For information about Mar Chiquita Beach please go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neG3EjT47LM
Explora Multi- Aventura
We Will Guide You
Enter Nature: The Ultimate Connection
Safety Certifies Guides and Nature Interpreters
Rapelling, drift down canyons, and much more
Discover an underground paradise
Do yoga in a beautiful rain forest
Family adventures
www.exporapr.net
[email protected]
(787) 406-1982
Safety Certifies Guides and Nature Interpreters
Rapelling, drift down canyons, and much more
Discover an underground paradise
Do yoga in a beautiful rain forest
Family adventures
www.exporapr.net
[email protected]
(787) 406-1982
MAR CHIQUITA BEACH
Great snorkeling and moreybooging.
See picture at top of page.
See picture at top of page.
If you like coffee, you must go to the Museo del Café in Ciales. Lots of traditional artifacts. Nice open sitting area. Great aroma. 787-313-0925. In facebook, Museo del Café de Puerto Rico.
Cueva Ventana
Cueva Ventana is a walk-in cave on Road #10, a 40 minute drive from the apartment.
LOS TUBOS BEACH
Good surfing
HACIENDA LA ESPERANZA
A Natural Registry Treasure - The Hacienda La Esperanza <a href='http://adserver-new.virtualcountries.com/www/delivery/ck.php?n=ad983e98&amp;cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE' target='_blank'><img src='http://adserver-new.virtualcountries.com/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=204&amp;cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&amp;n=ad983e98' border='0' alt='' /></a> Hacienda La Esperanza is an estate located in the rich farmland of Río Grande de Manatí located approximately 30 miles west of San Juan.
When travelling San Juan, and if you are looking for a place to enjoy nature and true peace and tranquility, then plan a day trip to the Hacienda la Esperanza. The name ‘Hacienda la Esperanza’ can be loosely translated as ‘the place of hope’ and it truly was with hope that this now large farm was purchased by Fernando Fernandez near the end of the 18th century. During a long and tedious process that took years, the farm land was carefully prepared so that it could produce fruitful yields. By the time that Fernandez’s oldest son inherited the 2,000 acre property, it was one of the most modern and productive sugar producers in Puerto Rico at its time.
Don Jose Ramon Fernandez Martinez was able to extend the boundaries of that original farm to include property on the north coast of Puerto Rico until the Hacienda la Esperanza was expanded to include approximately 85% of all the land found in the lower part of the valley east of the Manati River. The sugar cane industry continued – supported mainly by the hard work of black slaves - but also through the introduction of a very impressive machine that was imported from New York. Fernandez Martinez was later able to gain control of the harbor facilities in the mouth of the Manati River and this enabled him to avoid declaring customs and paying taxes. This massive empire started crumbling somewhat with the eventual abolishment of slavery, which left the farm virtually crippled. Eventually it was sold to Wenseslao Hut for $40 000 after being in the Fernandez family for three generations.
Over time the farm ended up in the hands of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico in 1975. It is seen as being one of the most valuable assets that the Conservation Trust has, since it has virtually unlimited ecological resources. It features forests with unique plants and animals, bogs, karso formations and more. It also houses one of the few coastal forests that still exist on the northern coast of the island and it has an ancient ceremonial site that is thought to date back to 510 AD.
In 1976, the Hacienda la Esperanza was given national monument status and added to the national registry of historical places of the National Parks Service of the US. If you visit today you will be able to see all these wonderful natural and historical attractions for yourself. So try to arrange a visit to the Hacienda la Esperanza to ensure that you don’t miss out.
When travelling San Juan, and if you are looking for a place to enjoy nature and true peace and tranquility, then plan a day trip to the Hacienda la Esperanza. The name ‘Hacienda la Esperanza’ can be loosely translated as ‘the place of hope’ and it truly was with hope that this now large farm was purchased by Fernando Fernandez near the end of the 18th century. During a long and tedious process that took years, the farm land was carefully prepared so that it could produce fruitful yields. By the time that Fernandez’s oldest son inherited the 2,000 acre property, it was one of the most modern and productive sugar producers in Puerto Rico at its time.
Don Jose Ramon Fernandez Martinez was able to extend the boundaries of that original farm to include property on the north coast of Puerto Rico until the Hacienda la Esperanza was expanded to include approximately 85% of all the land found in the lower part of the valley east of the Manati River. The sugar cane industry continued – supported mainly by the hard work of black slaves - but also through the introduction of a very impressive machine that was imported from New York. Fernandez Martinez was later able to gain control of the harbor facilities in the mouth of the Manati River and this enabled him to avoid declaring customs and paying taxes. This massive empire started crumbling somewhat with the eventual abolishment of slavery, which left the farm virtually crippled. Eventually it was sold to Wenseslao Hut for $40 000 after being in the Fernandez family for three generations.
Over time the farm ended up in the hands of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico in 1975. It is seen as being one of the most valuable assets that the Conservation Trust has, since it has virtually unlimited ecological resources. It features forests with unique plants and animals, bogs, karso formations and more. It also houses one of the few coastal forests that still exist on the northern coast of the island and it has an ancient ceremonial site that is thought to date back to 510 AD.
