Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The park is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm; there is no admission
charge. Start by watching a video on the site, then take a self-
guided tour. You'll find maps at the entrances, and exhibits
throughout the park are posted in both English and Spanish.
Even if you're not a history buff, this site is a romantic place
where the two of you can look out on the sea and enjoy a gentle
trade wind. Bring along your camera for this scenic stop.
Nearby,
Casa Blanca,
787-724-4102, contains two separate
museums: the
Ponce De Leon Museum
and the
Taino In-
dian Ethno-Historic Museum.
The former features exhibits
on 16th- and 17th-century life and on its most famous resi-
dents: Ponce de Leon and his family. (Actually, Ponce de Leon
died before the home was completed.) Built in the 1520s, the
home was the city's first fortress. It is now open for tours
Wednesday through Sunday.
If the two of you are history lovers, then make time for a trip to
the city of
Ponce.
Ninety minutes south of San Juan, Ponce
boasts more than 500 restored buildings. The
Ponce Art Mu-
seum,
787-848-0505, features the most extensive collection
in the Caribbean, with over 1,000 paintings and 400 sculptures.
Ponce is also home to
Hacienda Buena Vista,
787-722-
5882, a restored 19th-century coffee plantation today open as a
museum.
Natural Attractions
Not all of San Juan's attractions are man-made; for a look at the
natural beauty of the island, make a stop at the
Botanical
Garden of the University of Puerto Rico.
This 75-acre gar-
den blooms with 30,000 orchids as well as heliconias and water
lilies. For a peaceful lunch away from the city crowds, bring
along a picnic and enjoy it in grounds shaded by cinnamon and
nutmeg trees.
T
The garden is a popular site for wedding photos and
even for ceremonies themselves, many which take place
in a small chapel on the grounds. For more informa-
tion, call
787-250-0000, ext. 6580.
If your interests run more toward eco-tourism, you're in luck in
Puerto Rico as well. One of our favorite excursions is a snor-
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