tourism Archives - Boulevards & Byways

VIVO Beach Club, Anything But Ordinary

Sandy Ruyack — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 21:57:37 +0000

Located on a magnificent expansive beach in San Juan’s Isla Verde neighborhood, and a short ride away from the cruise ship terminals, VIVO Beach Club is perfectly positioned for relaxing and an active day of fun. This stunning beach club provides guests with stylish and multifaceted amenities consisting of restaurants, pool, bars, and its own full-scale brewery and music venue. It’s an ideal way to spend the day when visiting Puerto Rico. Vivo Beach Club is anything but ordinary.

VIVO Beach Club is calling all sun lovers, cocktail addicts, microbrew aficionados, music lovers, foodies, and water sport adventurers.

“We have everything you need to create your dream day in Puerto Rico,” said co-owner Matías Fernandez. “We offer a wide variety of activities; you can relax on the beach on a luxurious day bed, soak in a jacuzzi, enjoy sushi on our terrace, and experience our open-air stage and dance floor. We’ve dedicated ourselves to creating a unique experience for those looking for a destination on the ocean.”

Vivo Beach Club on Isla Verde Beach

Combine over one mile of award-winning Isla Verde Beach with resort style amenities and you have a winner. Gentle ocean breezes, powdery white sand, and the changing colors of the sea provide picture-perfect panoramic views. Isla Verde is Blue Flag Certified and is awarded by the Foundation of Environmental Education when a beach meets the Clenbuterol and Women stringent standards of water quality, safety, sand quality, and environmental protection. There’s no better beach to spend the day.

VIVO’s Restaurants and Bars Are Anything But Ordinary

VIVO’s three beachfront restaurants serving a variety of local and international cuisine has been touted as one the top dining destinations in Puerto Rico. With five bars scattered throughout the complex you never have to go far for your favorite cocktail.

Whether it’s time for an impressibly juicy burger or the freshest sushi, you can be sure the food is always amazing and the welcoming terraces and relaxing dining spaces are blended seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

VIVO’s Ocean Lab Brewing Company

Ocean Lab is one of the few micro-breweries in the Caribbean. The facility’s state of the art equipment produces a variety of craft and specialty beers for both in-house consumption and outbound distribution.

Whether you prefer the chocolaty milk stout or the citrusy blood orange blonde, the beers are as innovative and unique as the club itself.

At VIVO There’s Something for Everyone

It’s easy to have fun at VIVO Beach Club. All the action is focused around the swimming pool. Sit back unwind on one of the many lounge chairs while socializing, sipping signature cocktails, and listening to the beat of house music. Crave water activities? VIVO has an array of vendors who will satisfy even the most active water sports enthusiast.

VIVO’s Open Air Stage & Dance Floor is Anything But Ordinary

At the very center of the VIVO complex lies a spectacular open-air stage built with the latest audiovisual technology and effects. The best DJ’s, bands, and festivals in the Caribbean perform live at the 40-foot-wide poolside stage. An open-air dance floor, the dynamic nightlife, and lively music scene make VIVO a top music destination.

Just Relax at VIVO

The gentle lapping of the surf, the powdery sand between your toes, the warm Puerto Rican sun make Vivo and ideal place to relax. Whether it’s a casual lunch, a poolside tropical drink, soaking in the inviting hot tubs, or embracing the serene quiet areas, there is no better place to relax.

Puerto Rico, Exotic & Magical

In Puerto Rico, you’ll discover an island with deep beauty and rich culture. It’s where you’ll experience a metropolitan capital with history at its core. Admire 16^th century architecture in Old San Juan and stroll along streets lined with blue cobblestones. Explore centuries old Fort Morro and take a salsa lesson at one of the many clubs. You can trek into an awe-inspiring rainforest and hike to waterfalls and zip-line through the rain forest treetops above the forest floor. It’s a destination where you can snorkel, kayak, and embark on a helicopter tour. As you explore you’ll discover the people, history, and nature that make Puerto Rico exotic and magical. Whether you love an adventure holiday or just relaxing in paradise, Puerto Rico is the place to be.

