The Panoramic Route corkscrews continually on day two. The drive to
Maricao and Hacienda Juanita, another coffee plantation parador,
switchbacks up and down lushly forested peaks. Stop in Adjuntas for
picnic provisions to eat along the way, as the route passes several
scenic parks.
From here, the Panoramic Route continues to Mayaguez, but unless
you have an obsession with completion, scratch it and drive
similarly squiggly roads north to the Arecibo Observatory, the vast
radio telescope made famous in the Jodi Foster movie Contact that
picks up sounds from outer space, among other scientific endeavors.
Once you've made it this far, you owe yourself a look at the
awesome 20-acre dish and an overnight at the laid-back former
plantation inn Casa Grande in Utuado.
DETAILS: Carite Forest Reserve, (787) 745-4545. La
Piedra, (787)
735-1034. Hacienda Gripinas, (787) 828-1717,
www.haciendagripinas.com,
$125 for a double including
dinner and breakfast. Hacienda Juanita, (787) 838-2550,
www.haciendajuanita.com,
$130 per double including dinner and breakfast. Casa Grande
Mountain Retreat, (787) 894-3939,
www.hotelcasagrande.com,
from $80. Arecibo Observatory, (787) 878-2612,
www.naic.edu.
Elaine Glusac is a Chicago-based
American Way contributing
editor who recently road-tripped
Hawaii,
New Mexico, Northern
Spain, and
Puerto Rico. Her writing has appeared in
National
Geographic Traveler,
Travel + Leisure,
Shape, and
other publications.
TOP RESORTS RETREATS
Had enough movement? Ready, set, do nothing at these outstanding
Puerto Rican resorts.