18˚N 66˚W by Claudia Isabel

ISSUE 1

18˚N 66˚W

A LOCAL EXPERIENCE

SPRING/ SUMMER ‘15

18˚N 66˚W

$8.99

THE PUERTO RICO TRAVELER

The Puerto Rico Traveler

18˚N 66˚W

Editor’s Letter that you can go to in the metro area with your family or friends. On this side, you will follow María and her adventures throughout the day. Ont he other side of the magazine, you will find out what it is like to spend the day as a local in Puerto Rico. Hidden beaches, markets, street art, festivals and everything else you need to know that you had no idea about. The thing about Puerto Rico is that

Hello everyone. Welcome to the first ever issue of 18˚N66˚W. This semiannual journal is very personal to me because it is about what it is like be in Puerto Rico, the tiny island in the Caribbean, where I am from, and have lived my whole life. Now that you know this, you probably get why I chose 18˚N66˚W as the title for this super quirky magazine. They are the cardinal points to where this fantastic island is located. The reason why I decided to create this journal is because, since we are so small, not many people are aware of the wonders that lie here. We might be small, but you can never get bored in PR.

it is not just an island, but a whole world. Puerto Rico can seem magical even for the people who have lived here their whole lives. Trust me on that. There is still so much of my island that I don’t know about, but am looking forward to finding out in the near and distant future. We have the best food, the best people and the loudest and greatest culture that you could ever imagine. Read this journal and see for yourself the great possibilities that lie in Puerto Rico. I really hope you love it and plan on visiting in the future. Spread the word. Show some people. Enjoy and live the experience as much as possible.

This magazine is composed of two sides. On one side, you will see what it is like to spend the day as a tourist in the island. We have all the information on the best hotels, tourist attractions, beaches and restaurants that you could ever imagine. All of the areas that you will read about and all of the pictures you will look at are all places

Sincerely,

A Local Experience

“This island is small, but filled with possibilities.”

Radar: Food & Fun

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—pages 1-2

pages 7-10 —

Livin’ La Vida Local

If Walls Could Talk

e n t

—pages 3-6

18˚N 66˚W

Radar

A Local Experience

Food and Fun

Best food trucks in town El Churry: A big variety of sandwhiches with the highest quality of ingredients are offered in addition to home made hamburgers at a great price. As you can see it’s not just any other food truck. Thanks to the huge success El Churry has amounted, they are able to harmonize great taste with fresh and vibrant colors, creating a great taste. They have six food trucks right now. El Ñaqui: It hits the streets of Puerto Rico with one of the most innovative concepts of the foodservice industry originated in the famous streets of Los Angeles and New York , creating a unique trend of gourmet food in a “set -up” street people seeking alternative that is of good quality , different and without being slit pocket. Acai Express: These bowls are based on a lifestyle that we follow. We promote a healthy lifestyle, eat right and exercise, through fun

and natural activities. Their vision is to grow and expand our business through franchising model, giving the opportunity to other young entrepreneurs to open their business model and a fairly economic structure to let them be successful and who share this philosophy of life. Yamburger: These ar ehigh quality, angus beef burgers, with a creative twist. This Puerto Rican food truck does everything from Brunch burgers to latre night munchies. They have a few trucks, but have recently opened two restaurants in the metro area. Sol Food: This food truck is located in the island of Vieques. Often parked at the entrance of Sun Bay, Sol Food serves pinchos (skewered meat) like garlic shrimp; chicken with garlic, cilantro, and vinegar; and empanadas in flavors like traditional beef with capers and green olives and ham with Cheddar, Swiss, and aged gouda.

Radar

Explore beyond the city This beach usually makes the list of the top beaches in Puerto Rico for a reason — it is stunning! It is an oval-shaped, golden-sand cove, protected from the open ocean by large natural limestone walls. The ocean water comes in through a small opening in the rocks. There is some flat limestone at the shoreline, so that could be slippery, and it gets deep quickly as you walk in. At either side, closest to the rocks (far right and far left), the bottom was more sandy. If you go into the water, We would suggest wearing water shoes. A Local Experience

