Thursday, December 29, 2011

Puerto Rico To Vote On Political Status

The Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño has approved a two-part referendum, that will help decide the political status of the island of Puerto Rico.  In the first part of the referendum, Puerto Ricans will vote on whether they want a change in political status or remain a U.S. Commonwealth.  In the second part, Puerto Ricans will vote on what political status they want for Puerto Rico.  Voters will have three options:  statehood, independence or sovereign free association.  Puerto Ricans will vote on the two-part referendum on November 6, 2012.


Approval by the U.S. Congress is required, if Puerto Rico gets a majority vote in favor of changing the current Commonwealth status.  Puerto Rico has held previous referendums in 1967, 1993 and 1998, but no majority for any status was attained.


                                                                

Thursday, December 22, 2011

First Look: 'Q'Viva! The Chosen' With Puerto Rican Jennifer Lopez And Marc Anthony

As Puerto Rico Is The Place had reported earlier, a new talent show, with Puerto Rican stars, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, is ready to air.  'Q'Viva! The Chosen' is a talent competition show, and it will document the transcontinental tour to find “The Chosen,” the best artists who will be brought back to the United States for a chance to be part of a spectacular live show.  'Q'Viva! The Chosen' will be a great celebration of Latin music and performance art.


Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, along with director, Jamie King, have been traveling throughout the Americas since October 2011, discovering the most outstanding singers, musicians, dancers and other amazing artists.  Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment, is producing the show.  


'Q'Viva! The Chosen' will premiere January 28, 2012 on Spanish network Univision in the U.S. and on  networks in 20 South and Central American countries.  Univision will air 12 one-hour weekly episodes of 'Q'Viva! The Chosen' every Saturday at 7 p.m. ET/PT (6 p.m. Central).  'Q'Viva!' is being filmed in English, Spanish and Portuguese.  Additional networks, including a major English-language U.S. broadcaster, will soon be announced.


Take a look at a trailer of 'Q'Viva! The Chosen':




                                                                  
                                                                 
 
   


  

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Feliz Navidad And A Happy New Year From Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Is The Place, will like to wish all of you a Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas) and a Happy New Year!  If you are lucky to be in Puerto Rico for Christmas, have a wonderful time.


Many Puerto Ricans living on the mainland, flock to Puerto Rico for ChristmasPuerto Rico is very lively during Christmas, everyone is in a festive mood, and Puerto Ricans have parties with music, food, drinks, and the traditional parrandas.  Christmas celebrations continue through the middle of January.   


Take a look at a video of typical Christmas songs in Puerto Rico.  Christmas caroling Puerto Rican style!
Feliz Navidad and thanks for visiting Puerto Rico Is The Place.  Come back soon!


Video of Christmas songs in Puerto Rico:



              
                                                               
 

Sunday, December 18, 2011

JetBlue And Airtran Continue To Add Routes To Puerto Rico

JetBlue to fly to San Juan from Newark, and Palm Beach

JetBlue is adding daily flights from Newark, N.J., and Palm Beach, Fla. to San Juan, Puerto Rico.  During the last few years, JetBlue, has increased its presence in Puerto Rico, making it the largest airline carrier in Puerto Rico.


The flights are currently on sale.  Flights from Newark to Puerto Rico, start on April 25, 2012, and the flights between Palm Beach and San Juan will begin May 22, 2012.



AirTran adds flights from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan

AirTran Airways will add nonstop flights between Fort Lauderdale and San Juan.  AirTran Airways  currently offers nonstop service to San Juan from Atlanta, Baltimore, Orlando and earlier this year, AirTran launched new daily nonstop service between Tampa and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, giving travelers more options for reaching the island of Puerto Rico.


Government approval is still pending, so tickets are not on sale yet.

UPDATE:  Service between Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, in Puerto Rico, and Fort Lauderdale will start Thursday, May 24, 2012.


                                                                    
 


                                                           

Friday, December 16, 2011

Punto Verde: Kids Eco Park In San Juan, Puerto Rico

Looking for a different experience for the whole family in Puerto Rico?  Try Punto Verde.  Punto Verde is an amusement park, with nature as the central theme.  In the center of the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the eco park Punto Verde, located on the north section of the Luis Muñoz Marin park.


The eco park is a place where fantasy and nature come together to create an experience of fun, learning and adventure.  At Punto Verde you can learn to take care of the environment in a fun way.  Guests can splash, climb and jump their way through exciting attractions.



In addition to enjoying the eco park, Punto Verde is a great place to celebrate birthdays, meetings, and private functions.  Go to Punto Verde to get the experience of being one with nature.


These are Punto Verde main attractions:


    1) Enchumbao point - water spray that dance to the rhythm of music.
    2) Sonoro point - a music park where all children are music experts.
    3) Chiquitines point - games for the young children.
    4) Encaramao point - only for the bravest, walk above the park using ropes.
    5) Suspendido point - giant springboards.
    6) En Barro point - if you always wanted to learn to work with mud this is your opportunity.
    7) Enredao point - a tree labyrinth.
    8) Embeleco point – craft making with recycle materials.


