El Morro Fort, built between 1540-1783 to prevent seaborne enemies from
conquering the island of Puerto Rico. |
History:
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by
the Spanish Crown in 1493 following COLUMBUS' second voyage to the
Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the
indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor
introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the
Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917.
Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948.
In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self
government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose
not to alter the existing political status.
Geographically, Puerto Rico is a Caribbean hub, presiding squarely over
the waters between Hispaniola and the Virgin Islands. As a commonwealth
of the US, however, it remains a world apart from its island neighbors,
over a distance that can be measured not just in kilometers, but in
dollars. American influence is strongest in San Juan , where even the
ramparts of El Morro - which staved off European aggressors for 500
years - haven't managed to prevent the influx of big-name American
fast-food and retail chains. But the capital retains a distinctly Latin
character at its core, with Old San Juan hosting a treasure-trove of
pastel Spanish colonial architecture on exquisitely restored cobble
stoned streets.
Despite the threat of overdevelopment from US dollars, most of the
35-by-100-mile island has managed to elude despoilment. Even in the
crowded capital, it's hard to find a sullied beach, and outside the
major cities nature is largely untouched - especially in the jungle,
mountainous interior; on the relatively hidden beaches along the
southwest coast; and on the offshore islands. In fact, the rich natural
resources and wide range of hiking, bird watching, diving and cave
exploration make Puerto Rico as much a magnet for eco-tourists as for
sun-worshippers.
Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean
region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the
primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free
access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily
in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar
production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products
as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has
traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated
arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 2004. Growth fell off in
2001-03, largely due to the slowdown in the US economy, and has
recovered in 2004-2005.
TRAVEL FACTS
When To Go:
Puerto Rico’s climate is tropical marine, mild; little seasonal
temperature variation. The average year-round temperature is 82º F (28º
C), with mild easterly trade winds. A rainier season starts in August
and ends in October, but due to the tropical climate you can expect
brief rain showers at any time.
Puerto Rico's pleasant tropical climate is virtually season-less,
though temperatures are slightly higher from June to September; note it
may be considerably cooler in the mountains. Rainfall varies around the
island - heaviest in El Yunque, which receives up to 200 inches a year,
and lightest in the southwest desert region, getting only 37 inches a
year.
Hurricanes are so common in Puerto Rico that they got their name here;
the English word for these storms with winds of over 75mph comes from
the name of the Taíno god of malevolence, Jurakán (pronounced hu-ra-kan).
Hurricane season runs June through November, when the weather is
hottest and wettest, with the risk highest in September.
Food And Drink:
In recent years, Puerto Rico - and San Juan in particular - has
commanded a growing reputation as the culinary hot spot of the
Caribbean. World-renowned chefs at vanguard restaurants prepare dynamic
Nuevo Latino cuisine - a twist on traditional Criollo cooking, with an
emphasis on fish, fruits, tubers and dark rum sauces or marinades with
tropical ingredients. You'll also find every manner of ethnic food in
the capital, including Indian, Thai, French and even Romanian.
Criollo flare, however, is still the staple of the Puerto Rican diet.
Meats are mostly served with rice and red beans (habichuelas) or
tostones - medallions of mashed, fried plantains. Sofrito - a sauce made
from cilantro, onions, garlic and peppers - is used to season many
dishes, as is adobo, a mixture of garlic, oregano, paprika, vinegar and
oil. The food is typically tasty but much of it is starchy and fried in
animal fat, and pork is far more popular than fish outside of the major
cities.
Travelers can fill up at cheap rice-and-beans joints all over the
island or seek out savory criollo staples like asopao de pollo (stewed
chicken) and plátanos (plantains) or lechón asado (roast pork) and
mofongo (a ball of crushed, fried plantains and seasonings), sold from
trailers or the backs of pickup trucks. Reposterías are also a good bet.
Found in San Juan and in strip malls island wide, they have some of the
island's best coffee, along with breakfast postres - slightly sweet
pastries filled with meat or cheese; they also sell soups, tortillas,
seafood salads and fresh bread.
Coffee in Puerto Rico is strong, served black or with heated milk
(café con leche), and very sweet. Look out for signs for refreshing coco
frío - chilled coconuts punctured with drinking straws. While not as
common, fresh-fruit drinks made from mangos, papayas and oranges (known
as jugo de china ) are also available.
Puerto Rico is the world's largest producer of rum. Rum, which
is a sugarcane-based liquor is the national drink of choice. More
than twenty brands are distilled here. The locally brewed beer is
Medalla; Presidente, from the Dominican Republic, is also popular.
For the most part, tap water is safe to drink. However, it's wise to
avoid it after storms and instead stick with bottled water, which is
widely available. If in doubt, ask the locals.
Liquor Laws - The legal drinking age is 18. Alcohol
consumption in the streets of Old San Juan has been forbidden by law.
