Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NORTH COAST GRAND SLAM
Despite the precipitous terrain, the north coast showcases some of Puerto Rico's
biggest outdoor attractions, many of which can be tackled in an ambitious day trip
from San Juan. A 'grand tour' for weekend warriors includes the Río Camuy caves,
the Observatorio de Arecibo (the largest radio telescope in the world) and the Parque
Ceremonial Indígena Caguana - all must-sees on any itinerary and all consequently
crawling with day-trippers. For an alternative escape, forge south into the mountain
foothills around Río Abajo, where placid lakes and out-of-the-way retreats make a
tranquil respite from the island's congestion.
Dorado
POP 35,000
For those who love golf, Dorado is pure gold, legendary for its exceptional courses. With
over 35,000 inhabitants, it boasts five championship-standard golf courses that are an in-
ternational draw. If you're not interested in an amble down the fairways, several stunning
local beaches offer a welcome break from the clubhouse banter. If you're only interested in
beaches, bypass Dorado for locales further west.
Founded in 1842, Dorado first became a resort town in the early 1900s when the Rock-
efeller family started building a Caribbean Shangri-la. The venture went public in 1958
when Laurence Rockefeller, the well-known philanthropist and conservationist, opened up
the region's first hotel, the Dorado Beach, a pioneering ecoresort where no building was
taller than the surrounding palm trees. And though there have been some formidable resorts
here over the years, today many golfers opt for time-shares and condo rentals, robbing the
hotel scene of its once-ritzy image.
Away from the resorts, Dorado has a timeless public beach in town and an even prettier
free option a few miles to the west at Cerro Gordo. Back in town, the original 19th-cen-
tury settlement, with its teardrop-shaped lights rimming the main plaza, is a pleasant spot
to while away a lazy afternoon.
El Dorado's urban core is spread out, and the route between PR 22 and the coast is almost
entirely developed. Rte 165 turns into Calle Méndez Vigo, the town's central road.