VIVO Beach Club, Anything But Ordinary

Vivo Beach Club, is ready to host all those wishing to experience paradise. It’s a destination for visitors near and far and its one-of- a-kind magical atmosphere is one of the most special places on the island. It is here you experience anything but ordinary.

Follow and share VIVO Beach Club:

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Location:

RD I87, KM 2 4 Isla Verde, Puerto Rico 00979

Call:

787-648-5655

For more information:

VIVObeachclub.com

Private events and weddings. VIVO Beach Club hosts weddings and special events with a commitment to quality and casual elegance.

Membership has its privileges. Interested in becoming a member? Receive discounts and early access to event tickets, VIP amenities, special member passes, and much more! Contact Vivo at membership@vivobeachclub.com for information on becoming a member.

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12 Awesome Adventures in Northeast Puerto Rico

Sandy Ruyack — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 20:31:25 +0000

Northeast Puerto Rico’s Top 12 Adventures

There’s so much to love about Puerto Rico, so I picked my favorite 12 awesome adventures in Northeast Puerto Rico. Towns like Rio Grande, Palmer, Luquillo, Fajardo, and Ceiba are all found in the northeast corridor and are all approximately 35-45 minutes from San Juan airport. They just keep getting better and better with awesome things to do, see, and eat.

1) ENCOUNTER Turtles, Sting Rays, and Lobsters

Come face-to-face with turtles and hover past sting rays as blue tang, and colorful snapper swim by. In Las Croabas or Marina Del Rey in Fajardo tour operators will take you out on a catamaran or you can rent a “mini boat” to the best snorkeling spots, some near deserted islands. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend the day on and under the water. The tour operators supply everything you need for a fun day.

2) WITNESS a Glowing Blue Bay at Night

Learn the science as to why this is one of the most unique experiences in Puerto Rico. In Las Croabas Fajardo and Vieques there are numerous tour operators who guide you via kayak through the mangrove forest into a vast bio bay. Here you will witness bioluminescent plankton glowing blue. It’s a very unique tour everyone should experience.

3) PADDLE to Underwater Sea Life

Near Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo is where you’ll find vendors who will set you up with stand up paddle boards or kayaks. If you’ve never done it before, don’t worry, they’ll give you a lesson. Pirate Snorkeling Shack is one of my favorite. They give you a map to the reefs or they’ll give you a private tour. The water is calm and clear. You can hop off your kayak or paddle board and spend time snorkeling. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll see underwater very close to shore.

4) COOL YOUR JETS from the Summer Heat

On Luquillo and Seven Seas Beaches you can rent jet skis. They’re a great way to experience the beach from another perspective while getting your adrenaline rush.

5) TAKE A DIP

In the heat of the Puerto Rican sun, you need to cool yourself off! After a hike to La Mina Falls enjoy a cold dip in the water while the waterfall cascades down the rocks and over your head. El Yunque National Forest in Rio Grande, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, is where you’ll find great hiking trails, refreshing waterfalls, and breathtaking views.

6) INDULGE YOUR INNER FOODIE

You’ll truly be entertained at the Kiosks in Luquillo. Over 70 beach front vendors offer local Puerto Rican food such as mofongo, tostones, and pinchos. You can also find that hamburger or pizza, but why? When in Puerto Rico eat like a local. The food is delicious. In the evening, many venues have entertainment such as Charlie Sepuvelda, a famous Puerto Rican Jazz artist.

7) EARN BRAGGING RIGHTS

You’ve always wanted to surf, now’s the time. Catch a wave at La Pared in Luquillo. There are several surf schools who would be happy to give you a lesson. With a sandy bottom it’s a perfect place to learn to surf. You’ll never forget catching your first wave.

8) ZIP THROUGH THE AIR

Your friends will be jealous when you tell them about the incredible adventures you had in Puerto Rico. Zip line tours are available at the base of El Yunque Rain Forest in Rio Grande. You’ll be outfitted with everything you need to fly over the treetops.

