The Caribe Hilton San Juan is one of the island's luxury hotels, surrounded by 17 acres of lush tropical gardens and idyllically situated on a private peninsula. The resort offers a private beach, two swimming pools, and lavish accommodations…hammocks included.
For
the best piña colada on the island, look no further than the Oasis Bar in the
hotel lobby where the legendary cocktail was invented! Also at the resort is
the world-famous Lemongrass restaurant serving savory Asian fusion cuisine. Dine
among beautiful gardens inhabited by peacocks, turtles, ducks, and other
wildlife. Stay for dessert and a peacock just may show his full plumage, sometimes
followed by a little “victory” dance. www.caribehilton.com
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| Greeting guests at Lemongrass restaurant |
Old
San Juan, one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean, is a charming Spanish
colonial city just 5 minutes from the Caribe Hilton. Admired for its regal
architecture and historic attractions, the 500-year-old blue/grey cobblestone
streets lead the way to a few of Puerto Rico’s extraordinary art galleries.
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| Old San Juan |
To
experience the true history of Old San Juan, the long walk to the Castillo San
Felipe del Morro is well worthwhile. The breathtaking views up to the six-level
castle are exceeded only by the castle itself. Built in the 16th
century to protect the entrance to the Old City of San Juan, the gigantic
fortress has since been preserved as a museum and declared a World Heritage
Site by the United Nations. Explore the underground dungeons and passageways, then
climb to the cannonball pyramids 145 feet above sea level and take in the
magnificent Atlantic Ocean views.
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| The top of Castillo San Felipe del Morro |
For
true tranquility head to El Yunque Rainforest, one of the oldest reserves in
the Western Hemisphere and the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. National
Forest Service. The jungle-like forest has a myriad of hiking trails, rivers,
and cascading waterfalls that are truly spectacular. The rainforest is also home
to 200 species of trees and tropical plants, the endangered Puerto Rican parrot,
and the tiny one-inch-long coquí, a tree frog indigenous to Puerto Rico. Buy a
poncho at the gift shop before walking through the rainforest…it rains more
than 300 days and more than 100 billion gallons a year at El Yunque!
Puerto Rico is a great getaway for a much-needed
extended vacation – or a quick escape – since U.S. citizens don’t need a
passport to travel to the island. With an average temperature of 82 degrees, every
day is a perfect day to experience all that Puerto Rico has to offer. www.seepuertorico.com.
