Expatriate Forums in Puerto Rico

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN PUERTO RICO

Puerto Rico Info — Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:57 am

Author: Puerto Rico Info

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:57 am

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN PUERTO RICO

BELIZE
Consulate of Belize
567 Ramon Gandia Street
Hato Rey
San Juan
P.R. 00918
City: San Juan
Phone: (787) 280 6600
Fax: (787) 764 2087

VENEZUELA
General Consulate of Venezuela
Piso 6, Ofc. 601,
Ave. Ponce de Leon
San Juan,
P.R. 00918
Phone: (787) 766-4250 / 51 (787) 281-0134
Fax: (787) 766-4255
Email: consulado@puertorico.embavenez-us.org

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN PUERTO RICO / PUERTO RICO HOTEL GUIDE

Puerto Rico Info — Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:40 pm

Author: Puerto Rico Info

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:40 pm

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN PUERTO RICO

Best Western Hotel Pierre
105 De Diego Ave., Santurce
San Juan, PR 00925
Phone: (787) 721-1200
Fax: (787) 721-3118

Caribe Hilton
Los Rosales Street, San Geronimo Grounds
San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: (800) 468-8585
(787) 721-0303
Fax: (787) 725-8849

Casa San Jose
159 San Jose St., Old San Juan
San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: (787) 723-1212
Fax: (787)723-7620

Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino
999 Ashford Ave.
San Juan, PR 00907
Phone: (787) 721-1000
Fax: (787) 724-4356

Copamarina
Rte. 333, Km 6.5, Caña Gorda
Guanica, PR 00653
Phone: (787) 821-0505
Fax: (787) 821-0070

Courtyard Isla Verde Beach Resort by Marriott
7012 Boca de Cangrejos Avenue, Isla Verde
Carolina, PR 00979
Phone: Toll Free: 1-800-791-2553
(787) 791-0404
Fax: (787) 791-1460

Dorado del Mar Beach & Gold Resort (Embassy Suites Hotel)
201 Dorado del Mar Blvd.
Dorado, PR 00646
Phone: 800-EMBASSY or (787) 796-6125
Fax: (787) 796-6145

Diamond Palace Hotel and Casino
55 Condado Ave, Box 13637, Santurce
San Juan, PR 00908-3637
Phone: 1-800-468-2014
(787) 721-0810
(787) 721-0814
Fax: (787) 725-7895

El Convento
100 Cristo Street, Old San Juan
San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: Toll Free 1 (800) 468-2779
(787) 723-9020
Fax: (787) 721-2877

El San Juan Hotel and Casino
6063 Isla Verde Road
San Juan, PR 00902-2872
Phone: (787) 791-1000

Empress Oceanfront
2 Amapola St., Isla Verde
San Juan, PR 00979
Phone: (800) 678-0757
(787) 791-3083
Fax: (787) 791-1423

ESJ Towers
6165 Isla Verde Ave.
Carolina, PR 00979
Phone: 1-800-468-2026
(787) 791-5151
Fax: (787) 253-0428

Holiday Inn Carolina
8020 Tartak Street
Carolina, PR 00907
Phone: (787) 253-9000
Fax: (787) 253-9007

Holiday Inn Mayaguez and El Tropical Casino
2701 Road 2, Km 149.9
Mayaguez, PR 00680
Phone: (787) 833-1100
Fax: (787) 833-1300

Holiday Inn Ponce and Tropical Casino
Route 2, El Tuque
Ponce, PR 00731
Phone: (787) 844-1200
Fax: (787) 841-8683

Holiday Inn San Juan
1 Mariano Ramírez Bages St.
San Juan, PR 00907
Phone: (787) 724-4160
Fax: (787) 721-2436

Howard Johnson Ponce
103 Trupo Industrial Park
Hwy 52 And Route 1
Ponce, PR 00715
Phone: 1 (866) 668-4577
(787) 841-1000
Fax: (787) 841-2560

Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort and Country Club
Route 693
Dorado, PR 00646
Phone: (800) 233-1234
(787) 796-1234
Fax: (787) 796-2022