9) GO ON A WILD RIDE

ATV adventures, Horseback Riding, and Go Carts are available at the foothills of El Yunque National Rainforest, Rio Grande. This area is surrounded by mountains, rivers, and trails which make it perfect terrain for these activities. Puerto Rico’s spectacular scenery will amaze you.

10) SPEND TIME SHOPPING

The little town of Palmer, which you go through to get to El Yunque, is a quaint place to stop for a cool drink or a tasty lunch. The town also offers shops featuring hand-made products, artisanal goods, t-shirts, and specialty foods such as hot sauces. Caribbean Trading is my favorite.

11) GET HANDS ON with Nature

Get hands-on and hold phytoplankton or stroke a sea cucumber. Find out which mango trees make the water red and climb to the top of a 19^th century lighthouse for spectacular views of the surrounding islands. La Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo will provide you with an interesting and informative tour as you explore the sensitive eco-systems with trained guides. Tours can be booked through the nonprofit organization Para La Naturaleza.

12) FLY OR FERRY to the Spanish Virgin Islands

Take a short flight from Ceiba or a ferry from Fajardo to the islands of Culebra or Vieques. Both islands have beautiful beaches, but Culebra has one of the world’s famous – Flamenco Beach. Soft sand and crystal clear water make it a favorite for many. Tamarindo beach is the best for snorkeling with turtles. On the island of Vieques is where you’ll find one of the two bio bays located on the northeast. Exploring either island is a great way to spend an action packed day of snorkeling, swimming, and exploring.

There’s no denying Puerto Rico has plenty things to do and see. The island has numerous coconut trees, too. If you need a break from snorkeling or zip lining, crack open a coconut and sit on one of the many beautiful beaches with the warm crystal blue water lapping at your feet.

Sandy Ruyack is the owner and writer of the popular and award-winning adventure travel blog, Boulevards and Byways. Her stories and photographs reflect her love of travel to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean – providing travel guides, destination tips, and vacation inspiration. Through transformative travel experiences, she encourages readers to step out of their comfort zones and take the road less traveled. Boulevards and Byways has provided content for an array of hotels, tour companies, and travel publications. A native New Yorker, she and her husband split their time between Brewster, NY and Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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Requiem for the Arecibo Observatory

Sandy Ruyack — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 19:04:55 +0000

Puerto Rico

PLEASE NOTE:
The Arecibo Observatory is closed.

A 1,000-foot diameter dish used to keep us safe from asteroids, beamed a three-minute pictorial message 23,000 light-years away to the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy, and has assisted in numerous notable discoveries. It’s just three of the reasons why the loss of the Arecib o Observatory in Puerto Rico is such a great loss. When it comes to telescopes, there are few as awe-inspiring as this one.

Where was the Arecibo Radio Telescope

Arecibo is in the Northern Coastal Valley region of Puerto Rico. The area is marked by stark contrasts. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the north and numerous caves, sinkholes, and wooded hills to the south. Built into a natural limestone sinkhole in 1964, the telescope was made of nearly 40,000 perforated aluminum panels covering an area of about twenty acres.

Arecibo Observatory Facts

The Arecibo Observatory was the brainchild of Cornell University professor William E. Gordon. This was an extraordinary site, at 167 feet deep, the Arecibo telescope was the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the world.

The Location of the Arecibo Observatory

Arecibo Radio Telescope was located approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from San Juan. As you get closer to the site, navigating through narrow one-lane roads, twisting and turning up and around bends, is just part of the adventure of visiting the area.

Arecibo Observatory Visitor Center -Closed

A welcoming visitor’s center ushers visitors into a world of interactive exhibits and friendly and informative guides are on-hand to answer all questions. There’s a 20-minute video and then the anticipated opportunity to visit the observation deck to view the breathtaking radio telescope.

