PVSC PROGRAM
PVSC 50 Companions and Attendees,
We are excited to welcome you to San Juan, Puerto Rico.Your Companion Registration offers you access to our companion breakfast room Monday through Thursday, and to the Monday Welcome Reception.
We’ll meet for breakfast each day at the Puerto Rico Convention Center (same place where the conference is taking place). Breakfast times may vary due each activity's departure time. Unless stated differently, below, we will generally leave the convention center around 9:00 am. Planned activities are mainly for the morning, leaving you the afternoons free to explore more or relax! We hope you'll accompany us on the planned activities in and around the city. Be sure to sign-up for tours as spaces may be limited.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, I can be reached at [email protected].
We look forward to meeting you in San Juan!
Sebastian Husein
Companion Program Chair
Monday, June 12
Companion Breakfast (8:00 - 9:00 AM)
The companion breakfast is included with your Companion Registration. Join us at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, in the Companion room, for a continental breakfast before starting out your day. This is a great place to meet other companions and make new friends.
Companion Activity #1 - Old San Juan Walking Tour
Come explore the colorful streets of Old San Juan, the oldest city under U.S. sovereignty and the second oldest European-established capital in the Americas!
The tour will include the main square of Plaza de Armas, going down the famous Fortaleza Street, and other attractions. There will be time for lunch, exploring the shops, and enjoying the rich history of the district.
Note: The first fifteen (15) people who sign up for this activity will have a guided tour. After that participants will be given a map of the area and suggested places to visit.
More info about Old San Juan can be found here.
Departure Time: 9:00 AM
Depature Location: PR Convention Center
Pace: Easy
Duration: 3 Hours
Cost per person: Free to registered companions
Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and be prepared for all types of weather.
Click here to sign up for the Companion #1 - Old San Juan Walking Tour.
Note: Guided tour is full. Spaces are still available for the self-guided tour.
Monday Welcome Reception (5:00 - 7:00 PM)
This event is included with Companion Registration.
Tuesday, June 13
Companion Breakfast (8:00 - 9:00 AM)
The companion breakfast is included with your companion registration. Join us in the Companion room for a continental breakfast before starting out your day. This is a great place to meet other companions and make plans.
Companion Activity #2 - Jardín Botánico de la UPR San Juan
The Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) is located approximately 6 miles from the PR Convention Center. It is a living laboratory for the study of tropical plants and the many species of birds that inhabit it. The Garden covers some 289 acres of land, with sculptures and native plants of Puerto Rico, many in danger of extinction, and includes a Herbarium that houses more than 36,000 specimens of preserved plants. More information can be found here.
The plan is to gather at the convention center and share taxis to/from the botanical gardens. Once we have arrived at the destination, you can explore the area in a group or on your own.
Departure Time: 9:00 AM
Depature Location: PR Convention Center
Pace: Easy
Duration: 3-4 Hours
Cost per person: Shared transportation and possible garden entry
Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and be prepared for all types of weather.
Click here to sign up for the Companion #2 - Botanical Gardens.
Wednesday, June 14
Companion Breakfast (7:30 - 8:30 AM)
Please Note: the earlier time for Wednesday's breakfast.
The companion breakfast is included with the companion registration. Join us in the Companion room for a continental breakfast before starting out.
Companion Activity #3 - El Yunque Rainforest Hike
Discover the natural wonders of El Yunque Rainforest on this half-day adventure that includes seeing small waterfalls, natural water slides, and panoramic vistas in northeast Puerto Rico. Learn about the history and biology of the area from your knowledgeable guide. Note:Some activities may not be available due to weather conditions.
This tour will be open to the public and is not arranged specifically for PVSC. Individuals will need to sign-up and pay directly on the San Juan Tours website. The tour company will then coordinate tour logistics with you, such as transportation pick-up and drop-up. We are promoting this tour in hopes that you will be exploring this region with other people participating in the PVSC companion program.
You can use this link to see full details and sign-up for the Wednesday, June 14 tour. When you register, please add in the comment section that you are part of the "PVSC Conference".
Departure Time: 8:00 AM
Duration: Approx. 5.5 Hours
Cost per person: $89 USD per person
Note: This tour is for persons 7 years and older
We strongly recommend you sign up for tour by May 14, 2023.
Thursday, June 15
Companion Breakfast (8:00 - 9:00 AM)
The companion breakfast is included with your companion registration. Come join us in the Companion room for a continental breakfast before the companion activities commence. This is a great place to meet other companions.
Companion Activity #4 - Beaches in San Juan
Thursday will be a free day to explore the beaches and relax before the PVSC banquet dinner. Unless stated, most of the beaches listed below are approximately 2.7 km (or a 8-10 minute drive) from the PR Convention Center.
Here are some of the nearby beaches:
- Escambron Beach: This beach has two sides, one perfect for swimming and another side for snorkeling and scuba diving, where you might even see sea turtles. With dozens of palm trees, there’s plenty of shade at this beach.
- Condado Beach: is a conveniently located beach in the Condado district with plenty of options for food and watersport rentals. This is beach is not recommended for swimming or bathing; the water has strong currents.
The nearby Playita de Condado has calmer water, which is better for swimming and snorkeling. This is a great beach for children. - Condado Lagoon: is an estuary, home to manatees. This lagoon is great for kayaking or paddleboarding.
- Puerta de Tierra Beach (Playa Peña) is located in Old San Juan and has some of the most scenic beach views in San Juan.
- Playa Ocean Park Beach: a less-crowded San Juan alternative, though farther away. A fine-sand beach, usually windy, so an excellent beach to watch (or join) windsurfers. This beach is approxinmately 5 km or a 15-20 minute drive from the PR Convention Center.
Click here if you might be interested in visiting one of the beaches listed above.
Companion Activity #5
Salsa Dance Class (focused on beginners, but all levels welcome)
No partner and no prior experience required! Instructors will teach you the essentials about social dancing and etiquette, review some safety tips, teach you basic moves for beginner salsa, and then guide you through a 1-hour dance lesson. Experienced dancers are always welcome too!
This activity will likely be in the afternoon (at 4:30pm) or evening (at 6:30pm). We are reaching out to instructors for availability.
Please indicate your interest on the sign-up form. We ask for your response by June 9. A group class can only be organized if enough people show interest.