Local festivals and celebrations It is no secret that people in Puerto Rico know how to party, especially around the Christmas holidays. Announce that there will be a parade, music, dancing, libations, food — then add in local artisan crafts for sale — and it all adds up to one crazy celebration! That is the San Sebastián Street Festival (Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián) in a nutshell. It has been an annual event on Calle San Sebastián in Old San Juan since 1970, and what started as community fund-raiser has become THE festival to go to. Loads of locals and tourists attend this 4-day event. The San Se Festival has evolved over time, though it still is full of tradition and Puerto Rican cultural heritage. Mostly, it is a great big party, with

people enjoying every aspect of it. It is attended by hundreds of thousands of people, who are very much part of the entertainment scene. Folks lucky enough to have a birds-eye view line the colorful balconies along Calle San Sebastián, and on the rest of the parade route, watching and shouting to the throngs of people in the streets below. Everyone else hits the streets. It’s

basically the Puerto Rican version of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, without the beads and breasts. There are lots of live music shows, both traditional and contemporary. The musicians perform on 4 stages around the Old City , but the main stage is at the Plaza del Quinto Centenario. Music/dance happens randomly throughout the streets, where people join in the song and dance.

A Local Experience

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Photography by Claudia Rubín. Story by Liliana Rodríguez

If Walls Could Talk

Santurce, Puerto Rico is loud and proud, and so are its people.

A Local Experience

If walls could talk

18˚N 66˚W

A Local Experience

“La Placita de Santurce” is a marketplace by day, block party by night.

La Plaza del Mercado in Santurce is a slice of typical Puerto Rico. Located across the Baldorioty de Castro Highway (on the other side of Condado) at Dos Hermanos and Capitol Streets in San Juan’s blue-collar neighborhood, the Santurce marketplace is a quaint square with a colorful central building fronting giant avocado sculptures. Inside is a traditional market where, during the day, you can find fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other local produce. Around the market, fondas, or local eateries, and bars line the plaza. From Thursday to Sunday, La Placita transforms into a crowded, lively, and boisterous block party. If you want to experience the flavor and vibe of Puerto Rico, the Plaza is about as authentic a destination as I can recommend. ¶ During the day, come to browse the wares at the local stalls, sample a fresh milkshake or fruit juice, or dine at one of the small eateries serving comida criolla.And if you want to hang out with the locals at night, you’ll find plenty of them out and about at La Placita; so many, in fact, that parking here is a near-impossibility on the weekends, and you’ll want to cab it back and forth. Cheap drinks, loud music, and a pleasant social vibe makes this a fun place to relax and mingle. Where to Go in La Plaza del Mercado:There are many worthy places to eat, drink and browse in La Placita. These are a few favorites: El Coco de Luis, located at Dos Brothers.

This small eatery serves up cheap meals and their special beer and whiskey and fresh coconut water cocktail. Tasca de esos el Pescador located right across from the main building on Dos Hermanos Street. ¶ You can’t miss the neon sign or the bright green building; this is probably the best place in La Placita for tasty, fresh fish and seafood. Jose Enrique is hidden inside a nondescript house on a quiet corner of Duffaut Street, a block away from the main plaza. This small, dinner-only place is revered by locals for its scrumptious local fare that is far more creative and upscale than you’d imagine. Fat Tuesday, on Dos Hermanos Street across from the main building of the plaza, anchors the nocturnal scene at La Placita from Wednesday to Sunday. Come for the DJs and the daiquiris. Santurce is one of the top ten most-populated areas of

If you love music and want to jump into local culture, head over to “La Placita” of Santurce. the island. It includes the neighborhoods of Miramar, Loíza, Isla Grande, Barrio Obrero, and Condado, which are cultural hot spots for art, music, cuisine, fashion, hotels, technology, multimedia, film, textile and startups. ¶ Santurce is served by a rapid transit system called Tren Urbano

(Urban Train). The main station is located on the southeast section of the district next to Sagrado Corazón and Monteflores. Bus lines are operated by the Metropolitan Bus Authority. In the 20th century the conurbation of the San Juan metropolis expanded rapidly beyond its walled confines of Old San Juan to incorporate the boroughs of suburban Miramar, Santurce, Isla Grande, and Condado, along the coast, as well as industrial Hato Rey, with its large sports stadium and modern financial district, and the college town of Río Piedras, immediately to the southeast. Between 1937 and 1948, Santurce along with neighboring district Miramar becomes one of the most vibrant areas of the capital. However, by the 1970s, most of the district had begun to fall into decay, losing the luster and vibrancy it once had. ¶ By 1980 the San Juan metropolitan area included the surrounding municipalities to the east and west and had about onethird of Puerto Rico’s total population; that proportion has grown to two-thirds of the population. In 1876, an engineer from the port town of Santurtzi in Spain’s autonomous Basque Country region known as Pablo Ubarri arrived on the island to help in the construction of a railroad system and a steam tramway between San Juan and the town of Río Piedras through the center of “Cangrejos” which prompted the gentrification of the district. This marketplace is just great.

