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Puerto Rico Photos

Posted in Puerto Rico, Travel by Elliott Back on February 26th, 2011.

All the photos from my Puerto Rico trip have been uploaded to Flickr! You should out my Puerto Rico: 2011 weekender set and its 219 photos / 3 videos. I was there to have fun, and only had 3 days of time to see the San Juan area. Next time I hope to go back and try some additional activities.

More Puerto Rico

Check out these other posts in the Puerto Rico travelblog series:

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Old San Juan: Fort El Morro, Fort San Cristóbal

Posted in Puerto Rico, Travel by Elliott Back on February 26th, 2011.

There are two famous forts in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico: Fort San Cristóbal and Fort San Felipe del Morro. As you approach Old San Juan from the south, you will come first to San Cristóbal, and then walking to the northmost tip, El Morro:

Fort San Cristóbal

The first fort you encounter into the city, Fort San Cristobal is actually build second, after el Morro, to defend the city of old San Juan from invaders coming by land from the South. Finished in 1783 it wrapped around the bottom mouth of the city, but in 1897 a large portion was demolished to ease traffic flow into the town.


San Cristobal Fort, a National Monument

As you step inside, the Fort opens into a large courtyard:


Interior of the San Cristobal Fort. Under this level are 5 giant water cisterns.

Walk up a level, and you have a great view of the rest of San Juan to the South:


Looking over the battlements

To the north are fantastic views of La Perla and El Morro:


Not to mention the crashing ocean waves

Fort San Felipe del Morro

Construction on the fort started in the mid 15th century to control the harbor, and continued over the next four centuries. With walls six metres thick in places, a lighthouse on top, El Morro has lasted unharmed through many wars and conflicts.


Main entrance to El Morro

Inside is an artillery firing position, and many levels of fort:


See the tracks to the left?

There are many famous sentry boxes:


Also called guerritas

The US military replaced the lighthouse with this one in 1908:


The old one was damaged in the Spanish-American war

Some cannons are left for tourists to photograph:


The larger cannonballs lying in stacks are actually mortar rounds

After you see El Morro, you can take a walk around the front down a paved street called Paseo del Morro, which offers a great view from below of the fort and its garritas. You will pass by or through the old San Juan gate, as well:


Many families and children stroll el paseo del Morro

One of the many guerritas along paseo del Morro:


You should take a photograph from the top, of yourself inside the guard box

More Puerto Rico

Check out these other posts in the Puerto Rico travelblog series:

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Puerto Rico Travel Tips

Posted in Puerto Rico, Travel by Elliott Back on February 23rd, 2011.

I just got back from a long-weekend trip to Puerto Rico!  An amazing place to visit and get away from the cold, the friendly people, beautiful beaches, natural landscapes, colorful architecture, and unique culture made it one of my favorite trips so far.  In Puerto Rico, there’s so much to do and see that you could easily spend weeks there without running out of activities.  It’s a perfect place for family getaways, spring break, or like me, just to escape the brutal cold of a hard winter.

Language

  • The official language of Puerto Rico is Spanish
  • … but, nearly everyone speaks English! (this can be tough if you want to try to practice your bad Spanish, as the friendly Puerto Ricans will help you in English)

Immigration & Customs

  • The official currency of Puerto Rico is the US dollar; Americans will not need to exchange money.
  • If you are legally in the US as a citizen, greencard holder/permanent resident, student, etc, you don’t need a visa to visit the territory of Puerto Rico.
  • On your way back to the US, you can bring as much duty free alcohol as you can carry with you on the plane.
  • You will not pass through immigration or customs on your way there or back; it’s just like flying between states.

Weather

  • Plan for weather in the 70-80s, year-round
  • Bring an umbrella; Puerto Rico rains a lot (70% of days), and you may not want to be caught outside in a shower
  • Bring sunscreen, the strong equatorial sun will burn light skin
  • Drink lots of water and stay out of direct sun

Where to Stay in San Juan

  • Condado, a hotel strip adjacent to a long sandy beach.  Within easy taxi range of old San Juan
  • Old San Juan, the city’s historic district, with beautiful painted shops and buildings, museums, and the two forts
  • The Sheraton at the Convention Centre, close to Old San Juan, and across the street from the convention center

How to get around in San Juan

  • If you are in Condado, you can take the B-21 bus (down Ashford ave.) to Old San Juan (787-767-7979 for route info)
  • Taxi fares are generally in the $10 – $20 range

Places to Go / Activities

(your hotel can arrange most tours)

  • Old San Juan to see Forte El Morro / Forte San Cristóbal.  Walk through the blue-cobblestone streets past brightly coloured shops and homes.  Dine and shop, buy souvenirs.
  • El Yunque rainforest, the only rainforest in the US national parks system.  Take a hiking tour to see La Mina falls.
  • Kayak the Laguna Grande biobay in Fajardo and see how the 1.1 million dinos per litre of water bioluminesce in your hands.
  • Rio Camuy cave park / Arecibo observatory has some awesome tours.
  • Museo del Arte has a great collection of Puertorican art and an outdoor sculpture garden.  Good if you can spare 2-3 hours.
  • Jam Rum Bar & Restaurant has great drinks, awesome live music (prog jazz Amplitúd, for example), and good food.

Places to Avoid

  • Plaza las Americas, which is a mall, and as boring as its stateside counterparts.
  • The Bacardi Rum Factory.  While the tour is free, getting there by ferry and waiting for your tour will try your patience.
  • La Perla, a shantytown / slum located walled behind the east side of old San Juan.

Best Beaches

  • Condado beach strip in San Juan
  • Luquillo beach, 30 miles east of San Juan
  • Isla Verde beach, just east of Condado

Drinking / Drugs / Consent

  • The legal drinking age is 18, in contrast to 21 in the United States (I was never carded in PR)
  • Possession of marijuana is a felony with up to three years in prison
  • The age of consent is 14, with more details from Interpol

More Puerto Rico

Check out these other posts in the Puerto Rico travelblog series:

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