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Index

Belz Factory Outlet World (San Juan), A ARP, 31 133 Accommodations Bicycling, San Juan, 121 best, 4–5 Bird-watching, Guánica State Forest, tips on, 41–45 160 Active vacations, 20–26 Boating (boat rentals), 20–21 AdvenTours, 37 Fajardo, 193 Aguadilla, 7–8 Boat tours and cruises, Las Croabas, Agua Expreso (San Juan), 59 192 Aguirre Golf Club, 163 Boquerón, 10, 171 Aibonito Flower Festival, 19 Bóveda (San Juan), 130 Airfares, getting the best, 34–35 Bracero Limousine, 53 Airlines, 32–34, 37 Bucket shops, 34 Airport Limousine Service, 53 Business hours, 45–46 Alcaldía (City Hall; San Juan), 115 Butterfly People (San Juan), 126 American Airlines Vacations, 35 American Express, San Juan, 59 American Foundation for the Blind C abo Rojo, 10–11 (AFB), 30 , 26, 162 American Plan (AP), 41–42 Calendar of events, 18–20 A1 Vacations, 45 Cambalache State Forest, 22 Area code, 45 Camera and film, 46 Arecibo, 8, 142–143 Camping, 21–23 Arroyo, 22 The Canvas Gallery (San Juan), 126 Art galleries, 126–127 Capilla de Cristo (San Juan), 112 Atlantic San Juan Tours, 36 Caribbean National Forest, 24, 147. Atmosphere (San Juan), 130 See also El Yunque ATMs (automated teller machines), 15 Caribbean-On-Line, 12 Aventuras Tierra Adentro, 24 Carite Forest Reserve, 22, 24, 160–161 Carnaval Ponceño (Ponce), 18 B abylon (San Juan), 134 Carnival masks, 127, 128 Bacardi Artisans’ Fair (San Juan), 20 Car rentals, 38 Backstage Partners, 36 Car travel, 37–38 Banks, 45 Casa Blanca (San Juan), 115–116 Bared & Sons (San Juan), 130 Casals Festival (San Juan), 18–19 Barrachina’s (San Juan), 131–132 Casa Salazar (Ponce), 158 BayamónCOPYRIGHTED (San Juan), 58 Casinos, MATERIAL 47 Beach Bar (San Juan), 138 San Juan, 140 Beaches Castillo de San Felipe del Morro best, 1 (El Morro), 6, 110, 119 Luquillo Beach, 150 Castillo Tours & Travel Service, 37 Palmas del Mar, 196–197 Catedral de San Juan, 112–113 Ponce, 161–162 Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe San Juan, 120–121 (Ponce), 157 14_588281 index.qxd 5/20/05 11:43 AM Page 202

