SERMACS 2009
Sigthseeing Information

Puerto Rico - Places to Go

• Bacardi Rum Distillery

Arriving at the Bacardi Rum Distillery you are escorted on open-air trams by the Bacardi multi-lingual staff visiting the plant, museum and bottling line finishing and will have the opportunity to learn about the tradition of processing and aging of Bacardi’s finest rums. Then it’s off to the tasting bar to be treated to a complimentary rum drink. Rum can also be purchased at the gift shop at discounted prices.

• Old San Juan

A definite “must do” while visiting Puerto Rico. Upon your arrival to the Old City your first stop is at the San Cristobal Fort for a short tour and photo shoots. Driving through the Old City historical sites that will be seen are El Morro Fort, San Jose Church, El Convento, San Juan Cathedral and Capilla del Cristo. Your second stop is at Paseo la Princesa including a walk to see the entrance of the San Juan Bay harbor. Then it’s off to Plaza de Armas for a shopping spree visiting artesian shops as well as the outlet stores on Cristo Street.

• Walking Tour to Old San Juan

It begins in the Paseo de Princesa where we will begin our walk down the promenade lined with trees and benches that will lead you to a magnificent water fountain and bronze sculpture depicting the island’s diverse cultural roots. The Princesa formerly a jail and now headquarters for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company will be found midway down the promenade. As we continue our walk the promenade follows the bay along the city wall to the Puerto de San Juan or San Juan Gate. We’ll re-enter the city through the gate and have the opportunity to view historic sites such as El Convento, San Juan Cathedral, Casa Blanca, Capillo de Cristo, Plaza San Jose, El Morro Fort and much more.

• El Yunque Rainforest

You will experience a drive through typical native towns going to El Yunque Rainforest. There you will see lush tropical vegetation, wild orchids, giant ferns, tropical hardwoods and waterfalls. You will stop at La Coca Falls for photo shoots then on to Yokahú Tower for a fantastic view of the North coastline. There also will be a twenty minute guided walk on Caimitillo trail through the forest to view first hand the flora & fauna in this natural wonder.

• Hiking Tour Rainforest

You will experience a 45- minute drive through typical native towns going to El Yunque Rainforest. There you will see lush tropical vegetation, thousand year old trees, wild orchids, giant ferns, tropical hardwoods and waterfalls. From the heart of this breathtaking beauty you’ll hear in incessant yet delightful chanting of the “Coqui” and the chattering of unseen tropical birds.

There are two main hikes in the forest. One is a 35-minute hike down Big Tree Trail or La Mina trail down to La Mina Waterfalls. This is a semi-athletic trail down to the falls and once you arrive you can take a refreshing swim in the falls. The 2nd hike is up to Mt. Britton. This hike is about one hour and is more athletic. Once at the Mt. Britton Tower you’ll enjoy the magnificent views of the forest and of the northeastern coast of the island.

• Catamaran Day Sail

Your guests will enjoy a 30-minute sail to Icacos or one of the surrounding islands. Once the catamaran arrives at the island it actually beaches so that when your guests disembark they are in knee-deep water. On the island they will have the opportunity to take advantage of our professional instruction in snorkeling, they can beach comb, swim or snorkel offshore or just relax on the beach.

Your guests will be able to enjoy a scrumptious picnic lunch prepared and served on board by the crew. Lunch consists of “build your own” sandwiches with a variety of meats and cheeses, condiments, French bread, pasta and green salad, tropical fruits and assorted cookies, refreshments, piña coladas, rum punch and beer. After lunch our boat leaves the island and anchors 200 yards offshore over a living coral reef. Here your guests will have the opportunity to snorkel over the reef and view numerous tropical fish and coral formations.

• Scuba Diving

Get away from the world above and dive to he wonders below; the exciting world of fun and adventure beneath the turquoise waters of Puerto Rico. Scuba diving is offered on the eastern side of the Island, Fajardo, known to be one of the best scuba diving site in the world. Non-certified divers are welcome. (One-day dive certification)

• Deep-Sea Fishing

Big game deep-sea fishing is only minutes away while visiting the San Juan metropolitan area. Your day begins with a scenic cruise of the San Juan Bay, the largest harbor in Puerto Rico. This is nothing more than impressive, exhibiting landmarks such as El Morro, The Governor’s Mansion, the Gate of San Juan and the Bacardi Distillery. Then in less than twenty five minutes you’ll be five miles off shore in waters 6000 feet deep fishing for Dorado, Wahoo, Sailfish, Tuna and Blue Marlin. The boats allow for six passengers. The charter includes plenty of lures, bait, tackle as well as soda, beer, water and ice. Arrangements can be made for box lunches.

