Luxury Puerto Rico Voyages

San Juan, founded in the 1520’s by Spanish settlers, is both the largest city and the capital city of Puerto Rico. A territory of the Unites States, Puerto Rico is comprised of the large main island as well as five smaller islands, including the popular islands of Vieques and Culebra (both ports of call on select SeaDream voyages). SeaDream docks in Old San Juan, the oldest part of the city. Parts of this historic port city are still surrounded by stone walls dating back to the 1500’s. Narrow cobblestone streets, small shops, and points of interest like Cathedral of San Juan Bautista make this charming city a great place to stroll. Guests sailing into or departing from San Juan will enjoy views of Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, a mid- 1700’s Spanish fortress. San Juan Luiz Munoz Marin Airport is approximately a 30-minute drive to the port in Old San Juan. Currency in Puerto Rico is USD.

Puerto Rico’s mysterious Caja de Muertos remains a legendary and popular destination. Go on a hiking or snorkeling exploration and enjoy the gorgeous beaches at every corner. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit the famous lighthouse or discover the old hidden pirate cave known for its mythical history. For aquatic adventures, spot sea creatures like stingrays, sea turtles, and distinct corals.

Is a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city serves as the governmental seat of the autonomous municipality as well as the regional hub for various Government of Puerto Rico entities. It is also the regional center for various other commonwealth and federal government agencies. The heart of Ponce dates from the late 17th century and has been declared a national treasure. It consists of plazas and churches and highly decorative colonial homes, some glorious fountains and a unique fire station. Ponce is an important trading and distribution center, and has a port of entry; Playa de Ponce Port is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean area, handles tobacco, coffee, rum, and sugar cane. SeaDream docks alongside at the yacht marina rather than the commercial port and offer several yachting land adventures. Ponce was founded in 1692 by Juan Ponce de Leon's great-grandson - Loi­za Ponce de Leon. Ponce was Spain's capital of the southern region until it fell to the U.S. in 1898. Ponce is located in the Southern Coastal Plain region (about 5 km (3 mi) from the south central coast of the island), south of Adjuntas, Utuado and Jayuya; east of Pei±uelas; and west of Juana Di­az. The annual precipitation is approximately 36 inches on the coast and 48 inches in the interior and the average temperature is 75°F. Nearly one half a billion dollars have been spent preserving the colonial core of Ponce. The heart of Ponce dates from the late 17th century and has been declared a national treasure. It consists of plazas and churches and highly decorative colonial homes, some glorious fountains and a unique fire station. Ponce is an important trading and distribution center, and has a port of entry; Playa de Ponce Port is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean area, handles tobacco, coffee, rum, and sugar cane. Nearby golf courses are among Puerto Rico's best. The world class Ponce Museum of Art, designed by Edward Durrell Stone (Museum of Modern Art, NY), is the only museum of stature, houses the most extensive art collection in the Caribbean. Located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, 90 minutes from San Juan. The museum was donated by a foundation established by Luis A Ferre (Governor 1968-72). The building, with seven interconnected hexagons, glass cupolas and a pair of curved staircases, contains one of the most important pre-Raphaelite collections in the western hemisphere. The museum houses more than 1,000 paintings and 400 sculptures, including the finest collection of European works in the Caribbean, such as works by Velasquez, Rubens and Rodin. Many important Puerto Rican pieces are included in the collection, some Inca pottery and even Thai pieces. The museum also offers exhibits by contemporary Puerto Rican artists

