HIlda G. Morales, CITG

Born is San Juan, her parents
moved to Mayagüez when she
was six years old.  Since
AdvenTours was established,
Hilda has been the only tour
operator based in the city and
offering their tours on a daily
basis.  She coordinated in 2006
the training for the Tour Guides
of the city of Mayagüez through
APIE, Puerto Rican Association
of Interpretation and Education.
1992 - 2010 Copyrights, AdvenTours/Excursiones Guariquén · Puerto Rico.
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Updated July 25, 2010.
Smell, feel, and taste...
Porta del Sol, a destiny within a destiny.
Guánica
The National Trust´s definition of cultural heritage tourism is "traveling to experience the places and activities
that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.  It includes historic, cultural, and natural
resources."    We have carefully selected activities where you will have the opportunity to experience Puerto Rico
through the eyes of our local people.  Be different, join one of our
CulTOURS today!
The "areyto" is a private ceremony performed in Arawak
language in honor of
Yocahú Bagua Maorocotí, the Good
Spirit of the Taínos.  A minimum of 25 participants is required.
This is the perfect activity for  groups or extended families to
learn more about our culture.

For more information, contact us at (787) 530-8311.
The National Trust´s definition of cultural heritage tourism is "traveling to experience the places and activities
that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.  It includes historic, cultural, and natural
resources."    We have carefully selected activities where you will have the opportunity to experience Puerto Rico
through the eyes of our local people.  Be different, join one of our
CulTOURS today!
SL A   R U T A   D E L   C A F É
As creators of La ruta del café in 1992, we are pleased to include this unique tour...

You will have the experience to visit a real coffee plantation on the countryside of Puerto Rico. A minimum of 2 participants is
necessary to offer this tour.
TM
Our meeting point will be at Mayagüez.  A drive of approximately one hour will take
us to the small mountainous town of Las Marías where we will visit Hacienda
Palma Escrita, home of Café La Casona, a coffee plantation still in operation.

We will be greeted by the owners, who will be in charge of a walk through the
plantation while you learn more about the different varieties of coffee and how they
are grown in this side of the mainland of Puerto Rico.  As you join this guided walk,
you will see all the stages involved in the cultivation process (cultivation, harvest of
the fruit, processing, pulping, washing, drying, hulling, and finally, roasting) until it
gets to your table.  Ready to taste a cup of fresh coffee?

An optional stop for lunch is available at Parador La Hacienda Juanita or Erik´s
Bakery at the town of Maricao, lunch not included in price.

Off season, we can still visit the plantation although coffee will be growing for the
next year and you will not necessarily see all the stages of the cultivation process.

Please bring hat and long sleeves/pants, comfortable shoes to walk on the
plantation.
CODE
Availability
Duration
Effort Level
Walking Time
Departure

Minimum
Price
Transportation
Private Tour
Reservations
Entrance Fees

Not included
Restrictions
MAZ-C1
September - December
4 hrs.
Moderate
30 - 60 minutes
From Mayagüez, not
later than 10 AM
2 PAX
$69 per person
Included
Yes
Always required
Not included in price,
$5 pp
Lunch, drinks or tips
Non-smokers only
Muelhium Family - December 30, 2009
Westerndam - Mayagüez Port
SE P I C U R I O U S   E X P E D I T I O N S
At party time or holiday celebrations any resident, native born today, would
ask hosts:

Where's the Pork?

This expedition has been adapted from the one we offer at the Old San Juan.  
A minimum of 2 participants is necessary to offer this tour.

Local favorite roast pork plus drinking beer, rum and sangria is an all national
favorite when cheerful celebrations come. So we take the time to present a fun
tasting experience, just
be aware eating is our main objective.  Each site will
provide samplings for one-of-a-kind tasting combo ending with pork as our main
dish of the day.

Our day starts with a short drive to El Seco, a fishermen community walking
distance from the port.  The first stop is at
Confitería Franco, once a chocolate
factory, now is home of the famous
brazo gitano, a gypsy roll cake filled with guava
(original recipe), mango, cheese, or one of the many flavors you will find at Franco.

We continue our journey to the
Plaza de Mercado (market place).   Your Guide will
introduce the cultural background and importance of fruits, vegetables, roots, and
pork as part of the ingredients of today´s main dish.  But, where is the pork?

Our next stop is at
Fido´s Sangria Garden, home of Sangría Fido, a native sangría
and a must stop when visiting this side of the mainland of Puerto Rico.  But, where
is the pork?

A twenty-five minute drive through a windy road will take us to
Lechonera El Jobo,
located in
la ruta del lechón (roasted pork gastronomy route).  Here is the
opportunity to taste Roast pork, rice with green peas,
viandas (roots), and many
other dishes.  The real and original recipe for our
lechón asado (roast  pork).

Our last stop will be at
Plaza Almirante Cristóbal Colón (town square) where you
will learn more about the encounter of the Spaniards with the Taínos and how
Mayagüez was developed into a city port, exporting coffee, sugar cane, and other
items.  This is the opportunity to taste the islandwide famous
helados chinos (ice
cream) from
Rex Cream.  If you want to taste something different, pick one of these
tropical flavors:  pineapple, coconut,
piña colada, acerola (Caribbean Cherry), or
maíz (maze); or maybe, you will like to try Cerveza Medalla ( world award winner
beer made in Mayagüez) in one of the small cafeterias at downtown.
TM
SC A T H O L I C  H E R I T A G E  -  P O R T A   D E L   S O L
PORTA DEL SOL:  Mayagüez Cathedral, 2007 AdvenTours.
Discover the Catholic Heritage of Porta del Sol with us.

