Arecibo

Arecibo is a municipality on the north coast of Puerto Rico, best known for its giant radio telescope.

Arecibo is about 80 km (an hour's drive) west of San Juan along Highway 22.

• Arecibo Observatory, (approximately ten miles south of town), ☎ 878-2612, www.naic.edu. W-F 9AM-4PM, and most holidays. On a mountainous and somewhat isolated (but fairly well signposted) road, the Arecibo Observatory is home to the world's largest radio telescope, operated by Cornell University. The visitor's center is decent with working bilingual exhibits. There are no tours of the telescope itself, however you can view the telescope from a platform and view a free informative video. Bring an umbrella, in case of rain. Also be sure to have comfortable walking shoes for the 500 steps up the mountain. Adults $6, children and seniors $4.

• Salitre Meson Costero, Highway 681, Km 3.8, ☎ 787-816-2020, www.salitre.com. Seaside restaurant with views of the lighthouse, specializing in fresh seafood cooked to order. Indoor and outdoor seating. $15-30.

• Salpicon Bar & Restaurant, Rd #681 Km 13.7, ☎ 939-940-9766. 12-10pm. Ocean views while enjoying a Piña Colada, also has an casual elegant dining room - The Fried Red Snapper is reported to be good. 10-25.

• Ponce lies Southeast of Arecibo and is a two hour drive through the jungle, on sometimes questionable roads.

• Get out of San Juan. Go to the radio telescope. • Craig K.
• the radar definitely i mean we have the biggest radar in the world god dam the dutch! the wanna win us • Gina C.
• If traveling to Arecibo enjoy the ride. Stop along the road side and have a couple of pinchos. The observatory is great although you really wont spend more than 30 minutes getting through the museaum area and taking pictures. • Tonya T.