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| There's never a dull moment in the excitement capital of the Caribbean. |
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| W Retreat & Spa |
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Worldwide WOW.
Introducing the brand new W Retreat & Spa on Vieques Island. Call 877-WHOTELS for reservations and information. Or, visit whotels.com/viequesisland
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| New form of agrotourism brewing in Puerto Rico |
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Explore the new Coffee Zones. Take a plantation tour on the south or west coast or stay in a coffee plantation through the agrotourism plan put in place by the Puerto Rico Tourism company. Coffee is an integral part of the economy here and a growing export. It has recently received designations in three categories:
Type II - good quality
Type A - excellent quality
Special Coffee a designation reserved for exceptional quality.
Certified coffee plantations include:
Anna Coffee Estate,
Cafe Bellow and Sagra,
Hacienda Gripinas,
Hacienda San Pedro,
Cafe Laredo,
Palma Escrita / La Casona,
Hacienda Patricia
Hacienda El Jibarito
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| Sun Country Airlines New Service |
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Sun Country Announces New Service to San Juan and St. Thomas
Back by popular demand Sun Country Airlines announces service from Minneapolis / St. Paul to San Juan and St. Thomas beginning January 31, 2010. The airline will add flights each Sunday from the Twin Cities, during the busy winter season and continue service through the beginning of April 2010. The introductory fare is $240 one way on flights to/from San Juan and $230 one way on flights to/from St. Thomas.
Sun Country Airlines has been ranked on the list of Top Domestic Airlines in Travel+Leisure’s 2009 World’s Best Service Awards. The awards are based on a readers’ survey that ranks travel companies based on personal service and attention.
Visit www.suncountry.com
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| Photo Gallery - New! |
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Have you discovered Puerto Rico's best pool bar, exceptional service or value, or have you been out exploring the island with photos to share? Upload your favorite photos of Puerto Rico along with your comments and suggestions in our Photo Gallery. Its free! Click here. |
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| Airport Upgrades |
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San Juan Airport (airport code SJU) debuts $400 million in upgrades including a new charter flight terminal, seven new gates, a new landing strip, new shopping mall and spa at American Airline's Terminal D.
Alternatives to San Juan International Airport, are Aguadilla (BQN) or Mayaguez (MAZ) near Rincon (about halfway between the two airports) on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico. Continental, jetBlue and Spirit serve Aguadilla with its brand new international terminal.
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| American Airline Service to Vieques |
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Try American Eagle's daily service between San Juan and Vieques, Puerto Rico with Super ATR twin-engine 64-passenger aircraft. From San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport the flight times are 2:30 p.m. departure and 2:59 p.m. arrival in Vieques. Return flighs opportate from Vieques at 3:30, arriving in San Juan at 4 p.m.. Visit the web site for full details and bookings. |
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| Transportation to Islands of Culebra nd Vieques |
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Ferries to Culebra and Vieques depart from Fajardo which is on the very eastern tip of Puerto Rico. (San Juan is on the nothern side of the island, depending on traffic, about one hour by car from Fajardo.) There are also local flights to the islands from San Juan. See Before You Go for more.
For ferry schedule and ticket information, contact PR Port Authority in Fajardo: (787) 863-3360 (Spanish only). Note, their web site is under contruction at this time.
Puerto Rico Port Authority Operated Ferries:
Daily passenger ferries depart several times a day to both Culebra and to Vieques. The cost for passenger ferries is only a few dollars per person. Cars are accepted on a space available basis, with advance reservations, on cargo ferries which may not operate on the weekends. Bikes are accepted on cargo ferries, or you can rent locally on the islands. |
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| Spirit Airlines New Service |
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Spirit Airlines daily nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) and Ponce, Puerto Rico (PSE).
Please visit www.spiritair.com for details and routes. |
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| JetBlue to Puerto Rico |
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JetBlue Airways offers twice daily flights Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, Puerto Rico and service from San Juan to Santo Domingo. Find full deatils at www.jetblue.com
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| Travelocity Top Ten |
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Recently selected as one of Travelocity's travel editor's top ten unspoiled beaches in USA and Caribbean :
"Bellanas Beach: Welcomed by Bellanas Bay, the blue, green and turquoise waters of the Caribbean create the picture-perfect blue lagoon. A tropical oasis shared only by Guanica's 1,570-acre Dry Forest and more than half of all the species of birds that live in Puerto Rico, this two-mile stretch of beach beckons visitors with its unequivocal beauty and soft, white sands. Explore Bellanas Beach in all its glory, but, please leave only your footprints behind."
