Geography and Climate of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is the smallest Island of the Greater Antilles.  This group of Islands comprises Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.   The word Antilles comes from a time before European conquest and domination, which means Phantom Islands.  Puerto Rico includes the smaller Islands of Vieques, Culebra, Mona, Desecheo and Caja de Muertos.  These Islands complete the archipelago.   Other than the main island only Vieques and Culebra are inhabited year round.

 

Puerto Rico contains 3.6 million people with a land area of 3,515 square miles.  The main Island is approximately 100 miles long and 35 miles wide. San Juan its capital and largest city at 358K dominates the northern side of the Island.  Ponce to the south and Mayaguez to the west are additional major population centers.

It’s mostly mountainous interior gives way to coastal plans both in the north and the south.   The Northern and Southern parts of the Island have completely different climates.  The Northern side of the Island is wet and humid with a topical Jungle landscape.   The southern part of the Island is arid with a dry sub-tropical scrub forest.   There are actual cacti in the southern part of the Island.  The central mountain range keeps the moister from getting to the Southern part of the Island.

 

Located in the tropics the temperature throughout Puerto Rico averages 83 degrees, with it being warmer in the coastal areas and cooler in the mountainous region.  The temperature varies very little from season to season, although it will average 5 to 8 degrees cooler during the winter months from December through February.   This is also the rainy season for the northern part of the Island.   Passing intermittent showers can be expected daily during this time of year.     

 Hurricane season is 1 June thru 30 November, traveling to the Island during this time is somewhat a gamble.  Don’t let it deter you.  The odds are in your favor.  Chances are there will be nothing but sunny skies and light winds during your visit.    With only 1 to 5 Atlantic storms a season it is a remote possibility that Puerto Rico will be in a storm’s path during your visit.    This is also considered the low season so flights and hotels will be cheaper.

The First Ride of 2014, Franklin and Leipers Fork

Today it is a cold rainy Sunday.  Yesterday it was the complete opposite.  That's one thing about Tennessee if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes it'll change.  It was good to get out for a ride with Terri.   It was Terri’s first long ride of the season; she won’t ride unless the temperature is above 65 degrees.  This last Saturday it was 67, so I talked her into it.  

I wanted to ride down to Franklin have lunch and then check out Fort Granger.  It’s an old Civil War breastworks fort on a bluff above the Harpeth River.  Franklin sits just south of Nashville and was an important strategic position during the Civil War and by accident, we end up in Leipers Fork.

We got a late start and left at 10 AM.  From Clarksville, we took TN-48 towards Charlotte.  Once there we turned onto TN-47 towards Whites Bluff, then TN-1847 down to TN-96, which took us all the way to Franklin.   These country roads skirt the west and south of Nashville and run through the hill country of the Harpeth and Cumberland River basin.  They are great roads for slow cruising the countryside.

It is very early spring in Tennessee.  The hardwood trees have what I call a purple haze.  The tree buds give the stands of hardwoods a purple haze, most prominent during dusk and sunrise.  You can smell the spring in the air a few daffodils have already bloomed the farther south we ride.

We get to Franklin to see that their St Patty’s parade has already finished.  There is a crowd downtown because of the parade; there is a festival atmosphere in the air.   It was a marvels spring day. We find a sandwich shop, The Franklin Mercantile Deli to have lunch.  The Tomato Soup and grilled cheese were awesome.   We then walk around the town center which contained many fine restaurants and shops. 

The Court House is one of 7 antebellum courthouses still in use in Tennessee.  During the Civil War, it was the Federal Headquarters and hospital after the Battle of Franklin.   Although the Confederates took Franklin during the battle, it devastated the Confederate Army of the Tennessee which eventually retreated to Mississippi.   It was never again an effective fighting force during the rest of the war.   We visited Fort Granger a Union stronghold during the attack.    This is a great example of a Civil War Breastwork Fort.

After visiting Fort Granger, we took TN-246 South we then came across Leipers Fork accident.   It is a famous watering hole for travelers on the Natchez Trace.  We stopped at Puckett’s Grocery to listen to some Irish Music and get some iced tea.  It had quite a lively crowd, and the music was awesome.  This is in the American Music Triangle that runs from Nashville to Memphis down to New Orleans.  When traveling stop at any roadside stand, you don't know what you might hear.  

Well the day is growing short we jump on the Natchez Trace Parkway ride south to Highway 7 we ride North through Dickson, and we are back home within an hour.   We talk about more rides this coming summer to Leipers Fork for music and food. 

You couldn't ask for a better start to the 2014 riding season.  

Getting To and Around Puerto Rico

Most major airlines service San Juan; lately I have been using Southwest they have a new service that started March of 2013. Luis Munoz Marin International is a modern day airport with connecting flights throughout the Caribbean.   Once arriving, you can take a taxi to any destination on the Island or shuttles to rental car agencies. The least expensive option is the San Juan Metro Bus Stop.   All will be right outside baggage pick up.  A taxi to downtown San Juan will cost around $20 and take 10-20 minutes.  The AMA Bus #B-53 to San Juan, $1.50 and travel time will be 40 minutes to 1 hour.

Old San Juan

If you are taking a cruise in the Caribbean you will dock in Old San Juan if a port of call is in Puerto Rico. If your cruise originates from the Island and you will fly into Luis Munoz Marin.   There will be people holding direction signs for your shuttle to old San Juan.

Bacardi Rum Distillery 

Most of the major rental car agencies are located on Calle Marginal across the highway 26 freeway next to the airport.  Once you take the shuttle and rent your car I recommend a lunch at Bebbo’s Barbeque.   This place has the best Island Barbeque in or near San Juan.  Along with the meat try the cooked sweet plantains and Yucca.  You should start your adventure on a full stomach and a taste of the Island.   There will be long lines but it is well worth the wait.   It shares a parking lot with the McDonalds next store so there is plenty of parking.

Remember Puerto Rico is a US Territory and all Puerto Ricans are US citizens.  Commercially the Island is a lot like the US, you will see all the major box stores and fast food restaurants.  They are easy to avoid, but it is nice to see them if you need to drop in to get batteries for a camera for example. 

Like most of the United States it has a poor public transportation system.  To get around the Island a rental car is recommended.   Although the roads and traffic signs are much like the US the diving habits of people seemed to be much more erratic.   This is nothing to be afraid of just drive defensively and things will be fine.  Traffic on the major thoroughfares seem to be much slower between 55 and 60 MPH. 

While driving on the Island you can use Google and Bing to navigate, along with the directions that I provided for each one of the individual snorkeling destinations.    You should have no problems, but expected to get mildly lost on occasion, but this the great fun of travelling.  Remember you are on an adventure.   I have seen some fascinating things after becoming lost or what I like to call getting turned around.