La Casa del Mar Dive Center, Fajardo /Dean
East June-2004, By:Luisa Forrest
Do It All... Go East
Loíza, Río Grande , Fajardo, Ceiba
There is lots going on in the East in June and July, but then there is always lots going on in the East. Here is the short list: Loíza (the great Fiestas Tradicionales de Santiago Apóstol), Canóvanas (the racetrack), Río Grande (fabulous golf courses and El Yunque, the Caribbean National Forest), Luquillo (the best-known beach on the Island, Balneario de Luquillo), Fajardo (day sailing to the cays of Icacos, Palominos and Palominitos), Culebra and Vieques (exquisite beaches), Ceiba (the Festival Playa Machos), Naguabo (the seaside boardwalk), Humacao (a strip of excellent seafood restaurants), Juncos and Las Piedras (local artisans), Yabucoa (Lucía Beach) and Maunabo (the start of the Luis Muñoz Marín Route).
Former slaves from Puerto Rico and other islands settled this region, and the town of Loíza retains much of its African heritage. Musicians pound out the rhythms of bomba y plena, cooks fry bacalaitos and other African-inspired foods, and artisans carve vejigante masks out of coconut husks. These and other traditions come to the fore during the Fiestas Tradicionales de Santiago Apóstol, held in Loíza the end of July . Based on traditions linking the Christian warrior St. James with the African warrior Changó, the festival resembles a carnival, with many revelers dressed as Moors and Christians. African-based music, dance and food are in abundance. When it’s time to cool off, check out Playa Aviones, the town’s excellent beach.
The town of Río Grande lies at the base of El Yunque, the Caribbean National Forest. From the end of June through the beginning of July, Río Grande celebrates Carnaval Ciudad del Yunque, five evenings of carnival-like revelry that includes parades, music and food. July 3 marks the parade of queens and coronation of Río Grande’s queen, and July 4 features the carnival parade, complete with costumed revelers. For a change of pace, visit the José Hernández Poster Museum, which showcases works of various Puerto Rican artists, including paintings by Lorenzo Omar.
Once a small fishing village and sugarcane center, Fajardo has become a modern tourist destination. The Carnaval de Fajardo in July and August is a great time to visit the town. Enjoy an artisan fair and carnival with music, food, arts and crafts. Several marinas make Fajardo the boating capital of the Island. Charters provide daylong snorkeling/sailing adventures to several offshore islets, and the balneario at Seven Seas offers landlubbers a beautiful place to bathe and snorkel. Las Cabezas de San Juan remains in its untouched state as a nature reserve. With prior reservations, visitors can take tours of the grounds, a lighthouse museum, and a mangrove-rimmed lagoon. At night, water sports operators offer kayaking to the lagoon, which glows with bioluminescence.
For a beachside festival, visit the eastern coastal town of Ceiba the end of July, beginning of August . Its Festival Playa Machos features beach sports by day and music by night, with kiosks serving food and refreshments. Ceiba is more regional in character than Fajardo, and it is more closely connected to the Luquillo Mountains that rise behind it. This is a good area to take an off-the-beaten-track outing up Road 191 into the south side of the Caribbean National Forest, followed by a swim at a beach facing Cayo Santiago, where Rhesus monkeys form part of a research colony.
You will also find festivals in Humacao (Festival del Tiburón in July) and Maunabo (Festival del Pueblo in June). Vieques hosts its annual Paso Fino Competition on Father’s Day.
