Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Annie's Place
BAR $
(Hwy 3301 Km 2.9; mains $5-15)
Breeze from the ocean drifts in the open floor plan of
Annie's, a bar and restaurant with great
empanadillas
(dough stuffed with meat or fish),
lobster soup, fish salad and homemade burgers. Overlooking the long public beach, this
has the best atmosphere of El Combate bars, and it gets very popular in the early evening,
when young kids on double dates drop by to play billiards and watch the sun set.
Getting There & Away
Públicos run frequently to and from the town of Cabo Rojo (El Pueblo) from April to the
end of August ($2). In Cabo Rojo, you can connect to Mayagüez ($4, 30 minutes) or Ponce
($8, two hours).
If you're arriving by car, El Combate is at the bitter end of Hwy 3301. Go west at the
turnoff from Hwy 301.
San Germán
POP 35,527
Puerto Rico's second-oldest city (after San Juan), San Germán is also one of its best pre-
served. Founded in 1511 near present-day Mayagüez on the orders of Juan Ponce de León,
the original coastal settlement was moved twice in its early life to escape the unwelcome
attention of plundering French corsairs. The current town, which lies about 10 miles inland
from the Cabo Rojo coast, was established in 1573 and once administered a municipality
that encompassed the whole western half of the island. Downsizing itself over the ensu-
ing four centuries, contemporary San Germán (named for Germaine de Foix, the second
wife of Spain's King Ferdinand) is far more unassuming than the colonial capital of yore,
although the historical buildings - some of which date from the 17th century - retain a
quiet dignity. For those interested in colonial creole architecture, this little town can only
be bested by Ponce and Old San Juan.
Despite its rich architectural heritage and lofty listing on the National Register of His-
toric Places, San Germán is largely ignored by its modern inhabitants and by tourists. As
a result, the classic four-square-block colonial center - laid out in an unusual irregular pat-
tern - is a veritable ghost town after dark. The city's one downtown hotel sports cobwebs
and few of the numerous historic buildings are open for public viewing, even if the trio of
excellent restaurants all might be worth a small detour.