Esperanza is a charming “barrio” located on the south side of the island-municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico. It is known for El Malecon, which means “The Strip,” the fishing tradition, the fight against the US Navy, and Esperanza Beach, one of the only locations in Isla de Vieques with restaurants and restrooms close by. Children enjoy jumping off the pier at the beach, and for those who enjoy good food and local entertainment without the hustle and bustle of a busy nightlife, El Malecon in Esperanza is the place to be. The island’s name, Vieques, is said to mean “small island” in Taino, and its nickname is Isla Nena, meaning “Little Girl Island”. Puerto Rico’s little sister island - Vieques measures 55 square feet with under 10,000 inhabitants. Along with Culebra and other various small islands, the archipelago makes up the Spanish Virgin Islands, or “Passage Islands.” Vieques was also referred to as “Crab Island” by the British. English and Spanish are both recognized as official languages of the area. As with the other Puerto Rican islands, pre-Columbian history is limited in clarity. Archaeologists believe Vieques was home to Native Americans who migrated from the American continent between 3000 and 2000 BCE. A fragmented human skeleton named “El Hombre de Puerto Ferro” was discovered northwest of the popular Bioluminescent Bay, estimated to be from 1900 BCE. Best known as the people in later centuries of Puerto Rico, the Taino culture was comprised of groups from Venezuela, Cuba, and Hispaniola, who migrated in waves up to 1000 AD. The Taino flourished until Europeans discovered Vieques in the 15th century - often credited to Christopher Columbus. Vieques became the center of the Taino rebellion against Spain, which ultimately ended in the Taino downfall. Despite this, Spain did not colonize for many centuries and Vieques, along with Culebra, became a sanctuary for pirates and outlaws. The French, Danish, Scottish, and English all attempted to secure Vieques but failed - Spain permanently settled by 1811. When the Spanish-American War concluded in 1898, Spain turned the Puerto Rican islands over to the United States, which by the 1940’s (post-WWII) served as a firing range for the Navy. Up until 2003, a multitude of protests continued for decades, pressuring the United Stated Navy enough to withdraw from the islands. Vieques is now a National Wildlife Refuge and growing tourist destination. Because of the lack of human interference, most of the areas previously closed off to civilians by the Navy feature over 40 gorgeous beaches, and many natural ecotourism locations for exploration. Blue Beach features an excellent place for snorkeling, Bioluminescent Bay has quickly become a popular spot for its notorious glowing dinoflagellates, and the island is also known for free-roaming 'feral paso fino 'horses.

This tiny island is a NATURE LOVERS PARADISE and part of a wildlife refuge, located just about one mile east of the island of Culebra. Because of its special status, the only permanent structure you'll find on the island is the abandoned lighthouse high on the hill; for the energetic, the trail hike up there is well worth the views over the surrounding area (it is prohibited to enter the lighthouse!). The island's beaches are also nesting grounds for sea turtles, so please avoid any nesting areas " marked or unmarked; but do keep your eyes open, you just might spot one of them in the water. When coming ashore, wear your swimsuit, bring a towel, water and plenty of sun protection; then enjoy your day on this beautiful unspoiled and natural island, walk along the trails & beaches, snorkel amongst the reefs or swim in the clear blue waters. The local trees along the beach provide some shade, but there are no restrooms or changing facilities on the island. Kindly also leave the island unspoiled and free of litter.

Surrounded by islands and cays, the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, and pristine beaches, Fajardo Bay offers much to discover. Explore the picturesque coastline via your yacht’s mountain bikes, pausing to unwind at the crescent-shaped Seven Seas Beach. Sample the gastronomy of the east coast and visit the fishing town of Las Croabas, where the locals go to indulge in seafood. SeaDream may just be the only commercial vessel that calls on Fajardo Bay, anchoring just off the luxe El Conquistador Resort. Here you have several Yachting Land Adventure options, including resort golf, scuba, and night kayaking through its world-renowned bioluminescent bay. The long and narrow canal that leads to the otherworldly glow-in-the-dark phenomenon makes this unique body of water a lagoon perfect for evening adventure.

SeaDream just may be the only commercial vessel that calls to Fajardo Bay anchoring meters from the El Conquistador Resort. Here you have several land adventure options including Resort Golf, Scuba, Bio Bay and a full resort pass (fee required) that includes the water park and the resort's private Island. Mountain Bikes can also be used to explore the picturesque coastline of Puerto Rico.

Mayaguez,the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico, is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" (The Sultaness of the West). Tthe Spanish crown gave it the title of "La excelente ciudad de Mayagi¼ez". Located in the center of the western coast on the island of Puerto Rico. The name comes from the Indian name of its river, the Yagi¼ez River (the word means "clear water"). Famed for the size and depth of its harbor (the 2nd largest on the island, after San Juan's harbor), Mayaguez was built to control the Mona Passage, a route essential to the Spanish Empire when Puerto Rico and the nearby Dominican Republic were vital trade and defensive jewels in the Spanish crown.