Hyatt Hacienda Del Mar
301 Highway 693
Dorado, PR 00646
Phone: 1-800-926-4447
787-796-3000
Fax: 787-796-3610

¡Bravo!
North Shore Rd, HC-02 #10732
Vieques, PR 00765
Phone: (787) 741-1128
Fax: (787) 741-3918

Mayaguez Resort and Casino
Route 104, Km 0.3
Mayaguez, PR 00681
Phone: (787) 832-3030
Fax: (787) 834-3475

Normandie Hotel
Corner of Avenue Muñoz Rivera and Avenue Rosales, Puerta de Tierra
San Juan, PR 00902
Phone: (787) 729-2929
Fax: (787) 729-3083

Ponce Hilton and Casino
1150 Caribe Avenue
Ponce, PR 00716
Phone: (787) 259-7676
1-800-HILTONS
Fax: (787) 259-7674

Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel and Casino
1369 Ashford Avenue
San Juan, PR 00907
Phone: 1-800-333-3333
(787) 721-7300
Fax: (787) 723-6151
Web site: http://www.radisson.com/sanjuanpr_ambassador/

Regency Hotel
1005 Ashford Avenue
San Juan, PR 00936-4484
Phone: (800) 468-2823 or (787) 721-0505
Fax: (787) 722-2909

Rincon of the Seas-Grand Caribbean Hotel
Rincon, PR 00677
Phone: (787) 823-7500
Fax: (787) 823-7501

Ritz Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa and Casino
6961 Avenue of the Governors, Isla Verde
Carolina, PR 00979
Phone: (787) 253-1700
Fax: (787) 253-0700

San Juan Beach Hotel
1045 Ashford Avenue
San Juan, PR 00907
Phone: (787) 723-8000
Fax: (787) 722-8230

San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
1309 Ashford Avenue
San Juan, PR 00907
Phone: (787) 722-7000
Fax: (787) 722-6800

Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel
100 Brumbaugh Street
San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: (787) 721-5100
Fax: (787) 721-1111

The Ocean Villas
6000 Rio Mar Blvd.
Rio Grande, PR 00745
Phone: 787-793-6194
Fax: 787-277-9186

The Water Club
2 Tartak Street, Isla Verde
Carolina, PR 00979
Phone: (787) 253-0100
Fax: (787) 253-0220

Vista Vacation Resort
Carr #413, Km 3.1
Interior Calle Vista Nuclear
Barrio Puntas
Rincon, PR 00677
Phone: (787) 823-3673
Fax: (787) 823-3673

GETTING AROUND IN PUERTO RICO / PUERTO RICO TRANSPORT GUIDE

Puerto Rico Info — Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:59 pm

Author: Puerto Rico Info

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:59 pm

GETTING AROUND IN PUERTO RICO

AIR

You can fly to many of the cities and towns within Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra, by chartering a small plane or taking one of the regularly scheduled commuter-type flights from the Ribas Dominicci Airport in Isla Grande, San Juan, or other local airports. If you are staying in the west of the island, look into direct flights to and from the Aguadilla airport.

American Eagle (tel. 800/433-7300 or 787/791-5050; www.aa.com) flies from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to Mayagüez, which can be your gateway to western Puerto Rico. Round-trip fares are $202 to $272.

ROAD

Car Rental

Most of the major car rental companies have offices at the airport, in San Juan and in the larger cities and towns. Roads are clearly marked and maps are available. Note that speed limits are indicated in miles per hour, but distances are shown in kilometers. Puerto Rico Tourism Company representatives at the airport will assist you in finding the right transportation. Major car rental agencies are located at the airport, and others offer free transportation to their off-airport sites.

Some local agencies may tempt you with special reduced prices. But if you're planning to tour the island by car, you won't find any local branches that will help you if you experience trouble. And some of the agencies widely advertising low-cost deals won't take credit cards and want cash in advance. Also, watch out for "hidden" extra costs, which sometimes proliferate among the smaller and not very well-known firms, and difficulties connected with resolving insurance claims.

Taxis

Taxis are available at the airport, hotels and major tourist points. In the tourism zones, rates are fixed and posted. Outside the zones, taxis are metered and can be hired by the hour.

