Welcome to ICANN79 in the beautiful city of San Juan, Puerto Rico! We look forward to greeting the ICANN community in San Juan for the upcoming Community Forum. ICANN selects these meeting locations because the Internet is a global network and our aim is to make it easier for volunteers to participate and to ensure our work represents the entire world.
We recognize that some of you may wish to spend time exploring Puerto Rico before or after the meeting, and may need some guidance. Fortunately, this is not ICANN's first time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We can't get enough of the place, as evidenced by ICANN's 2018 blog on Top Ten Things You Didn't Know about Puerto Rico published just before ICANN61.
This year's blog is focused on things we can do in Puerto Rico when not attending ICANN79. As the prior and current blog prove, there is still much to learn and explore across this famous archipelago. So here it is, ICANN's top ten things to do while staying in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
We would like to thank Pablo Rodriguez, Vice President of NIC.PR, for his thoughtful contributions in compiling this list. A local expert, he has gone out of his way to make sure participants in ICANN79 have a safe and good time in Puerto Rico. Sean Freeark, ICANN's own Regional Security Manager, also gave some thoughtful suggestions. We hope you enjoy these suggestions!
Old San Juan
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During the day, stroll down the narrow and clean street of Calle San Sebastián in Old San Juan, and take photos of the multicolored historic buildings that sit against the Atlantic Ocean. Visit San José Church or the Casa Blanca Museum. The museum is the former home of the island's first Spanish governor, Juan Ponce de León.
While in Old San Juan, walk along Paseo de la Princesa on the southern end of the city and then along the old fortress walls via Paseo del Morro to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. This route provides great views during the day.
- At night, find a drink at the historic Hijos de Borinquen bar or visit La Factoría for high-end cocktails. Taberna Lúpulo offers out-door seating.
Playa Isla Verde
- This urban beach offers a well-deserved break. Situated between Punta Las Marías and Piñones, the beach is beautiful, especially at sunset.
- Located inside the VIVO Beach Club on Isla Verde Beach, the Ocean Lab Brewing Co. offers premium craft beers and excellent ambience.
El Yunque Rainforest
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Visit El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Choose between hiking, ziplining, or horseback riding.
Located on the east side of the island and a one-hour drive from San Juan.
Guided snorkeling tours
- Take a private snorkeling excursion off the coast of San Juan. You don't need to be an experienced snorkeler as guides offer lessons and you can rent all the equipment you need. Don't forget to take some underwater photos!
Ruta del Lechón-Guavate
- Take a tour through Guavate in Cayey. The road to Guavate takes you deep into the mountains. Family-owned restaurants offer spit-roasted pork and steamy arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas).
Hacienda Campo Rico
- Explore the enchanting Hacienda Campo Rico. This tropical haven is nestled within an expansive 2,000-acre former agricultural plantation in Carolina, just a brief 10-minute drive from the vibrant capital of San Juan.
Santurce, San Juan
- Travel to the Santurce neighborhood in San Juan devoted to the region's art and culture. There you will find many interesting museums. Of them, two stand out, Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, or try the modern Museo de Arte Contemporáneo.
Flavors of San Juan Food Tour
- Take a guided food tour of Old San Juan. Try some of the island's staple dishes, such as sofrito, while wandering the streets of San Juan. Plus, learn about the island's culinary influences, and enjoy an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.