Puerto Rico
Our Posts about Puerto Rico
Jose Oquendo via Flickr
The Caribbean is famous for its undersea treasures, something we’ve touched on here and here, but what’s less known is that the region is also home to some pretty amazing underground attractions. My favorite, and arguably the most impressive, is the Rio Camuy Cave Park in Puerto Rico.
Okay, really there is no argument: Rio Camuy is by far the most impressive underground attraction in the Caribbean. After all, there are only two other cave systems on the entire planet that approach the Rio Camuy Caves in size, and neither of them can boast a tropical underground river.
Located near the town of Arecibo on Puerto Rico’s north coast, the Rio Camuy Caves are part of an immense network of natural limestone caves and underground waterways carved out by the Camuy River, the third-largest underground river in the world. More than 10 miles of caverns, 220 caves and 17 entrances to the cave system have been mapped in the 52 years since the caves were officially “discovered,” though this is only a fraction of the entire system. Many experts believe there are still another 800 as yet undiscovered Camuy Caves!
The park extends over 268 acres, though only a small portion of it – three sinkholes and two caves – are open to the public. Trust me, though, these limited areas do not disappoint.
Most visitors opt for the guided trolley tour, which takes you down through some dense vegetation right into a massive sinkhole. You then walk across a series of ramps and bridges within the 170-foot high Cueva Clara before boarding another tram that takes you to the Tres Pueblos Sinkhole. At 650 feet in diameter and 400 feet deep, Tres Pueblos will take your breath away.
Another must-see is the Cathedral Cave. Here you’ll find a collection of ancient petroglyphs carved on the walls by the Taino Indians that lived on the island centuries ago.
The last time I visited Rio Camuy, I braved the Spiral Sinkhole and Cave. Okay, “braved” isn’t the most appropriate term as it’s not really dangerous. As I’ve pointed out before, though, I’m not in particularly great shape, so the 205 spiral steps you have to descend down into the sinkhole were no picnic for me. Those 205 steps are also the only way out, so be ready for a workout.
As for the cave that awaits you below, it’s simply awe-inspiring. The mammoth size of the opening at the mouth of the cave combined with the intricate stalactite and stalagmite formations, all lit dramatically to enhance the eerie underground beauty of the surroundings, are definitely worth the price of admission (and those stairs).
Facilities at park include a cafeteria, picnic area, gift shop, exhibition hall, and theater. There are also a few hiking trails for those more interested in the area’s above-ground wonders.
The park is normally open Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Get there early, though, as the last tour departs at 3:30 p.m., or when the park reaches its daily capacity.
If you’re an experienced spelunker, you’ll want to call in advance to arrange for special tours and rappelling trips through undeveloped sections of the caves off-limits to general visitors.
For more information, call the Rio Camuy Cave Park at tel: 787-898-3100.
With the 2010 FIFA World Cup now just 4 short weeks away, here’s an old ad from Malta India de Puerto Rico to further build excitement for the world’s greatest sporting tournament. We in the Caribbean may not have Trinidad’s Soca Warriors or Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz to cheer for this year, but there’s no doubt the whole region will be watching and reveling in the goings-on in South Africa June 11 to July 11.
Fruttadi via Flickr
Check out this photo submitted to our Flickr pool recently by our new friend, Fruttadi. What is it? Who built it? Why? It’s the kind of image that gets us wanting to hop the next plane to Puerto Rico, where the photo was shot, to find the answers.
If you have any pics of interesting and offbeat people, places or things in the Caribbean that you’d like us to consider, you can submit them to our Flickr pool by clicking here. All photo submissions are considered for publication on our site, so get your best images together and join us on Flickr today!
Jill - Glossy Veneer via Flickr
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz coconut rum
- 1 oz Pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp Lite 85 vanilla yogurt
What’s not to like about the Piña Colada? Over the years, this sweet and refreshing frozen treat has proven to be an able, if not stalwart companion to Uncommon Caribbean on many a steamy day of beach fun in San Juan. Yeah, it’s warm and you have to drink ‘em fast, but you’re on vacation in Puerto Rico! No problem, right?
Wrong. The typical Piña Colada is loaded with so many calories that a day spent throwing back a few of these could ensure that you’re not allowed to fly back home.
Solution: blend the ingredients listed here for a great lo-cal take on our favorite traditionally fatty frozen friend. At only 120 calories, this “diet” Piña Colada is not only better for you, but it will also help to keep the Beaches of Puerto Rico beautiful!
Serves 1.
¡Salud!
José Francisco Salgado, PhD via Flickr
With its decidedly Latin flavor, Puerto Rico might seem an odd choice for travelers seeking Caribbean cultural connections to Africa. After all, the history of La Isla del Encanto is dominated by nearly 400 years of Spanish rule, exemplified today in such notable historical monuments as El Morro, El Paseo de la Princesa and many others. Just as is the case in the rest of the Caribbean, though, slaves were brought from Africa to Puerto Rico’s shores in the 1600′s, leaving an indelible mark on the island’s culture that still exists today. Among the strongest examples of African Heritage in Puerto Rico is la bomba, a distinctive percussion-driven musical form often mentioned alongside its close musical cousin, La Plena, which also has roots in Africa.
Smithsonian Folkways describes bomba music as follows:
Bomba dates back to the early European colonial period in Puerto Rico. It comes out of the musical traditions brought by enslaved Africans in the 17th century. To them, bomba music was a source of political and spiritual expression. The lyrics conveyed a sense of anger and sadness about their condition, and songs served as a catalyst for rebellions and uprisings. But bomba also moved them to dance and celebrate, helping them create community and identity. The music evolved through contact between slave populations from different Caribbean colonies and regions, including the Dutch colonies, Cuba, Santo Domingo, and Haití. As a result, bomba now has sixteen different rhythms.
All we know is that it’s impossible not to dance when you hear bomba music playing. Next time you’re in Puerto Rico, check out La Escuela de Bomba y Plena de Puerto Rico to learn more about la bomba, and maybe even pick up a few dance steps of your own!
© 2006 José Francisco Salgado, PhD
Everyone knows the Caribbean is a photographer’s paradise. Throughout the region, exotic birds, vibrant flora/fauna and impossibly blue seas mix with historic attractions, palatial resorts, and friendly smiles to create an endless supply of excellent subjects. For shutterbugs seeking to train their lenses on something a bit out of the ordinary, however, there’s always the local cemetery.
Like the fabled cemeteries in New Orleans, the Caribbean’s historic final resting places are adorned with intricate statues, imposing mausoleums and ornate tombstones. Virtually everything is bathed in varying shades of stained white that contrast nicely with those same impossible blues and vibrant flora/fauna.
Many of the best photo-ops can be found in the region’s oldest cemeteries, like Puerto Rico’s Cementerio de San Juan (San Juan Cemetery) where the above image was captured.
Of course, you’ll want to take great care and show the utmost respect when snapping photos in these sacred places. About.com lists additional tips that can ensure you end up with great images here.
Your Monthly Moment of Zen
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