| Latest Island-Wide Feature Articles:
Attractions & Sights Kid's Stuff
Beaches Destination Beach
Business Center AAAction - Making Movies in Paradise
Casinos Blackjack 101
Diving & Snorkeling Down Under
Events Gallery Nights in Old San Juan
Fishing Fishing in Paradise
Forests Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) Recovery Program
Golf Legendary Courses
Information Masthead
Nature/Adventure Nature Adventure Caribbean Style
Restaurants & Clubs Kiosk Cooking
Sailing & Watersports Sailing, Snorkeling and Kayaking
Shopping The Coffee Craze
Spas Spa-tacular
East Article Archive
2007-04 Expore the East
2007-02 Driving to Fajardo
2005-08 Las Piedras, Maunabo, Vieques
2005-06 Loíza, Río Grande, Ceiba
2005-04 Luquillo, Fajardo, Vieques
2005-02 Culebra, Naguabo, Río Grande
2004-12 Canóvanas, Fajardo, Humacao
2004-10 Juncos, Luquillo, Naguabo
2004-08 Las Piedras, Maunabo, Yabucoa
2004-06 Loíza, Río Grande , Fajardo, Ceiba
2004-04 El Yunque, Vieques, Humacao, Canóvanas
2004-02 Fajardo, Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Icacos, Palomino, Palominitos, Diablo, International Regatta, Nagu
All Archives
 EAST - Sponsors & Marketplace
Accommodations
Culebra
Posada La Hamaca 787-742-3516
Fajardo
Fajardo Inn 787-860-6000
Passion Fruit 787-801-0106
Río Grande
Río Grande Plantation Eco Resort 787-887-2779
Wyndham Río Mar Resort and Spa 800-4-RIOMAR
Car Rental
Fajardo
Enterprise Rent a Car 787-801-3722
Enterprise Rent a Car 787-860-6868
Casinos
Río Grande
Río Mar Casino 800-4-RIOMAR
Diving & Snorkeling
Fajardo
Pure Adventure 787-314-4347
Fishing
Culebra
Capt. Osva Fishing & Snorkeling Charters 787-547-4851
Caribbean Outfitters 787-396-8346
Fajardo
Capt. Osva Fishing & Snorkeling Charters 787-547-4851
Castillo Tours, Fishing & Watersports 787-791-6195
Traveler Catamaran / Fajardo Tours 787-863-2821
Humacao
Capt. Osva Fishing & Snorkeling Charters 787-547-4851
Río Grande
Capt. Osva Fishing & Snorkeling Charters 787-547-4851
Vieques
Capt. Osva Fishing & Snorkeling Charters 787-547-4851
Caribbean Outfitters 787-396-8346
Horseback Riding
Río Grande
PR 4Less Tours 787-627-5214
Marinas
Fajardo
El Conquistador Resort and Marina 787-863-6594
Nature/Adventure
Culebra
Pure Adventure 787-314-4347
Fajardo
Ecoquest 787-616-7543
Pure Adventure 787-314-4347
Humacao
Pure Adventure 787-314-4347
Naguabo
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
Río Grande
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
PR 4Less Tours 787-627-5214
Vieques
Pure Adventure 787-314-4347
Restaurants & Clubs
Fajardo
Blue Iguana Mexican Grill & Bar 787-860-6000
Star Fish 787-860-6000
Río Grande
Grille Room, The 800-4-RIOMAR
Marbella 800-4-RIOMAR
Palio 800-4-RIOMAR
SeaBreeze 800-4-RIOMAR
Shimas 800-4-RIOMAR
Sailing & Watersports
Ceiba
Jim Boat Trips 787-383-4663
Culebra
Erin Go Bragh Sailing & Snorkeling Charters 787-860-4401
Jim Boat Trips 787-383-4663
Fajardo
Castillo Tours & Watersports 787-791-6195
Erin Go Bragh Sailing & Snorkeling Charters 787-860-4401
Jim Boat Trips 787-383-4663
Traveler Catamaran / Fajardo Tours 787-863-2821
Luquillo
Castillo Tours & Watersports 787-791-6195
Vieques
Erin Go Bragh Sailing & Snorkeling Charters 787-860-4401
Jim Boat Trips 787-383-4663
Yabucoa
Jim Boat Trips 787-383-4663
Sightseeing
Culebra
Eco Action Tours 787-791-7509
Fajardo
Castillo Tours & Travel Services 787-791-6195
Eco Action Tours 787-791-7509
Loíza
Countryside Tours 787-593-9014
Luquillo
Castillo Tours & Travel Services 787-791-6195
Eco Action Tours 787-791-7509
Río Grande
Castillo Tours & Travel Services 787-791-6195
Countryside Tours 787-593-9014
Eco Action Tours 787-791-7509
PR 4Less Tours 787-627-5214
Vieques
Eco Action Tours 787-791-7509
Spas
Río Grande
Mandara Spa at Río Mar 800-4-RIOMAR
|
About/Advertise/Contact Us
Copyright 2008-1986 Travel and Sports, Inc.
puertoricoguest.com