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Centers for Disease Control and El Yunque, 3, 10, 22, 24, 147–150 Prevention, 27 Emancipation Day, 19 Centro de Bellas Artes (San Juan), 134 Emerald Isles (San Juan), 132 Centro Nacional de Artes Populares y Emergencies, 46–47 Artesanías (San Juan), 131 Entry requirements, 12–13 Cerro Gordo, 22 Eros (San Juan), 138–139 Children’s (San Juan), 119 Escorted tours, 36 Cigar Bar (San Juan), 136 Estación Experimental Agrícola Climate, 16–17 Federal (Mayagüez), 171 Clothing and beachwear, 127–129 European Plan (EP), 41 Club Deportivo (Cabo Rojo), 163 Club Laser (San Juan), 135 Coamo, 11, 189–190 F ajardo, 10, 25, 193 Cockfights, San Juan, 140 Families with children, 31–32 Coffin Island, 162 best beach for, 1 Columbus Day, 19 best resorts for, 4–5 Condado (San Juan), 56–57 San Juan accommodations, 69–73 accommodations, 81 restaurants, 96–100 sights and activities, 118–119 Condado Beach (San Juan), 120 Faxes, 50 Consolidators, 34 Ferries, Old San Juan, 59 Continental Airlines Vacations, 35 Festival La Casita, 20 Continental Plan (CP), 41 Festival of Puerto Rican Music, 20 Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club, Festivals and special events, 18–20 162–163 Fiesta Bar (San Juan), 136 Cueva Trail, 160 Fishing, 23 Culebra, 25 Palmas del Mar, 197 Cups (San Juan), 138 San Juan, 121 Currency and currency exchange, 15 tours, 37 Customs regulations, 13–15 , 22 Fort San Cristóbal (San Juan), 110, 112 D elta Vacations, 35 Fox-Delicias Mall (Ponce), 163 Disabilities, travelers with, 29–30 Dorado, 8, 144–147 Driving rules, 39 G alería Botello (San Juan), 126 Drugs, 46 Galería Palomas (San Juan), 126–127 Drugstores, 46 Gambling, 47 Gasoline, 39 Gay and lesbian travelers, 30 E aster, 19 San Juan nightlife, 138–140 Eastern , 191–200 Gifts and handicrafts, 130–131 Eco Xcursion Aquática, 37 Ponce, 163 El Alcázar (San Juan), 129 Golden Age Passport, 31 El Arsenal (San Juan), 116 Golf, 23 Electricity, 46 best, 2–3 El Faro (Las Cabezas de San Juan Dorado, 144–145 Nature Reserve), 192 Palmas del Mar, 197 El Morro (San Juan), 6, 110, 119 Ponce, 162–163 El Museo Castillo Serralles (Ponce), Rincón, 178 157 San Juan, 122 El Patio de Sam (San Juan), 136 Good Friday, 19 El Vigía Hill (Ponce), 157–158 Great Trench, 25 14_588281 index.qxd 5/20/05 11:43 AM Page 203

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Guajataca State Forest, 22 Junior’s Bar (San Juan), 139 Guánica State Forest, 24, 160 Just-A-Vacation, 36 Guesthouses, 42 Guineo, Lake, 24, 161 K ayaking, 145

H acienda Buena Vista (Ponce), 159 Hacienda Country Club (San Juan), L a Calle (San Juan), 127 135 La Cordillera, 194 Handicrafts, 130–131 La Fortaleza (San Juan), 116 Handicrafts, Ponce, 163 Lago Lucchetti Wildlife Refuge, 23 Hato Rey (San Juan), 57 La Guancha (near Ponce), 162 Health care, 47 Lalin Leather Shop (San Juan), 133 Health concerns, 27 Language, 47 Hideaways International, 45 La Parguera, 25–26, 161–162 Highway sign translations, 40 La Raza Day, 19 Hiking, 23–24 Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature El Yunque, 148–149 Reserve, 3–4, 10, 192 Guánica State Forest, 160 Las Croabas, 191–196 Maricao State Forest, 172 Liberty Travel, 35 Palmas del Mar, 197 Linen House (San Juan), 132–133 Hillbilly Tours, 37 Liquor laws, 47 Holidays, 18 Loíza Carnival, 19 Horseback riding, 36–37 Lottery, 47 Horse racing, San Juan, 122 Luis Muñoz Marín International Hospitals, 47 Airport (San Juan), 52, 54 Houlihan’s (San Juan), 135 Luis Muñoz Marín Park (San Juan), Humacao, 25 119 Hurricane season, 17 Lupi’s (San Juan), 135 Luquillo Beach, 1, 121, 150–153, 192

