Where to go in Puerto Rico: the Northeast And Offshore Islands
Description
This article is from the Puerto Rico FAQ, by Zeydy Ortiz Laureano zortizl@eos.ncsu.edu with numerous contributions by others.
Where to go in Puerto Rico: the Northeast And Offshore Islands
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PLACE TELEPHONE NUMBER HOURS OF OPERATION
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> VEJIGANTE CRAFT SHOPS Daily: 10:00am-6:00pm
in Loiza
> EL YUNQUE (787) 887-2875 Visitor Centers open
Caribbean National Forest (787) 766-5335 daily: 9:00am-5:00pm
Field Office open M-F
Mountain surrounded by a 28,000-acre/11,332-hectare bird sanctuary and
rain forest. El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the U.S.
National Forest system. Bring shoes to take a hike on one of the many
trails. Allow about a half-day for your visit. Talks and tours by
request, camping by permission.
Images: < http://hpprdk01.prd.hp.com/images/elyunque.gif >, and
< http://hpprdk01.prd.hp.com/images/yunque2.gif >
> LAS CABEZAS DE SAN JUAN (787) 722-5882 Open to groups: W-Th
NATURE RESERVE (787) 860-2560 To general public: F-Su
(also known as El Faro) Reservations required
Coral reefs, mangrove swamps, beach and forest can all be visited in this
newly-created nature preserve on the northeast corner of the island.
Visitors may also climb up the old El Faro lighthouse.
> CASA ROIG (787) 852-8380 W-F, Su: 10:00am-4:00pm
> VIEQUES
An island just off the eastern coast, Vieques (along with its smaller
neighbor Culebra) is a quiet place with little commercial development;
those who just want a relaxing beach experience will be quite satisfied
there. The main town is Esperanza, and there's a lighthouse in the old
port town of Isabel Segunda. There's not too much in the way of
accommodations on the island; most people stay in guest houses or in the
Parador near Sun Bay beach. Vieques can be reached by air from San Juan
or Fajardo, and there is also ferry service from Fajardo. Nearly 70% of
the island is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy.
> FORTIN CONDE DE MIRASOL (787) 741-1717 Sa-Su: 10:00am-4:00pm
Vieques (787) 741-8651
Open weekdays for groups by request
> FARO PUNTA MULAS (787) 741-5000 Daily: 8:00am-4:30pm
(lighthouse)
Isabel Segunda, Vieques
Image: < http://hpprdk01.prd.hp.com/images/fuerte.gif >
> CULEBRA
This island and the surrounding islets are a national wildlife refuge
accessible by ferry from the east coast or by plane from the International
Airport in Carolina (SJU). Used by the U.S. military for bombing practice
until 1975, these coral-reef-fringed islands are home to dozens of species
of sea birds, four species of sea turtles, and mangrove forests. Daytime
excursions may be made to Culebrita (old lighthouse, rare flora and fauna),
Cayo Norte and Cayo de Luis Pena. Accommodations are simple--Culebra is
for those who want to get away from the development and faster pace of
the main island.
> CULEBRA NATIONAL WILDLIFE (787) 742-0115 Culebrita and Luis
REFUGE Pe~na islets open daily:
sunrise to sunset
No camping allowed
> ESPERANZA MUSEUM (787) 741-8850 Tu-Su: 11:00am-3:00pm
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