For those who are okay with being in close proximity to Pigeons then Parque de las Palomas makes for a great stop during your walking tour of Old San Juan.

The park is located next to Capilla del Cristo at the end of Cristo Street. It is only a small park but offers a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Old San Juan and provides the pigeons of the area a great place to find shelter and food. As is typical in cities around the world, where there is a large gathering of birds, there will be someone selling bird food. For $1 you can continue this worldwide tradition.

The park is very picturesque with a couple of large trees whose trunks have twist and intertwine over the years to make really interesting trees. The back wall of the park provides special shelter to the pigeons by way of cut out holes all along the wall. I am not sure if these holes have been there since the park was opened, but the pigeons appreciate them.

There are several benches, where you can sit (at your own risk) and the park offers some great views of the San Juan Bay.

What: Parque De Las Palomas (Pigeon Park)
Where: Old San Juan
When: 7 days per week

Related posts:

1. Parque de Bombas, Ponce
2. Self Guided Walking Tour of Old San Juan Part 2
3. Big Tree Trail, El Yunque

The ferries are not that big and hold around 100 people, with passengers seated inside the cabin (there is no outside seating or standing). Depending on the ferry, there will either be air conditioning or no air conditioning. If you happen to take the non air conditioned ferry, just open a window to let in some fresh air.

Most visitors will take the Cataño Ferry to see the Bacardi Rum Factory tour. From the Cataño Ferry Terminal taxis will take you to the Bacardi Factory for a fee of around $3 per person. There is usually a man waiting outside the terminal directing people to the taxis.

Also across from the Cataño Ferry Terminal you will find the Don Tello restaurant, which I have been told is worth checking out.

Even though the ferry ride is short and does not go close to any of the major sites of Old San Juan, it is worth taking as it gives you a different view of Old San Juan with views of El Morro Fort, La Fortaleza, as well as the Bacardi Factory, Isla de Cabras and more. For $1 per person round trip it’s worth the trip if you have the time.

TIP: If you happen to be in Old San Juan close to sunset then the Cataño Ferry will give you the chance to take some cool sunset shots from the water. Other cool spots for sunset photos in Old San Juan are: El Morro Fort, Paseo de La Princesa and Paseo del Morro.

You can find the latest sunset times for San Juan here.

Note: at the Old San Juan terminal make sure you take the right ferry as the terminal also serves the Hato Rey Ferry.

What: Cataño Ferry
Where: Old San Juan Pier 2
When: 6:00am – 10:00pm 7 days a week. (Between 5:30am-9:30am and 3:30pm-6:30pm Monday to Friday the ferry runs every 15 minutes. During non-rush hour, weekends and holidays it is every 30 minutes).
Cost: $0.50 each way

Related posts:

1. Bacardi Artisan Fair 2008
2. Take the Ferry to Vieques or Culebra
3. Bacardi Artisan Fair 2007

Sometimes it takes one of nature’s miracles to jolt us into really seeing just what is out there. Some folks on a San Juan beach this month were lucky enough to witness one of nature’s awesomeness at work; when dozens of baby leatherback turtles hatched and began their long and perilous journey of life.

The beaches of Puerto Rico, particularly the north coast and the islands of Vieques and Culebra are prime nesting grounds for these endangered sea turtles.

Female turtles return to the beaches of Puerto Rico around May of each year and make the transition to land in order to lay their eggs in the sand. Once all the eggs have been laid they head back to the sea, leaving their young to fend for themselves.

The following photo and video shows one of the female leatherback turtles heading back to the sea after laying her eggs on a beach on Culebra Island. As you can see, these leatherback turtles are huge.

The photo and video were taken by Mark Hayward of the Palmetto Guest House on Culebra Ranked #1 B&B on Culebra by Tripadvisor

Thanks to local groups and government environmental officials the nesting grounds are protected as much as possible, giving the next generation of leatherbacks the best possible start to life.

After 2 months incubating in the heat of Puerto Rico, it’s time for the baby turtles to hatch and return to the sea. The video below shows the mass exodus of the sea turtle nest as the baby turtles make their way to the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean

To date I have not been as fortunate as the locals and visitors in the above video to see this amazing event take place, but just seeing it on video makes me realize there is so much to enjoy around us, we just need to open our eyes more.

If you have been lucky enough to see a female leatherback laying its eggs or the hatching of dozens of baby leatherbacks; why not share your experience in the comments below.

Related posts:

1. Culebrita Closed for Cleaning Until Jan 23 2009
2. Puerto Rico through the Eyes of Surfing
3. Vloggers in Paradise; Starring…

The event was originally scheduled for May but adverse weather conditions forced organizers to cancel; hopefully the weather this week will cooperate.

