Everyone is invited so be sure to register for this special cultural event hosted by our friends at the University of Puerto Rico. We are invited to the city of Old San Juan for an authentic Puerto Rican dinner and a casual evening of cultural entertainment. This will be a highlight of your visit to Puerto Rico, so make plans to join us!

Cost per person: $35 includes dinner, entertainment, and bus transportation.

Time: Buses will depart the Ritz Carlton at 5:00 p.m. and return betwenn 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Bacardi Rum Distillery Tour - Registration limited to 30
Saturday, August 26, 2006
1-5 p.m.

For those arriving early, the PR Extension folks are offering a free trip to the Bacardi Rum Distillery. There are only 30 spaces available for this tour, so sign up right away!

Cost: Free transportation and admission.

Times: Vans will leave the Ritz Carlton at 1:00 p.m. and return at 5:00 p.m.

Bacardi Tour:

http://www.gotopuertorico.com/go_cultureHistory.php?language=english&page=48

The Bacardi Rum Distillery, the largest in the world, is only a 15-minute drive from San Juan and is one of the most popular visitors' destinations in Puerto Rico. Visitors are treated to a fascinating guided tour of the facilities at the "Cathedral of Rum." Everything from the vast fermentation vats to the high-speed bottling machinery is at work and on display. A trolley takes you to the Bacardi family museum, where a history of the product and landmarks in its development are seen. The tour ends at the lofty, bat-like pavilion, which you may have seen if you have gazed across San Juan Bay from the southern walls of the Old City. Here you can sample the world-famous rum and buy souvenirs or a variety of Bacardi products at the gift shop. *

El Yunque, the Caribbean National Forest Tour - Registration limited to 30
Sunday, August 27, 2006

PR Extension is arranging for 30 lucky "early-birds" to tour the wonders of this eco-tourism paradise in one of the most accessible tropical rain forests in the world! A part of the National Forest Service, the rain forest is noted for its biodiversity; it is "home" to thousands of native plants including 150 fern species, 240 tree species (88 of these are endemic or rare and 23 are exclusively found in this forest). The Caribbean National Forest has no large wildlife species, but hundreds of smaller animals abound in this gentle forest, many of which exist nowhere else on the planet.

Registration is limited to the first 30 who respond!

Cost: Free transportation. Admission to the forest is $3 (Adults).

Lunch on your own.

Times: Vans will leave the Ritz Carlton at 8:00 a.m. and will return by 1:30 p.m.

El Yunque, the Caribbean National Forest

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/index.shtml

President's Reception and Botanical Garden Tour (AEA and ASRED)
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
4 - 9 p.m.
Reservation Required

The group will leave the hotel at 4 p.m. for a 20 minute ride to the UPR Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden). Established in 1971, the UPR Jardín Botánico is a beautiful 300-acre garden located in the heart of Río Piedras near San Juan. Winding, scenic roads and trails are available for walking, photography and plant observation. The garden boasts a wonderful palm collection as well as many large specimens of different tropical trees. After a guided tour of the garden, the group will be met by President Antonio Garcia Padilla and treated to a reception and musical entertainment. The bus will return to the hotel by 9 p.m. Dinner is on your own.

HOME