If Walls Could Talk

A Local Experience

18˚N 66˚W

Livin’ La Vida Local

Hidden Beaches in Puerto Rico

Livin’ la vida local A Local Experience

Story by Liliana Rodríguez Photography by Claudia Rubín

Puerto Rico is very dotted with secluded beaches offering great snorkeling and gorgeous seascapes with few fellow sunbathers to disturb a peaceful escape. Check out these idyllic hidden beaches around Puerto Rico. Punta Soldado, Culebra The island of Culebra is a private paradise in Puerto Rico, located between the big island and nearby St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Locals and visitors come to the island by plane and boat to experience its remote beaches. While Playa Flamenco gets the most press as the area’s loveliest beach, there are still many secret beaches including Punta Soldado, a small pebbly beach with nice views of Vieques and calm waters perfect for snorkeling. An added bonus: The beach is easily accessible by car and doesn’t require a strenuous hike to reach.

Balneario de Boqueron, Cabo Rojo, was once a hideaway for pirates who are said to have stashed their treasure in nearby caves, today Boqueron Bay Beach is a haven for beachgoers and native endangered birds that are protected by the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. With its white sandy shores stretching for over a mile and clear blue waters, it’s no surprise that this oasis in southeast Puerto Rico has been honored as a Blue Flag beach, an award bestowed on the world’s cleanest and most environmentally friendly beaches. Sombe, Vieques, also called Sun Bay Beach, is a crescent-shaped slice of paradise just a short walk from Esperanza. Lounge in the shade of a palm tree on the only government-maintained public beach on the island. Having a good relationship with nature is easy to do.

A Local Experience

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Livin’ La Vida Local

Having a relationship with nature is easy to do in this island.

there they’ll find a horseshoe-shaped bay and a mile-long sugar white beach. The crystal-clear waters create ideal conditions for snorkeling. If you walk along the shore to your left you’ll come upon abandoned U.S. Army tanks slumped in the sand. For decades, Culebra was used for military exercises. This practice was eventually halted in 1975 due to protests by environmentalists. Amenities at Flamenco Beach are on the basic side; there are showers and bathrooms, as well as kiosks renting beach equipment and serving cold drinks and snacks. Sandy Beach: Rincon, located on the western shore of Puerto Rico, has the island’s best surf breaks and a laidback atmosphere. ¶ There are a number of beaches in Rincon – Sandy Beach is considered the best for swimmers. Another great reason to choose Sandy Beach is the Tamboo Beach Bar, which regularly makes its way onto lists of the top beach bars in the world. Head there an hour before sundown, score a table on the deck overlooking the beach, and settle in with a cold Medalla as the sun sinks into the sea. If you’re in Rincon January through March, keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales – these are the months when they migrate to the warm waters off the western shore of Puerto Rico for a 40-ton hookup. Mar Chiquita: Can a beach be secluded and popular at the same time? Yes it can.

A Local Experience

One person’s beautiful beach might be another person’s sand-filled nightmare. Luckily, Puerto Rico’s profusion of beaches provide enough variety to satisfy the pickiest of beachgoers; everything from city beaches backed by towering hotels to sunny secluded strands with translucent waters. Here are a few of the island’s best. Ocean Park Beach: One of the joys of vacationing in Puerto Rico is the option to have both a city and beach vacation while only unpacking once. When travelers choose the island’s capital city of San Juan as a base, it’s easy to spend the morning shopping, the afternoon on the beach and the evening dancing salsa in one of the nightspots. While San Juan has fine beaches of its own, there are really superb stretches of white sand in neighboring Isla Verde, especially Ocean Park Beach — a wide beach popular with both locals and visitors. ¶ The waves can really kick up, creating prime conditions for boogie-boarding, surfing and kitesurfing. Flamenco Beach: It takes a little extra effort to get there to Flamenco Beach, designated the second-best beach in the world by the Discovery Channel. Flamenco Beach is on the small island of Culebra, about 17 miles off the east coast of the mainland. Some people fly into Culebra’s small airport while others opt to take the 90-minute ferry ride departing from Fajardo, on Puerto Rico’s eastern shore. Once they get