In 1976, the Hacienda la Esperanza was given national monument status and added to the national registry of historical places of the National Parks Service of the US. If you visit today you will be able to see all these wonderful natural and historical attractions for yourself. So try to arrange a visit to the Hacienda la Esperanza to ensure that you don’t miss out.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Ride thru scenic trails and tropical beaches.
Swim at a secluded beach (Las Palmas)
Swim at a secluded beach (Las Palmas)
TORO VERDE NATURE ADVENTURE PARK
Zipline Tours
Spend hours of neverending adventures at this ecotouristic park inside a rain forest.
Try some extreme sports and/ or interact with nature
www.toroverdepr.com
Try some extreme sports and/ or interact with nature
www.toroverdepr.com
PIEDRA ESCRITA
Located at the Rain Forest a few miles South of Manati. Named after Taino Indians ptroglyphs carved into granite boulders.
CUEVA ENCANTADA
Only authorized tours at specific dates
ARECIBO RADAR TELESCOPE
National Atmosphere and Ionesphere Center (NAIC)
A facility of the NSF operated by Cornell University
The world's largest and most sensitive
A facility of the NSF operated by Cornell University
The world's largest and most sensitive
Chinchorrear. A chinchorro is a no thrill restaurant with great food and drinks at very low prices. Very popular with locals. Few tourists get to enjoy them because of lack pf publicity. I especially like Arturito, where Bledimir, the owner, will personally serve you. His fricases (chicken, goat or rabbit) are our of this world. The place is clean, not luxurious and with an incredible view. Located in the La Peza sector of Ciales. 787-562-1284.
Beaches:
Just walk down to Mar Chiquita Beach. Great snorkeling and Moreybooging.
5 minutes drive to Los Tubos Beach
5 minutes drive to Poza de las Mujeres Beach
20 minutes drive to Vega Baja Beach
20 minutes drive to La Esperanza Beach
Other nearby attractions:
20 minutes to Hacienda La Esperanza, a 19th Century sugar cane plantation
20 minutes to Cueva Encantada Cavern
30 minutes to Arecibo Radio Telescope
30 minutes to the Camuy River Caverns
30 minutes to a mountain rain forest
30 minutes to the San Juan Metro area
5 minutes to Manati stores and restaurants
10 minutes to Barceloneta Outlet Mall
Ask about:
Horseback riding,
Scuba dives
Ecological adventures
Just walk down to Mar Chiquita Beach. Great snorkeling and Moreybooging.
5 minutes drive to Los Tubos Beach
5 minutes drive to Poza de las Mujeres Beach
20 minutes drive to Vega Baja Beach
20 minutes drive to La Esperanza Beach
Other nearby attractions:
20 minutes to Hacienda La Esperanza, a 19th Century sugar cane plantation
20 minutes to Cueva Encantada Cavern
30 minutes to Arecibo Radio Telescope
30 minutes to the Camuy River Caverns
30 minutes to a mountain rain forest
30 minutes to the San Juan Metro area
5 minutes to Manati stores and restaurants
10 minutes to Barceloneta Outlet Mall
Ask about:
Horseback riding,
Scuba dives
Ecological adventures
Restaurants
1) El Pio Nono. Just a stand. Suggest that you order it to take-out (calle) and eat it your terrace. Great tasting inexpensive fish, dorado (mahi-mahi). Also try the pio-nonos, ripe plantain wrapped around ground beef or crabmeat. Make sure to remove the wood sticks that hold them together. Side dish include marinated yuca (cassave), guineitos (green bananas) or pana (breadfruit). They also have alcapurrias, a fritter made with plantain and other roots flour and filled with ground beef or crab meat. On Road 616 in Manatí.
2) El Ferrocaril. Great local food restaurant at very reasonable prices. They open only for lunch. They are closed Saturdays. Make sure that you try their arroz con habichuelas (rice and red kidney beans) as a side dish and their flan (caramel custard) as a dessert. On Road #2 Manatí.
3) Su Casa Steak House. Breaking the fast-food monotony, this casual place (which is on the Mesón Gastronómico hot list) serves up some of the best steaks in the area. Also on the menu are seafood, comida criolla (traditional Puerto Rican cuisine) and plenty of other Puerto Rican delicacies served up with an international vent. Take 685 to Rd 2 and make a left. Make a right at the fourth traffic light (there is a Pizza Hut at the left. The restaurant will be at your left hand about 3 miles down, in front of Econo Supermarket.
Road 670 & 668 Manatí. Phone 787 884-0047
4) Casa Bavaria is a German Creole restaurant that lies at 2,105 feet high on the mountains of Morovis in the center of Puerto Rico. With many open air tables and a great Mango tree as a centerpiece, you can enjoy the fresh country air and a spectacular view that reaches all the way to the northern coast of the island. The menu specializes in typical cuisine from the region of Bavaria in Germany, as well as specialties original of Puerto Rico. There is an extensive variety of international beers and wines that can also be complimented with the different appetizers and desserts. www.casabavaria.com (787) 862-7818
Open thursday to sunday & holidays
Fridays & Saturdays 12 noon-10 pm/ Thursdays & Sundays 12 noon- 8 pm
5) Costa Azul. In Road 685, very close to Mar Chiquita. Good local food at great prices. Open Wednesday to Sundays. Lunch specials Wednesday to Friday. Open menu the rest of the time. Try the Mofongo Relleno.