• Kayaking/Luquillo Beach

This tour includes state of the art two man kayaks, lifejackets, snorkel gear, refreshments and two guides that lead the group along the coastline of Luquillo Beach. There will be a short stop for snorkeling in emerald green water.

•  Bicycling off Piñones Beach

Only 10 minutes from the hotel the ride will start on the newest boardwalk and paved trails in the largest mangrove forest left in Puerto Rico and work our way to the breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. The cyclist will encounter some small hills that wind along the Northeast coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, but for the most part the ride will be on flatland

• Ponce City Tour

Ponce is the second largest city in Puerto Rico. Your tour will include a visit to Ponce Art Museum, Serralles Castle, and a stop at the Old Town to visit the shops or have lunch. (Cost of lunch is not included in the tour price) Also, a visit can be set up to Hacienda Buena Vista, a coffee plantation, in lieu of one of the other stops as mentioned above. However, these arrangements need to be made in advance prior to group arrival.

• Camuy Caves

This tour takes your to the northwestern part of the island. Camuy Cave Park is known as one of the most massive cave networks in this hemisphere. Recently two craterlike sinkholes and caves within this network have been beautifully developed. The caverns are easily visited with modern trolley cars taking you down the entrance of the caves. You will then enjoy a guided tour of the great cavern system seeing the Underground River as well as huge stalagmites and rocky ravines. You are then escorted back to the trolleys to the upper level where you can purchase refreshments and souvenirs before your return to San Juan .

• Arecibo Observatory

Arecibo Observatory, which features the world’s larges radar/radio telescope and is operated by Cornell University. The Observatory is conducting groundbreaking astronomy work, including the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) program. A 20-acre radar dish, with a 600-ton suspended platform hovering over it, sits in an impressive 565-foot deep sinkhole while it examines planets and monitors natural radio emissions from distant galaxies, pulsars and quasars….all from Arecibo!

• Golf Outing

Puerto Rico is a golfer’s heaven with a variety of ocean courses available for play. For groups staying in the metropolitan area we can make arrangements for golf at Bahia Beach, Wyndham Rio Mar and Plantation in Dorado. Transportation, green fees and golf cart are included in this excursion. Club rentals are available at all the courses. Golf tournaments can be arranged with advance notice for blocking of the tee times and tournament play.

• Horse Riding

Your group will enjoy a two-hour ride mounted on gentle, well-trained horses. Ride through the foothills of the Rainforest or Secluded beaches of Isabela. (Bring bathing Suite, long pants and Tennis Shoes).

• Plaza las Americas

This is the largest shopping center in the Caribbean. Anchored by JC Penney, Sears and the island’s only Macy’s, “Plaza” houses over 300 stores, 21 cinemas, 25 eateries and popular theme restaurants. Hours: Mon. - Sat, 9am - 9pm, Sundays 11am - 5pm. Food court opens daily until 10 pm.

• Cabezas de San Juan / El Faro Lighthouse Tour

The tour consists of three major stops throughout the natural park reserve that is run by the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust. Each tour guide is a biology student working on his or her masters or special program. The group is taken throughout the reserve by tram. They first experience a drive through the dry forest and pass the phosphorescent bay. They then disembark off the tram on to view and walk through the mangrove forest. Here they will see the natural flora and fauna of this of this protected area while crossing over wooden bridges while an explanation is given about the difference between mangroves and their habitat. The group then re-boards the tram to visit the farthest most extreme eastern corner of the coast to view the wonders of nature, the ocean and the surrounding coral reefs. The last stop is at the “El Faro Lighthouse”, where they view from the observation deck where the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet.

Nature Reserve Excursion- Acquired by the island’s Conservation Trust, its coral reefs, beaches, lagoons, mangroves and dry forest distinguish the peninsula. Your group can explore the peninsula along a network of trails and boardwalks, study exhibits at a nature center, and enjoy the view from the lighthouse observation deck. A Typical luncheon in one of the area’s local restaurants is a popular addition to this excursion. English tour only available in the p.m.

• El Comandante Race Track

Racing fans in your party can watch their favorite picks round the bend from the comfort of the racetrack’s air-conditioned clubhouse, which seats up to 1,000 guests. Group functions, transfers, and lunches can be arranged for Wednesday, Fridays, and Sundays during race time.