Puerto Rico - micePLACES

Puerto Rico / San JuanPublic TransportationBusesMetropolitan Bus Authority (AMA and Metrobus) bus stopsare marked by signs that read "Parada". Fares are fromUS$0.25 to US$0.50 and depend on routes. There isusually a 20-45 minute wait between buses. Contactthe Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA) for additionalinformation: 787-767-7979TaxisOfficial Puerto Rico Tourism Company sponsored taxis onthe Island are clean, clearly identifiable and reliable. Lookfor the white taxis with the official logo and the "TaxiTurístico" on the front doors. The official taxi cabs chargefixed rates to and from the Luis Muñoz Marín InternationalAirport or piers in Old San Juan.Venues For Group EventsWhether you are hosting an event for 10 or 10,000, you can rest assured it will go smoothly in Puerto Rico, starting withover 13,300 guest rooms and 1.2 million sqft/111,480 sqm of meeting space for a range of budgets. Our Island's heritageincludes a legacy of unique venues for special events that reflect a rich history and culture. Our world-class hotels andresorts offer a variety of conference facilities and recreational attractions for groups of all sizes. Most major hotels alsofeature casinos, some of which are open 24-hours a day. Soon, two full-service, chain-affiliated hotels will be adjacentto the Convention Center. The first, a 500-room hotel, will open in late 2009 under the Sheraton banner.Casa de España was built in 1943 and since then has served as a private social club for resident Spaniards.Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico incorporates a modern 5-story structure with a neo-classic building once part of theSan Juan Municipal Hospital, designed and built in 1920. The modern East Wing features a 3-story atrium, a 400-seattheater, restaurant and the gardens.Hacienda Siesta Alegre is a colonial-style hacienda with a breathtaking view overlooking the north coast from a hill highin the rain forest.General InformationPuerto Rico, with its natural beauty and rich culturalheritage, has much to offer visitors. Its infrastructure isas sophisticated as it is extensive, with more than 13,300hotel rooms, excellent transportation and far-reachingsupport services. Featuring a diverse culture, molded bySpanish, African, Indian and U.S. influences, the Islandoffers a central location where North American,Caribbean, Latin American and European visitors will feelequally at home. Only 100 miles/161 km long and 35miles/56 km wide, the Island is home to almost fourmillion people, including 1.5 million residing in San Juan.Other major urban areas include Ponce, Mayagüez,Caguas and Bayamón. Puerto Rico’s average temperatureis 82° F (28°C). Trade winds keep coastal towns cooland the temperature decreases as you travel higher intothe mountains. As a U.S. Commonwealth, no passportsor visas are required for U.S. visitors; foreign nationalsshould have valid passports and visas as required.Places Of InterestFascinating Terrain ranges from palm-lined beaches on four coastlines, to rugged mountain ranges, gently rolling hillsand even dry, desert-like areas. One of Puerto Rico’s most distinctive features is its designated forest reserves. The mostnotable is the 28,000-acre El Yunque, near San Juan, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System.Bio-luminescent Bays are famous glowing lagoons in Puerto Rico. Two are located in the eastern region, Las Croabasin Fajardo and Mosquito Bay in Vieques. Another is located off the southwest coast near La Parguera, and is one of theIsland’s most popular attractions. The bays feature billions of aquatic microorganisms that lend a magic glow to star-litevenings.Río Camuy Cave Park to the west of San Juan is one of the largest cave systems in the Western Hemisphere. Guidedtours include the world’s third largest underground river and a 400 ft/120 m sinkhole.Arecibo Observatory Radio Telescope on the Island’s northern coast is the world’s largest radio telescope whose 20-acredish is built into a natural geological feature.Ponce is located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, the second largest city. The heart of this historic city dates back tothe 17th century. Similar to Old San Juan, the city is brimming with churches, fountains, plazas and decorative colonialhomes. Highlights include the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the brightly painted Parque de Bombas, a formerfirehouse.