- The Puerto Rico of My Heart -
"We went hiking in the rainforest, El Yunque, a most beautiful and sacred place...
A feeling came over me like none before. I felt as if I was being called home. My ancestors were talking to me..."
- Matthew Naylor
What We Do
04
CONSULTING
el yunque national forest
The El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the national forest system. Although the El Yunque National Forest (EYNF) is one of the smallest forests in the National Forest System, (28,000 acres or roughly 11,300 hectares), it is one of the most biologically diverse areas that the agency manages. The EYNF contains over 240 species of native trees, of which 88 are rare and 23 are only found in the forest. Along with the trees, the EYNF includes 50 species of native orchids and over 150 species of ferns. This relatively small land area also supports 127 species of terrestrial vertebrate (land animals with backbones) and 10 species of aquatic invertebrates (water animals without backbones).
Coqui frogs are plentiful and considered a national treasure on the forest. There are currently 13 species of coquis. These tree frogs are endemic (only found) in Puerto Rico.
hamilton's legacy in puerto rico
Hamilton’s Legacy in Puerto Rico
"The show’s effect is being strongly felt long after closing night. Hamilton, the award-winning musical phenomenon created by award-winning actor, composer, and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, played a historic engagement in Puerto Rico in January 2019, starring Miranda as Alexander Hamilton. While the curtains have closed on the historic production, the contribution of the show is still being felt across the island and will be for many years to come.
The production of Hamilton in Puerto Rico (Jan 11-27, 2019) raised funds for the restoration of arts and cultural programs in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and María. The funds — a combination of box office revenue, humanitarian grants, sponsorships, and other donations — will be distributed by the Flamboyán Arts Fund created by Lin-Manuel and the Miranda Family in partnership with the Flamboyán Foundation.
In total, almost $15 million were raised and are being distributed to local arts groups, cultural organizations and independent artists with long-term initiatives geared toward self-sustainability. Grantees so far include Andanza Dance Company, CREARTE Arts-In-Education Organization, Beta Local, Ballet de San Juan, Música Pa’ Culebra, Taller Cinemático, Taller Folklórico Central, Y No Había Luz Theater Company, Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo. A proposal submission call was launched in the Spring 2019 and additional grantees will be announced in upcoming months.
Even though the curtain has closed on the production at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center, the show left a longstanding impact on the island that goes beyond the proceeds of the play, empowering and benefiting dozens of local artists and institutions for the future, while also spotlighting the island as a world-class tourism destination and sharing the story of the island’s recovery post the hurricanes."
© 2019 Discover Puerto Rico. All rights reserved
historic meets modern
eat. drink. dance. relax
art & music are everywhere!
The island of Puerto Rico is known for many beautiful things, from beaches and people, to the tropical rainforest and more recently, its art. From the time of Taino Indian cave drawings, art has been ingrained into the island of Puerto Rico. The vast collection at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico offers a wonderful overview of the evolution of island art, while the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico holds a peerless collection of modern Caribbean works.
But art is everywhere in Puerto Rico — whether conventional galleries or on the street. Vibrant murals adorn buildings, sculptures grace parks, and colorful mosaics greet the ever present street musicians. Beauty everywhere.