Read more about Puerto Rico's beaches...
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| San Juan Water & Beach Club |
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Award-winning chef and star of Iron Chef Puerto Rico takes the helm of San Juan’s sexy beachfront hotel.
Israel Calderon has been named executive chef for the 78-room hotel, situated on Puerto Rico’s famed Isla Verde, just steps from the white sand beaches of the Atlantic Ocean.
As Executive Chef, Mr. Calderon will be responsible for overseeing the property’s culinary outlets which include its signature unique dining restaurant Tangerine, the super chic Wet Lounge & Sushi Bar, situated on the roof of the property overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The tapas fare will be decidedly international with emphasis on indigenous ingredients of local produce, seafood and meats. Chef Calderon will pay homage to the rich and diverse culture that is synonymous with Puerto Rico, inherited from ancestry such as the Taino Indians.
One of Chef Calderon’s favorite tapas dish is the Beef Madagascar, which is a delicious blend of shallots, garlic, white wine, beef stock, green peppercorn, heavy cream that is carefully poured on top of the finest tender beef top sirloin and served for two. Another must on the menu is the Tandoori Chicken, composed of more than 15 ingredients with highlights such has ginger root, garlic, onions, cumin seeds, lemon juice, paprika, coriander and much more to ensure the hot spices are pleasing to the palate. The menu would not be complete without the infamous El Pescador Seafood Paella with its delicious, multi-colored bell peppers, saffron, shrimps, muscles, scallops, cilantro and carefully cooked rice married with special brandy.
A native of Puerto Rico, Chef Calderon has more than 15 years experience in culinary arts. Recently, he was executive chef at the prestigious, five diamond, Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Resort in Cancun, Mexico where he was responsible for the five diamond restaurant, La Joya. More about the San Juan Water & Beach Club
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| Caribbean's Largest Boat Show |
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March/April
This annual show features over 200 boats with in and out-of-water displays. Puerto Del Rey Marina in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Info, tel: 787-801-3010 |
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| A Few Favorite Festivals and Events |
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You haven’t partied until you’ve partied Puerto Rican style. The island’s special events and colorful celebrations are vibrant, vivacious and often one-of-a-kind. Here are just some of the many weekly, monthly and yearly festivals and activities that will make your stay on the island an unforgettable one. |
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| Lelolai Festivals |
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This year-round program has become a tradition that offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into popular and folkloric Puerto Rican music and dance. The colorful show, a saucy blend of Spanish, indigenous and African traditions, is presented several times per week at various locations throughout the island. The weekly itinerary for the festival is available in the entertainment section of www.gotopuertorico.com. |
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| Romantic Sunsets |
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Every Sunday, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., prominent Puerto Rican musicians and artists show off their talent on the picturesque Paseo La Princesa in Old San Juan. |
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| Children’s Theatre at Paseo de la Princesa |
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On the third Sunday of each month, from 4 to 5 p.m., a special children’s show brings Old San Juan’s Paseo de la Princesa to life with puppet shows, games, clowns and music for youngsters. |
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| Patron Saint Festivals |
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Every one of the island's 78 municipalities has an annual patron saint festival, which usually includes live music, games, rides, crafts, and lots of typical Puerto Rican food. Some towns host costume parades, sporting events and folkloric shows to observe the centuries-old tradition of communities coming together to celebrate a religious icon. Visit the Event Calendar section of www.gotopuertorico.com for a month-by-month listing. |
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| Bacardi Artisan's Fair |
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Every December, one of the most anticipated artisan's fair on the island presents over 100 of the most talented local craftspersons, contests and musical and dance performances. The fair, which takes place at the Bacardi Rum plant’s sprawling grounds in Cataño, also includes rides for the kids and plenty of food. |
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| San Juan Bautista Day |
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The most famous of the patron saint festivals, San Juan's tribute to St. John the Baptist usually draws big crowds—especially for Noche de San Juan, held every June 24. At the stroke of midnight, throngs of people converge on the beaches of the capital city to jump backwards into the ocean three times to wash away bad luck for the coming year. It's a sight to behold. |
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| Ponce Carnival |
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During the month of February, Ponce turns into a mini-Mardi Gras complete with colorful costumes and masks. This carnival is famous for its parades of vejigantes, masqueraders wearing bright red, blue and yellow masks. |
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| Hatillo Mask Festival |
