1. Meet
Puerto Rico!
Presentation by:
Dyhalma Torres
Director of Sales
Puerto Rico Convention Bureau
2. E xotic, Yet Familiar
• U.S. Commonwealth Status
• No passport or visa required for U.S. citizens
• Currency, language, phone system, mail service
and banking same as in the U.S.
5. Air Access
•Puerto Rico is the hub for the Caribbean
making us a very accessible destination.
•Flight time is only 2 hours and 15 minutes
from Miami, 3 hours from Atlanta, 3 and ½
hours from Washington, DC or New York, 4
½ hours from Chicago or Dallas and 7 hours
from Los Angeles .
6. A irlift
•Over 400 domestic non-stop weekly flights into
San Juan.
•Over 600 international flights per week from
Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
7. Traveling to Puerto Rico
Airlift Hub for the Caribbean with direct
flights
Entry/ Travel Documents Drivers License, no other form of ID
Required required to enter /depart Puerto
Rico.
Customs/ Immigration Not Applicable
Shipping/ Mail Service Same as in the U.S. Puerto Rico is
serviced by the U.S Postal Service
and all major couriers.
8. His tory
500 Years of history beginning with Christopher
Columbus’ discovery in 1493.
13. Following a comprehensive renovation project,
this month the 450-room Condado Vanderbilt
Hotel opened its doors for meetings and special
functions. Currently the property features 15,000
sq. ft. of distinctive event space, including a
ballroom with ocean views, glass pavilions for
private dining and events, a dedicated
boardroom and other unique function spaces.
Once guest rooms are open, amenities will
include a full-service space, five-star fitness
center, butler and concierge service, a fully-
staffed business center and four on-site dining
options.
14. Another addition to Puerto Rico’s folio of
high-end properties is the 139-suite St.
Regis Bahia Beach featuring 5,000 sq. ft. of
meeting space and a 10,000 sq. ft. Rémede
Spa. The property is home to a Robert Trent
Jones Jr. championship golf course as well
as Jean Georges, one of the top ten
restaurants in the world.
15. Another luxury addition is the 157-
room W Retreat & Spa, Vieques
Island. This beachside resort
features 3,500 sq. ft. of meeting
space, a dedicated welcome
lounge at the nearby airport, infinity
pools, tennis, a fitness center and
spa and is also the home of Alain
Ducasse’s newest fusion
restaurant, MiX on the Beach.
16. Slated to open in December 2012, located in the
former setting of the renowned Laurance Rockefeller
resort property in Dorado Beach. The 130-room resort
will include 100 guestrooms and 14 one-bedroom
suites, including six with rooftop pools. In addition, Su
Casa, a colonial-style hacienda located on the
property, will be restored as a five-bedroom villa for
weddings and private events.
17. In 2013, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
will roll-out its brand in Puerto Rico
when it opens a 500-room property
on the site of the former Hyatt
Regency Cerromar, also in Dorado.
18. B eaches
Over 272 miles of some of the most beautiful
beaches in the world
19. E l Yunque Rainfores t
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest
System. In its 28,000 acres you will find over 1,200 plant species,
97 species of birds including the Puerto Rican parrot, 35 species of
amphibians and reptiles including our native tree frog called coqui,
240 native tree species among countless waterfalls and trails. El
Yunque is currently a candidate to be voted one of the New 7
Wonders of the World.
20. E xplore C aves
Camuy River Cave Park, is one of the
largest cave systems in the world and
the largest in the Western
Hemisphere. Located in northwestern
Puerto Rico, the caverns are part of a
large network of natural limestone
caves and underground waterways
carved out by the third-largest
underground river in the world, the Río
Camuy. The 268-acre park built
around the cave system features tours
of some of the caves and sinkholes,
and is one of our most popular natural
attractions.
21. Zip-Lining
When it comes to our zip-line
adventures, it’s not just quality but
quantity that matters. Whether you
strap in face-down in the clutches of
The Beast and fly at 60 miles per hour
over 4,000 feet or descend to the
mouth of an underground river, our
zip-lines provide an exhilarating thrill
ride.
22. The B iolumines cent B ays
This unique bays contains up to 720,000 single-celled bioluminescent
dinoflagellates per gallon of water. These half-plant, half-animal
organisms emit a flash of bluish light when agitated at night. The high
concentration of these creatures can create enough light to read a book
from. On moonless nights, the water sparkles with tiny glowing
flagellate creatures. You can enjoy this wonder of the world on a tour
aboard a glass bottom boat or on an ocean kajak tour.
23. S cuba Diving
Get away from the world above and dive to he wonders below; the
exciting world of fun and adventure beneath the turquoise waters of
Puerto Rico. Scuba diving is offered on the eastern side of the Island,
Fajardo, known to be one of the best scuba diving site in the world.
Non-certified divers are welcome.
24. C atamaran Day S ail
You will enjoy a 30-minute sail to Icacos or one of the
surrounding islands. Once the catamaran arrives at the island
it actually beaches so that when you disembark they are in
knee-deep water. On the island they will have the
opportunity to take advantage of our professional instruction
in snorkeling, they can beach comb, swim or snorkel offshore
or just relax on the beach.
25. Old S an J uan His torical Dis trict
Narrow cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, 500
year old Spanish fortresses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean,
fascinating museums, churches, art galleries, boutiques,
outlet stores, handcrafts and fine dining, everything bathed
by a tropical breeze.
26. B acardi Rum Dis tillery
The Bacardi Rum Distillery provides a very interesting tour of the plant,
museum and bottling line finishing. There you will have the opportunity
to learn about the tradition of processing and aging of Bacardi’s finest
rums. Then its off to the tasting bar to be treated to a complimentary
rum drink followed by a visit to their gift shop where rum can be
purchased at discounted prices.
27. Golfing in Puerto Rico
Golfing in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico has some of the best golf
courses anywhere in the Caribbean: they are both beautiful in their
setting as well as challenging. Balmy weather and the constant
trade winds make for the most ideal playing conditions – there is
perfect golf weather almost every day of the year. Virtually all of
the courses are of championship caliber, created by some of the
world’s best golf course designers.
Patrick - Here the info to mention: Puerto Rico boasts world-class hotels and resorts that offer a wide range of accommodations, conference and recreational choices. Most major hotels offer casinos too. Small Inns and “Paradores” throughout the island offer visitors a true flavor of Puerto Rico.