Money And Cost:
Puerto Rico uses US currency , which generally comes in bills
of US$1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100; the dollar (sometimes referred to
as a peso) is made up of 100 cents in coins of 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel),
10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter) and 50¢ (half-dollar). Major credit cards are
widely accepted at hotels and restaurants.
Although Puerto Rico's GNP is lower than that of any of the fifty
states, prices are not drastically cheaper than on the mainland. In San
Juan, the least you can expect to pay for accommodation, without sharing
a bath, is US$65 for a double room; an average lunch at a modest
establishment runs US$5 to $12, with comparable dinners from US$10 to
$20.
ATMs - called ATHs ("a todas horas", or "at any hour") - are
abundant in cities; you'll find them in banks, supermarkets, casinos and
most of the larger hotels. In smaller towns and rural areas, you'll have
to look a little harder. ATMs located around Puerto Rico are linked to
banking networks throughout the world. If you're at a loss, ask for
directions to the local Banco Popular. Regular banking hours are Monday
to Friday from 8.30am to 2.30pm.
Currency Exchange - There are several
institutions in Puerto Rico offering currency exchange services as well
as branches of major banks from the USA, Canada and Europe.
Credit Cards - They are accepted at most
places and travelers checks by some.
Travelers Checks - They come in the
following denominations: $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000.
Wire Transfers - If you need money
wired to you quickly, it is advisable to use Moneygrams. With this
service money can be transferred to you from anywhere in the world in
just 10 minutes.
Tipping: A 15% to 20% tip is customary.
Some hotels and restaurants add a 10% to 17% service charge to the total
bill.
Taxes: There is no sales tax in Puerto
Rico. There's an 11% tax on room charges in hotels with casinos, 9% tax
on hotels without casinos and 7% on small inns. Meeting, convention, or
trade show materials are exempt if planners follow a simple procedure
through the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. Click here to learn more
about Excise Tax.
Phones, Postal Service And Email:
Phone System - The phone system is the same as in the U.S. (Sprint,
Cingular, MCI, etc.) The Island's area codes are 787 and 939. You need
to dial the area code before placing a call anywhere within Puerto Rico
and the U.S. For international calls, international codes apply.
Calling cards used in the U.S. can be used in Puerto Rico as well.
Postal And Mail Services - The U.S. Postal
Service provides the same reliable service as in the U.S. and all major
courier services, such as FedEx, DHL, Eagle, UPS among others service
Puerto Rico.
Time -The clock in Puerto Rico is never
reset because we are on Atlantic Standard Time. For the current time of
day call (787) 728-9595.
Email- Check with your hotel. A lot of
hotels offer high speed or wireless Internet Access for minimal fees.
Crime And Safety:
Puerto Rico is hardly crime-free, but most violent crime is confined
to poor urban areas. Tourist spots are, for the most part, safe, and
conspicuously guarded by police. Nevertheless, pick-pocketing occurs;
guard your cash and valuables in a safe place and be alert. Try to avoid
walking alone on deserted beaches, hiking alone and traveling around
alone at night.
If you ask a Puerto Rican for directions, more
often than not you'll be told, "Follow me." Most people have only the
best intentions. Be aware that car-jackings occur with some regularity.
Avoid asking complete strangers for directions if you can, especially at
night, and particularly if you're a woman traveling alone. Be sure to
park in well-lit areas and don't leave valuables exposed in your
vehicle, even during the day.
In case of an emergency , dial 911.
Information Websites And Maps:
Puerto Rico Convention Bureau -
www.meetpuertorico.com
Puerto Rico Tourism Company -
www.puertorico.com
Government agency that promotes tourism. English -
www.gotopuertorico.com
Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association -
www.prhta.org
Tables - A guide to great dining in Puerto Rico with articles,
Island recipes, and restaurant reviews. To order a copy of the catalog,
e mail us at info@prcb.org, please specify the number of copies and
your contact information. English & Spanish
http://www.tablespr.com
Language:
Puerto Rico's official languages are Spanish and English. Spanish is
by far the most widely spoken language in Puerto Rico and visitors to
the country who speak the language are more readily accepted.
Approximately a quarter of Puerto Rico's population can communicate in
English, but not very well. English is mostly spoken in the major
tourist sections of Puerto Rico.
Spanish spoken in
Puerto Rico is not pure. The Puerto Rican language is spattered with
English words (e.g. el coat), Taíno words (e.g. yuca) and African words
(e.g. guarapo). Creole or Criollo speech of the Jíbaro has had a great
influence on the Spanish language in Puerto Rico. The Jíbaro were
farmers from a blend of mestizo, black and white backgrounds.
As Puerto Ricans tend to be friendlier to those who can speak a few
words of their language and as English is not often spoken, it will be
of great benefit to learn a few important Spanish phrases. You may also
find it helpful to purchase a Spanish phrasebook to take along with you
on your journeys. Puerto Rican translation services can also be located
online.
Below are a few hints on Spanish
pronunciation and some useful phrases which can be used during your
journey to Puerto Rico:
