One program that has helped the Puerto Rico Tourism Company successfully promote the commonwealth as "The Complete Island" -- the paradores puertorriqueños -- will help make your travels even more enjoyable.
The paradores puertorriqueños are a chain of privately owned and operated country inns under the auspices and supervision of the Commonwealth Development Company. These hostelries are easily identified by the Taíno grass hut that appears in the signs and logos of each one. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company started the program in 1973, modeling it after Spain's parador system, although many of the paradores here are mere shanties compared to some of the deluxe Spanish hostelries. Each parador is situated in a historic or particularly beautiful spot. They vary in size, but most share the virtues of affordability, hospitable staffs, and high standards of cleanliness. Most but not all of their rooms are air-conditioned, and each room has a bathroom.
For reservations or further information, contact the Paradores Puertorriqueños Reservation Office, P.O. Box 9023960, San Juan, PR 00902 (tel. 800/443-0266).
