Puerto Rico Guest™ - NORTH February-2004, By: Joanne Curcio

Puerto Rico Guest Magazine by Travel and Sports®, Inc.

Hyatt North Course /Frazier Nivens

NORTH February-2004, By:Joanne Curcio
Experience the North Shore
Dorado, Arecibo, Camuy. Golf, Caving and “Big Science,

Beyond its coastline with a string of fabulous beaches, the north of the Island has several natural and man-made attractions that shouldn’t be missed. Whether your taste runs to golf, caving, forests or “Big Science,” you will find it in the North.

For golfers, the municipality with the highest concentration of golf courses in Puerto Rico is Dorado, with five impressive 18-hole golf courses, four of which were designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones Sr. The fifth course was recently opened after a redesign by Puerto Rican golf legend Chi Chi Rodríguez.

“Big Science” is found just inland of the town of Arecibo at the Arecibo Observatory. This is the largest single dish radio telescope in the world. The huge dish may be viewed up close from an observation deck that is part of the visitors center. The center also includes exhibits that explain the workings of the instrument and the wonders of the cosmos.

Not far from Arecibo are several national forests noted and protected for their beauty, fragility and unique karstic landscape - haystack rock formations and limestone sinkholes.

Two types of caving are available in the North. The first and best known is the Parque de las Cavernas del Río Camuy. This is one of the largest cave systems in the world. Run by the Department of Natural Resources, you will find a visitors center and a trolley system to take you down for a tour through this well developed cave. A perfect trip for the whole family and not to be missed. For the more adventurous (actually a lot more adventurous) a number of tour operators offer adventure tours such as rappelling and rafting in the caves and rivers of the North.

In addition to the year round cave experience, in the month of March, Camuy features the family-oriented, nature-friendly Balseada del Río Camuy which brings thousands together to enjoy the great outdoors and the Camuy River. The all-day activity begins in the Camuy town center where families gather before heading to the river to float on rafts, inner tubes, kayaks and creative homemade people-power vessels.

Another water theme event is the Festival and Maratón de la Chopa in Toa Alta. The chopa is a freshwater fish in Toa Alta’s La Plata Lake. The marathon portion of the activity includes running, boxing and fishing for chopa. The fish caught during the tournament are cooked up and served to the crowds. Besides the excitement of the marathon and festival, Toa Alta’s other attractions make it worth a visit. The town plaza, which is one of the oldest on the Island, has the well-preserved 250-year-old church, Parroquia San Fernando Rey, as well as an extremely rare century-old Arbol Bala de Cañon (Cannonball Tree). The tree has beautiful white, yellow and red flowers and its fruit looks like a cannonball, hence the name.

Latest Island-Wide Feature Articles:
Attractions & Sights Old San Juan - A Classic Fortress City
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

NORTH Article Archive
2007-04 Expore the North
2005-08 Dorado
2005-06 Toa Baja, Manatí, Barceloneta
2005-04 Arecibo, Dorado
2005-02 Camuy, Toa Alta
2004-12 Vega Alta, Hatillo
2004-10 Arecibo, Vega Baja
2004-08 Dorado
2004-06 Barceloneta, Toa Baja, Manatí
2004-04 Dorado,
2004-02 Dorado, Arecibo, Camuy. Golf, Caving and “Big Science,
All Archives

NORTH - Sponsors & Marketplace

Accommodations
Hatillo
Hotel Rosa Del Mar 787-262-1515

Diving & Snorkeling
Arecibo
Aquatica Dive, Bike & Surf Adventures 787-890-6071
La Cueva Submarina 787-872-1390
Camuy
Aquatica Dive, Bike & Surf Adventures 787-890-6071
La Cueva Submarina 787-872-1390
Hatillo
La Cueva Submarina 787-872-1390

Nature/Adventure
Arecibo
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
PR 4Less Tours 787-627-5214
Camuy
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
Dorado
PR 4Less Tours 787-627-5214
Manatí
Pure Adventure 787-314-4347

Sailing & Watersports
Camuy
Castillo Tours & Watersports 787-791-6195

Sightseeing
Arecibo
Castillo Tours & Travel Services 787-791-6195
Countryside Tours 787-593-9014
PR 4Less Tours 787-627-5214
Camuy
Castillo Tours & Travel Services 787-791-6195
Countryside Tours 787-593-9014