HOW TO SELL PUERTO RICO
PUERTO RICO Tropical
BY JUDITH BAKER Puerto Rico is a gateway to the Caribbean, just 1000 miles south-east of Miami and the smallest of the Greater Antilles island group which includes Cuba, Jamaica and Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti). Combining tropical verve with modern American development, Puerto Rico offers all the cultural and natural attractions of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean but with great beaches and top-end resorts. The island is now more accessible to
UK tourists after British Airways added Puerto Rico to its portfolio of Caribbean destinations with a Gatwick- San Juan service starting in March this year. A Boeing 777 serves the route twice-weekly, with stops in Antigua. Options on Puerto Rico extend from beaches to extreme sports, with accommodation ranging from kid-friendly hotels to romantic getaways for couples and luxury hotels with casinos. San Juan, the capital, is a unique blend
of old and new. Spain ceded the island to the US in the Spanish-American War and the island became a self-governing Commonwealth of America in 1952. Old San Juan is a 500-year-old city
where you can visit two forts from the Spanish era, walk on blue cobblestone streets admiring the colonial buildings, enjoy a local beer or have lunch in the inner courtyard of a former nuns’ convent. At nightfall the town comes alive with the sound of salsa thumping
General Information TIME ZONE: Puerto Rico is GMT -4
CUSTOMS & PASSPORT: Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States. UK visitors must travel with an ESTA
LANGUAGE: Both Spanish and English are the island's official languages. English is widely spoken, especially in San Juan
CLIMATE: Tropical climate with average temperatures between 70°F-80°F
CURRENCY: US dollar
UK OFFICE: HiIls Balfour: Tel: 020 7367 0903;
www.hillsbalfour.com
from the many bars and
clubs.Nature lovers can hike through El Yunque rainforest which has miles and miles of trails, rainwater streams, waterfalls and natural pools. Listen out for the coqui, or tiny native tree frog. Puerto Rico is host to many world-
class surfing contests and prime spots can be found on the west coast and some northern beaches. Extreme sports and adventure enthusiasts can enjoy rappelling and zip-lining in the rainforest, and the marine life attracts many divers. One of Puerto Rico’s most memorable experiences is night swimming in Puerto Rico’s Bioluminescent Bays. The bays are home to large colonies of dinoflagellates that light up like fireflies and produce incredible glowing waters, best seen in the light of a full moon. Two of the most spectacular bays are the Northeast’s Mosquito Bay in Vieques and Laguna Grande at Las Croabas, Fajardo.
What’s New The new W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island has white beaches and lush landscapes, watersports and a spa and is the perfect recommendation for honeymooners and families alike.
PUERTO PICO Top Selling Tips...
• The new direct BA flights to Puerto Rico open up a host of new vacation opportunities for UK travellers
• The British Virgin Islands and Turks & Caicos are just a hop away from Puerto Rico
• Clients may want to consider a two-centre holiday, or combine a stay in Puerto Rico with a cruise
• San Juan is the second-largest port in the Western Hemisphere with over 700 home port sailings a year
• The island of Vieques, just off the east coast, is known for its laid-back lifestyle and offers a glimpse of the Caribbean as it used to be
• Visit
www.seepuertorico.com
Puerto Rico has several world-class surfing beaches; The new W Retreat and Spa; Puerto Rico City
www.sellinglonghaul.com • May 2011 31
Where To Stay THE ST. REGIS BAHIA BEACH RESORT
001 787 809 8000
www.stregis.com/bahiabeach The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico opened in early November 2010 on the north-eastern corridor of the island, at the foot of the El Yunque National Rainforest. The resort is bordered by the 5,000-acre Espíritu Santo River State Preserve, and is a 30-minute drive from the old town of San Juan. It has a golf course, luxury spa and butler service.
Where To Book It BRITISH AIRWAYS – 0844 4930758
www.ba.com/puertorico British Airways offers seven nights at the five-star Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza from £1,139pp. Alternatively, seven nights at the 5* El San Juan Hotel and Casino, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel start from £1,208 pp. Prices include return BA flights from London-Gatwick and accommodation-only based on departures in May 2011.
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