Travel Agent - June 23, 2008 - (Page 166) PUERTO RICO explore beyond THE SHORE F oreign yet familiar, this sophisticated island provides all the comforts of the U.S., from McDonald’s to Hard Rock Café, along with an exotic array of eco-adventures and cultural experiences. Officially bilingual, Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory where the Caribbean criollo culture adds a zesty rhythm to the island’s classy casinos, splashy resorts and lively beaches. San Juan, one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean, is the focal point of island life. The hilly, cobblestone streets of the Old San Juan section, a 16th-century walled city, are lined with more than 400 restored colonial buildings that now house fascinating art galleries, sidewalk cafés, craft shops and night spots. A vibrant art community makes this a great place to shop for paintings, sculptures and local handicrafts such as masks, pottery and santos (carved wooden figures of saints). FIVE CENTURIES OF HISTORY The much photographed El Morro fortress, built to protect the city in 1539, provides great panoramic views. Guided tours through its hidden passageways reveal how the fort withstood attacks by Sir Francis Drake and others. History buffs will also want to see the gothic San José Church with a crucifix donated by Juan Ponce de León. Plaza de San José is a pretty place to stop for a cup of strong Puerto Rican coffee or a drink made with Puerto Rico’s own Bacardi rum—which visitors can watch being produced at the distillery, just across the harbor. Outside the city walls are the modern shops, chic restaurants and clubs, and pampering luxury resorts of the Condado, Miramar, Ocean Park and Isla Verde sections of the city. Come evening, people enjoy sunset cruises and an endless array of PUERTO RICO GEOGRAPHY: Lying between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico is the easternmost of the Greater Antilles, 1,000 miles southeast of Miami and 80 miles east of the Dominican Republic. It is 110 by 35 miles with a central mountain range reaching 4,389 feet at Cerro la Punta. Numerous rivers flow down the mountains to coastal plains. LANGUAGE: Spanish and English are the official languages. POPULATION: 3.9 million, with one third of the population concentrated in the San Juan-Bayamon-Carolina metropolitan area. CLIMATE: The average temperature in winter is 73ºF (22.7ºC) and 85ºF (29.4ºC) in summer, with year-round pleasant sea breezes. 10º cooler in the mountains year-round. Average humidity: 55% during the day, 80% at night. Average annual rainfall is 52 inches and the rainy season is at its peak in August. TIME: Atlantic Standard Time (AST) year-round (EST +1 from October to April, same as EDT from April to October). 166 www.caribbeantravel .c om http://www.caribbeantravel.com
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