PUERTO RICO

Presentation October 26th, 2009

AVENTURAS EN

ORGANIZED BY

Señora Walker

NEELSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL TRIP TO PUERTO RICO

Why Puerto Rico?1. NO Passport, NO Customs Required Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth, so your trip is considered domestic travel. As of January 2008, all American citizens need to have valid passports when traveling to the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. U.S. territories are the only exception to this rule.2. Safe "Foreign" Travel - Puerto Rico is the United States, a foreign culture without being a foreign country. Medical care, food and water regulations, currency, and telephone, banking, and postal services are all the same as in the U.S.3. Medical Care - Puerto Rico’s major medical centers are the finest in the Caribbean. All doctors and hospitals follow U.S. medical standards. Medical care is easily accessible in every town and city we visit. No immunizations are required for visiting Puerto Rico.4. Unique Culture - Puerto Rico is a fusion of Taíno, African, Spanish, and American culture, all within a 100-by-35 mile island. 6. Cell Phone Use –like any U.S. state in terms of cell phone coverage7. Air Transportation - Puerto Rico is a direct and short flight from most major U.S. cities.

Why Prometour?• You will not be combined with another school or group.• Itinerary adapted to your requirements.• Fully inclusive price incl. medical/cancellation insurance.• Guaranteed travel dates.• 2-3* hotels, emphasis on location/access to activities.• Bilingual experienced Prométour director 24h.• Local guides for specific sightseeing.• Evening meals in restaurants with a choice of menus.• Excellent references.• Toll free number 1-800-304-9446.• NO membership fees.• NO registration fees.• NO exchange rate adjustment fees.• NO surprises.

Who We Are NOT!• We are NOT a company that…• …visits only the guidebook sites on the island. We're flexible

enough to bring our students to spectacular beaches, waterfalls, islands, restaurants, and more, places only the locals know about.

• … brings students to American chain restaurants. We only eat at small and locally owned restaurants. No Hard Rock Café on our tours!

• …puts students up in large, American-owned resorts and hotels. We stay at Puerto Rican-owned “Paradores” and local hotels where the staff is not nearly as likely to greet us in English!

• …brings students to Puerto Rico without educating them first. We give our students a bit of history, geography and real "Puerto-Rico-isms" prior to the tour. We are savvy travelers who respect the land and its inhabitants.

DID YOU KNOW THAT…..

Puerto Ricans are a blend of Taino Indian, African and Spanish cultures

Puerto Rico is a free associated territory of the United States and since 1917, all Puerto Ricans are born as American citizens.

Baseball is the national sport in Puerto Rico.

The unofficial mascot of the island is a tiny tree frog called 'Coqui'

Puerto Rico's most popular pastimes is cockfighting (rooster fighting).

General Information onPuerto Rico

• Languages: Both Spanish and English are the official languages, • Currency: the local currency is the U.S. dollar,• Custom: no visas or passports are required to enter Puerto Rico from

the United States.• Geography: Puerto Rico is 100 long by 35 miles wide. Puerto Rico is

essentially a crossroads of Hispanic and Anglo cultures. Despite it's very diverse influx of cultures, Puerto Rico has been a part of the United States since 1898 and Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917.

• Demography: Close to 4 million people with more than a million in the greater San Juan metropolitan area alone.

• Climate: average of 83°F (22.7°C) in the winter and 85°F (29.4°C) in the summer.

• Money: Major credit cards are accepted at most businesses, and ATMs connected to major US and international networks are easy to find.

Old San Juan

San Cristobal fortCastillo San Cristóbal covers 27 acres and is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. See where the first shots of the Spanish-American War were fired and don't miss the "Garita del Diablo", a sentry box that, according to one legend, devoured soldiers sent there on guard. A labyrinth of tunnels crisscrosses deep under ground where the dungeons are located, and the outside walls fall 150 feet straight onto the rocks of the north shore.

Piraguas and Churros

La Parguera Eco Tour

El Yunque

PONCE – Parque de Bombas

HOTELS

We stay at only the most professional Puerto Rican owned hotels (usually 3 star hotels) while on tour. We prefer Puerto Rican owned to support local business and to maintain our true cultural immersion commitment. Some of our hotels are:

FAJARDO INN: http://www.fajardoinn.com/VILLA PARGUERA: http://villaparguera.net/HACIENDA JIBARITO: http://www.haciendaeljibarito.com/Galeria.htmlPONCE HOTEL: http://www.hotelmeliapr.com/HAMPTON INN: http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/photo_gallery.jhtml?ctyhocn=SJUHHHX

MEALS - given our cultural immersion emphasis, we eat where P.Ricans eat: - No Junk food- Typical Puerto Rican food is usually greasy, meat-heavy, and not really always healthy

BUSES - we hire the best coach company in PR; buses are anywhere from 25-55 passengers; 90% of them with bathroom, CD, and some have DVD; same driver 24/7; never ever any school buses http://www.chartercoachpr.com/

GUIDES: our main guide is 24/7 with our groups

PRICES PER PERSON (IN $USD )40 to 44 participants - $1,52035 to 39 participants - $1,55030 to 34 participants - $1,63325 to 29 participants - $1,708

PRICES INCLUDE:• Roundtrip airfare* (Washington/San Juan/Washington) and associated transportation costs while in Puerto Rico

(*Airfare is based on seasonal rates, this grid is subject to change)

• Emergency Medical and Cancellation Insurance** covering the group dates of travel

(**Insurance package is validated upon group payment in full)

• Emergency vehicle that accompanies the group throughout the visit

• 5 nights multiple occupancy (3/4 per room with private bath) in centrally located hotels

• 5 Breakfasts / 1 Lunch / 4 Dinners (includes beverage + choice of menu at dinner with a vegetarian option)

• 1 bottle of water per day for hydration purposes

• All cultural and aforementioned visits, activities, tours and admissions

• Service of a dynamic professional bilingual Prométour Tour Director with the group 24 hours a day

• Tips for your Prométour Tour Director (valued at $2.50 USD per day / per person)

• Tips for your bus driver (s) (valued at $1.50 USD per day / per person)

PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE:• Applicable airline baggage charges according to their policies

• 1 meal per day

• Tips for hotel porter service, restaurant staff & local guides at activities is at your discretion

• Personal spending money

If mamá or papá wish to join the tripTwin Room Guarantee Supplement $150 per person

Single Room Guarantee Supplement $425 per person

Adult Activity Fee Supplement $50 per person

Buen Viaje