecibo Observatory Centre Museo Indígena Cemí Right Castillo de San Cristóbal’s entrance C
o
n
Children’s Attractions 44 Arriving in Puerto Rico 104
t
e
Places to Shop 46 Getting Around 105 n
t
Restaurants 48 s
Sources of Information 106
Puerto Rican Dishes 50
Banking and
Trees and Flowers 52
Communications 107
Animal Life 54
Security and Health 108
Around Puerto Rico
Things to Avoid 109
San Juan 58
Tours and Special
North Coast 66
Interests 110
West Coast 72
Budget Tips 111
South Coast 82
The Cordillera 88 Eating and
East Coast & Islands 94 Accommodation Tips 112
Places to Stay 113
Streetsmart
Planning Your Trip 102 General Index 118
General Information 103 Phrase Book 126
Left Scenic Playa Flamenco Right Vejigantes, Carnaval Ponceño
Key to abbreviations 3
Adm admission charge

PUERTO
RICO’S TOP 10
Puerto Rico’s Highlights
6–7
P
Old San Juan
U
8–9
E
Castillo de San Cristóbal
R
10–11
T
Condado O
12–13

El Yunque R
14–15I
C
Vieques
O
16–17
’
Culebra S
18–19
T
Parque de las Cavernas
O
del Río Camuy
20–21P

Centro Ceremonial
1
Indígena de Tibes
0
22–23
San Germán
24–25
Museo de Arte
de Ponce
26–27
Top Ten of Everything
30–55
Puerto Rico’s Highlights
Puerto Rico packs tremendous diversity into a relatively small space. From
exquisite coral reefs and white-sand beaches to lush rain forests, desert-dry
coastal plains, and a rugged mountain spine, this isle enraptures with physical
0
1 beauty. Past and present intertwine too, as pre-Columbian sites, massive
castles, and charming colonial buildings contrast with hip restaurants, hotels,
p
o and nightclubs. Spanish-speaking yet inarguably American in style, the people
T are equally diverse, reflecting a potpourri of bloodlines – indigenous, African,
s and European – and a creativity expressed in colorful culture and arts.
’
o
c ! Old San Juan
Ri This blue-cobbled historic
district of restored colonial

o buildings is the jewel in the
t capital city’s crown. Its delightful
r
e plazas, centuries-old cathedrals,
u and dramatic castles are well-
P preserved reminders of a bygone
era (see pp8–9).
(cid:44)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:68) (cid:43)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:82)
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(cid:53)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:181)(cid:81) (cid:54)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:81) (cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:93)(cid:68)(cid:79)
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(cid:47)(cid:68)
(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68) (cid:48)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:72)
(cid:42)(cid:88)(cid:163)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:68) (cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72) (cid:54)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:86)
£ Condado
San Juan’s lively beach-
front is lined with trendy
cafés and restaurants,
fashionable boutiques, and
high-rise hotels interspersed
with parks (see pp12–13).
@ Castillo de San
Cristóbal $ El Yunque
This fortress, which The only tropical rain
has been restored to forest within US territory
its former grandeur, offers great hiking along
has bulwarks looming mountain trails. Water-
over the shoreline, falls and coquí frogs are
cannons, and other among the many lures
interesting exhibits of this natural paradise
(see pp10–11). (see pp14–15).
6 Preceding pages Fortaleza San Felipe del Morro, Old San Juan
% Vieques
This island, off the east
coast of Puerto Rico’s main
island, is surrounded by
idyllic beaches. It has
become a magnet for
independent travelers P
seeking a laid-back lifestyle u
and trendy boutique hotels e
(see pp16–17). ^ Culebra rt
Boasting the most spectacular beach in Puerto o
Rico, this small island is popular with day-trippers
R
and is easily reached by ferry. It also delights
i
snorkelers and surfers (see pp18–19). c
o
Parque de las & ’s
Cavernas del
Río Camuy T
o
Only an hour’s drive
p
from the capital, the

world’s third-largest 1
known cavern system 0
is accessible through
guided tours. Flood-
(cid:50)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:68)(cid:81) (cid:38)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:181)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:79) lights illuminate the
(cid:45)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:81) (cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:82) dripstone formations
(cid:47)(cid:82)(cid:175)(cid:93)(cid:68) (see pp20–21).
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(cid:38)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:86)
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(cid:48)(cid:68)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:82)
(cid:42)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:68) * Centro Ceremonial
Indígena de Tibes
) Museo de Arte This pre-Columbian
de Ponce ceremonial site displays
This world-class museum well-preserved bateyes
displays artworks from the (ball courts) and sacred
14th to the 20th centuries, petroglyphs. It is the
including works by perfect place to learn
Rossetti, Constable, and about ancient Taíno
Reynolds (see pp26–7). culture (see pp22–3).
( San Germán
The best-preserved
colonial town outside Old
San Juan retains its
yesteryear mood. Historic
buildings here include
Puerto Rico’s oldest
church, which is full of
interesting religious
antiquities (see pp24–5).
7
Old San Juan
Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan) is the historic heart of Puerto Rico’s capital
city. This intimate quarter boasts an astonishing wealth of well-preserved
forts, cathedrals, and convents, as well as colorful mansions and other
0
1 important buildings spanning five centuries. The footsteps of friars and
conquistadores seem to echo down cobbled streets and plazas that exude
p
o plenty of colonial charm. Easily walkable, the narrow, shaded streets of
T Old San Juan are lined with museums, hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and

s trendy bars. No museum piece, this lively quarter is a thriving community
’
o where families gather to enjoy the irresistible ambience.
c
Ri Top 10 Features
1 Casa Blanca
o
t 2 Fortaleza San Felipe
er del Morro
u 3 Castillo de San Cristóbal
P 4 Plaza de San José
5 Plaza del Inmigrante
6 Paseo de la Princesa
Statue of an immigrant at
Plaza del Inmigrante 7 Catedral de San
Juan Baútista
Shorts are fine for
ex ploring the old city, 8 Plaza de Armas
but should not be 9 Parque de las Palomas
worn in churches or 0 Instituto de Cultura
upscale restaurants. Puertorriqueña
Women should cover
their shoulders and ! Casa Blanca
dress modestly when Considered the oldest
entering churches. continually occupied
structure in the western
The El Patio de Sam hemisphere, Casa Blanca
(see p64) is ideal for (1521) (below) was built for
a cool drink, snack, Ponce de León (see p30).
or simple meal. It now houses a museum. @ Fortaleza San Felipe
del Morro
• Casa Blanca: Map T5; This fort ress (main image)
Calle San Sebastián 1; guards the entrance to San
787 725 1454; currently Juan’s harbor and took over
closed for renovation 200 years to complete. Its
• Fortaleza San Felipe stone ramparts rise six
del Morro: Map S4; levels, and feature cannons
Calle del Morro; that point out to sea. A
787 729 6777; open museum displays military
9am–5pm; adm $3 uniforms and weaponry.
• Catedral de San Juan Castillo de #
Baútista: Map U6;
San Cristóbal
Plazuela de la Monjas
• Instituto de Cultura This massive fortress, built
Puertorriqueña: Map T5; between 1634 and 1783,
Calle del Morro; 787 724 fea tures seven convoluted
0700; open 8am–noon lines of defence connec ted
& 1–4:30pm Mon–Fri; by moats and tunnels
www.icp.gobierno.pr (right). It contains cannons
as well as an interesting
museum (see pp10–11).
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