Cays: Icacos, Diablo, Palominos, Palominitos, Fajardo /Dean
East December-2004, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Experience the Eastern Side
Canóvanas, Fajardo, Humacao
There is always lots going on in the East. Here is the short list: Loíza (bomba y plena), Canóvanas (the racetrack - see below), 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 - see below), Culebra and Vieques (exquisite beaches), Ceiba (the Ceiba Forest), Naguabo (the seaside boardwalk), Humacao (a strip of excellent seafood restaurants - see below), Juncos and Las Piedras (local artisans), Yabucoa (Lucía Beach) and Maunabo (the start of the Luis Muñoz Marín Route).
Canóvanas
Canóvanas is known as the "Ciudad de las Carreras" (The Race Track City) and the "Ciudad de los Indios" (The Indian City). The first is a reference to the Hipódromo El Comandante, the major horseracing track on Rt 3. In addition to regular races held during the week, the track also hosts the annual Caribbean Classic. This race showcases horses from throughout the Caribbean. The story behind the Ciudad de los Indios is a bit more complicated. Canóbana, Yuguibo and Jumaca, leaders of the Caciques, formed an alliance to throw off the Spanish rule. However, the attempt was unsuccessful and eventually a peace was reached with the Spanish. Today, in the Plaza de Recreo Juan Francisco Arroyo, you will find a statue to Canóbana that memorializes his efforts to better the conditions for the Caciques. Another historic structure in town is the Antigua Lechería de la Familia Pagán, the old milk factory. Just outside of town is the Puente Villarán, one of the last (and best-preserved) bridges built by the Spanish.
Fajardo
Known as "La Metrópolis del Este" (Metropolis of the East), Fajardo is a major tourism and recreation area. The location is ideal, with easy access to the archipelago of Vieques, Culebra and the nearby day-sailing cays of Icacos, Diablo, Palominos and Palominitos. In addition, there are a number of large marinas in the area as well as an airport and a major nature preserve. The 316-acre Las Cabezas de San Juan nature preserve features a lighthouse that has been in continuous operation since 1882. The tour of this area includes the lighthouse, the mangroves and the Bioluminescent Lagoon. Reservations are required to enter the grounds and take
the tour.
Fajardo is well known for its excellent day sailing, snorkeling and diving. The day-sailing trips normally take you to one of the nearby cays for a day of snorkeling, sun bathing and feasting (food and soft drinks are part of the deal). For the divers, there is excellent clear water all around the cays, with plenty to explore. For a nocturnal trip in the Bioluminescent Lagoon, contact one of the tour or nature/adventure tour operators. Of course, the seafood in this area is fresh and delicious.
Humacao
Founded in 1722, Humacao is named after the Indian chief "Jumacao." This was once an important sugarcane area (the Ejemplo and Pasto Viejo sugar mills were located here). In 1920, the Czech architect Antonin Nechodoma designed a home for the Roig-Guzmán family. This unique and graceful structure is now open to the public as the Museo Casa Roig. While the Museo features displays of contemporary art, it is a work of art in and of itself. After looking around the Museo, you might want to look up. To do that, visit the Astronomic Observatory (see the directory for details). You can see sunspots during the day and do a bit of stargazing at night. Of course, there is always the beach area north of town and the Mesones Gastronómicos along the shoreline. For the golfers in the crowd, the Palmas del Mar offers two first-class challenging courses along with a host of other facilities.
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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
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 EAST - Sponsors & Marketplace
Accommodations
Río Grande
Wyndham Río Mar Resort & Spa 800-4-RIOMAR
Yabucoa
Lucía Beach Villas 787-266-1111
Casinos
Río Grande
Río Mar Casino 800-4-RIOMAR
Diving & Snorkeling
Fajardo
Pure Adventure 787-314-4347
Fishing
Fajardo
Castillo Tours, Fishing & Watersports 787-791-6195
Traveler Catamaran / Fajardo Tours 787-863-2821
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
Vieques
Pure Adventure 787-314-4347
Restaurants & Clubs
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
East Island Excursions 877-937-4386
Erin Go Bragh Sailing & Snorkeling Charters 787-860-4401
Island Flyer 787-860-3434
Jim Boat Trips 787-383-4663
Fajardo
Castillo Tours & Watersports 787-791-6195
East Island Excursions 877-937-4386
Erin Go Bragh Sailing & Snorkeling Charters 787-860-4401
Island Flyer 787-860-3434
Jim Boat Trips 787-383-4663
Traveler Catamaran / Fajardo Tours 787-863-2821
Luquillo
Castillo Tours & Watersports 787-791-6195
Vieques
East Island Excursions 877-937-4386
Erin Go Bragh Sailing & Snorkeling Charters 787-860-4401
Island Flyer 787-860-3434
Jim Boat Trips 787-383-4663
Yabucoa
Jim Boat Trips 787-383-4663
Sightseeing
Fajardo
Castillo Tours & Travel Services 787-791-6195
Luquillo
Castillo Tours & Travel Services 787-791-6195
Río Grande
Castillo Tours & Travel Services 787-791-6195
Spas
Río Grande
Mandara Spa at Río Mar 800-4-RIOMAR
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