I cacos, 25 ICan, 30 M alula Antiques (San Juan), 126 Iguana Water Sports (Río Grande), 21 Maps, road, 39 Insurance, car rental, 38 Maragata Yacht Charter & Sales, 21 International Association for Medical María’s (San Juan), 136 Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT), 27 Maricao, 172 Internet access, 47 Maricao State Forest, 24, 172 Isabela, 188–189 Marina de Salinas, 21 Wildlife Refuge, 22–23 Marina Puerto Chico, 21 Isla Verde (San Juan), 57 Marinas, 21 accommodations, 76–82 Marriage requirements, 47–48 restaurants, 103–108 Marshalls (San Juan), 130 Isla Verde Beach (San Juan), 120–121 Mayagüez, 11, 168–173 Mayagüez Mall, 172 Measurements, 51 J ayuya, 183–185 MedicAlert Identification Tag, 27 Jewelry, San Juan, 131–132 Metropolitan Bus Authority Joseph Manchini (San Juan), 132 (San Juan), 58 Joyería Riviera (San Juan), 132 Miramar (San Juan), 56 Juan Ponce de León Museum accommodations, 73–74 (San Juan), 116 restaurants, 100–101 14_588281 index.qxd 5/20/05 11:43 AM Page 204

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Modified American Plan (MAP), 41–42 Parque de los Próceres (Mayagüez), Mona Island, 25, 171, 172 171 Mona Passage, 170 Parque El Faro de Rincón, 178 Money matters, 15–16 Passports, 48–49 Monte Guilarte State Forest, 22 Patriots’ Park (Mayagüez), 171 Mrs. and Miss Boutique (San Juan), Patron Saint Festivals, 20 127–128 Pets, 49 Museo de Arte (San Juan), 113 Piercing Pagoda (San Juan), 132 , 6, 158–159 Playa de Ponce, 2, 161 Museo de las Américas (San Juan), Playa Dorado, 8 114 Playa Escondido, 193 Museo del Niño (San Juan), 119 Playa Higüero, 2, 175 Museo de Pablo Casals (San Juan), Playa La Parguera, 25–26, 161–162 114 Plaza de Colón (San Juan), 117 Museo de San Juan, 113–114 Plaza del Mercado de Santurce Museum of Puerto Rican Music (San Juan), 133–134 (Ponce), 158 Plaza del Quinto Centenario Museum of the History of Ponce (San Juan), 117 (Casa Salazar; Ponce), 158 Plaza Las Américas (San Juan), 125–126 (Ponce), 156–157 Plazuela de la Rogativa (San Juan), N ational Plantain Festival, 19 114–115 Newspapers and magazines, 48 Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store Nono Maldonado (San Juan), 129 (San Juan), 129 North coast, 8 Ponce, 11, 154–168 accommodations, 164–165 beaches and outdoor activities, O bservatorio de Arecibo, 161–163 142–143 Historic District of, 6 Ocean Park (San Juan), 57 restaurants, 165–168 accommodations, 74–76 shopping, 163–164 restaurants, 101–103 sights and attractions, 156–161 Ocean Park Beach (San Juan), 1, 121 traveling to, 156 Off season, 17–18 visitor information, 156 Old San Juan, 56 Postal services, 49 accommodations, 63–66 Prescription medications, 27 Historic District of, 6 PRwest Vacation Services, 36–37 restaurants, 86–94 Públicos, 39–41 Old San Juan’s White Christmas Puerta de Tierra (San Juan), 56 Festival, 20 accommodations, 66–69 Olé (San Juan), 131 restaurants, 94–96 Olio (San Juan), 136–137 Puerto del Rey (Fajardo), 21, 193 Puerto Rican Arts & Crafts (San Juan), 131 P ackage tours, 35–36 Puerto Rico Discovery Day, 20 Palmas del Mar, 11–12, 196–200 Puerto Rico Tourism Company, 20 Palm Court (San Juan), 137 Puerto Rico Tours, 36 Paradores, 44 Punta Higüero (near Rincón), 170 western Puerto Rico, 183–190 Punta Maracayo, 22 (Ponce), 159 Parque de las Cavernas del Río Camuy, 3, 8, 24, 143 Q uincentennial Plaza (San Juan), 117 14_588281 index.qxd 5/20/05 11:43 AM Page 205