Take a look at this video of Punto Verde:





                                                                 
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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Top Ten Places To Live In Puerto Rico

The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico offers a great variety of places to live, from the ocean to the mountains, the city and suburbs, and even islands off the main island.  If you are planning on moving to Puerto Rico, here is a list of the top ten best places to live in Puerto Rico:


1) Isla Verde:  Popular with tourists, Isla Verde has the best beach in the San Juan area.  There are many  resorts, hotels and condominiums that line up Isla Verde beach.

2) Condado:  One of the main tourist areas of San Juan.  Located between Isla Verde and Old San Juan.  Condado has many hotels, resorts, and condominiums.

3) Old San Juan:  The old city of San Juan surrounded by forts, narrow, blue cobblestone streets, and old colonial buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th century when Puerto Rico was a Spanish possession.  Old San Juan is a major tourist area with many restaurants, shops and a lot of history.  One of the Cruise ship terminals is located in Old San Juan, at the entrance of the San Juan Bay.

4) Guaynabo:  A San Juan suburb, Guaynabo, is preferred by upper-middle and high-income families.  There are many houses and residential condominiums in Guaynabo.

5) Culebra:  Is an island off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico.  Culebra is a popular weekend destination for Mainland Puerto Ricans and tourist from around the world.  Culebra has one of the best beaches in the world, Flamenco Beach.  There is very little commercial development on the island, because of its protective status. 

6) Vieques:  Isla de Vieques, is an island 8 miles to the east of the main island of Puerto Rico, and South of Culebra, another island of Puerto Rico.  Vieques, Puerto Rico, is a 30-minute flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Vieques has remained almost entirely undeveloped for tourism.  The rural charm and pristine deserted beaches, have made Vieques a popular destination. 

7) Humacao:  The city of Humacao is located in the eastern coast of Puerto Rico and west of Vieques Passage.  Palmas del Mar, the island's largest resort, is located here.  The resort has 20 tennis courts, two world-class golf courses, miles of beaches, restaurants and a world class riding center.

8) Fajardo:  A small city in Puerto Rico, Fajardo is located in the east region of Puerto Rico, and east of Luquillo.  Fajardo is known for recreational boating in Puerto Rico.  Fajardo has the largest Marina in the Caribbean,  Puerto del Rey, and is a popular launching port to Culebra, Vieques, and the American and British Virgin Islands.  The town has a number of hotels and inns.

9) Rincon:  A town in Puerto Rico, Rincon is popular with surfers.  Rincon is located in the West Coast of Puerto Rico, about 2 hours from San Juan.  Rincon, is the place with the best surfing beaches in Puerto Rico.

10) Cayey:  A mountain town in central Puerto Rico, Cayey is located on the Central Mountain range.   Cayey has a cooler climate compared to the lower-elevation areas of the island.
Cayey, has one of the University of Puerto Rico campuses, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey.

Bonus Place:

Dorado:  A small town in the northern coast of Puerto Rico, 15 miles west of San Juan, Dorado is known as a tourist destination with golf courses, hotels, and upscale neighborhoods.


Sunday, December 4, 2011

Vieques, Puerto Rico

Vieques or Isla de Vieques, is an island 8 miles to the east of the main island of Puerto Rico, and South of Culebra, another island of Puerto RicoVieques, Puerto Rico, is located in the northeastern Caribbean, and is approximately 21 miles long by 4 miles wide.  Vieques is a 30-minute flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The two main towns of Vieques are Isabel Segunda, in the northern side of the island and Esperanza, located on the southern side.  The beaches of Vieques have always been very popular, and are among the top beaches in the Caribbean, for their clear blue waters and white sands.


For sixty years the United States Navy used the Eastern side of the island of Vieques for military exercises, including:  testing for bombs, missiles and other weapons.  In 2003, the Navy withdrew from Vieques, and much of the island was designated a National Wildlife Refuge under the control of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.  Vieques remained almost entirely undeveloped for tourism, and this has made the island of Vieques a big attraction.  The rural charm and pristine deserted beaches, have made Vieques a popular destination. 


A unique feature of Vieques is the pristine bioluminescent bay, Mosquito Bay.  Mosquito Bay, is the world's largest and brightest Bio Bay.  The luminescence is caused by micro-organisms (dinoflagellates) which glow whenever the water is disturbed, leaving a trail of neon blue.  Kayaking is permitted in the bay and can be arranged through local tour companies.  Vieques is also famous for its wild horses, which roam free over parts of the island.


The following are some places of interest in Vieques:

  •  Fortín Conde de Mirasol (Count Mirasol Fort), a fort built by the Spanish in the mid 19th century, now a museum  
     
  •  Playa Esperanza (Esperanza Beach)
  •  Faro Punta Mulas, built in 1896
  •  Sun Bay Beach
  •  The Bioluminescent Bay
  •  Puerto Ferro Archaeological Site
  •  Black Sand Beach
  •  Underground U.S. Navy Bunkers
  •  Wreckage of the World War II Navy Destroyer USS Killen (DD593)       


    Take a look at a video of Vieques:




                                                       
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