World Country Guide

Sport & Activities

Outdoor activities
Horseriding on mountain trails or beaches is an excellent way to see the island. Puerto Rico prides itself on its paso fino horses, a breed noted for its endurance and the comfort it affords the rider. Riding facilities can be found all over the island. Beach riding is particularly recommended at Luquillo in the northeast or Isabela in the northwest. There are many forest reserves with hiking trails. Energetic walkers can tackle the mountains in the interior. Toro Negro, with its lush forests and marvellous vistas, is recommended, while the highest peak is Cerro de Punta. The Guanica dry forest in the southwest or the El Yunque rainforest in the northeast both have visitors’ centres where trail maps and advice can be obtained. The Camuy Caves in the west of the island are a national park, and visitors need to be escorted by a local guide. Birdwatchers will enjoy the Guanica dry forest or the Cabezas de San Juan nature reserve. The latter, visits to which must be booked in advance, is run by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, PO Box 9023554, San Juan PR 00902-3554 (tel: 722 5834; fax: 722 5872; website: www.fideicomiso.org).

Watersports
Palmas del Mar rents small- to medium-sized boats for day sailing and the resort is headquarters for the annual Copa del Palmas, the major 1-design regatta in Puerto Rico. Motorboats and rowing boats are also available. Puerto Rico’s shoreline has many areas protected by beautiful coral reefs and cays, and snorkelling in shallow reef waters and mangrove areas is an excellent way of seeing the beautiful and colourful underworld of the sea. Scuba diving instruction and equipment rental are available at watersports offices of major hotels and resorts. Recommended areas include the island of Mona, just off Boquern on the southwest coast, where the marine life is particularly rich. Because this area is a nature reserve, independent divers require government permission to dive there. Desecheo island, off the northwest coast, Parguera and Isabela are also good diving areas. Many beaches cater for surfing and windsurfing, for example Pine Grove and Condado beaches.

Fishing
Deep-sea fishing is available, with blue and white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, Allison tuna, mackerel, dolphin, tarpon and snook to be found. Fully equipped boats with crew are available for charter all over the island.

Other
There are six baseball teams in the league and the San Juan-Santurce stadium seats close to 25,000 people. There are other ball parks at Arecibo, Caguas, Mayagez and Ponce. There are many golf courses, including Punto Borinquen at Aguadillo (18 holes), and five 18-hole courses at Dorado. Tennis courts are available all over the island, especially at major hotels. In addition, play is available on 17 floodlit public courts in San Juan’s Central Park, which is open daily. There are also six courts available at the Dorado del Mar Country Club at Dorado. There is horseracing at Rio Grande (El Comandante) all year round.