BIENVENIDOS.
WELCOME TO PUERTO RICO
Chapter One
In this first chapter of our education program, you will begin to discover why
Puerto Rico Does it Better! You’ll learn why Puerto Rico is the vacation destination your clients have been dreaming about, and why they must discover the
unique culture, history and attractions of this enchanting destination.
With 78 distinctive municipalities, virtually any type of special interest can be
accommodated here - from hiking in a forest or climbing a cave; to superb cuisine, a sizzling nightlife and exciting casinos; to romantic walks on a moonlit
beach; to renting a car to discover small towns, fishing villages and an amazing
variety of cultural activities, to an island escape with a stay in a Parador. Puerto
Rico has it all, including the perfect settings for weddings and honeymoons, and
spectacular venues for meetings. The Puerto Rico Convention Center is the largest facility of its kind in the Caribbean
For more details on all the categories discussed below, follow the links in the
Campus Library
HASSLE-FREE VACATIONS
The choice of Puerto Rico for vacations and business meetings eliminates many
of the hassles found in traveling to other destinations. It couldn’t be easier to get
here, or get around, once you arrive:
• No passport is required for U.S. citizens
• No customs check
• Just a short hop away by commercial air from major U.S. cities (as little as 2.5 hours)
• Easy to explore: Puerto Rico’s most distant points are only a 3-hour drive apart.
• U.S. currency & postal service
CHARMING INNS, EXCITING RESORTS
Puerto Rico features a wide range of accommodations, in every size and
category, to suit the needs of all of your clients. They can escape to a secluded
Small Inn, or Parador, or relax at one of many world class hotels and resorts
located throughout the island.
Small Inns
Puerto Rico’s small hotels, inns and guest houses (many offering bed-and-breakfast arrangements), along with a number of eco-lodges, offer some of the
island’s most varied and delightful experiences. Usually family owned and
managed, these accommodations are often tucked into the most interesting and
unusual corners of Puerto Rico. Our small hotels have attractive prices and
personalized service.
Paradores
Away from San Juan’s hustle and bustle, Puerto Rico’s government endorsed
Paradores give guests the chance to discover our inner beauty. Best known for
their affordable rates and picturesque, out of the way, locations, each of our 18
country inns offers a comfortable base for nearby exploration. Most are located
near a great variety of attractions: pristine beaches, beautiful lakes, misty mountains, colorful towns and a wealth of historical sites.
Hotels & Resorts
Most of the best-known hotel names are represented in locations throughout
Puerto Rico, from world-class resorts to a great variety of value-packed hotels.
DINING
Puerto Rico features a wealth of exceptional dining choices, with options
including just about every international cuisine; but, be sure to tell your clients
to sample Criollo cuisine, a blend of Taino, Spanish and African influences
incorporating all kinds of delicious fruits and vegetables, unforgettably savory
rice dishes, meat and poultry, as well as the abundant seafood from local waters.
They will find Criollo cuisine at its best at any one of the thirty traditional
eateries participating in the Mesones Gastronomicos Program sponsored by the
Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
CRUISES
Many of your clients will be visiting Puerto Rico for the first time on a cruise
itinerary (in 2010-2011, approximately 16 cruise lines and 43 ships were expected to visit San Juan). Don’t miss the opportunity to increase your commission by adding pre & post cruise programs. (For more information, see
Chapter 10)
BEACHES
Puerto Rico boasts quantity, quality and variety in its beaches. Just a few of these
spectacular locations include:
• Carolina Isla Verde (a complete resort zone within the borders of San Juan-Carolina) Blue Flag
• La Monserrate, popularly known as Luquillo (Puerto Rico’s most famous in the eastern region) Blue Flag
• El Escambron (in San Juan) Blue Flag
• Punta Salinas (in Toa Baja) Blue Flag
• Seven Seas (Las Cabezas Nature Reserve, on the eastern tip of
Fajardo) Blue Flag
• Flamenco (Culebra Island, access via the Fajardo ferry terminal )
• Pelican Beach (Caja de Muertos Island, embark from southern
Ponce) Blue Flag
• Jobos (near Punta Borinquen in western Aguadilla)
• Caña Gorda (along the southern shore, near Guanica)
HISTORY/CULTURE
Puerto Rico is the perfect choice for clients interested in history and culture. On
one small island, 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, you can experience
thousands of years of history and four distinct cultures – Indian, Spanish, African
and American.
