Puerto Rico Overview Country Overview Puerto Rico is an island east of the Dominican Republic and west of the British Virgin Islands. The island is comparatively small, 8959 sq km (3459 sq miles), with a central mountain range reaching an altitude of 1338m (4390ft) at Cerro de Punta, and surrounded by low coastal plains. The capital city of San Juan is divided into an old and a new quarter. The old part was founded in 1521 and is now officially declared a National Historic Zone. It contains many 16th and 17th-century buildings, which have been fully restored and refurbished in the original Spanish style. The city also boasts several museums including one devoted to the legendary cellist, Pablo Casals. Its famous San Juan Cathedral, originally built in the 1520s, was completely restored in 1977. San Jose Church is reputed to be the second-oldest church in the Western hemisphere. The modern architecture of New San Juan has flourished in recent years. The Botanical Gardens are worth a visit, and a bay cruise is available offering views back to the city. The Phosphorescent Bay, near La Parguera in the southwest of the island, is a major attraction. Here, marine life lights up when disturbed by fish, boats or any movement. The island cuisine includes paella, sancocho (beef stew), jueyes (land crabs) and pan de agua (Puerto Rican bread). Nightlife is abundant, ranging from spectacular shows in large hotels to dancing, jazz recitals, classical concerts and discos. General Information Area: 8959 sq km (3459 sq miles). Population: 3,808,610 (2000). Population Density: 387 per sq km. Capital: San Juan. Population: 1,700,000 (2000). GEOGRAPHY: Puerto Rico is an island east of the Dominican Republic and west of the British Virgin Islands. Also included are several smaller islands, such as Culebra, Mona and Vieques. The island is comparatively small, 8959 sq km (3459 sq miles), with a central mountain range reaching an altitude of 1338m (4390ft) at Cerro de Punta, and surrounded by low coastal plains. The capital is on the northeast shore. Much of the natural forest has been cleared for agriculture, but the trees in the northeast are protected as a national park. The other main towns are Ponce, Bayamón, Mayagüez, Caguas, Carolina, Arecibo, Guaynabo, Cayey, Aguadilla and Farjardo. Government: Self-governing US Commonwealth Territory (incorporated). Gained internal autonomy in 1951. Head of State: President George W Bush since 2001. Head of Government: Governor Sila Maria Calderon since 2000. Language: Spanish and English are the official languages. Religion: Roman Catholic 85 per cent; the remainder are other Christian denominations and Jews. Time: GMT - 4. Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. Communications:   Telephone IDD service is available. Country code: 1 787. Outgoing international code: 011. Mobile telephone CDMA/TDMA network. Not compatible with GSM handsets. Internet ISPs include Coqui Net (website: www.coqui.net). Access is available in hotels and business centres. Post Airmail to Western Europe takes up to a week. Press The English-language newspaper published in Puerto Rico is The San Juan Star; others include El Vocero de Puerto Rico, El Nuevo Dia and Primera Hora. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.19 12.10 6.195 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 Passport/Visa The passport and visa requirements for entering Puerto Rico are the same as for entering the USA. See Passport/Visa in the United States of America section. Money Currency: US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents. For exchange rates and currency restrictions, see the USA section. Currency exchange: Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change. All major ATM services are also available. Credit & debit cards: All international credit cards, and many leading debit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques: Cheques in various currencies are accepted, but US Dollar cheques are preferred. Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1430. Hours may vary. Duty Free As for the USA; see the United States of America section. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Jan 6 Epiphany. Jan 13 Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos. Jan 20 Martin Luther King Day. Feb 16 President’s Day. Mar 22 Emancipation of the Slaves. Apr 18 José de Diego Day and Good Friday. May 26 Memorial Day. Jul 4 US Independence Day. Jul 15 Luis Muñoz Rivera’s Birthday. Jul 25 Constitution Day. Jul 26 José Celso Barbosa’s Birthday. Sep 1 Labour Day. Oct 13 Columbus Day. Nov 11 Veterans’ Day. Nov 19 Discovery of Puerto Rico Day. Nov 27 Thanksgiving Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 6 Epiphany. Jan 12 Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos. Jan 19 Martin Luther King Day. Feb 17 President’s Day. Mar 22 Emancipation of the Slaves. