4th Edition Kurt Pitzer & Tara Stevens HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC. 130 Campus Drive Edison, NJ 08818-7816 % 732-225-1900 / 800-255-0343 / fax 732-417-1744 www.hunterpublishing.com E-mail
[email protected] IN CANADA: Ulysses Travel Publications 4176 Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec Canada H2W 2M5 % 514-843-9882 ext. 2232 / fax 514-843-9448 IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: Windsor Books International The Boundary, Wheatley Road, Garsington Oxford, OX44 9EJ England % 01865-361122 / fax 01865-361133 ISBN 1-58843-116-9 © 2001 Hunter Publishing, Inc. This and other Hunter travel guides are also available as e-books in a variety of digital formats through our online partners, including Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and eBooks.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim any responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability for loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. Cover: Beach in Puerto Rico, © Wendell Metzen / IndexStock Interior photographs provided by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), unless otherwise indicated Maps by Lissa K. Dailey and Kim André, © 2001 Hunter Publishing, Inc. Indexed by Nancy Wolff 4 3 2 1 CONTENTS Introduction The Land History Government The Economy Climate Flora & Fauna The People Language Religion Music & Dance Art & Culture Food: A Taste of Puerto Rico Festivals & Events Getting Here Getting Around Where To Stay Where To Eat Adventures Eco-Travel Shopping Travel Information Travel Directory 1 1 3 11 13 14 15 22 24 25 28 31 34 37 40 42 44 49 50 59 59 62 70 San Juan & Environs History Getting Here Getting Around Mail & Communications Touring & Sightseeing Adventures Eco-Travel Where To Stay Where To Eat Entertainment & Nightlife Leisure & Shopping 73 74 77 78 81 82 97 104 105 111 121 127 North Coast Getting Here & Getting Around Touring & Sightseeing Adventures Eco-Travel Where To Stay Where To Eat 131 131 133 143 153 156 160 iv n Adventure Guide to Puerto Rico West Coast Getting Here & Getting Around Mail & Communications Touring & Sightseeing Adventures Ec