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In late December, the northwestern town of Hatillo celebrates one of the island's major mask festivals. Performers reenact the biblical story of King Herod, with masked devils in colorful costume prowling the streets while the sound of folk music fills the air. |
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| San Sebastián Street Festival |
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By day it's an artsy fair, by night a party animal's paradise. The giant block party is named after the Old San Juan street where most of the action takes place. For an extended weekend during late January, the neighborhood surrounding the northernmost section of the Old City is transformed into a fairground with live music, crafts and local foods for sale. During the day, the streets are filled with processions of oversized masks, or cabezudos, that are enjoyed by families and people of all ages. At night, younger revelers make their own parades and weave their way through the sea of bodies, singing and gyrating to blaring salsa and merengue music. |
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| Gallery Nights |
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On the first Tuesday evening of the month, from February through May and then again from September through December, people stroll and mingle in the streets of Old San Juan between 6 and 9 p.m. for Gallery Nights. Nearly two dozen art galleries stay open late and host special exhibitions. Usually after strolling between galleries, visitors fill the Old City's restaurants and nightspots and practice the art of staying out late. |
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| International Billfish Tournament |
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In late August or early September, anglers from around the globe strike it rich in the blue marlin capital of the world. Puerto Rico hosts one of the most highly revered billfish tournaments—the annual Club Náutico de San Juan International Billfish Tournament, the longest consecutively run event of its kind. Get the details here.
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| Heineken Jazz Festival |
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The annual Heineken Jazz Festival, usually held in early June, is a showcase of international Latin and traditional jazz greats that draws thousands of enthusiasts to San Juan. Some of the biggest names in the jazz world perform all styles of the musical genre including Latin jazz. |
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| Casals Festival |
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Puerto Rico is host to one of the premier classical musical events in the Caribbean. The annual Casals Festival, which takes place in February and March, is a tribute to the late great cellist Pablo Casals. For more than 40 years, the music festival has featured world-class conductors and musicians from around the globe, as well as the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra and some of the most talented local artists. |
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| The Aibonito Flower Festival |
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This colorful and exciting event, which takes place in late June and runs into early July, features acres of roses, lilies, begonias and countless tropical plants. The charming central mountain town plays host to thousands of visitors who come not only to smell and buy the flowers at the weeklong festival, but also to enjoy the live music, crafts and typical Puerto Rican food for sale. |
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| Culebra Heineken International Regatta |
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March 12-14, 2010
Hot racing. Cool parties, and boatloads of island-style hospitality complete with laid-back Caribbean charm are what sailors will enjoy at the annual Culebra Heineken International Regatta (CHIR) and Culebra International Dinghy Regatta (CIDR) in March.
Sailors from Puerto Rico, USA and Europe compete in classes that include one-design, J/24, racer-cruiser, job and main and beach cats.
For more information, visit www.culebrainternationalregatta.com. |
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| Club Nautico de San Juan 9th International Regatta |
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February 4-7, 2010
Club Náutico de San Juan celebrates an International Youth Regatta with a regular attendance of more than 45 youth-adults from Puerto Rico and abroad. They compete in the following classifications: Optimist, Laser, and Snipe.
For more information, visit www.nauticodesanjuan.com. |
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| St. James Festival |
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Traditionally held in July, this popular festival in the town of Loíza honors Puerto Rico’s Afro-Caribbean heritage and traditions with processions of brilliant costumes and masks and bomba dancers. |
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| More Popular Events |
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- Mavi Festival in Juana Diaz
- Ponce Carnival
- Jayuya Indian Festival
- Sugar Festival in San German
- Coffee Harvest Festivals in Yauco and Maricao
- Bomba and Plena Festival in Ponce
- Barranquitas Artisan's Fair
- Kite Festival in Fajardo
- National Plantain Festival
- Artisan’s Fair of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
- Festival of Typical Foods, Luquillo
- World’s Best 10K Race, San Juan
For more information about Puerto Rico’s special events, visit www.gotopuertorico.com or contact the Puerto Rico Tourism Company at 787-721-2400 or toll free at 1-800-866-7827.
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Check out Strictly Boricua, for more festivals, celebrations and sporting events unique to Puerto Rico.
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