Sunday, June 24, 2012

Mona Island, Puerto Rico


Mona Island (Isla de la Mona) is located 41 miles west off the coast of Puerto RicoMona Island is the third-largest island of the archipelago of Puerto Rico, after the main island of Puerto Rico and Vieques.  It measures about 7 miles by 4 miles, and is the largest of three islands located in the Mona Passage, the other islands being Monito Island and Desecheo Island.


Mona is an ecological reserve and is not permanently inhabited.  Rangers from the island's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources reside on the island to manage visitors and do research projects.  Mona Island has caves and is surrounded by sea cliffs.  Many caves have drawings that were left behind by the Taíno Indians, the island's original inhabitants.  With an arid climate many endemic species inhabit the island, such as the Mona Ground Iguana.  The island serves as a retreat for Puerto Ricans and nature enthusiasts from all over the world.  Scientists, ecologists, and students have visited Mona Island to explore its distinct ecosystem. 


Often compared to the Galápagos island, Mona Island and the surrounding waters have plenty of sea birds, more than 270 species of fish and many endangered sea turtles.  Mona island is known among divers for its vibrant reefs and crystal clear waters.  The lighthouse in Mona Island was built in 1900, and was one of the first two lighthouses built by the U.S Government in Puerto Rico.  In 1981, the Mona Island Lighthouse was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as "Faro de la Isla de la Mona."  Tours to the island are available from Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.  Another way to get to Mona Island is by private yacht.


Here is a video of Mona Island:



                                                             













Sunday, June 17, 2012

Top Eco Parks And Tours In Puerto Rico


Puerto Rico is a great place to enjoy nature!  You can enjoy ziplining, rappelling, hiking, and river trekking eco-tours in Puerto Rico.  There are many tour operators in Puerto Rico that offer these adventures with nature, here are the top eco parks and tours:


1)  Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park

      Toro Verde is the largest park in the western hemisphere.  It is located about an hour outside of San Juan, in Orocovis, Puerto Rico.  Get ready for an adventure geared to adults as well as children.  Toro Verde is a place where you can enjoy both, extreme sports and the beautiful landscapes.  You will be able to zipline, climb a mountain and go mountain-biking on routes with various difficulty levels.  The park has 15 ziplines, monkey bridges and the opportunity to do some rappelling.  La Bestia is Toro Verde main attraction, a face-down zipline that glides you across a 4,745-feet-long, and a 853-feet-high line, above a rainforest valley.  If you like the adrenaline rush, Toro Verde is the place for you.  Expansion of the park is in the works.  Plans include the addition of a hotel and The Oroverde Eco-Resort and Adventure Park.


2)   Rocaliza Adventure Tours

       Rocaliza Adventure Tours offers numerous tours that combine ziplining, waterfall rock climbing, river trekking, hiking and rappelling.  The tours take you to a rainforest near Caguas and the Julio Enrrique Monagas Park in Bayamón.  Rocaliza offers tours where you can learn about the local ecology.  Guides will escort you on a personal or group adventure. 


3)  Batey Zipline Adventures

      Batey Zipline Adventures is located in Utuado, Puerto Rico, near the Tanamá River.  The tours take place on 30 acres inside a tropical forest.  Eco-friendly living and tourism is their specialty.  Visits to the Tanamá River, as well as, caves and caverns, rappelling, zipline, and long walks, are part of the tours.  The locations are rustic and steep requiring good physical condition.


4)  Acampa Nature Adventures  

      Acampa Nature Adventures has ziplines in the Toro Negro rainforest, near Ciales, Puerto Rico, as well as camping, rappelling, guided eco-tours of  El Yunque rainforest, and excursions to Mona Island.


Comfortable, light or sports clothing, and tennis shoes is recommended.  Do not forget your camera, any snacks, sunscreen, and a bottle of water.  Have fun with nature in Puerto Rico!


Take a look at a video of Toro Verde Adventure Park:













    




  



    

    
       



  





Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Microsoft Store Will Open In Puerto Rico



A Microsoft Store is coming to Puerto Rico.  This will be the first Microsoft Store located off the continental United States.


The Microsoft Store will be located in the Plaza Las Americas shopping center in San Juan, Puerto Rico.    According to the newspaper El Nuevo Dia the store will open at the end of the year.


Microsoft plans to open a total of 75 stores in the next few years.