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ARECIBO
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Arecibo
Arecibo is a municipality on the north coast of Puerto Rico, best known for its giant radio telescope.
Get in
Arecibo is about 80 km (an hour's drive) west of San Juan along Highway 22.
See
Located approximately ten miles south of Arecibo on a mountainous and somewhat isolated (but fairly well signposted) road, the Arecibo Observatory is home to the world's largest radio telescope, operated by Cornell University. The visitor's center is decent with working bilingual exhibits. There are no tours of the telescope itself, however you can view the telescope from a platform and view a free informative video. Bring an umbrella, in case of rain. Also be sure to have comfortable walking shoes for the 500 steps up the mountain.
Eat
Seaside restaurant with views of the lighthouse, specializing in fresh seafood cooked to order. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Get out
Ponce lies Southeast of Arecibo and is a two hour drive through the jungle, on sometimes questionable roads.
Arecibo (ah-re-SEE-boh) is a municipality in the northern midwest coast of Puerto Rico and located by the Atlantic Ocean, north of Utuado and Ciales; east of Hatillo; and west of Barceloneta, and Florida. Arecibo is spread over 18 wards and Arecibo Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). Arecibo is located on the north coast of the island of Puerto Rico, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of San Juan, or approximately a 1-hour trip by car.
The nearby Arecibo Observatory is known for housing the world's largest radio telescope.
History
Arecibo, settled in 1556, was the island's third Spanish settlement, after Caparra (which later became San Juan), and San German. It is named after the Taíno Cacique Xamaica Arasibo, who ruled the Taino yucayeke (town), then named Abacoa. Arecibo was officially founded as a city by the Spanish crown May 1 1616, under the governorship of Captain Felipe de Beaumont y Navarra, when the King of Spain granted the land (and the Tainos living there) to Lope Conchillos.
Arecibo is known as El Diamante Del Norte (North's Diamond) as well as La Ribera del Arecibo (The shore of Arecibo).
Arecibo is also known as La Villa del Capitán Correa (Captain Correa's Villa) after the Puerto Rican hero Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa, who as a member of the Spanish Army defended Arecibo from a British invasion led by Admiral Whelstone in August 5 1702.
Arecibo is the head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arecibo.
Flag
The flag of Arecibo derives its composition and colors from the Shield of the City. It is divided vertically in two equal parts. The left side is blue having a belt that stands for "Captain Correa", a local military hero from Spanish times. The right side is made up of blue and yellow diamonds...
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| Rio Camuy Cave Park and Arecibo Observatory from San Juan |
9 hours |
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This tour takes you from San Juan, to Northwestern Puerto Rico, part of the third largest underground river cavern system in the world. You'll enjoy a safe, guided tour of the marvels. From sinkholes and cathedral-like caverns to views of the mysterious river and its eons-old stalactites and stalagmites. Be sure to wear comfortable, non-slippery shoes! This tour also takes you to where you will see the largest radar/radio telescope. Operated by Cornell University, the telescope probes the ionosphere, examines planets and monitors natural radio emissions from distant galaxies, pulsars and quasars.
The caves at Camuy are actually 45 million years old, but it took a few million years for nature to adorn their towering ceilings with crystalline stalactites, their walls with flowing stone tapestries and their floors with mushroom mounds of stalactites. Few cave systems in the world are as massive or dramatic as the Rio Camuy Cave Park; none has a thundering tropical river transversing countless miles of uncharted channels. Three crater-like sinkholes and one cave of the huge system in the park are open to the public and they are truly memorable experiences.
The Arecibo Observatory is nestled in the mountains of northern Puerto Rico, about 30 minutes from Arecibo and is the world's largest radar/radio telescope. Here scientists from all over the world use a giant 305 meter diameter dish to listen to the universe. You may view the huge telescope from an observation platform, where its austere metallic symmetry shimmers in dramatic contrast with the dense, green, tropical landscape.
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Arecibo Observatory
The arecibo observatory is the largest radio telescope on earth. The visitor's center has an impressive exhibition about space and the observation of space as well as on the global climate on earth. You can easily spend a couple of hours here and might want to proceed to the close-by Camuy caves.
| Hiking the Guajataca Forest |
Varies |
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Your tourist guide and certified driver will pick you up in an air-conditioned vehicle. Your guide will provide general information about Puerto Rico and the forest during the 3 hour roundtrip journey, on which you will cover 80% of the Island's Karst zone, drive over the two longest bridges in the Caribbean and enjoy an unforgettable Atlantic Ocean view!
The Guajataca Forest is located in the northwest section of Puerto Rico and has the largest hiking trail system of Puerto Rico. It has a system of 27 miles of trails that offers an excellent opportunity to appreciate the flora and fauna of this unique habitat. All trails are in their natural stages, well maintained and designed for foot travel only.
The forest is considered an unique natural area because of its tropical karst topography characterized by clusters of sub conical haystack hills called 'mogotes'. The natural areas of the forest provides habitat to many species of animals, 45 bird species and 186 trees species.
This tour offers TWO options (The trails are mostly flat, easy to walk on; some are inclined but not steep):
Interpretative Trail:
Geared more for the less inclined hiker, this is a short walking tour. A tourist guide will provide information about the flora and fauna of the forest. You will hear and see the birds singing and take pictures of breathtaking scenery. Butterflies abound, walk on easy trails in Karst country. You must walk up the stairs to the observation tower.
Hiking Trail: (for physically fit adults only)
Designed for enthusiastic hikers who also have the endurance to hike a long way. You'll see and hear the birds singing and take pictures of breathtaking scenery. Butterflies abound, go inside a cave, and walk on easy trails in Karst country. A visit to the 'El Viento' Cave and observation tower is included.
You must select one of the two options at time of booking.
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| Rum Distillery and Old San Juan |
4.5 hours |
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Departing from your San Juan hotel, you'll first enjoy a fascinating guided tour of Bacardi, the world's largest rum distillery, where you can sample the goods or buy some liquid souvenirs.
Then you'll visit one of the best preserved Spanish colonial cities in the world, Old San Juan. Old San Juan is the second oldest city built in the new world (1513). Excellent examples of Spanish Colonial architecture. Blue cobblestone streets, museums, churches and forts make Old San Juan a definite stop on any visit to Puerto Rico.
The entire city is a National Historic Preservation site! Also on this tour is a 30 minute stop at 500-year old fort.
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