6) La Boca is a sector with several very casual sea food restaurants. In Road 684 in Barceloneta.
7) Salitre. Speacilized in sea food. Ocean view terrace.. The fresh fish will not be pre- cooked, expect to wait around half an hour once you place the order. Should not be a problem. They have a great ocean view atmosphere, wine, and make a white and a passion fruit santgria. Expect to spend around $50 per person. I would go there during daylight by La Boca Route Road 684 in Barceloneta and back by Road #2 all the way to Road # 685 in Manati. www.salitre.com (787) 816-2020
8) La Barrita de Lian food and drink stand right at Mar Chiquita Beach.
Homemade hamburgers. Chicken hamburgers.
Chicken and pork pinchos.
Marlin, Beef, and chicken pastelillos.
Great variety of tropical drinks at great prices.
Open every day from 10:30AM to 7 PM.
There are a lot of fast food at Road #2 all the way to Barceloneta, where the factory outlet mall is. There is a Chili’s and a Ponderosa at the outlet mall. The number 7 is located at the outlet mall
2) El Ferrocaril. Great local food restaurant at very reasonable prices. They open only for lunch. They are closed Saturdays. Make sure that you try their arroz con habichuelas (rice and red kidney beans) as a side dish and their flan (caramel custard) as a dessert. On Road #2 Manatí.
3) Su Casa Steak House. Breaking the fast-food monotony, this casual place (which is on the Mesón Gastronómico hot list) serves up some of the best steaks in the area. Also on the menu are seafood, comida criolla (traditional Puerto Rican cuisine) and plenty of other Puerto Rican delicacies served up with an international vent. Take 685 to Rd 2 and make a left. Make a right at the fourth traffic light (there is a Pizza Hut at the left. The restaurant will be at your left hand about 3 miles down, in front of Econo Supermarket.
Road 670 & 668 Manatí. Phone 787 884-0047
4) Casa Bavaria is a German Creole restaurant that lies at 2,105 feet high on the mountains of Morovis in the center of Puerto Rico. With many open air tables and a great Mango tree as a centerpiece, you can enjoy the fresh country air and a spectacular view that reaches all the way to the northern coast of the island. The menu specializes in typical cuisine from the region of Bavaria in Germany, as well as specialties original of Puerto Rico. There is an extensive variety of international beers and wines that can also be complimented with the different appetizers and desserts. www.casabavaria.com (787) 862-7818
Open thursday to sunday & holidays
Fridays & Saturdays 12 noon-10 pm/ Thursdays & Sundays 12 noon- 8 pm
5) Costa Azul. In Road 685, very close to Mar Chiquita. Good local food at great prices. Open Wednesday to Sundays. Lunch specials Wednesday to Friday. Open menu the rest of the time. Try the Mofongo Relleno.
6) La Boca is a sector with several very casual sea food restaurants. In Road 684 in Barceloneta.
7) Salitre. Speacilized in sea food. Ocean view terrace.. The fresh fish will not be pre- cooked, expect to wait around half an hour once you place the order. Should not be a problem. They have a great ocean view atmosphere, wine, and make a white and a passion fruit santgria. Expect to spend around $50 per person. I would go there during daylight by La Boca Route Road 684 in Barceloneta and back by Road #2 all the way to Road # 685 in Manati. www.salitre.com (787) 816-2020
8) La Barrita de Lian food and drink stand right at Mar Chiquita Beach.
Homemade hamburgers. Chicken hamburgers.
Chicken and pork pinchos.
Marlin, Beef, and chicken pastelillos.
Great variety of tropical drinks at great prices.
Open every day from 10:30AM to 7 PM.
There are a lot of fast food at Road #2 all the way to Barceloneta, where the factory outlet mall is. There is a Chili’s and a Ponderosa at the outlet mall. The number 7 is located at the outlet mall
Groceries
Econo’s. Road 870. Take 685 to Rd 2 and make a left. Make a right at the fourth traffic light (there is a Pizza Hut at the left. The restaurant will be at your left hand about 3 miles down,
SuperMax. Road 149 to Ciales.
Walmart. Highway #2 in the direction towards Vega Baja.
Santa Teresa. Convenience store and bakery. Bake fresh bread, no whole wheat. In Calle Alga Marina Tierras Nuevas, very close to apartment.Make a right at 685. Then the first left. 1 ½ blocks ahead to the left, in front of baseball field.
SuperMax. Road 149 to Ciales.
Walmart. Highway #2 in the direction towards Vega Baja.
Santa Teresa. Convenience store and bakery. Bake fresh bread, no whole wheat. In Calle Alga Marina Tierras Nuevas, very close to apartment.Make a right at 685. Then the first left. 1 ½ blocks ahead to the left, in front of baseball field.