Arecibo is the largest city in geographical size on the island. Located in the Northern Coastal Valley region, adjacent to karst zone characterized by the presence of caves and wooded hills. Arecibo is bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Utuado and Lares; east of Hatillo; and west of Barceloneta and Florida. The city is bathed by two rivers, Grande de Arecibo, which runs through the middle of the city and the Tanama River. Arecibo is known as La Villa del Capitan Correa, in memory of a battle fought successfully on its shores by Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa and a handful of Spanish Army soldiers to repel a British invasion by sea lead by Admiral Whelstone in August 5, 1702. Settled in 1556, Arecibo became the third Spanish settlement. Founded sixty years later, in 1616, when the King of Spain granted that section of land and the Indians on it to Lope Conchillos, under the governorship of Captain Felipe de Beaumont y Navarra. The leader (Indian chief) of these Indians was called Jamaica Aracibo, their yucayeque was named after him and ultimately the town was called by that same name. The town is also known as La Muy Leal Villa (very loyal). Points of Interest You can visit Cueva del Indio, an archeological site, the cave is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in Bo. Islote. It it is called The Cave of the Indian, because drawings of the Indians that lived in this area in the Prehistoric Era were found in the walls of the cave. Rt 681 Km 7.8. The town has an official U.S. port entry. Located 16 km (10 mi) south of Arecibo, Arecibo Observatory is a astronomical observatory, which is one of the world's most powerful radar-radio telescopes, and the largest single-unit radio telescope in the world. This instrument, inaugurated in 1963, employs a 1,000-foot (300 meter) spherical reflector consisting of perforated aluminum panels that focus incoming radio waves on movable antenna structures positions about 500 feet (168 meter) above the reflector surface. The antenna can be moved in any direction, making it possible to track a celestial object in different regions of the sky. It collects radio astronomy, terrestrial aeronomy, and planetary radar data for scientists around the world. The telescope was featured in the movies GoldenEye (1995) and Contact (1997). The National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center developed the observatory and it is operated by Cornell University under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Conceived in 1958 by William E. Gordon, a Cornell professor of electrical engineering, the radio observatory has been operated, since its completion in 1963. The Arecibo Observatory owned by Cornell University, is powerful enough to receive signals transmitted by a comparable telescope located 1,000 light-years away. Arecibo is also home of the Cambalache Forest Reserve known as vivero or nursery because it contains plantations of eucalyptus, teak, and mahoe trees. Camping allowed in two areas. Water and showers, 8 trails and nearby beach. The City Hall built in 1866, served as jail to "El Grito de Lares" participants in 1868. In 1918, the frontal section of the building was destroyed by a earth tremor. Repairs were made and a tower and clock were added to the building. In 1978, the building was restored to its original form. The Antonio Nery Juarbe Airport is located five miles southeast of the central business district of Arecibo and 50 miles west of San Juan. Originally utilized for military purposes, today, the airport is utilized for the general aviation, with a daily average of eight takeoffs and landings. On March 31, 1947, the airport and all its installations were transferred by the Navy U.S. to the Authority of the Ports along with the Airport of Mayagi¼ez and the old airport of Santa Isabel. The Arecibo Lighthouse built by the Spaniards in 1898. This lighthouse still in use and was automated in 1964. In the premises, you'll find a museum with exhibits, a recreation area, a restaurant and sports facilities.

In the heart of Cabo Rojo, you’ll find an intimate and exclusive village known as Boquerón. Famous for having Puerto Rico’s most beautiful beaches, Boquerón prides itself on soft sands, sparkling clear waters, and an invigorating culture. Spot native birds amid tree canopies, step into rustic restaurants, and lounge under swaying palm trees while taking in the sun-kissed moment.

Located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, Salinas is defined by its rich fishing culture, breathtaking bay, and beautiful beaches. Piedras del Callado, a geological formation known to locals as Las Tetas de Cayey, is a designated nature reserve, perfect for hiking. Because Puerto Rico is an archipelago, it is surrounded by dozens of islets and cays, including Cayo Matías, a small mangrove island accessible by boat. Salinas is also home to the Olympic training center Albergue Olímpico, the Puerto Rican Museum of Sports, and a botanical garden. Known as the land of mojo isleño, its signature savory sauce used to marinate fish, Salinas is a gastronomic gem that’s bursting with bistros offering up fresh seafood dishes and traditional Puerto Rican fare. The Central Aguirre Historic District has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2002. Today, over 400 cultural landmarks survive in various states of repair in Central Aguirre, including a sugar mill, plazas, wooden houses, and churches.

An 11-square-mile island off the northeast coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra is also home to the small adjacent uninhabited islands of Culebrita and Cayo Norte to the east and Luis Peña to the west. Culebra’s breathtaking beautiful Flamenco Beach regularly appears on lists of the “World’s Best Beaches.” Following your day exploring Culebra, that evening we invite you to Vieques Island, where you can kayak in bioluminescent waters filled with glittering sea organisms.