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 16 José de Diego Day. May 24 Memorial Day. Jul 4 US Independence Day. Jul 15 Luis Muñoz Rivera’s Birthday. Jul 25 Constitution Day. Jul 26 José Celso Barbosa’s Birthday. Sep 6 Labour Day. Oct 11 Columbus Day. Nov 11 Veterans’ Day. Nov 19 Discovery of Puerto Rico Day. Nov 25 Thanksgiving Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Note: Each town celebrates a festival or fiesta in honour of a local patron saint. These can last up to ten days. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No No Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio No N/A Malaria No N/A Food & drink: Water is purified in main areas, although bottled water may be preferable. Tap water is considered safe to drink. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are considered safe to eat. Other risks: Hepatitis A occurs in the northern Caribbean region. The incidence of dengue fever has increased in the past few years. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: Health services are good but costly; health insurance is recommended. Travel - International AIR: Airlines serving Puerto Rico include American Airlines, Argentina Airlines, American Trans Air, Iberia, KLM, LACSA, Lufthansa, Martinair, Mexicana and Northwest Airlines. Approximate flight times: From Puerto Rico to Chicago is 5 hours 40 minutes, to London is 8 hours (direct), to Los Angeles is 10 hours 45 minutes, to Miami is 2 hours 35 minutes, to New York is 3 hours 30 minutes and to Washington DC is 3 hours 50 minutes. International airports: Luis Muñoz Marin (SJU) is 14km (9 miles) northeast of San Juan. Buses and taxis are available (travel time – 20-30 minutes.) Airport facilities include restaurants, bars, bank, post office, hotel reservations, duty-free shops and car hire (Budget, Dollar and Hertz). Departure tax: None. SEA: The main passenger port is San Juan. The following cruise lines run services to San Juan: Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn and Windjammer. Travel - Internal AIR: American Eagle and Vieques Air-Link provide domestic air travel within Puerto Rico. ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. Taxi: A service called a linea will pick up and drop off passengers where they wish. Lineas operate between San Juan (from Rio Piedras líneas station) and most towns, at a fixed rate. Special black and white Tourist Taxis exist. These are part of the Tourist Taxi Program, and charge set rates for travel between the airport and major tourist sites. Car hire: Available at the airport and city agencies. Rental companies include: AAA, Afro, Atlantic, Avis, Budget, Discount and Hertz. Documentation: US or foreign licence accepted for first month of stay, after which a national licence will be required. URBAN: Bus: San Juan has local bus services (Guaguas) and there are bus terminals in Bayamón, Catano, Country Club and Rio Piedras, as well as the capital. Buses usually tend not to run after 2100. There are also coach services. Bus companies offering sightseeing trips include American Tours of Puerto Rico, Normandie Tours, Rico Sun Tours, Tour Coop and Royal Coach. Taxi: Publicos (share-taxis) have ‘P’ or ‘PD’ at the end of licence plate numbers and run regular routes between established points. They usually operate only during daylight hours and depart from the main plaza (central square) of a town. Publicos must be insured by law and the Public Service Commission fixes their routes and reasonable rates. Conventional taxis are hired by the hour, and charges are metered except in charter trips outside the usual taxi zones. They can be hailed in the street, or called by telephone. They are available at the airport and at stands at most hotels. Taxi drivers expect a 15 per cent tip. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from San Juan to other major cities and resorts in Puerto Rico. Air Road Sea Ponce 0.30 1.30 - Mayagüez 0.30 2.30 - Vieques 0.30 0.45* 2.00 Fajardo - 0.45 - Dorado - 0.35 - Humacao-Palmas - 0.45 - Note: *As far as Fajardo and then by sea. Accommodation HOTELS: San Juan has modern Americanised hotels and there is similar lodging in Ponce. Outside the main urban areas, there are Paradores (government-sponsored country inns). These are less modern, but of a good standard. For further information, contact the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association (see Contact Addresses section). APARTMENTS & CONDOMINIUMS: These are available from a number of companies specialising in renting this type of accommodation. See Accommodation in the general introduction to the United States of America section. Condominiums and flats are best around Luquillo Beach to the northeast. San Juan The capital city of San Juan is divided into the old and the new. The old part was founded in 1521 and is now officially declared a National Historic Zone, and many 16th- and 17th-century buildings have been restored and refurbished in the original Spanish style. This part of the city boasts many shops, restaurants, art galleries and museums. The Pablo Casals Museum has manuscripts and photographs relating to the work of the famous cellist. Videotapes of performances from past Casals festivals (held every June) can be viewed on request. Casa de los Contrafuertes houses the African Heritage