-by Dena Burroughs

PUERTO RICO

I've posted our experiences during our visit to Puerto Rico mid-June 07 hoping that they may be of help to any of you who may be going over there in the near future. 

Puerto Rico is absolutely gorgeous. Salsa is heard everywhere, out of cars, homes, rental car agencies, restaurants, you name it.  For a Salsa lover it's like going to the mothership. 

Following I'm posting the best places to dance Salsa we found; but don't forget... Puerto Rico is about more than Salsa - it's beaches, mountains, rain forest, towns, and people. 
 

Salsa clubs: Sunday - El Balcon del Zumbador, in Pinones (http://www.elbalcondelzumbador.com ); and Oysters Bar and Grill in Isla Verde Monday - (no clubs really) but the Le Lo Lai show is on at El Moro in San Juan at 6 pm Tuesday - Cocobongos, in Isla Verde Wednesday - El Criollo, in Guaynabo Thursday - Jacob's Grill, in Isla Verde Friday - Rumba, on San Sebastian St in Old San Juan, and El Balcon del Zumbador Saturday - Courtyard Marriott, in Isla Verde, and El Balcon del Zumbador Note:  Find out which towns are celebrating their Fiestas Patronales while you're there.  A list of them, and other events, can be found at http://travelandsports.com/ev.htm. Because people don't know the schedule until basically the very same week they're happening, you'll need inquire about them on the phone while you're there.  Those fiestas, and the performers they line up, are gold!

DAY 1 - ISLA VERDE AND ITS HOTELS

DAY 2 - GUAVATE AND EL BALCON DEL ZUMBADOR EN PIÑONES

DAY 3 - OLD SAN JUAN

DAY 4 - LA CORDILLERA CENTRAL, ON THE WAY TO PONCE

DAY 5 - LA SONORA PONCENA, AT THE FIESTAS PATRONALES DE GUAYAMA

DAY 6 - PINONES, EL YUNQUE, LUQUILLO BEACH, AND VICTOR MANUELLE AT THE FIESTAS PATRONALES IN DORADO

(TITO GOMEZ WAKE) - Advisory: strong content

LAST DAYS IN PUERTO RICO - LA PLAZA DEL MERCADO DE SANTURCE, AND THE WAY TO MAYAGUEZ

Enjoy!