Many people will recognize the Arecibo Telescope for its roles in Hollywood movies. The giant telescope was featured prominently in the final scene of the James Bond film Goldeneye and was also the antenna used by Jody Foster in her search for alien signals in the movie Contact.

Arecibo Observatory Message

Astronomers Frank Drake and Carl Sagan put together a binary communication known as the Arecibo message. It was sent from the Arecibo Observatory in 1974.

At the visitor’s center, visitors see a graphic showing the Arecibo message. It was directed to the star cluster known as M13. If eventually decoded by an intelligent race, the extraterrestrial recipients will be greeted with a 23 by 73-pixel bitmap image depicting a stick figure of a human being, a human DNA strand, chemical formulas, our solar system, and even an image of the telescope itself.

Arecibo Observatory Tour – Closed

Those who are interested in an in-depth look at the reflector and what goes on behind the scenes, an Arecibo Observatory VIP tour is available during certain times of the day. A 30 minute guided tour takes visitors to the engineering offices, the control room, and to the edge of the 1,000 feet (305 meters) reflector.

Arecibo Observatory Discoveries

As one might expect with such a large telescope, some big findings have been made at Arecibo. Most notably, the observatory is known for discovering the first planets outside our solar system and measuring the rotation rate of the planet Mercury. It was also used by Russell Hulse and Joseph Taylor, of Princeton University, New Jersey, to pinpoint a pair of neutron stars or pulsars. The discovery, the first of a pulsar binary, was of immense importance in understanding the gravitational theory and earned the pair the 1993 Nobel Prize for Physics.

The Arecibo telescope has also played a key role in studying celestial events known as fast radio bursts which are split-second blasts of radio waves that appear in the sky and have traveled billions of light-years across the cosmos.

Arecibo Telescope Loss

The Arecibo Telescope provided an important role of guarding our planet against the threat of asteroids. Seeking answers to the unknown, the telescope can no longer help protect our planet from threats or decipher a message the day an intelligent race contacts us.

This was is a place that fosters and inspires scientific interest in everyone, not only astronomers and scientists.

Route 625, Bo. Esperanza, Arecibo, PR 00612

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Arecibo+Observatory/@18.3464019,-66.7550083,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8c02db84dca94fc1:0x1ce481f2793da255!8m2!3d18.3464019!4d-66.7528196

(787) 878-2612
Arecibo Observatory

Interested in Exploring the Universe? Begin Your Astronomical Journey With this Special Deal!

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For more adventures in Puerto Rico:

2 Caves to Explore in Puerto Rico (Things to do in Puerto Rico)

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Why you should Visit Puerto Rico’s Sugar Plantation (Hacienda La Esperanza)

Sandy Ruyack — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 17:49:04 +0000

Explore the Bitter Taste of History at a Sugar Plantation

Hacienda La Esperanza

In the town of Manati, Puerto Rico, I was fortunate to be able to take a tour of the restored structures of one of the most important sugar plantations of the 19th century, Hacienda La Esperanza. The legacy of this hacienda owes its homage to both the lives of the 170 slaves who worked the land, as well as to a new invention of that time, the steam mill. We’ll explore Puerto Rican history at this sugar plantation.

The rich soils of Hacienda La Esperanza were perfect for sugar cane production and in 1830 Fernando Fernández, a Spanish officer, was able to grow a profitable business due to the demand for sugar by the United States. Slaves at that time, unfortunately filled the need for this labor-intensive industry, which is why there is the bitter taste of history at this sugar plantation.

Puerto Rican History at a Sugar Plantation

Hacienda La Esperanza

The hacienda sits on the estate of the plantation.

Fernando’s eldest son inherited the estate, and in 1861 installed a West Point Foundry Steam engine. This highly efficient new machine increased sugar production and he was able to expand to 2,000 acres of planted sugar cane. This also increased his need for additional slave labor.

The Bitterness at a Sugar Plantation

Hacienda La Esperanza

A mundillo is on display which lists the complaints of the slaves.