Museum. Casa del Callejon is a traditional Spanish-style home, which holds the Museum of Colonial Architecture and the Museum of the Puerto Rican Family. Casa del Libro holds a rare collection of early manuscripts and books, some dating back to the 15th century. The San Juan Museum of Art and History was built in 1855 as a market and restored in 1979 as a cultural centre where the patio is often used for concerts. Plaza de San José, at the ‘top’ of old San Juan and marked by a statue of Juan Ponce de León, is a picturesque area of small museums and pleasant cafes. Other places of interest in Old San Juan include El Morro (a 16th-century Spanish fortress) and the 18th-century fort of San Cristobal, built in 1771. Both buildings are perched on clifftops at the tip of a peninsula. El Morro, in particular, has many exhibits documenting Puerto Rico’s role in the discovery of the New World and was instrumental in the defence of San Juan in the 16th century and its continuing survival. Casa Blanca, dating from 1523, was built as a home for Ponce de León, and the Dominican Convent (also started in 1523) now houses the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena. La Fortaleza, completed in 1540, is now the Governor’s residence – the oldest of its kind in the Western hemisphere. The old San Juan City Wall, dating from the 1630s, was built by the Spanish and it follows the peninsula contour, providing picturesque vantage points for viewing Old San Juan and the sea. San Juan Cathedral, originally built in the 1520s, was completely restored in 1977. San José Church is the second-oldest church in the Western hemisphere – Ponce de León’s body was interred here until the early 20th century. The Alcaldia, or City Hall, was built between 1604 and 1789. The Casino (not to be confused with gambling clubs) is a beautiful building dating from 1917. Recently refurbished, the rich interior boasts marble floors, exquisite plasterwork and 4.7m (12ft) chandeliers. Excursions: New San Juan is connected to the old town by a narrow neck of land, and modern architecture has flourished in recent years. The Botanical Gardens are worth visiting. A bay cruise is also available, which offers excellent views of the city. El Yunque, east of the capital, is a 27,000-acre rainforest (with over 240 species of trees) and bird sanctuary. It is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System and is located in the Luquillo Mountains. Beyond the Capital PONCE: The beautiful town of Ponce, on the southern side of the island and connected to the capital by a toll road, is situated near many excellent beaches. It hosts an Indian Ceremonial Park and also has several buildings of interest, including a sugar mill and rum museum. The Museum of Art there contains more than 1000 paintings and 400 sculptures, ranging from ancient classical to contemporary art. Its collection of 19th-century Pre-Raphaelite paintings is among the best in the Americas. Excursions: The Arroyo to Ponce train stops at Guayama, where the station has been restored as a crafts centre. The Tibes Indian Ceremonial Centre, a short drive from Ponce, is an ancient Indian burial ground. A replica of a Taino Indian village has been built near the small museum, reception area and exhibition hall. LA PARGUERA: The Phosphorescent Bay, near La Parguera in the southwest of the island, is a major attraction. Here, marine life, microscopic in size, lights up when disturbed by fish, boats or any movement. The phenomenon – especially vivid on moonless nights – is rarely found elsewhere. Boat trips are available at night. There are other phosphorescent bays in Vieques and Fajardo. ARECIBO: The Camuy Caves, near Arecibo on the north coast, is the third-largest cave system in the world. There are well-paved access roads, a reception area, and electric trains to the entrance of the caves. The Arecibo Observatory is the site of the largest radar/radio telescope in the world. Located in the unusual karst country of Puerto Rico, the 20-acre dish is best seen from a small aeroplane flight between San Juan and Mayagüez. The Caguana Indian Ceremonial Park, south of the Arecibo Observatory, was built by Taino Indians as a site for recreation and worship 800 years ago. There is another Ceremonial Park in Ponce. ELSEWHERE: There are old colonial towns at San German and Mayagüez and a Tropical Agricultural Research Station near the Mayagüez division of the University of Puerto Rico, with cuttings of hundreds of tropical plants. Many of the drives through the centre of the island take in spectacular scenery and are to be recommended. The Espirito Santo is a navigable river that flows from the Luquillo Mountains to the Atlantic, and has 24 passenger launches available for river tours along 8km (5 miles) of the route. Special arrangements can be made for groups (through a tour operator); the boat ride usually takes about two hours. Sport & Activities Outdoor activities: Horseriding, on mountain trails or beaches, is an excellent way to see the island. Puerto Rico prides itself on its paso fino horses, a breed noted for its endurance