Category Archives: Puerto Rico
Are Your Souvenirs Authentic?
August 1, 2017We all do it. We go on a trip or vacation and we bring back souvenirs. How often have you given thought to how authentic your souvenirs are? Have you ever considered whether your souvenirs are ethically sourced? Could buying that item cause harm to a country, an economy, an ecosystem, or an endangered species?…
Farming Experiences a Revival in Puerto Rico
June 9, 2017Up until the 1940’s, agriculture was a dominant industry on the island with crops such as cocoa, sugarcane, coffee, plantains, bananas, and even rice. Unfortunately, farming has dwindled to almost nothing over the last few decades. Puerto Rico now imports 80% of its food from other countries. Over the last few years, this trend is…
Puerto Ricans Experience Economic Growth
The Puerto Rican government may be struggling financially, but that is not necessarily true of the Puerto Rican people. The tourism industry is experiencing economic growth as more and more cruise ships pour into Old San Juan every day. The influx of tourists is having a positive impact on restaurants, shops, taxi drivers, tour operators, and artisans.
San Juan Ranked #20 in NTA’s top 21 Student Destinations!
May 10, 2017NTA recently wrote an article highlighting the top 21 student travel destinations and San Juan ranked #20! The organization spotlighted Vamonos Tours and quoted our president, Jorge Pardo. Click the link below to find out why San Juan is one of the top 21 destinations for youth travel.
New PBS Video On Saving Puerto Rico’s Endangered Species
April 27, 2017PBS has a new video that takes a look at the efforts to preserve Puerto Rico’s endangered species. It focuses on the Puerto Rican Amazon parrots, manatees, and leatherback turtles. Vámonos Tours has brought groups to the Manatí Conservation Center in Bayamón to for service learning. We have worked directly with the head vet in…
José Feliciano, José González, and… Nery Toro
April 21, 2017What do all three men have in common? Give up? All three play the acoustic guitar and sing! We may not have Mr. Feliciano or Mr. González, but we do have our own Nery Toro! Nery is one of our assistant tour directors. If you have been on one of our tours you may have seen…
Old San Juan #1 on the Top 12 Most Beautiful Historic Neighborhoods in America
April 13, 2017The Thrillist recently did a blog on the top 12 most beautiful historic neighborhoods in America. Old San Juan, the second oldest city in the Americas, came out number one on the list! Click on the link below to read the article and scroll all the way down to the bottom to read about Old…
Ponce’s Las Casas de Los Bomberos
The Condensed Story of Ponce’s Las Casas de Los Bomberos On the 25th of January 1899 a fire broke out in a munitions depot located at the present day location of Ponce High School. Firefighters were told not to fight the dangerous fire. Seven firefighters and one civilian disobeyed this order and put the fire…
The Happiest Man In The World Lives In Puerto Rico
February 15, 2017The blog for the Marriott Hotel chain recently spotlighted one of their employees as the happiest man in the world and he happens to live and work in Puerto Rico! Felix Perez works as a door man at the La Concha Renaissance Hotel. He exemplifies what amazing customer service should be. He is so well…
San Sebastián Festival
January 18, 2017The San Sebastián Festival might be one of the most celebrated and crowded festivals on the entire island. It takes place all over the old city (not just at Calle San Sebastián) on the second or third week of January every year. Approximately 500,000 people are present in this cultural event. It lasts four days…