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Santurce (San Juan) R egions in brief, 7–12 accommodations, 74–76 Rental agencies, 45 restaurants, 101–103 Rincón, 8, 175–183 SATH (Society for Accessible Travel accommodations, 179–182 and Hospitality), 30 restaurants, 182–183 Scuba diving, 25, 150 surfing and other outdoor pursuits, Palmas del Mar, 197–198 176 Rincón, 178 traveling to and around, 175–176 San Juan, 122 Río Abajo State Forest, 22 Seasons, 16–18 Río Camuy Cave Park, 3, 8, 24, 143 Senior travel, 30–31 Río Piedras (San Juan), 57 Seven Seas, 22 Road maps, 39 Shannon’s Irish Pub (San Juan), 137 Rumba (San Juan), 135–136 Sights and attractions, best, 6 Running, San Juan, 122 Smoking, 49 Snorkeling, 25–26, 145, 150–151 Fajardo, 193 S afety, 28–29, 49 Palmas del Mar, 197–198 Sailing, 20–21 San Juan, 122–123 Sandy Beach, 176 Steps (near Rincón), 175 San Juan, 7, 52–140 Southeastern Puerto Rico, 11 accommodations, 62–82 Southwestern Puerto Rico, 10 American Express, 59 Spas and fitness centers, San Juan, arriving in, 52–55 123–124 bars, 136–140 Special events and festivals, 18–20 beaches, 120–121 Special-interest tours, 36–37 car rentals, 60 Spicy Caribbee (San Juan), 129–130 emergencies, 60 Steps, 175 finding an address in, 55 Sun Bay, 22 for kids, 118–119 Sun exposure, 28 neighborhoods in brief, 56–58 Sun ‘n Sand (San Juan), 127 nightlife, 134–140 Sunshine Tours, 36 post office, 60 Suravaya (Serenity; San Juan), 129 restaurants, 83–108 Surfing, 26, 176 restrooms, 60 Mayagüez, 170 safety, 61 Susua State Forest, 22 shopping, 125–134 Swimming, best beach for, 2 sights and attractions, 109–119 sports and outdoor pursuits, 121–125 T axes, 49 street maps, 55 Taxis, San Juan, 58 taxis, 52–53, 58 Teatro (San Juan), 139–140 telephone and fax, 61 (Ponce), 159 tours, 118 Teatro Tapía (San Juan), 116–117, 134 transportation, 58–59 Telephone, 50 San Juan Bautista Day, 19 Temperatures, average, 17 San Juan Bay Marina, 21 Tennis, 26, 125, 162, 194, 198 San Juan Cemetery, 115 best, 2–3 San Juan Gate, 114 Three Kings Day, 18 San Juan National Historic Site, 110 Tía María’s Liquor Store (San Juan), San Juan Water Fun, 21 139 Santos, 114, 125, 126, 131, 164 Indian Ceremonial Center (Ponce), 159–160 14_588281 index.qxd 5/20/05 11:43 AM Page 206

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Time Out Family Amusement Center Villas and vacation homes, 44–45 (San Juan), 119 Visitor information, 12 Time zone, 50 Tipping, 50–51 Toro Negro Forest Reserve, 22, 24, 161 W ater, drinking, 27 Tours Watersports, 21. See also Kayaking; escorted, 36 Sailing; Scuba diving; Snorkeling; package, 35 Surfing; Windsurfing special-interest, 36–37 Las Croabas, 192–194 TourScan Inc., 36 Weather, 16–17 Transportation, 37–41 Weights and measures, 51 Tren Urbano (San Juan), 56 Western Puerto Rico, 174–190 Tres Hermanos Beach, 22 Wet Bar/Liquid (San Juan), 137–138 Tropical Agriculture Research Station Whale-watching, Rincón, 178 (Mayagüez), 6, 171 W. H. Smith (San Juan), 129 Windsurfing, 26 best beach for, 2 U nited Vacations, 35 Dorado, 144–147 US Airways Vacations, 35 Rincón, 176 Utopía (Ponce), 163 San Juan, 125 Utuado, 185–188

X ian Imports (San Juan), 130 V acation Together, 35 Vieques, 25 Villa Palmeras (San Juan), 57 Z abó (San Juan), 138