and the comfort it affords the rider. Riding facilities can be found all over the island. Beach riding is particularly recommended at Luquillo in the northeast or Isabela in the northwest. There are many forest reserves with hiking trails. Energetic walkers can tackle the mountains in the interior. Torro Negro, with its lush forests and marvellous vistas, is recommended, while the highest peak is Cerro de Punta. The Guanica dry forest in the southwest or the El Yunque rainforest in the northeast both have visitors’ centres where trail maps and advice can be obtained. The Camuy Caves in the west of the island are a national park, and visitors need to be escorted by a local guide. Birdwatchers will enjoy the Guanica dry forest or the Cabezas de San Juan nature reserve. The latter, visits to which must be booked in advance, is run by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, PO Box 9023554, San Juan PR 00902-3554 (tel: 722 5882; fax: 722 5872; website: www.fideicomiso.org). Watersports: Palmas del Mar rents small- to medium-sized boats for day sailing and the resort is headquarters for the annual Copa del Palmas, the major 1-design regatta in Puerto Rico. Motorboats and rowing boats are also available. Puerto Rico’s shoreline has many areas protected by beautiful coral reefs and cays, and snorkelling in shallow reef waters and mangrove areas is an excellent way of seeing the beautiful and colourful underworld of the sea. Scuba diving instruction and equipment rental are available at watersports offices of major hotels and resorts. Recommended areas include the island of Mona, just off Boquerón on the southwest coast, where the marine life is particularly rich. Because this area is a nature reserve, independent divers require government permission to dive there. Desecheo island, off the northwest coast, Parguera and Isabela are also good diving areas. Many beaches cater for surfing and windsurfing, for example Pine Grove and Condado beaches. Fishing: Deep-sea fishing is available, with blue and white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, Allison tuna, mackerel, dolphin, tarpon and snook to be found. Fully equipped boats with crew are available for charter all over the island. Other: There are six baseball teams in the league and the San Juan-Santurce stadium seats close to 25,000 people. There are other ball parks at Arecibo, Caguas, Mayagüez and Ponce. There are many golf courses, including Punto Borinquen at Aguadillo (18 holes), and five 18-hole courses at Dorado. Tennis courts are available all over the island, especially at major hotels. In addition, play is available on 17 floodlit public courts in San Juan’s Central Park, which is open daily. There are also six courts available at the Dorado Del Mar Country Club at Dorado. There is horseracing at Rio Grande (El Comandante) all year round. Social Profile Food & Drink: Puerto Rico (and especially San Juan) abounds with good restaurants, catering for all tastes from Spanish to Chinese, Italian, French and Greek. The island cuisine is Spanish-based, with rice and beans as the staple diet. Paella, chicken dishes, black bean soup, sancocho (beef stew), jueyes (land crabs) and pan de agua (native bread) are all excellent, as is the delicately seasoned langosta. Island rums such as Barrilito and Don Q are not to be missed. Nightlife: Puerto Rico’s nightlife is abundant and varied. The streets are lively in the evening. Many shops are open late, and the visitor can sit in the squares of old San Juan and indulge in people-watching. A recommended walk is down La Princesa Promenade, lined with antique street lamps. Meeting places include a Bogart-style cigar bar and cocktail bars. Hotels provide some of the entertainment, but there are also different types of clubs, both modern and more mainstream. Many Puerto Ricans favour traditional Latin dance clubs with large dance floors, which often have live bands playing salsa and merengue music. Puerto Ricans are passionate about their nightlife, and often dress up. Casinos are also a feature. More intimate and friendly than the gambling rooms of Nevada and Atlantic City, they generally open at noon and close at around 0400 daily. Hotel casinos are open to guests and non-guests alike. Dress is generally informal, though men should wear a shirt with a collar in the evening. Shopping: Special purchases are cigars, coffee, hammocks, straw weavings, sculpture, santos (carved religious figures), festival masks and stringed musical instruments. Shopping hours: Mon-Wed and Sat 0900-1900, Thurs-Fri 0900-2100, Sun 1100-1700 (shopping malls). Some shops open on Sunday if cruise liners are in port. Special Events: ‘Fiestas Patronales’ celebrations are held in each town’s plaza to honour the area’s patron saint. These fiestas usually last for ten days and include religious processions, games, local food and dance. For further details, contact the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of the special events which take place annually in Puerto Rico: Feb San Blas Marathon; Coamo. Jun Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival, San