This journey takes you through six of the seventeen towns of Porta del Sol.  
Learn how the Catholic religion was established in Puerto Rico and the role
of the region during this process.  A minimum of 2 participants is necessary
to offer this tour.
SD E L U X E  M A Y A G Ü E Z   C I T Y   T O U R
A visit to Mayagüez is not complete without a comfortable guided city tour.

Learn more about Mayagüez while stopping at the most important attractions of this city.  A minimum of 2 participants is
necessary to offer this tour.
Individual or Solo Travel - Guided tours in this section are offered on a private basis to guarantee departures and available with a
minimum of 2, 4 or 6 participants; reservations and deposit are required.
 Non-smokers only.

Prices on this section are based on tours departing from Mayagüez.   Meeting point will vary depending on selected activities.  
Coffee Facts

  • La Casona Specialty Coffee (100% Arabigo) is sold only at Hacienda Palma
    Escrita.
  • Original from Ethiopia.
  • First brought to Puerto Rico in 1736.
  • Most of the plantations were built in the central region of Puerto Rico:  
    Maricao, Las Marías, Lares, Adjuntas, Yauco, Jayuya, Ciales, Utuado,
    Ponce, etc.   Nevertheless, plantations were built in other places, such as
    Río Grande (Hacienda Catalina, El Yunque).
  • After the 1511 rebelion, many Taínos settled in Maricao.
  • Coffee season - August - December.
  • Coffee Harvest Festival, two festivals take place in February:  Maricao and
    Yauco.
  • We created La Ruta del Café in 1992.

This tour is part of our sustainable tourism approach in sponsoring initiatives of
local residents.  This tour departs from Mayagüez, please ask for quote if departing
from San Juan.  Discount for groups or extended families.
CODE
Availability
Duration
Effort Level
Walking Time
Departure

Minimum
Price
Transportation
Private Tour
Reservations
Include
Not included
Restrictions
MAZ-C2
Upon request
3 - 4 hrs.
Easy
1 hour
From Mayagüez
9:00 AM, 1:00 PM
2 PAX
$85 per person
Included
Yes
Always required
Food tasting
Lunch, drinks or tips
Non-smokers only
Fido´s Sangría Garden new facilities
CODE
Availability
Duration
Effort Level
Walking Time
Departure
Minimum
Price
Transportation
Private Tour
Reservations
Entrance Fees
Not included
Restrictions
MAZ-C3
Wednesday thru Sunday
4 - 5 hrs.
Easy
2 - 2.5 hours
From Mayagüez, 8:00 AM
2 PAX
$65 per person
Included
Yes
Always required
Not included in price
Lunch, drinks or tips
Non-smokers only
Porta Coeli Religious Museum
  • Inmaculada Concepción - Ermita de Espinar
  • Santa Rosa de Lima
  • San Antonio Abad
  • Museo Religioso Porta Coeli  
  • San Germán de Auxerre
  • Basílica Menor Nuestra Señora de la Monserrate
  • Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria
Proper attire is required to join this tour.
Following the tradition during the Holy Week, we will visit
seven churches within six towns.  The stops include:
Mayagüez is the largest and more important city of the western side of Puerto Rico.   
It was in Mayagüez where Pablo Casals mother was born, as well as Eugenio María
de Hostos, known as the Citizen of América.  

Created in 1992, this tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy a sightseeing of this
beautiful city with the following stops:

  • Tobacco shop -- see for yourself the process of how tobacco cigars are
    made and the role of this industry in the economical development of the
    island.

  • Confitería Franco -- home of the famous brazo gitano (gypsy roll cake),
    Confitería Franco began as a chocolate factory, now the brazo gitano is
    known worldwide.

  • Market Place -- agriculture has been and still is one of the most important
    sectors in the economical development of this region, during this short stop
    at the market place you will see the different varieties of bananas, native and
    tropical fruits--taste a frappé made of one or a combination of these fruits.

  • Historical District -- short walking tour at Plaza Almirante Cristóbal Colón,
    including the City Hall and Casa Grande.

    After the walking tour, you will select one of these two options to finish the
    tour:

  • Eugenio María de Hostos Museum -- a 20 minute drive takes us to the
    countryside of Mayagüez where you will learn more about the life and work of
    Eugenio María de Hostos, known as the Citizen of America.

  • Mayagüez Zoo -- only zoo in Puerto Rico.
Eugenio María de Hostos Museum
CODE
Availability
Duration
Effort Level
Walking Time
Departure

Minimum
Price
Transportation
Private Tour
Reservations
Entrance Fees
Not included
Restrictions
MAZ-C4
Wednesday thru Saturday
4 hrs.
Easy
2 - 2.5 hours
From Mayagüez
8:00 AM, 1:00 PM
2 PAX
$45 per person
Included
Yes
Always required
Not included in price
Lunch, drinks or tips
Non-smokers only
If you are planning to visit Puerto Rico during the Holy Week ( this year Good
Friday will be celebrated on April 2, 2010), you can visit the seven churches on
Thursday and join the local celebrations on Friday.
Book 3 PAX for the
Catholic Heritage of Porta
del Sol and the 4th
participant pays 50%.  
Offer valid only for the
Centroamerican Games.
12  7 junio   31  22 junio   51   15julio   75  9agosto     208   4dic   311  15may
SS A N   G E R M Á N   H I S T O R I C A L   W A L K I N G   T O U R
CODE
Availability
Duration
Effort Level
Walking Time
Meeting Point
Hours
Minimum
Price
Private Tour
Reservations
Not included

Restrictions
MAZ-C5
Upon request
3 hrs.
Moderate
3 hours
San Germán
Flexible
Groups only, 10 minimum
$25 per person
Yes
Always required
Lunch, entrance fees, tips
or transportation
Non-smokers only
Join our local
architect during
a walking tour
through time
and space.
"guariquén" Arawak word meaning "look" or "come here and see".   
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