18˚N 66˚W

A Tourist Experience

Condado is a melting pot of the city life an the beach scene. Condado is an oceanfront, tree-lined pedestrianoriented community in Santurce. Condado is primarily a middle to upper class community. It is located east of the historic colonial district of Old San Juan. It is one 40 “sub-districts” of Santurce. The eastern border is marked by De Diego Avenue and its straight extension towards the Atlantic coast. On the south, the district is bounded by Wilson Street, Aldea Street, Expreso Baldorioty de Castro, Piccioni Street and Delcasse Street, and by the Condado Lagoon). At the westernmost point is the Dos Hermanos Bridge, where Ashford Avenue ends and leads into Old San Juan. In the north are the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean next to hotels and other attractions such as nightclubs, casinos, shops and restaurants. Condado is one of the island’s primary tourist destinations. ¶ Condado looks quite different from what it did at the turn of the century. Some of the luxurious homes which still remain nestled between the high-rise condominiums have been converted into small inns, shops, museums or restaurants. Dr. Bailey Ashford’s home has been remodeled and there are plans to turn it into a museum. The neighborhood’s success as a popular residential and tourist spot is taking a toll on the infrastructure and residents. While properties in the area tend to be expensive, it is also often traffic congested, and residents have to contend with high noise levels even at late hours due to nightclubs and other attractions. Plans are currently underway to provide more pedestrian social spaces for residents and visitors.[citation needed] Designated cycle routes have been implemented and have been successful. There are also a variety of leading edge worldclass dining options, specifically in Ashford Avenue. Every year, Condado holds a culinary festival of

most of the popular restaurants around the area. Condado is known nowadays as a hipster village and features such fashion boutiques as Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Gucci. Boogy boards, wind surfers, kite surfers and paddle boarding are some of the activities going on along this beach. It is longer than some would think, as we went over a mile on our morning walks. ¶ Families playing, runners getting some miles in, beach bunnies absorbing vitamin D and swimmers playing in the waves were some of the things going on. There are specific places that vendors rent chairs and umbrellas as well as people pushing drink carts through the sand to bring you cool drinks. We experienced no nusance vendors or beggers along the beach. It was very nice and clean. The beach is raked every morning so there is nothing but sugar sand to be in. A wonderful place to be on the north side of the island. Remember this is the north side of the island, so the Atlantic Ocean is your host, a little cooler and much windier.

Island In The Sun

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A Tourist Experience

18˚N 66˚W

Island In The Sun

Best Beaches for tourists in Puerto Rico

Island in the sun

A Tourist Experience

Story by Carolina Martínez Photography by Claudia Rubín

18˚N 66˚W

A Tourist Experience

Old San Juan is tiny, but rich in culture. You can’t get bored here.

Old San Juan or “Viejo San Juan” is the historic core of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Although this eight by ten block district is part of San Juan, it is quite geographically and culturally distinct from the rest of the city. It occupies all the western half of the islet of San Juan, which it shares with Puerta de Tierra. As this is a tourist destination, English is relatively common, but not universally spoken. Many tourists are caught unaware of the sun exposure received from simply walking around the sites of this tropical city. Sunblock is available at many stores in town. Wear good walking shoes to deal with the hills and cobblestone streets. ¶ Around the perimeter of the district the trade winds make it surprisingly comfortable, but along the interior streets it get much hotter, with closely spaced, multi-story buildings cutting off any breeze. Brief rain showers are quite common, so watch your step, as the cobblestones can get quite slippery. Old San Juan is a common stop for cruise ships, yet it is definitely not a beach resort. It is a real neighborhood, where people work and live. Today the port of San Juan annually accommodates nearly 1.4 million passengers in cruise ship travel alone, making it the third busiest cruise port in the world, according to the Cruise Industry Statistical Review published in 2000. The busiest docks are on the south side of the area near the city bus station. The attractions of Old San

Juan are within walking distance of each other, but the climate and topography can be taxing on day-trippers. ¶ Even if the locals wear nice shoes or sandals, you should feel free to wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will scale a few hills and a lot of cobblestone while getting around. Mid-late afternoon temperatures in the spring, summer, and fall may make walking a bit oppressive, with tall, crowded buildings blocking the breeze. Unlike in most U.S. States, Puerto Rican

There are restaurants which cater to tourists, particularly tapas bars and Latin fusion restaurants. laws have little restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages. Even modest lunch counters will offer beer, wine, and some mixed drinks. Tipping is customary. There are restaurants which cater to tourists, particularly tapas bars and Latin “fusion” restaurants. There is a public ordinance which bans drinking alcoholic beverages on the street. Although this is not strictly enforced at all times, it is recommended to consume all alcoholic beverages inside the establishments unless there is an organized outdoor seating space on the sidewalk. ¶ This local open container ordinance is relaxed during the San Sebastian Festival, when drinking in public areas is allowed

