Travel & Sports® English - East April-2007, By: Travel and Sports Staff

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Travel & Sports: Puerto Rico > Magazine Articles > East

Canóvanas Ceiba Culebra Fajardo Gurabo	Humacao Juncos Las Piedras Loíza Luquillo	Maunabo Naguabo Río Grande San Lorenzo Vieques	Yabucoa
East

Hospitality /Tommy de Armas

East April-2007, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Expore the East

There is always lots going on in the East. Here is the short list: Loíza (bomba y plena), 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 Ceiba Forest), 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).

Loíza (AB/10)
Famous for the St. Jaime’s Carnaval, an event with traditional coconut shell masks, colorful costumes and great music. On the plaza, the Iglesia San Patricio dates to 1670.

Canóvanas (AB/9)
Canóvanas is known as the “Ciudad de las Carreras” a reference to the Hipódromo El Comandante, the major horse racing track.

Río Grande (AB/10)
Approximately 45% of the Caribbean National Forest (El Yunque) is within the municipal boundary. With over 120” of annual rainfall, El Yunque is the wettest area of Puerto Rico. This much rain also makes for some of Puerto Rico’s greatest golf courses.

Luquillo (AB/11)
Luquillo offers one of the most stunning beaches and outstanding Balnearios in all of Puerto Rico. The Balneario de Luquillo is a mile-long stretch of sculpted sand set against a backdrop of massive palm trees.

Fajardo (AC/11)
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, sunbathing and feasting (food and soft drinks are part of the deal). For the divers, there is excellent clear water.

Culebra (AC/13)
Originally called Passage Island, this 7-mile by 4-mile island was first inhabited by the Taíno and Caribe Indians. Today, the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge encompasses most of Culebra and 23 adjacent islands (like Isla Culebrita and Cayo Luis Peña).

Vieques (AD/12)
Though Fortín Conde Mirasol (started in 1845) was never finished, it does protect an important treasure: the Vieques Art and History Museum and the Vieques Archives. In the south-central portion of Vieques you find Esperanza. This is a comfortable, low-key, beachfront area. For a real treat, take one of the electric boat trips to the Bahía Puerto Mosquito (one of the world’s brightest bioluminescent bays).

Ceiba (AC/11)
For many years, sugarcane plantations formed the economic backbone of the area. Today, these historic relics may be visited by arrangement with City Hall. A good example of the plantations is the Hacienda Santa María where a 150-year-old chimney still stands.

Naguabo (AC/11)
Starting at the boardwalk area, crossing one or more of the 6 rivers and streams and going up into the mountains (the south side of El Yunque), you will see Naguabo as the Taínos did: as a vibrant, beautiful area.

Juncos (AC/9)
The city is known as the “Ciudad del Valenciano” because of the river surrounding the town. The Paseo Escuté, one of Juncos’ most beautiful streets, is home to the City Hall and the Dr. José M. Gallardo Library.

Las Piedras (AD/10)
Founded in 1733, Las Piedras is known for its famous artisans and local crafts. A good example of a well-known local craft is the “silla-hamaca,” a hanging chair made from “cordoncillo.”

Humacao (AD/10)
A major golf resort area with excellent restaurants along the shore. At the Astronomic Observatory you can see sunspots during the day and do a bit of stargazing at night.

Yabucoa (AE/10)
At one time, there were six sugar mills that operated in this area. Today, in the town of Yabucoa you can visit the Casa de la Cultura Yabucoeña y Museo.

Maunabo (AE/10)
Here you find a unique blend of sea, sand and mountains. The area is famous for its lighthouse: Faro de Punta Tuna. Still in operation, this lighthouse was built in 1890 by the Spanish.

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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
All Archives

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