Compare An Outdoor Discovery of Puerto Rico’s History & Heritage by Road Scholar

Day 1 In Transit to Program, Check In, Orientation, Welcome Dinner San Juan

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

When you check in at the hotel and get your room assignment, ask the front desk for the location of the Road Scholar meeting room where we will have our Orientation session. Program Registration & Orientation: 5:00 p.m. As you register with the program staff, you will receive your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Unless specified otherwise, transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach and will require going up and down a few steps. Meals at local restaurants will be plated and include choices from select menus with standard beverages of coffee, tea and water with other beverages available for purchase. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.

Day 2 Old San Juan, Capitol Hill San Juan

Walking up to 1.5 miles with some periods standing; paved terrain.

We’ll board our motorcoach and transfer to Old San Juan where a local expert will provide an overview of Puerto Rico’s history from the Spanish colonial period to the present. Columbus made landfall here on his second voyage in 1493, claiming it for Spain — which might have come as a surprise to the inhabitants, indigenous Taíno Indians. The first Spanish settlers arrived on the island in 1508. Moving on with our local expert, we’ll learn about the history and explore Fort San Cristóbal, also known as Castillo San Cristóbal, the largest colonial Spanish fortress in the Western Hemisphere. Construction began in 1634 and it was not completed until 1790. European powers fought for hundreds of years to control the island due to its strategic location. San Cristóbal guarded the land entrance to Old San Juan. It is a magnificent and impressive structure covering 27 acres, now part of the San Juan National Historic Site.

Our next field trip will be to El Capitolio de Puerto Rico — Capitol Hill — with our local expert. The impressive building is home to the Legislative Assembly composed of the House of Representatives and Senate, a symbol of self-government to Puerto Ricans. The Neoclassical Revival design was by architect Rafael Carmoega. The interior features artwork illustrating highlights in Puerto Rico’s history by prominent artists. While here, a docent will provide a special presentation illuminating the inner workings of Puerto Rico’s governmental structures with some emphasis on the relationships these systems have with the United States.

At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes choices such as eggs, breakfast meats and breads, cereals, milk, juice coffee, tea, water.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have sandwiches and/or salads from a select menu and standard beverages.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with standard beverages.

Day 3 Ponce, Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center, History Museum Ponce

Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; some periods of standing. The drive is about 77 miles, approximately 2 hours.

After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach and begin our transfer via the Luis A. Ferre Highway over La Cordillera Central — the island's main mountain range — into the southern part of Puerto Rico. We'll venture first to the Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Caribbean, for an expert-led field trip focusing on the area’s history before Christopher Columbus’ arrival. Its discovery resulted from a hurricane in 1975 when torrential rains and flooding revealed remnants of indigenous cultures that had been long buried. Archaeologists began excavations in 1976 and eventually uncovered the oldest and largest Indian ceremonial complex in Puerto Rico, consisting of nine ball courts and three plazas. There was also a cemetery with nearly 200 human skeletons. The oldest artifacts and structures from pre-Taíno Indians date back more than 1,000 years.

Riding on, we’ll reach the city of Ponce and embark on a field trip via trolley and walking through Ponce to admire its stunning architecture including the beautiful and unique historic Ponce Firehouse, Ponce Cathedral, and Delicias Square. We’ll then go on an expert-led field trip to the Museo de la Historia de Ponce — Museum of the History of Ponce. Inaugurated in 1992, it is now one of the city’s most active cultural centers, preserving and presenting important aspects of Puerto Rican and Ponceño history and culture. The majority of its artifacts have been donated by local citizens. Permanent exhibits include Ecology, Human Panorama, Politics, Economic Activity, Architecture and Urban Development, Health and Medicine. The museum is housed in the beautiful Casa Salazar that combines Moorish, neoclassical, and Ponceño architectural elements. We’ll ride on to the hotel for a mid-afternoon check-in.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

Local restaurant plated meal.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy an interactive dinner, learning about the foods we’re eating from one of the chefs and specialties such as Mofongo (pickled plantains) and other local fare.

Day 4 Hacienda Buena Vista, Music of Puerto Rico Ponce

Walking up to 2 miles on some uneven terrain. The drive is about 15 miles, approximately ½ an hour.