Sample Activities:
• Explore ancient Indian ceremonial parks, in Ponce and Utuado
• Compare two of the oldest and most architecturally interesting
Spanish Colonial churches: San Jose & La Capilla del Cristo in Old
San Juan
• See a 19th century coffee plantation in action; several are included
on tour programs and two, tucked in the mountains, now operate
as inns.
• Visit the two largest and most complex castle-like fortifications built by
the Spaniards in the New World: Ponce de Leon’s Casa Blanca and
Palacio de Santa Catalina, both in Old San Juan.
CULTURAL EVENTS
Perhaps the best time to experience the culture of Puerto Rico is during one of
the island’s many festivals and holidays, just a few among them:
• Le Lo Lai Festival (Every Tuesday at the San Cristobal Castle 6:00 pm cost
$3.00, and Sunday at Plaza Darzena 8:00 pm, no charge)
• San Sebastian Street Festival (January), perhaps the largest in
Old San Juan, and noted for its colorful arts & crafts market.
• Maricao Coffee Festival (February)
• Carnivals, the most spectacular are in Ponce (March) and Hatillo
(February)
• Casals Festival (February), a classical music event
• Saborea Puerto Rico Culinary Extravaganza in Escambron (April)
• Heineken Jazz Festival (June)
• International Billfish Tournament (September)
NATURE/ADVENTURE
The geography of Puerto Rico is very unusual, as it encompasses distinctly different kinds of topography and microclimates in a relatively small area. A rugged
mountain range runs across the center from east to west. The north side of the
island is covered by dense vegetation, karst formations and rushing streams. The
south side is sun-toasted terrain, home to a tropical dry forest and many species
of exotic birds.
Just a few ideas for the more adventurous and active among your clients:
•Spelunking and hiking in the Rio Camuy Caves, on the north
corridor mountains.
•Rock Climbing on Mona Island.
•Bird watching and hiking through the exotic wild gardens and trails in El Yunque Rainforest (a United Nations World Biosphere Reserve)
•Hiking in Guanica Dry Forest or San Cristobal Canyon. Wonder
at the amazing nature organ pipe cacti, or go scuba diving along
the beachside.
•Bodyrafting down the Tanama River, or exploration of the Charca Azul nearby.
•Night-time kayaking on Puerto Rico’s Bioluminescent Bays
•Surfing in the western coastal towns of Rincon, Isabela, Aguadilla and Aguada
ROMANCE
Throughout Puerto Rico, you’ll find the ideal setting for romantic vacations.
From opulent hotels to delightful restaurants and sizzling clubs; from wind surfing to lazing in the sun, from gallery hopping to serious shopping, Puerto Rico
has the perfect settings for weddings and honeymoons.
Experience:
•A moonlight walk along the beach
•An evening swim in a bioluminescent bay
•A stroll through picturesque Old San Juan at sunset
•A walk along a rain forest trail
•A slow dance as the sun sets
•A horseback ride on a beach at sunset
•A carriage ride through Ponce City, the Pearl of the South
•A walk through the dozens of Art Galleries in Old San Juan
FAMILY FUN
Ideal for families vacationing together, Puerto Rico is filled with endless experiences
every member of the family can enjoy. Opportunities such as:
•Hands-on nature exhibits at the only U.S. tropical rainforest,
El Yunque (about an hour east of San Juan)
•Centuries-old forts in Old San Juan, and in Vieques Island
•Museo del Nino
•A city tour by horse-drawn carriage in Old San Juan or Ponce
•Arecibo Observatory, the largest Radio Telescope in the world
•Ice skating at the arena in Aguadilla
•Juan A. Rivero Zoo in Mayagüez
SPORTS
Puerto Rico also is paradise for active vacationers. Among the many activities for these
clients are:
•Golf on 24 spectacular courses
•Scuba diving and snorkeling (average water temperature
of 82 degrees and underwater visibilities of 65 to 75 feet near the beach and 100 feet or more offshore)
•Sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing,
stand up paddle
•Deep sea, shore, spear and lake fishing in several styles
•Horseback riding
•Hiking
•Tennis
•Scooters, motor and mountain biking
•4-track, jeep and other exotic car touring
FAST FACTS
•Geography: The island of Puerto Rico (100 miles long and
35 miles wide) is almost rectangular in shape, and is the smallest
and the most eastern island of the Greater Antilles. In addition to the principal island, the other Islands of Puerto Rico are: Vieques, Culebra,
Caja de Muertos, Mona and other beautiful little islands and cays.