Juan; Casals Festival (classical music festival), San Juan; Aibonito Flower Festival; San Juan Bautista Day (begins a week of festivities celebrating San Juan’s patron saint). Oct San Juan Cinema Festival. Dec Bacardi Corporation Artisans’ Fair; Hatillo Mask Fair. Dec-Jan Navidades (island-wide Christmas festivities). Social Conventions: Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Casual dress is acceptable, but shorts should not be worn in hotel dining rooms or casinos, where formal dress is required after 2000. Spanish and American manners and conventions exist side by side on the island. Some hotels require formal dress. Tipping: Generally 15-20 per cent if not included on the bill. Business Profile Economy: Puerto Rico has few natural resources, although some nickel and copper have been located. Manufacturing has overtaken agriculture as the main source of income following an intensive programme of industrialisation by the Government. The main products are pharmaceuticals, electrical and electronic equipment, processed food, textiles, clothing, rum, petrochemicals and refined oil. There is a foreign free-trade zone at Mayagüez. In the agricultural sector, dairy and livestock produce is now more important than sugar cane, the island’s main crop. Fresh fruit and vegetables are grown for export. Tourism is the main service industry and has undergone steady growth in recent years; the sector is now worth more than US$2 billion annually. Puerto Rico has observer status at the Caribbean trading bloc, CARICOM. The USA and its corporations dominate both the domestic economy and overall trade patterns, although Puerto Rico has important trading links of its own with Japan, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. The US government is in the process of removing certain tax exemptions enjoyed by US and foreign investors in Puerto Rico: the economic impact of this is as yet unclear but is causing concern in the territory. Business: A knowledge of Spanish (the official language) is very useful, although English is widely spoken; most people in the tourist industry and the greater metropolitan areas are bilingual. Lightweight suits are advised for business meetings. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Government office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico, PO Box 9024033, San Juan (tel: 7221 6060; fax: 723 1891; e-mail: camarapr@camarapr.net; website: http://camarapr.zonai.com). Climate Hot tropical climate. The temperature varies little throughout the year. Cooler in the upland areas. Required clothing: Lightweight tropical clothes. Light rainwear required. History and Government History: The Taino Indians were the first Puerto Rican inhabitants. The island was ‘discovered’ by Columbus in 1493 on his second voyage to the New World and was governed by Ponce de Leon from 1508. Puerto Rico (Rich Port) was eventually ceded to the USA in 1898 at the end of the Spanish-American War. In 1917 Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship and in 1952 the island became a self-governing ‘Commonwealth in association with the USA’. Many people regard this situation as a compromise between full membership of the USA and full independence. In practice, this gives Puerto Ricans an American passport and makes them eligible for military draft but they do not pay US federal taxes and cannot vote in US elections. Of the main political parties, the Partido Popular Democrático (PPD) is broadly in favour of the existing Commonwealth status, while the Partido Neuvo Progresista (PNP) supports full state membership. In December 1998, the third referendum in 30 years was held on the issue: voters were asked whether they wished Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of the USA, become independent, enter a compact of Free Association (similar to that which operates in a number of Pacific micro-territories) or retain the status quo. By a narrow majority, they voted for the status quo. Some left-wing groups are working towards independence, including a couple of extremist groups which advocate and use violence: independence remains a sensitive issue on the island. Puerto Rico has a representative in the US House of Representatives; the inhabitants of the island are US citizens, but they may not vote in presidential elections. The latest election for Governor, held in November 2000, was a three-way fight between PNP candidate Carlos Pesquera, Sila Maria Caldero of the PPD and Ruben Berrios Martine of the small Partido Independentista. Calderon won with just under half the total poll. Elections to the Senate and the House of Representatives on the same day gave the PPD a small majority in both houses. Government: Executive power is held by the Governor, who is elected by universal adult suffrage for a four-year term, assisted by a 15-member Cabinet staffed by appointees. A bicameral assembly, a scaled-down version of the US Congress, is responsible for legislation. The House of Representatives has 54 members; the Senate has 28. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.