So if you are here in Puerto Rico this week, here are a few of the restaurants taking part in the Condado Food Festival 2011:

• Ambassador Bar & Grill – based at the Radisson Ambassador Hotel
• Bar Gitano – Spanish influenced tapas restaurant from Chef Roberto Trevino, who also runs Budatai and the newly opened Casa Lola
• B de Burro – Mexican cuisine
• Di Parma – Features Northen Italian cuisine and is located near Ventana del Mar
• Di Zucchero – Italian cuisine
• El Barril – Bar / restaurant from Chef Trevino
• East – Japanese
• Tijuana Bar & Grill – Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is located close to the San Juan Marriott Resort
• Waiters – Puerto Rican cuisine
• Yerba Buena – Puerto Rican / Cuban influenced cuisine

Along with all the great food and drinks on display, the Condado Food Festival will also feature live music at various locations along Ashford Avenue and surrounding areas.

What: Condado Food Festival July 2011
Where: Ashford Avenue, Condado, San Juan
When: Thursday July 14 – Sunday July 17 (Thurs-Fri starts 5pm)
Cost: Free to enjoy the atmosphere, food samples and drinks extra.

Related posts:

1. Condado Culinary Festival 2009
2. Puerto Rico Wine and Food Festival 2008

Adventurous Dad

For those dads that like a bit of an adrenalin rush, why not treat them to an adventure at one of the many zip line tours here in Puerto Rico. There are tour operators based all over the island with most of them providing transportation options from the San Juan Metro Area.

If zip lining sounds too extreme, then why not take your dad on a hike through the trails of El Yunque Rainforest. There are trails for all levels of fitness, so there is no excuse for not exploring the great outdoors.

If being on or under the water is more your dads thing, then check out a kayak & snorkeling tour or even a half day scuba diving. Again there are tour operators around the island that offer half-day and full-day tours.

Don’t forget an unforgettable biobay trip, if the moon phase is good

Relaxing Dad

For those dads that prefer to leave the adventures to others, why not head to the beach for the day. For those in the San Juan Area, you could check out Isla Verde Beach, Carolina Beach or Escambron Beach.

If you have a rental car consider heading east to Luquillo Beach or Seven Seas Beach near Fajardo. If you are one the west coast why not check out Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla, one of the popular surfers beaches in Rincon or Playula Beach near Cabo Rojo

If you have the time head over to Culebra or Vieques islands for some stunning beaches.

Foodie Dad

If your dad likes his food, treat him to a special dinner. In San Juan, head to Pikayo at the Conrad Plaza Hotel or La Perla at the La Concha Hotel, or If you are looking for something more local and low key, head out to Pinones and try the food kiosks or the ocean front restaurants; The Waterfront or the Soleil Beach Club,

Outside of San Juan, check with the locals to find out there recommendations for a great place to eat.

And, if your dad is a pork lover, then definitely head over to Guavate, where you will find great Lechon, local Puerto Rican foods, music and lively atmosphere. Just make sure you get there early, as Guavate is one place that will be extremely busy on Fathers day.

Cultural Dad

For those dads that prefer a little culture, check out one of the many museums around the island, or head into Old San Juan to check out the forts and maybe catch some local musicians playing on Paseo de la Princesa.

If your dad is a dancer, then try Latin Roots Restaurant in Old San Juan for some Salsa, or hit one of the larger hotels in Condado or Isla Verde where you will usually find live music and dancing at night on weekends.

Whatever you do this Fathers Day, have a great time doing it.

Related posts:

1. RAINING: 10 Ideas to Save Your Puerto Rico Vacation
2. Leatherback Sea Turtles of Puerto Rico
3. Puerto Rico Adds Another Blue Flag Beach

This weekend the Museo de Arte De Ponce will be closing its doors to accommodate a major refurbishment of the museum.

The museum is marking this closure with a special event on Sunday, March 30, 2008. Admission will be free and there will be all day activities and attractions. The museum will open at 10am, with most of the activities starting at 2pm. If you happen to be one of the first 150 visitors, you will get a free commemorative T-Shirt.

During the renovations, some of the museum’s collections will be loaned to museums in Europe and the United States. The Museo de Arte De Ponce will also hold exhibitions at Plaza Las Americas in San Juan

Note the current Rodin exhibition by the Museo de Arte De Ponce exhibition at Plaza Las Americas (MAP@Plaza) is also due to close this Sunday, March 30, 2008

For more information on the rennovations, check out the Museo de Arte De Ponce website

Related posts:

1. Three Kings Celebration at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
2. 5 Things to Do In Ponce
3. Parque de Bombas, Ponce