In the old station of Guayama now a craft center is housed. The Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center, an ancient burial site near the Tainos of Ponce, can be reached by car. Near the small village museum of the Taino Indians were completely rebuilt.

The phosphorescence of the sea in the Phosphorescent Bay near La Parguera in the southwest of the island is a great attraction for all visitors to Puerto Rico. Disturbed by movements of fish or boats that hold billions of microscopic sea creatures in the dark, a spectacular “light show” which is on moonless nights, very attractive. There is a similar bright bay in Vieques.

The Camuy Caves in the vicinity of Arecibo on the north coast, are the third largest cave system in the world. The caves are easily accessible by car and an electric railway takes visitors up to the cave entrance.

About 30 km away from Arecibo is the largest radio-telescope antenna in the world, in a barren stretch of land between San Juan and Mayaguez. The dimensions of the antenna must be recorded at the best of small aircraft.

The Caguana Indian Ceremonial Park is located south of the Arecibo Observatory and is a 800 year old shrine of the Taino Indians. Ceremonial is a similar park in Ponce. Mayaguez and San German are old colonial towns. The Tropical Agricultural Research Station is one of the Mayaguez University of Puerto Rico. The botanical research station is open on certain days for visitors.

For round trips over the island there are beautiful places to explore. The river rises in the Espirito Santo Luquillo Mountains and empties into the Atlantic. Boats with up to 24 passengers traveled 8 km of river. The journey takes about 2 hours.

San Juan

The capital of San Juan is divided into Old and New Town. The town was founded in 1521 and is now placed under monument protection. Many buildings from the 16th and 17 Century have been restored in the original Spanish style. The Pablo Casals Museum is dedicated to the work of the famous cellist. At the Casa de los Contrafuertes the Latin American Graphic Arts Museum and houses the Pharmacy Museum with its restored old pharmacy. The typical Spanish Casa del Callejon houses the Museum of Colonial Architecture and the Museum of the Puerto Rican Family. At the Casa del Libro old books and manuscripts are on display. The Museum for Art and History was built in 1855 as the market building where the patio is often used for concerts. The Plaza de San Jose is located at the upper end of the old town, in the middle stands the statue of Juan Ponce de Len. El Morro, the Spanish fortress dating from the 16th Century, as well as San Cristobal, built in 1771, the fort is built high on the rocks.

The Casa Blanca 1523, was built as a home for Ponce de Len. In the Dominican Convent (also 1523) now houses the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquea is housed. La Fortaleza, the Governor’s residence was completed in 1540 and is the oldest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The old city wall was built around 1630 by the Spanish and it follows the contours of the masonry of the peninsula and offers magnificent views of old town and sea. The San Juan Cathedral, originally built in 1520 and completely restored in 1977. The San Jose Church is the second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere. The Alcaldia (City Hall) was built between 1604 and 1789. The casino, not to be confused with a casino is a beautiful building dating back to 1917.

Excursions:

Condado, New Town, has in recent years much has been built, this district is connected by a narrow strip of land with the old town. The Botanical Garden and the Museum of Ethnology are very interesting. Harbor cruises offer a wonderful view over the city and surrounding area.

East of the capital is El Yunque, a 11 300 hectare rain forest with over 240 species of trees and a bird sanctuary, located in the Luquillo Mountains, and by car or narrow-gauge railway is reached.

The beautiful city of Ponce, which is connected by a toll road to the capital, lies on the southern coast of the island, close to beautiful beaches. Should the sugar mill, the Rum Museum and the Indian Ceremonial Park missed. The art gallery contains paintings and sculptures of classical and modern art movements. The collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings from the 19th Century is regarded as one of the best in America.