“Day-Tripping” listings
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HACIENDA BUENA VISTA
Tours of this immaculately restored 19thcentury plantation farm take visitors back to when coffee was king in the Caribbean. (08/2010)
80 miles SW of San Juan Corral Viejo Ward, Ponce
787-722-5882
nps.gov/nr/...vi/pr18.htm -
HACIENDA CAMPO RICO
This restored 1930s hacienda—on the grounds of a 700-acre former sugar and tropical fruit plantation— is surrounded by lush tropical gardens that are home to peacocks and regal Paso Fino horses. The complex also has a driving range, zipline and trails for ATV and horseback tours. (05/2010)
20 miles southeast of San Juan Rd 3, R874 km 2, Carolina
787-523-2001
haciendacamporico.com -
HACIENDA CARABALI
You may need to set aside more than a day to take advantage of all the things to do at this 600-acre adventure ranch. Horseback riding, go-carting, mountain biking and four-tracking are a few of the thrills you’ll fi nd. (03/2010)
Route 992, km 4.0, Luquillo
787-889-5820
haciendacar...rtorico.com -
MAYAGUEZ ZOO
This zoo features not only traditionally tropical animals, but also those you may not expect to find on a Caribbean island, like lions and tigers. (01/2010)
Rt 108, Barrio Miradero, Mayaguez
787-834-8110 -
PUERTO MOSQUITO
At night, microscopic animals in the water around Vieques Island briefly emit a blue-green light when disturbed. Visit when the moon is full or waning to make the best "glow angels." (12/2009)
66 miles southeast of San Juan • Vieques Island
www.biobay.com -
ARECIBO OBSERVATORY
Welcome to the largest radio telescope onearth. Head to the observation deck for a greatview of the scientific marvel, with its 1,000-tondish peering out from dense green forest. (03/2009)
62 miles west of San Juan • Rt 625, Arecibo
787-878-2612
www.naic.edu -
EL YUNQUE NATIONAL RAIN FOREST
This 28,000-acre tropical rainforest is an ecological treasure, with miles of well-marked hiking trails, lookout towers, waterfalls, and an abundance of exotic flora, fauna and animal life (including the rare Puerto Rican parrot). (02/2009)
24 miles east of San Juan • Río Grande, PR
787-888-1810
www.fs.fed....8/el_yunque -
HIPÓDROMO CAMARERO
From the stallion parade to the winners' circle, this equestrian spectacle is not to be missed. Experience the high emotion of victory and defeat, plus some fairly impressive dining options, in a familyfriendly setting just a short drive from San Juan. (11/2008)
17 miles east of San Juan • Calle Autonomía and C-3, Canóvanas, PR
787-641-6060
www.camareroracepr.com -
DR. JUAN A RIVERO ZOO
The island's only zoo, it has a new butterfly house as well as a stunning collection of animals and tropical plants. (10/2008)
98 miles west of San Juan • In Mayagüez, PR
787-834-8110 -
JARDÍN BOTÁNICO Y CULTURAL DE CAGUAS
This park teaches visitors about Puerto Rican ecology and culture through fun sites, including an archeological zone, a butterfly habitat and carefully cultivated gardens. Most of the park's attractions are offered in Spanish, but English-language tours are also available (07/2008)
20 miles south of San Juan • Caguas, PR
787-653-8990
www.caguas.com.pr -
ARECIBO, PR
About an hour's drive from the metro area stands the Arecibo Observatory, a site featured in films such as GoldenEye and Contact, and home to the world's largest radio telescope. Through a variety of interactive exhibits and audiovisual displays, you'll learn about astronomy, atmospheric science and cutting-edge telescopic research. (06/2008)
80 miles west of San Juan
www.naic.edu -
RINCÓN, PR
Rincón is famous for its surfing beaches, but that's not all it has to offer-you can scuba dive, snorkel, parasail or even go whale watching in the enchanting waters of this welcoming city on Puerto Rico's western shore. (05/2008)
93 miles west of San Juan
www.rincon.org