Our first field trip today will be to the Hacienda Buena Vista, a 19th century coffee plantation turned museum. Restored to its former glory by a team of Smithsonian specialists and island artisans, its location is indeed a buena vista (beautiful view), with just under 500 acres in the Rio Canas Valley. We may be able to see hummingbirds as the Hacienda's trails take us past cascading waterfalls. With our local expert, we will explore some of the plantation’s grounds and visit the on-site museum while learning about the development of the coffee industry in the area.

On our next stop, we’ll learn how the music of Puerto Rico has evolved as a heterogeneous and dynamic product of diverse cultural resources through a performance by a local musician.

At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

Local restaurant plated meal.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Day 5 Transfer to San Juan, Serralles Castle Museum, PR Art Museum San Juan

Walking up to 2 miles with some periods of standing; paved terrain. The drive is about 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours.

We will check out of the hotel, we’ll board our motorcoach and depart for San Juan. En route, we will stop at Castillo Serralles Museum.This castle is the family home of the best selling rum brand in Puerto Rico, Don Q. This incredible castle and much of the entire city of Ponce, was build as part of the vast Serrallés family fortune. Built in 1930, this four story concrete castle sits on top of a hill overlooking downtown Ponce, Puerto Rico. The former family mansion turned museum is Spanish Revival or Spanish Moroccan architecture designed in the 1920’s.

We will continue towards San Juan, taking the Luis A. Ferre Highway back over La Cordillera Central. Upon arrival in the city, we will visit the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR), the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico. Inaugurated in July 2000, the museum has managed to develop quite a large permanent collection of Puerto Rican art ranging from the 16th century to the present. The works are thoroughly researched and documented, with the exhibits often including an interpretation of the masterpieces on display. Our local expert will lead us through the exhibits of carefully selected artworks helping to give us insight into Puerto Rican art. As a popular museum, it also provides local artists with access to visual art from other parts of the world thereby encouraging artistic expansion. We’ll then go to the hotel for check-in.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

Local restaurant plated meal.

At a local restaurant within walking distance of the hotel, we’ll enjoy a plated meal with standard beverages.

Day 6 El Yunque Rain Forest, Pinones Village San Juan

Walking up to 1.0 miles on some uneven terrain with minor elevation change.Due to the effect of hurricane Maria the trails at El Yunque are very limited .

After boarding our motorcoach, we’ll transfer to El Yunque National Forest for a field trip including a short hike with our Group Leader and a local expert. This is the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest system. Located on the eastern end of the Island, El Yunque features a variety of unique plant and animal species with many well-marked trails, making it easy to explore.

Our next field trip will be to Pinones in the town of Loiza at the north of the island. Driving into Pinones you are instantly transported back in time to another era.It is the home to many modest families making a living selling typical local food from kiosks along the beach. Their traditions span back 400 years and beyond that to the time when the Spanish conquered the land and brought in the first roots of African people to the island.

At leisure.

At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes choices such as eggs, breakfast meats and breads, cereals, milk, juice coffee, tea, water.

At a pleasant spot in the El Yunque Rainforest, we’ll have a tasty and healthy picnic buffet lunch including salads, sandwiches, and fruit.

On your own to enjoy what you like in San Juan.

Day 7 Caguas City, Free Time, Farewell Dinner San Juan

Walking up to 1.5 miles; hilly terrain, wear comfortable walking shoes.

We will board our motor coach to transfer to Caguas City. In Caguas we will take a walking field trip to Ruta del Corazón Criollo — Route of the Creole Heart. Along the way, we’ll spot at a few points of interest and familiarize ourselves with the artistic culture of the area. Our historical journey through the heart of Caguas will provide a unique view into the cultural influence of this important city in the valley as we visit small craft shops and museums with our Group Leader.

Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most at your own pace in Old San Juan. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The cobblestone streets are rich in architectural delights and the tree-shaded squares more reminiscent of Europe than America. We will regroup and a designated time and place and return to the hotel.

At leisure. Say farewells and prepare for departure in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

On your own to enjoy what you like.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner. Share your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Day 8 Program Concludes San Juan

Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Hotel buffet. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!