You may register for these activities by faxing or mailing the accompanying order blank to Travel Services, Inc., who are providing these activities for CPAC, along with credit card information or a check. It is most important that you sign up as early as possible in order to assure your reservation. Tours, once booked, are fully refundable anytime up until 24 hours prior to operation.
Following is a schedule of offerings, a description of each, and the price for each sightseeing excursion.
Monday, July 16
2:30 - 5:00 PM City Tour of Historical Old San Juan
Tuesday, July 17
2:30 - 6:30 PM Visit to El Yunque Rainforest with Low Impact Hike
Wednesday, July 18
2:30 - 5:00 PM Visit to Bacardi Rum Distillery
Thursday, July 19
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM Visit to Camuy Cave Park
All Day Visit to Ponce and Puerto Rico's South Coast
We'll start bright and early, heading inland on the trans-island expressway, through the lush green hills of the interior and across the Cordillera of mountains to the drier Caribbean side of the island to Ponce. Your tour will begin with a panoramic view of the Caribbean coast from El Vigia Hill, towering several hundred feet over the city of Ponce at the point where the central Cordillera starts to rise - it was from here that early residents scanned the horizon for pirates. Imediately below this lookout point is Serralles Castle, the baronial estate of Puerto Rico's most powerful rum producing families, who produce Don Q Rum. You will actually tour this "castle" which is a magnificient example of Spanish Revival architecture popular in the 1920's and includes furnishings that date back to medieval Spain mixed in with what were then the "modern" appliances of the early 20th century. You finish this segment of the tour actually feeling that you have met the members of the Serralles dynasty.
Next you will head to the city's center that has been lovingly restored to its original turn of the century splendor and features a spacious tree-lined plaza, which encompasses the Cathedral and Fanciful red and black Parque de Bombas (firehouse), which was imported from a world's fair. Horse drawn carriages are usually found at the square as well. Time will then be allowed for lunch from any of the American style food outlets located on the Plaza.
Following lunch you will stop at the Ponce Art Museum, known for its classical Greek architecture, famous Pre-Raphaelite collection and exhibits of Latin American painters. From the museum you head back to San Juan and the 21st Century. Price per person: $65.00
City Tour of Historical Old San Juan
We will first head eastward towards Boca de Cangrejos (mouth of the Crab), close by the hotel, then work our way back through the areas of Isla Verde, Condado, past Fort San Geronimo and on into Old San Juan, one of the most beautiful old cities in the New World, and filming location for big-budget movies starring such luminaries as Steven Seagal, Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone. Your first stop is for a short visit to Fort San Cristobal, a mainstay of the San Juan fortification system, from which the Spanish successfully defended their city from British and Dutch attacks as well as frequent assaults from various and sundry pirates. Be sure to watch their historical video on the area. Drive along the coast for a panoramic view of El Morro Fort, La Fortaleza, The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, San Juan Cathedral, San Jose Church and Capilla de Cristo. You'll see the beautiful 17th century Spanish ironwork on the restored homes and note the blue-black glazed cobblestones that were brought to San Juan as ballast for the Spanish galleons, and were used to line the narrow streets of the Old City. In addition, armed with our "Shopper's Map" of Old San Juan, you will have time to explore some of the many interesting shops, boutiques and art galleries that have made this historic area their home. You may elect to remain in San Juan and return on your own, or return with the tour vehicle - it's your option. Price per person: $27.50
El Yunque Rainforest with Hike
El Yunque Rainforest consists of a range of mountains, located about 45 minutes from San Juan. This area receives billions of gallons of rainfall each year and has over 240 varieties of plants and trees. El Yunque boast a jungle-like atmosphere consisting of giant hardwoods, tropical ferns over 40 feet tall, bamboo groves and minature orchids. Stops are made at La Coca Falls (a great photo opportunity), and at the natural rock swimming pool, plus a separate step-aboard hiking tour guide will accompany you on a low-impact walk/hike on one of El Yunque's beautiful trails for an up-close and in-depth rainforest experience. Be sure to wear closed toe shoes, as the trail may be damp. We'll supply the mineral water for the hike. And as a bonus, you will make a photo stop at beautiful Luquillo Beach, located only a short distance from the hotel. Price per Person: $39.00
Bacardi Rum Distillery Tour
Your tour carries you out to the south side of San Juan Harbor, where you will enter the beautifully manicured grounds of the Bacardi Rum Distillery, the world's largest distiller of natural spirits. Upon arrival you will board an open-air tram with a bilingual guide who will take you to the distillery building that houses 20 giant 50,000-gallon tanks. While on the fifth floor, commonly referred to as the "Hall of Rums," one can view the six story tall distillation towers. In addition to viewing the fermentation and bottling processes, visitors are treated to lavish new exhibits that chronicle Bacardi's history, products and innovations in technology. You will then proceed to the open-air pavilion, where you will be treated to complimentary rum drinks. Adjacent to the pavilion is the Rum N' Things gift shop in which one can purchase Bacardi Rum as well as many other Bacardi products. Price per person: $26.50
Visit to the Camuy Caverns
The extensive subterranean cave systems of Rio Camuy Cave Park are reported to be the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Today a drive of approximately 90 minutes from your hotel takes you past lush landscape, pineapple farms and jagged eroded limestone cliffs and haystack hills as you near the area of this massive subterranean wonderland.
Your visit to the park begins with a short video as you wait to board the open air trolleys, which twist and turn their way through the road carved out of verdant foliage before reaching the moss lined entrance to the cave. After this ten-minute trolley ride, multilingual cave guides will escort you on foot through the enormous cave, 200 feet high and a half-mile long. A large opening at one end of the cave allows light to filter through part of the cave, creating beautiful photographic opportunities. From this opening you will see one of the many sinkholes carved out by the Camuy River, the world's third largest underground river. As you walk through the interior of the cave, passing stalagmites and stalactites, you will experience the eerie illusion of timeless steps in the earth's creation.
Next you will board another trolley and proceed to a platform, which overlooks the Tres Pueblos Sinkhole, so named because the boundaries of three local towns intersect at the place where the ground drops several hundred feet. The sinkhole is viewed from the rim, as is the Spiral Cave, which requires a walk down 205 steps to gaze into the mouth of a cave which drops quickly into impenetrable depths. The climb back of those 205 stairs is the most exertion required in the park. Price per Person: $62.00
Note:
No confirmation will be mailed. You will receive your tour vouchers when you register upon arrival. Please ensure that any changes or cancellations are made at least 24 hours in advance in order to guarantee refund.
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