The conservation efforts of the government and the people have been commendable, for the island...
The island of Puerto Rico contains a great wealth of natural beauty both inland and offshore. The relatively small island offers travelers a chance to see some of Nature’s finest work - green and gentle mountain slopes, lush rain forests, thriving coral reefs and bio-luminescent bays. The conservation efforts of the government and the people have been commendable, for the island now has a number of protected areas and awareness of the value of these resources is high among the populace.
One of the best examples of this is the island of Vieques. Long used the US Navy as a base and bombing range, the small island off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico became the scene for protests by the people of Puerto Rico, who demanded the Navy leave the area. After a long battle, the Navy eventually was forced to abandon the island in 2003. Though the area used for bombing practice was severely contaminated, it represented only a small portion of the large area of the island that was occupied by the Navy. The rest of the former military base was unspoiled forest and the island is now being managed carefully, with limited development of new tourist facilities. The forest has been given protected status and cleanup is underway in the polluted areas where bombing took place.
Recently, there has been more good news for Puerto Rico with the announcement that a series of underwater reefs has been discovered thriving at a depth further below what scientists had estimated, giving hope that the reef system is healthier than previously thought.
Travelers staying in Puerto Rico Hilton should take advantage of the opportunity to experience the natural beauty the island has to offer. All of the attractions mentioned are within a few hours drive (at most) from the Hilton San Juan.
Adrian Fisher is a London-based freelance journalist with a mission to make you a better and happier human being. Drawing attention to the peculiarities of life in the modern age is all part of the package.Check out his other articles for everything you need to know about travel destinations.