within the cordoned area of the festival if using plastic containers: no cans or bottles. Shopping in Old San Juan is diverse, with retailers scattered among many narrow streets. Stores include many fine jewelers, arts, crafts and mercantile shops, two drug stores, and a few branded “outlets”. You’ll also find numerous cafes and a few fine restaurants. San Sebastian Festival, annually in January, the weekend before the Martin Luther King holiday, it is one of the most popular festivals in the Caribbean, full of activities, parades, food and live music. It began as a neighborhood event for Saint Sebastian; now it’s the Festival de la Calle San Sebastian - celebrating the street, rather than the Saint. It is pleasant, if insanely crowded early in the afternoon, with artisans and families, but after dark the artisans flee and it’s jam packed with drunken teenagers. ¶ Remarkably crime free, except for rocking cars, and the predictable outcome of 10,000 people drinking for 8 hours in a 6 block narrow street with no facilities. A few modern chain hotels are located near the cruise ship docks, some with casinos. Hotels within the city walls tend to be more colorful, smaller, and with historic charms. Note that because Old San Juan is not the “beach” part of town, its hotels don’t have beach access. If you’d like to stay at a hotel on the beach it’s best to look toward Condado or Isla Verda and then take a day trip into Old San Juan.

Stranger In Paradise

A Tourist Experience

18˚N 66˚W

Stranger In Paradise

Stranger in Paradise Best tourist attractions in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

A Tourist Experience

Photography by Claudia RubĂn Story by Carolina MartĂnez

18˚N 66˚W

Radar

A Tourist Experience

Food and Fun

Best restaurants in town La Casita Blanca: This is a hidden gem of a restaurant. One of the best foods that you can ever have. Very nice people, seemed family owned. Busy but everyone had time for their customer. And above all, delicious authentic Puerto Rican food. Santaella: Santaella celebrates the roots of the island’s comida criolla, and incorporates techniques, flavors and fusions from around the world into its food. Santaella will elevate and redefine your Puerto Rican dining experience. La Cueva del Mar: Great Puerto Rican seafood, steps from the cruise ship docks. A continuous parade of customers, from high chairs to wheel chairs, in a continuous, restrained, din. Friendly service. Great food. Fresh simply prepared delicious seafood at reasonable cost. This is a locals restaurant where the fish and shrimp tacos are amazing and the seafood platter is large and delectable.

Abracadabra: The owners define the place as magical. Enjoy mimosas and French toast with fresh fruit for breakfast or be amazed with a cup of coffee Hacienda San Pedro. Aim to meet the need to create a space where nutritious food in a creative and fun way to supply. They offer brunch, hamburgers and sandwiches. There are also plenty of craft beers. Airenumo: Formerly known as Mirabueno. Great interior courtyard that invites you to sample local flavor merged with Spanish. Giving Rica paella for two and mushroom salad, asparagus, Serrano and Manchego. Dessert? So many do not give us the space to mention. Sirena: Inside the Courtyard Hotel you can find this corner of much celebration. Feel its Caribbean flavor from you enter . Salsa dancing, mojitos, fresh seafood and well caipirihnas.

Radar

Explore beyond the shore

Boutique hotels and resorts Casablanca Hotel: The draw of SOFO CasaBlanca Hotel is its location -- right in the middle of historic Old San Juan, near countless restaurants, nightclubs, and shops. Dorado Beach: A Ritz Carlton Reserve: This elegant Ritz-Carlton property sits on an eco-friendly reserve on Puerto Ricoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northern shore. Here, guests have access to a mile of sandy shoreline, protected lagoons and an 11-mile nature trail. El Convento: The perfect base to explore Old San Juan. Housed in an old convent converted into a hotel you feel you have been transported back to the Spanish colonial era.

A Tourist Experience

In Vieques, the glowing Mosquito Bay is a vision of bizarre beauty. Thanks to a bioluminescent microorganism, the water is a cool electric blue, looking somewhat like a fantastical sci-fi lagoon. Kayak or hop into a clear-bottomed pontoon boat to glide along the neon waters. Swimmers and snorkelers will adore the pristine, undeveloped beaches. Keep an eye out for the playful feral horses that gallop along the dunes, or visit the stately ceiba tree thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been keeping watch over the highland for three centuries.

Radar: Food & Fun

— e n t s

—pages 1-2

pages 7-10 —

Island In The Sun

Stranger In Paradise

c o n t —

—pages 3-6

The Puerto Rico Traveler

18˚N 66˚W

Sincerely,

A Tourist Experience

“This island is small, but filled with possibilities.”

ISSUE 1

18˚N 66˚W

Things To Do, Places To See Issue No˚1

SPRING/ SUMMER ‘15

A TOURIST EXPERIENCE

$8.99

THE PUERTO RICO TRAVELER