Escape to the Caribbean and the Fajardo Inn, Puerto Rico, where your vacation, family vacation, caribbean wedding or business retreat awaits you with Caribbean beaches, El Yunque rainforest, deep sea fishing, golf, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba and surfing http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Puerto_Rico/fajardoinn/hotel/610/28/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:38:48 EST Puerto Rico, USA, the enchanted island of the Caribbean, the last unknown destination in paradise. On the Eastern coast of Puerto Rico, in the heart of the Caribbean, lies The Fajardo Inn, a destination for your dream vacation, your perfect wedding and honeymoon, your ultimate business conference or banquet. Along with our impeccable accommodations, you will find that there are many activities in and around The Fajardo Inn. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, golf, tennis, casinos, horseback riding, tours of El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest protected by the U.S. National Forest Service and trips to the Islands of Vieques and Culebra, boasting Flamenco Beach regarded as the most beautiful beach in North America by the Travel Channel. AMENITIES: The Fajardo Inn has recently completed a 250 seat conference facility and along with our smaller conference room and all of the needed amenities, we can accommodate business functions, weddings, or any gatherings both large and small. Transportation services are available from Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU), a newly renovated and expanded hub for overseas and continental flights. ACTIVITIES: El Yunque Rainforest El Yunque Caribbean National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Forest System. El Yunque occupies 28,000 acres and it has more than 3,500 feet above sea level. The annual rain fall is extremely heavy. It receives more than 100 billion gallons per year. The Caribbean National Forest has four different types of forest, more than 240 species of trees and many waterfalls. In this part of the island you would only found the Puerto Rican Parrot, an extremely rare and endangered species. El Portal Rain Forest Center features information about the importance of El Yunque and a tropical forest in general. Land Sports If you love golf, you're going to love Puerto Rico, the golf capital of the Caribbean. There are currently 18 golf courses on the island and six more are underway. You don't need to be a world champ to appreciate the beauty and variety of our courses. Most have been designed by golf luminaries such as Robert Trent Jones, his son Rees Jones, Greg Norman, George and Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Arthur Hills, and Puerto Rico's own Chi Chi Rodríguez. The courses are feats of landscape architecture that impress golfers and non-players alike. Many of our golf courses are part of world-class resorts, however, all courses – except those on military installations, which are limited to authorized personnel – are open to the general public. Puerto Ricans have always had a special love for horses. The tradition of breeding and showing gentle Paso Fino horses has been maintained for generations. You can go horseback riding along a beautiful beach, follow a trail through a tropical rain forest, or amble through a coffee plantation high in the mountains. Several ranches rent horses by the hour and offer guided tours and classes for beginners. Islands Two nearby islands, Culebra and Vieques, are worth the trip to see. On both islands you will find a variety of shops, restaurants, beautiful beaches and sites that you will not find anywhere else. Click here to see the ferry schedule. Culebra, the closer and smaller of the two islands, is located about 25 miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico. One thing that must be seen is Flamenco Beach. The beach is about a mile long and rarely crowded. Here you will find great areas to go snorkeling and look at the coral. There are several other beaches on Culebra including, Brava, Resaca and Soni Beach, all of which are great for diving and snorkeling. Located 3.5 miles off of Culebra is Culebrita. Situated on this smaller island is the Culebrita Lighthouse which is considered one of the more picturesque lighthouses of the Antilles. Vieques is also a wonderful island for a day at the beach, but you will also find other interesting sites. Vieques has beautiful palm-lined beaches such as Sun Bay, Media Luna and Navio. In the town of Esperanza, you can board a boat at night that will bring you by Mosquito Bay. Mosquito Bay has a type of marine plankton that glows green and blue when it is disturbed; quite an eerie sight! Also on the island, located in the town of Isabel Segunda, is a lighthouse and Spain's final military fortress in the New World. Beaches For swimming or sun-bathing in Puerto Rico, you will not have to go far. Puerto Rico is home to some of the most exquisite beaches in the world. Seven Seas (Road 987, Fajardo) is only about 5 minutes away. An excellent place to snorkel, the shallow waters at Seven Seas is swarming with tropical fish, coral and an abundance of other sea life. Offshore reefs help keep the waves down and strong trade winds make it an ideal spot for sailing and windsurfing. Nearby are water sports facilities, as well as a string of uninhabited islets that provide a secluded piece of tropical paradise and more fantastic snorkeling. Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico's most famous and most often visited beach on the mainland, (Route 3, Km 35.4, Luquillo) is about 15 minutes away. Offshore reefs keep the waters calm, so families can relax knowing that rough surf and deep waters are far away. Modest shacks to sophisticated miniature restaurants line the entrance of the beach, each serving everything from alcohlic beverages and refreshments to traditional seafood fritters and meals. Each also seems to have its own Caribbean beat! Both beaches are government-run and offer dressing rooms, lifeguards, and parking facilities. Water Sports The average water temperature surrounding Puerto Rico is about 80°F (27°C). Visibility under the water is about 75-100 feet (21-30m). These two facts alone, make Puerto Rico the ideal location for snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing. Snorkeling is a great sport that does not require expensive equipment. You can find shops that will rent you snorkeling equipment for $5-$10 a day! Visiting the local beaches is an excellent way to see some underwater sights. You may also find a trip to one of the nearby islands of Culebra or Vieques, an entertaining snorkeling 'day trip'. Perhaps one of the best ways to spend a day snorkeling would be to charter one of the sailing catamarans, who's captain will bring you to the prime snorkeling spots. Scuba diving is just another great way to view the underwater sites of the Carribbean. To scuba dive on your own, you will need to bring your C card. If you want to learn to scuba dive or just 'try it out', then you may want to check into some of the local scuba gear shops. Inquire about special "resort course" dives, which are supervised by trained and certified divers. If surfing is your flair, visit La Pared beach in Luquillo. La Pared offers some good waves (medium range), and is a great place to surf. If there is any equipment that you are looking for, there are several surfing shops located in and around Fajardo, which will almost certainly be able to accommodate you.. Kayaking is the only way to enter the secret places, tunnels and channels of the mangroves. Enjoy a spectacular ecological reserve surrounded by mangroves, coral reefs and most importantly, a breathtaking bay that will make you sparkle with every paddle. There are many places you can rent a kayak, join an excursion or take classes. Some of the most popular sites for ocean kayaking are along the coasts of the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra and the small east coast islets and cays off Fajardo. Fishing in Puerto Rico takes many forms, the most dramatic of which is deep-sea fishing for billfish. The fishing is good year round, however Winter, which runs from October to early March, is the best overall season for Dolphin, Dorado, Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, White Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish and Blue Marlin. Blue marlin are easy to catch in the summer, but are always returned to the sea. Charters are available from San Juan and Fajardo and since deep water is so close to Puerto Rico's shores, fishing usually starts within a half hour of leaving port. Deep-sea charters are for either a half-day or full day, including the services of a captain and a mate, all fishing equipment and ice and refreshments. It's a good idea to reserve your deep sea fishing adventure directly with the charter operator as far in advance of your trip as possible. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Star Fish Restaurant Star Fish Restaurant is located right on the grounds of The Fajardo Inn. When you just feel like taking a short stroll to have an elegant dining experience, Star Fish is the restaurant for you. You have the choice of dining inside or outside on the veranda overlooking the pool, the Caribbean Sea, El Yunque Rain-Forest, and the gardens. It is truly a delight. One of our chefs will create one of their specialty dishes, undoubtedly with a Puerto Rican, or Caribbean influence. The Blue Iguana Mexican Grill and Bar For a more casual dining experience offering all of your favorite Mexican dishes including ... different flavored margaritas, The Blue Iguana Mexican Grill and Bar will certainly satisfy your gastronomic desires. This restaurant also has several TV's including one large screen TV always televising current sports and events. You can come and play pool. Type: Hotel Beach Location: Off Beach (Tropical Setting) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Puerto_Rico/fajardoinn/hotel/610/28/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:38:48 EST