PUERTO RICO:  AMERICAN FANTASY


CARIBE HILTON AND CASINO
Calle Rosales
San Geronimo Grounds
San Juan, Puerto Rico  00902
(800) 223-1146 or (809) 721-0303

CARNIVAL AIR LINES
(800) 8-AIRFUN
(800) 441-4FUN (AirFun Tours)

BACARDI RUM DISTILLERY TOUR OFFICE
(809) 788-1500

PUERTO RICO TOURISM COMPANY
P.O. Box 4436, Old San Juan Station
San Juan, Puerto Rico  00902-4435
(809) 724-2800


If the thought of beautiful beaches with
watersports of all kinds, gorgeous greens of
championship golf courses, rainforests,
caves, and underground rivers, and 500 years
of history all wrapped up within the
boundaries of the United States appeals to
you, then Puerto Rico is the ideal vacation
spot for you.  Luring millions of visitors to
its unparalleled historic sites, idyllic
beaches and glittering nightlife, Puerto Rico
is the Caribbean's most popular destination. 
You can venture into the island's tropical
settings and return for an afternoon dip in
the clear blue ocean before savoring the
thrill of casinos and other exhilarating
nightlife.  And you are bound to run into
some fascinating historic elements during the
process.

Using San Juan as your base, you can stay at
the fabulous Caribe Hilton.  This 17-acre
beachfront resort can meet your every need
with its modern rooms and suites, complete
meeting and convention facilities,
recreational opportunities, lush tropical
gardens, and electrifying casino.  And it is
the only hotel in San Juan that can boast its
own private beach.  There are nine
restaurants and lounges (one of which is
proud to the place where the pina colada was
born), all with awe-inspiring views, and the
hotel has made history by winning ten
American Culinary Federation prizes in a
single year.

A few minutes away from the Caribe Hilton is
one of the island's most popular tourist
attractions--the Bacardi Rum Distillery.  A
45-minute tour of the largest rum distillery
in the world will unlock the secrets of how
rum is made, including the history, the
standards of quality maintained, and the
environmental conservation efforts that have
been initiated.  You can watch the process
that produces 250 bottles of rum per minute
and ships 17,000 cases per day around the
world.  And, best of all, there's a free rum
tasting after the tour where you can sample
all their products.  Be sure to stop at the
Rums 'N Things Gift Shop for Bacardi Rum and
souvenirs. 

Forty-five minutes east of the Caribe Hilton
is the only tropical rainforest on U.S. soil-
-El Yunque National Forest.  This 28,000-acre
national treasure encompasses four distinct
forest types and is home to 240 species of
tropical trees, flowers, and wildlife. 
Walking on one of the exquisite paths in the
diverse habitat, you can see a variety of
orchids and ferns, as well as hear the
characteristic cry of the coqui, a tiny tree
frog that survives only in Puerto Rico.  The
La Coca Falls and an observation tower make
El Yunque a photographer's paradise.

On the way back from El Yunque, be sure to
stop and enjoy lunch and a swim at Luquillo
Beach.  Soft white sand shaded by majestic
coconut palms and the crystal blue sea are
the Caribbean beach of everyone's dreams. 
Take a picnic or sample local specialties
from the roadside kiosks.

Another exciting adventure awaits you in Old
San Juan, a U.S. Historic Zone, often
referred to as a "living museum" because of
its large abundance of rich culture and
celebrated sites.  Founded in 1521, its
century-old buildings, churches, and romantic
alleys hold the echoes of a passionate
serenade.  Stroll along the narrow
cobblestone streets of this oldest city under
the American flag, and you will find breath-
taking harbor views, lazy sidewalk cafes,
quaint shops, museums, and galleries. 
Venture out a little further to visit
landmark sites, such as El Morro Fort
constructed to protect San Juan from invasion
by Sir Francis Drake; San Juan Cathedral, one
of the oldest places of Christian worship in
the Western Hemisphere; and Casa Blanca, the
residence of Ponce de Leon.

Puerto Rico has a little something for
everyone.  And Carnival Air Lines is a
convenient and economical way to get there. 
Daily flights from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, New
York, and Newark can transport you to a world
of tropical splendor and historic quest. 
And, if you really get hooked on Puerto Rico,
Carnival will reward ten paid roundtrips with
a free flight.  So head on down to Puerto
Rico and get started on your free-flight
plan.

-         Laurie Lawson/Janet Edgar-