•Capital: San Juan, the main point of entry for Puerto Rico, is the oldest city under the U.S flag.
•Climate: Average temperature of 83F (22.7 C) in the winter and 85F (29.4C) in the summer
•Entry Requirements: No passport is required for U.S. citizens traveling
between Puerto Rico and the U.S.
•Airports: Major U.S. and many international airlines offer direct flights to Puerto Rico.
AIRPORT
LOCATION
CODE
TELEPHONE
ARLINES SERVICING
Luis Muñoz
Marin International Airport
Carolina,PR
SJU
(787) 791-1014
All major airlines
Fernando L.
Ribas Dominicci Airport
Isla Grande
SIG
(787) 729-8790
Air Flamenco, Seaborne,
Vieques Air Link & Private
Flights
Rafael
Hernandez
Airport
Aguadilla
BQN
(787) 890-6075
Continental, Jet Blue, Spirit &
Pawa Dominicana Airlines
Mercedita
Airport
Ponce
PSE
(787) 842-6292
Cape Air & Jet Blue Airlines
Antonio
Rivera
Rodriguez
Airport
Vieques Island
VQS
(787) 741-0585
Vieques Airlink,Capr Air, Air
Sunshine, Flamenco Airways,
Seaborne Airlines & MN
Aviation (Isla Nena airlines
closed)
Benjamin Rivera Noriega
Airport
Culebra Island
CPX
(787) 742-0022
Vieques Air link & Air
Flamenco (Charter)
Antonio
Juarbe Airport
Arecibo
ARE
(787) 881-2072
Private Flights
Jose Aponte
de la Torre
(Roosevelt
Road Base)
Ceiba
RVR
(787) 863-1011
or (787) 5344100
Vieques Air link & Air
Flamenco
Humacao Regional Airport
Humacao
X73
(787) 852-8188
Private Flights
Eugenio Maria
de Hostos
Mayaguez
MAZ
(787) 832-3390
Cape Air
SAMPLE TRAVEL TIMES
•2 ½ Hours from Miami
•3 ¼ hours from Atlanta
•3 ¼ hours from New York
•3 hours from Washington, DC
•4 ¼ hours from Toronto
• 5 ½ hours from Chicago and Dallas
•7 ½ hours from Los Angeles
Language: Both Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico.
Liquor Laws: You must be 18 years old to purchase liquor in stores or buy drinks in
hotels, bar & restaurants.
REGIONS OF PUERTO RICO
San Juan and the North
Historic sites, beaches, lagoons, caves, forests and lakes. For city expeditions, San
Juan, the capital city, and seven suburban municipalities provide a wide variety of
exciting dining and entertainment venues.
East
Fantastic beaches, golf courses, nature reserves, impressive underwater reefs and
small cays; the quaint off-shore islands of Vieques and Culebra.
Central
This important agricultural area with its unique terrain is world-famous for its coffee and noted for two botanical gardens. The area also is rich in archaeological
sites, annual festivals and crafts.
Porta del Sol
Some of the world’s great surfing areas and beaches, excellent seafood, outstanding
coastal forests and unique coffee and sugar farms, many regional festivities, several
public golf courses and marinas. Porta del Sol is the site of an important secondary
airport, with stateside direct air service to Aguadilla (BQN) servicing major Eastern
cities like New York City, Orlando and Washington DC most of the year.
Porta Caribe
Explore 15 towns, beautiful beaches and enchanted forests, fresh water lakes for
fishing, golf courses, fishing villages, Carnival festivities, and beautiful Victorian
homes in the area’s biggest city, Ponce. Clients can fly into Ponce Airport (PCE).
Incredible special fares are available at certain times of the year from New York,
Newark and Orlando.