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Esta página no está disponible en español. The New York TimesQ & A: Puerto Rico At ChristmasBy PAMELA NOEL
December 9, 2001 Q. My husband and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on Jan 1. I've heard a lot about celebrations in Puerto Rico over the holidays. Do you know of any tours? – L. H., Fort Myers, Fla. A. Puerto Rico – particularly San Juan – has plenty of festivities during the holidays, said Joseph Martínez, public relations director for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the island's official visitors bureau. Keep in mind that the holiday season stretches until Jan. 6, Three Kings Day. But there do not appear to be any organized holiday tours, Mr. Martínez said. Instead he recommended that you contact his agency or a tour operator for help in customizing a package. Among the companies he suggested are: Countryside Tours, Condominium Bahia A, Suite 1101, San Juan, P.R. 00907, (787) 723-9691 or (787) 593-9014; e-mail: balbinpr@yahoo.com. Encantada Tours, IBM Plaza, 654 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 908, Hato Rey, P.R. 00918, (888) 711-2901, www.encantadatours.com. Rico Suntours, 176 San Jorge Street, Suite 1B, San Juan, P.R. 00911, (800) 844-2080, fax (787) 722-0009, www.ricosuntours.com. As for some of the sights and sounds, in Old San Juan, a lighted 40-foot Christmas tree will decorate Paseo La Princesa, the harborside promenade. The annual holiday performance by the National Folkloric Ballet of Puerto Rico will take place on Dec. 23 and 30 and Jan. 1 at the Tapia Theater in Old San Juan, (787) 721-0169. There also will be holiday concerts by the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center on Dec. 21 and Jan. 6 and at the Puerto Rico Museum of Art on Dec. 29, both in the Santurce district; (787) 721-7727 or (787) 727-2186. About an hour's ride away from San Juan, in the northwestern coastal town of Hatillo, free festivals will brighten the days Dec. 26 to 28. Among them are the Guiro and Typical Music Festival (a guiro is a percussion instrument made from a gourd). These folk songs are played almost exclusively at Christmas, Mr. Martínez said. There will also be the Hatillo Masks Festival, with crafts, music and food in the town square; it ends Dec. 28 with a colorful parade. On New Year's Eve, you can celebrate at hotels ranging from the Ritz-Carlton San Juan, (787) 253-1700, for $250 a person, including dinner, a bottle of Ritz champagne per couple and live Latin music, to the Ponce Hilton and Casino, (787) 259-7676, which has a buffet and merengue band for $45 a person. Information: Puerto Rico Tourism Company, La Princesa Bulding No. 2, Paseo La Princesa, Old San Juan, P.R. 00902, (800) 866-7827; on the Web at www.gotopuertorico.com.
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