Area Information

Caribe Hilton
Los Rosales Street
San Geronimo Grounds
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901

Telephone: +1 787 721 0303
Fax: +1 787 725 8849

New travel regulations from/to the Caribbean/U.S.

Alternatively call 1 877-GO-HILTON toll-free from US/Canada or your local Hilton Reservations and Customer Care Office.

Area Profile

The Caribe Hilton, made up of 17 acres of lush tropical gardens, is a beach front resort located between historic Old San Juan and the exciting Condado area. The Hotel is situated on a private peninsula, just 15 minutes from the local International Airport and nearby Business and Financial Districts. The bustling shopping malls and an array of restaurants offering a splendid choice of cuisine from all over the world are a mere 10 minutes drive from the hotel.

Climate
Tropical. Average annual temperature is 82 F (28 C) with constant mild easterly trade winds. The US Weather bureau never recorded temperatures in San Juan below 64 F or higher than 97 F, 365 days a year, day or night.

Time Zone
Atlantic Standard Time (AST). One hour later than US. Easter Standard Time (EST) from October to April and the same as Eastern Daylight Savings Time from April to October. For exact time, call (787) 728-9595.

Currency
U.S. Dollar. Major Credit Cards accepted in most establishments. Tipping is customary at 15-20% throughout Puerto Rico.

Passport Information
Passports are not necessary for US citizens. Foreign nationals should have valid passports and required visas. For more information call the Puerto Rico State Department at (787) 722-2121.

Languages Spoken
Two official languages, Spanish and English.

Electricity
Voltage is the same as the US mainland, 110-220 volts, 60Hz.

Liquor Laws
The legal drinking age is 18. Municipal ordinance forbids alcohol consumption on the streets of Old San Juan.

Driving and Transportation

From Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, located at Isla Verde 8 miles from the hotel, take the First Exit to the right- Baldorioty Expressway #26. Drive straight for approximately 7 miles. The Expressway ends and you continue on Muñoz Rivera #25. Over the Dos Hermanos Bridge go through one set of traffic lights, follow the road round the corner and the hotel is on the right hand side.

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. A valid continental US drivers license legally can be used in Puerto Rico for up to three months.

Hotel Parking
Multi-level Parking Garage Available.

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Local Airports

Caribe Hilton is located only 7 miles from the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.

1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, 2 ½ hours flying time from Miami, 3 hours from Boston, 3 3/4 hours from Atlanta and NY and 4 3/4 hours from Chicago, Houston & Dallas. 8 Hours from Los Angeles.

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Local Attractions

There is no place quite like a tropical volcanic island, and no island in the Caribbean quite like Puerto Rico. The geography of the island is very unusual, as it encompasses distinctly different kinds of topography and microclimates in a relatively small area.
A rugged mountain range runs across the center from east to west, which often prevents rain clouds from passing to the south. The north side of the island is covered by dense vegetation, limestone formations, and rushing streams, while, the south side is sun-toasted terrain, home to tropical dry forests and many species of exotic birds. Puerto Rico is only about 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, so its most distant points are only a three-hour drive apart. It also means that just about every tropical landscape in existence is a short trip from wherever you happen to be!

Angels Cave
In the enormous chambers of this natural cave, you will see the incredible clarity of the natural pools and impressive calcite formations, creating an ecological gallery of wonders. You can also view the mud slope into the Camuy River where you can float the currents through the river's imposing canyons. This really is a once in a lifetime experience!

Camuy Cavern
There are very few places in the world where you will find a cave system as massive or dramatic as the Río Camuy Cave Park – with its tropical underground river. An impressive section of the complex is open for the public to peruse. This includes three crater-like sinkholes and two caves. Visitors can ride a trolley that descends into a sinkhole lined with dense tropical vegetation while a guide describes the sights. After a walk across ramps and bridges and through the dramatically illuminated, 170-foot high Cueva Clara, another tram shuttles you to a platform overlooking the 400 foot deep Tres Pueblos Sinkhole.
The 268-acre grounds include a cafeteria, picnic area, gift shop, walking trails, exhibition hall, and theater. Advanced cave explorers can arrange for special tours and rappelling trips through undeveloped sections of the caves.

Canoeing
The canoe and Puerto Rico have shared a special historic relationship as it is said that the island's first Indian settlers probably arrived in dugout canoes a few thousand years ago. Enhanced by this history, canoeing on the ever abundant local waters has become one of Puerto Rico's most fun, interesting and relaxing activities of choice to sightsee, fish or bird watch on the island.

Hiking
Whether you are an experienced or novice hiker, the renowned forests of Puerto Rico offer marked trails and routes for you to explore and view the various tropical fauna and wildlife or the area. Enjoy the diverse hiking experiences of these forests with El Yunque’s lush green, jungle-like atmosphere and cascading waterfalls to Gunica Dry Forest’s desert like, yet colorful expanse of land nearby one of the Island’s most beautiful famous beaches.

Tanamá River
The Tanamá River is south of Arecibo in the Central Mountains and is a thrill-seeking adventure for those in good physical condition. This river is nestled in the beautiful landscape of Karst Forest. The adventurous can hike through the limestone forest, explore Cueva del Arco (Arch Cave), and maneuver down sheer limestone walls to the river below. What’s more you can enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal prepared at the self sufficient Perez family house, a truly fantastic experience.

