Puerto Rico Weather averages 82 degrees year round

Sea, land, and mountain breezes are fairly constant, helping to keep temperatures all over Puerto Rico at a comfortable level, and the climate is fairly stable year-round, with an average temperature of between 80 - 85 degrees during the day and 70 -75 at night.

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The World's largest Single-Dish Radio Telescope is located in Puerto Rico

The dish is nestled in the hills of the City of Arecibo. The dish measures a thousand feet in diameter and spans about 20 acres, and is the most sensitive radio telescope in the World, with the capability to probe objects 10 billion light-years away. It took some of the first pictures of Earth's changing surface signaling global warming and has mapped the surface of Mars with more precision than any other instrument. It's the only radio telescope in the world that can predict with accuracy just where and when an asteroid would hit Earth.

The Arecibo Observatory made popular by research done here looking for extraterrestrials.  In fact part of the movie "Contact", was filmed here. The dish was also displayed in the climactic last scene in the James Bond movie "Goldeneye", the (inevitable) showdown between 007 and the bad guy took place right here. The huge radar/radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory is a great photo opportunity. 

The observatory is part of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center operated by Cornell University, an interactive visitors center offers basics on astronomy and atmospheric science. Open Wed.-Fri. noon-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., Holidays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $3.50 adults, $1.50 children and senior citizens. Take Route 129 to 134, then Route 635 to 625, which ends at the observatory. Watch for road signs. Arecibo; 878-2612 

For more information about the dish, click here.

Puerto Rico is roughly the size of Connecticut.

Puerto Rico is a relatively small island, roughly 110 miles long by 35 miles wide. With a population of almost 4 million, it's one of the most densely populated islands in the World, 

El Yunque is the only tropical Rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.

Located approximately 45 minutes to an hour from the ritzy resorts of San Juan, a trip to El Yunque rain forest is a visit to a primitive land that has remained virtually unchanged.  El Yunque offers trail hikes, waterfalls, grand vistas and a variety of birds (including a rare parrot), flora, and some wildlife. You'll also be happy to know that there are no dangerous animals in the rainforest. 

The only rain forest in the National Parks system, El Yunque is a 28,000-acre forest preserve, located about an hour outside of San Juan in the central eastern region. Hike along the 13 trails that cover 23 miles of breathtaking terrain, picnic alongside such spectacular sites as La Coca Falls, learn about the delicate ecosystem of rain forests from around the world at the El Portal Tropical Forest Center, or enjoy the dramatic views from the Yokahu Observation Tower. Guided tours are available through the forest's Rent-a-Ranger program. Reservations for guided tours are required. 

Open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed on Christmas. The El Portal Center opens at 9 a.m. Admission $3 for adults; $1.50 for children 5 to 12 and seniors 65 and older; children 4 and younger free. Route 191, Río Grande; 888-1880.

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Puerto Rico was "discovered" by Christopher Columbus.

In 1493, on his second voyage to the new world, Columbus discovered the Island of Puerto Rico and claimed it for Spain. In1898 at the end of the Spanish - American War, Puerto Rico became a US Territory. 

For more history of Puerto Rico, click here.

Puerto Rico's unofficial mascot is a tiny Tree Frog found only on the island.

The tiny tree frog is called a "Coqui". It's a very popular creature throughout the island and creates romantic evenings with its timid ko-kee sound that it makes dusk to dawn, hence it's name. When The inch-long amphibian has a powerful and melodic voice, and its high-pitched, chirrupy song can be heard for miles. The Coqui is a cute, much-loved symbol of Puerto Rico.

For more information about the Coqui, click here.

More than 70% of the Rum sold in the U.S. comes from Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican rum goes back about 400 years and Puerto Rico is known as the "Rum Capital of the World". 

Bacardi and Don Q are the largest producers on the island, and Puerto Rico is the only rum-producer in the world to maintain a minimum aging law for its rum. Another very popular rum is "Ron Del Barrilito". You can get three main categories of rum here: light, dark, and añejo (aged).

Puerto Rico is home to Bacardi's largest rum distillery in the world, this plant produces over 21 million cases a year. Guided tours of the plant take you through the rum-making process, and the museum near the entrance chronicles the history of rum and the Bacardi family. Visiting Bacardi is a great way to learn about the rum-making process and sample some complimentary rum! 

Free, guided tours given every half hour Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. except holidays. Route 165, km. 2.6, Cataño; 788-8400.

For more information about Puerto Rican Rums, click here.

Old San Juan is the second largest cruise port, and the second oldest City in the western hemisphere. 

The City of Old San Juan is the second oldest City in the western hemisphere and the oldest City under the US flag.  It is also the second largest cruise port hub in the Caribbean.

Two of the oldest Churches in the Americas are in Old San Juan.

Built in the 1530s, the Iglesia de San José (or "Church of San José") in Old San Juan is the second oldest church in the western hemisphere, and a wonderful example of Spanish gothic architecture. 

More famous (and beautiful) is the Catedral de San Juan (or "San Juan Cathedral"), which is merely steps away on Cristo Street. The most important religious landmark in Puerto Rico, the cathedral was originally built in the 1520s but fell victim to two hurricanes, attacks, and lootings. The Cathedral also has an interesting tour which includes the remains of Ponce de León (which were removed from the Iglesia de San José in 1908 and relocated here) and a wax-covered, glass-encased mummy of a saint.

Puerto Rico has its own "Galapagos Island."

Off the eastern shore of mainland Puerto Rico, (roughly 50 miles away from Mayagüez) lies Mona Island, which has been compared to the Galapagos island for its unspoiled-by-man natural beauty and its colony of iguanas, which practically overrun the place. The Mona Iguana, found nowhere else on the planet, is the star of the show here. While the iguanas are benign creatures, they're not easy to visit because the island is protected.

Puerto Rico has over 270 miles of Beaches.

It's not just the sheer volume of beachfront that makes Puerto Rico a favorite Caribbean destination, but the quality and variety of them. From beaches with black, magnetic sand to beaches with rusted military tanks left as a poignant memorial; from secluded, idyllic spots to glitzy, star-studded stretches of resort-front property; and from surfing havens to tranquil waters, Puerto Rico has a tremendous variety of beaches. 

For more about Puerto Rico's beaches, click here

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