Fixed rates - Tourist zones:
Airport / Isla Verde - $10.00
Airport / Condado / Miramar - $14.00
Airport / Pier Area in Old San Juan - $19.00
Piers / Old San Juan - $7.00
Piers / Condado / Miramar - $12.00
Piers / Isla Verde - $19.00
Piers / Plaza Las Américas Shopping Mall - $14.00
Piers / Plaza Carolina Shopping Mall - $24.00
Piers 1, 4, 6 & Navy Frontier / El Morro - $6.00
Panamerican Piers / El Morro - $10.00

Note: $0.50 per each piece of luggage, excluding hand pieces, and an additional charge of $1.00 per piece, after three pieces.

For any claim or help, please contact: lostandfound@prtourism.com, transportationclaims@prtourism.com

Taxi Metered Rates apply outside of Tourism Transportation Zones of San Juan - Isla Verde Area
Charges & Rates

* $1.75: Initial Charge
* $0.10: Charge for fraction of mile (1/19 mile)
* $0.10: Waiting Time (Every 25 seconds)
* $0.50: Charge for the first 3 pieces of luggage (each)
* $1.00: Charge for the fourth piece of luggage and thereafter (each)
* $1.00: Call charge
* $36.00: Hourly Rent Charge
* $1.00: Night Rate (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.)
* $3.00: Minimun Charge per trip
* $2.00: Surcharge fee for the sixth and seventh passenger in vehicle

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transportation in the metropolitan San Juan area is convenient and practical, with regular bus service on established routes or if you wish you can use the train (Tren Urbano).

Público

Among the most interesting—and adventurous—ways of traveling in Puerto Rico is by público. Públicos are independently owned and operated vans that service hard to reach urban areas. They also travel between island towns; if you have the time and inclination, they can be an inexpensive and fascinating way to learn about the island. You may find yourself riding with a family on its way to see a grandmother on the other side of the island, or a half dozen ballplayers on their way to a game. All in all, públicos offer visitors a terrific opportunity to meet Puerto Rico and its people.

Fares vary according to whether the público will make a detour to pick up or drop off a passenger at a specific locale. (If you want to deviate from the predetermined routes, you'll pay more than if you wait for a público beside the main highway.) Fares from San Juan to Mayagüez range from $14 to $34; from San Juan to Ponce, from $20 to $32. Be warned that although prices of públicos are low, the routes are slow, with frequent stops, often erratic routing, and lots of inconvenience.

Information about público routes between San Juan and Mayagüez is available at Lineas Sultana, Calle Esteban González 898, Urbanización Santa Rita, Río Piedras (tel. 787/765-9377). Information about público routes between San Juan and Ponce is available from Choferes Unidos de Ponce, Terminal de Carros Públicos, Calle Vive in Ponce (tel. 787/764-0540).

FERRY

Ferry service to Culebra and Vieques is available at the small port of Fajardo on the east end of the island or from Old San Juan. Private boats can also be chartered at many of the marinas on the east coast.

PUERTO RICO TOURISM GUIDE / TOURISM IN PUERTO RICO

Puerto Rico Info — Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:21 am

Author: Puerto Rico Info

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:21 am

PUERTO RICO TOURISM GUIDE

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 Callejón 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 center 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 defense 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 Puertorriqueña. 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 Alcaldía, 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 28,000-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.

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 Center, 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 airplane 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 Germán 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 Espíritu 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.

PUERTO RICO TRAVEL INFORMATION / PUERTO RICO TRAVEL GUIDE

Puerto Rico Info — Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:14 am

Author: Puerto Rico Info

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:14 am

PUERTO RICO TRAVEL INFORMATION

Full Name

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Capital City

San Juan

Population

3,915,798

Time Zone

GMT/UTC -4 ()

Daylight Saving Start

not in use

Daylight Saving End

not in use

Languages

Spanish; Castilian (official)

English (official)

Religion

Roman Catholic (85%), Protestant

Currency

US Dollar (US$)

Electricity

120V 60HzHz

Electric Plug Details

Japanese-style plug with two perpendicular flat blades

South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin

Country Dialing Code

787