El Yunque
Enjoy the most visited natural site on the island, The Caribbean National Forest, also known as El Yunque or the “lungs of Puerto Rico”. Here numerous hiking trails lead to majestic crags and spectacular waterfalls. It is also renowned for the variety of tropical flora and fauna together with over 50 species of orchids, 240 species of tree, 150 kinds of fern and 68 species of bird including the local Puerto Rican parrot and of course is also home to the famous El Coquí tree frog. Observation towers are scattered in different areas of the forest for you to take in your surroundings and there are several favorite spots for visitors to take photos or a refreshing dip in the pristine pools.
Named after the benevolent Indian spirit Yuquiyu, El Yunque is slated as a United Nations World Biosphere Reserve. More than 100 billion gallons of rain falls each year, creating the jungle-like lush foliage, sparkling leaves, shining wet rocks, and shadowy paths occasionally pierced by sunlight.
To truly experience the forest, you are best on foot. However you can enjoy the splendor during a slow drive up and down the mountain. You can explore on your own or take a guided tour. And don’t miss El Portal Rain Forest Center for interesting exhibits books and souvenirs.

Guanica's Dry Forest
Over 600 rare plants and animals, including 48 endangered species and 16 that are unique to Puerto Rico live here in this 10,000 acres of dry land. This fascinating terrain, full with wildlife is perfect counterpart to El Yunque Rainforest. This United Nations Biosphere Reserve attracts hikers and cyclists who explore this Dry Forest through twelve varying trails. You can also enjoy the uncommon scenery by car on the narrow road that hugs the border of this strikingly scenic, desert-like expanse.

Bird Watching
Puerto Rico is an ideal location for observing dozens of incredible birds in their native habitat including some endangered species including the Puerto Rican Parrot (of which only 40 remain alive in a few hidden areas of El Yunque rain forest). Also found are the Tody (locally called San Pedrito'), the unique Puerto Rico Lizard Eating Cuckoo and Puerto Rico's coastline and offshore islands make ideal roosts for pelagic birds. Red footed boobies are found at Mona Island, while Culebra Island hosts more than 120 marine bird nesting colonies.

MONA ISLAND ~ "The Galapagos of the Caribbean"
Located between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic about 50 miles out, you can reach Mona Island by boat of private airplane, and is definitely worth the trip. The island is home to giant lizards that enjoy sun bathing along the 200-foot cliffs that surround most of the island. Other endangered species, include sea turtles and red-footed boobies. You will also see wild boars and goats.

CULEBRA WILDLIFE REFUGE
The Culebra Natural Wildlife Refuge consists of 23 islands and four tracts of land on the main island of Culebra, totalling 1,480 acres. It is the home of more than 120 marine bird nesting colonies, including the largest sooty tern colony in Puerto Rico.

FAJARDO LIGHTHOUSE
To protect the sensitive eco-system, visitors can reach the lighthouse through the park on open trams. This is the perfect spot for nature-lover's where trails and boardwalks lead you to view every major tropical habitat that exists on the island, with the exception of a rain forest. Guides, signs, special programs and exhibits help visitors understand and appreciate this fragile ecology.

GILLIGAN'S ISLAND
This secluded paradise consists of white sand beaches, tropical mangroves, and pristine crystal clear waters. This is like having your own private island for the day!.

Whale Watching
The incredible Humpback whale may be seen in the winter from the Rincón Lighthouse observation park. Peak season is February, however they may be sited from late December through late March. You will be amazed that in the peak season you may see them a few hundred meters from the lighthouse.

Bioluminescent Bays
Now for something truly enlightening! Watch the sea sparkle at night with the darting lights of a million fireflies. Nature lovers come from a far to see this phenomenon, where a bioluminescence is generated by microscopic organisms in the water. Puerto Rico is one of the only places in the world where you can see this every evening at two different protected bays. The best known is at La Parguera, situated between Mayagüez and Ponce in the southwest of the island. The more spectacular however, is in Vieques, the island municipality off of the main island’s northeastern shore. This is a magical yet eerie experience you just have to see for yourself.

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Local Businesses and Corporations

AT & T, 6 mi. E
Baxter Health Care, 15 mi. E
Bristol Myers, 7 mi. W
Citibank, 10 mi. N
General Electric, 15 mi. NE
GlaxoSmithkline, 10 mi. W
IBM, 6 mi. E
Johnson & Johnson, 10 mi. W
Lucent Technologies, 7 mi. W
Merck Sharp & Dohme, 15 mi. E
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Inc, 10 mi. E
Procter & Gamble, 7 mi. N
Schering Plough. 10 mi. W
Sears, 5 mi. N

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Area Recreation

Caribe Hilton is only 10 minutes away from the largest shopping mall in Puerto Rico 'Plaza Las Americas' with over 400 shops and departments stores (Macy's, JC Penney's, Sears just to name a few). The hotel is also only 3 minutes away from Club Nautico for deep-sea fishing and bay tours.

Amusement Sites
Bowling
Cave Exploration
Driving Range
Fishing
Golf course
Hiking Trail
Horseback Riding
Jet Skiing
Parks
Putting Green
River Exploration
Scuba Diving
Surfing
Tennis
Water Skiing
Windsurfing

Contact us at 1-787-721-0303 for more specific information on these area facilities and activities.

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