At the hacienda, complaints from the slaves are poignantly preserved and encased in a large glass case. The grievances are crafted on what’s called a Mundillo, which is handmade bobbin lace. The lace is created using wooden bobbins about the diameter of a pencil. The bobbin is wound with thread, twisted, and crossed to form a design. Depending on the pattern, as few as two dozen or as many as several hundred bobbins may be used. The pattern formed the words of the complaints.

The grievances were about the horrible treatment, the abuse, and the lack of any possible help from authorities. It is very moving to see something so beautifully and intricately woven and at the same time read the vile, heartbreaking and painstaking abuses endured by the slaves.

Impressive Collection of Machetes at

Hacienda La Esperanza

The collection of machetes is an unusual in interesting display.

There is also an impressive collection of machetes on display. The machetes used by the slaves were shorter and blunt, making it useless as a weapon, an extremely poor tool and since sugarcane needs to be cut low to the ground, the short blade required the slaves to bend over all day resulting in life-long pain and disfigurement for many.

Steam & Progression at the Plantation

Hacienda La Esperanza

The steam engine at work is a fascinating piece of engineering.

In what are the remains of the sugar mill building is the infamous steam engine which was used to crush the sugar cane in order to release the liquid. Before the steam engine, the sugar cane had to be crushed by hand, a time consuming and labor intensive process. The highly embellished engine was built in 1861 in Cold Spring, New York by the West Point Foundry, not far from my home.

View this short movie of the sugar mill in action:

Sugar Plantation

The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico fully restored the steam mill and today it is an amazing site to see in action. In 1979, it was even named a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. It is quite mesmerizing to watch all the intricate wheels and pistons turn and rise creating the steam needed to power this immense machine. This lavishly decorated steam engine is the only West Point Foundry steam engine known to survive.

The Blood Mill and Puerto Rican History

Hacienda La Esperanza

Tour the grounds for other amazing artifacts.

We also toured additional ruins of the sugar mill where the sugar cane juice was boiled. The original “blood mill,” is also on display. This manual press was used before the onset of the steam engine to extract the juice out of the sugar cane, oftentimes resulting in crushed hands or arms, thus the name, blood mill.

After the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico in 1873, the sugar industry in Puerto Rico crumbled. However, the bitterness still remains as we are reminded of slaves who worked long and hard at this plantation. The hacienda went bankrupt, and in 1879 the land was sold. Thanks to the Conservation Trust and their mission to conserve natural spaces and educate the public about important historical places, we are able to experience this piece of bitter history at such a sweet location. I recommend a visit to learn about Puerto Rican History at a Sugar Plantation (Hacienda La Esperanza).

Go to Para la Naturaleza.org to make a reservation (required). Tours are available for a small fee in Spanish and English. Hacienda la Esperanza is at 616 Cll La Esperanza, Manatí, 00674, Puerto Rico

The Best Way to Explore Puerto Rico is with a GPS. I use this one:

We are a participant in the Amazon Associates, LLC program, an advertising program allowing us to receive fees when you purchase the product above. It does not in anyway add to your cost.

For more information on Puerto Rico Tourism Visit: http://www.seepuertorico.com/

For more information about Puerto Rico History visit:

Where to go for Puerto Rican Rum History

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What to do in Puerto Rico in 15 Photos

Sandy Ruyack — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 18:01:29 +0000

Explore Puerto Rico with 15 Photos

Things to do in Puerto Rico

Colorful architecture of Old San Juan!

Walking the streets of Old San Juan will make you question whether you’re in Europe or the Caribbean. Dazzling colors and roads lined with blue cobblestones, give this historical city beauty and charm. Does this picture inspire you to travel to Puerto Rico?

Beaches in Puerto Rico!

Swimming in the warm waters of Puerto Rico’s beaches will make you never want to leave. If calm waters are your desire, go to Luquillo Beach on the east side of the island. If it’s waves you want, go to the west side to Sandy Beach in Rincon. The island is surrounded by unique beaches that are the most beautiful in the world.