Travel Agent is in San Juan, Puerto Rico in advance of the Caribbean Travel Forum (held Monday, October 3 at the Caribe Hilton) and 40th Caribbean Travel Marketplace (held October 3-5 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center). What we’ve learned about the recent passing of Hurricane Fiona: Most of the tourist destinations and accommodations were spared, and most of the damage (and recovery) took (is taking) place in the southwest of the island.
Although a few traffic lights remain out in San Juan, no other effects from the Category 1 storm are noticeable. That said, upwards of 117,000 people on the island remain without power, according to wwww.poweroutage.us, two weeks after the storm hit the island. In that time, power to 1.3 million customers has been restored. Many of the people still without electricity are on the western side of the island where Fiona passed.
According to NPR, the storm dumped more than 30 inches of rain in some areas, causing flooding and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, especially in the mountains. Many residents of small towns were stranded without access to utilities, food or medical care.
Discover Puerto Rico reports that Luis Muñoz Marín Airport in San Juan, Aeropuerto Internacional Mercedita in Ponce, Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport in Vieques and Rafael Hernández Marín International Airport in Aguadilla are all fully operational. Cruise ports have also reopened with select cruises/ferries operating.
Most hotels, restaurants, golf courses and venues are operating normally, as well. Areas, attractions, and historical parks such as Old San Juan, La Placita de Santurce, Piñones, Casa Bacardí, the Ron del Barrilito Tour, the Puerto Rico Convention Center, Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park, Frutos del Guacabo, El Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Distrito T-Mobile and Toro Verde Adventure Park are open.
Beaches such as Escambrón, Isla Verde, Flamenco, Ocean Park, Combate, La Posa del Obispo, Jobos, Domesand more are open. That said, El Yunque National Forest is currently closed as authorities assess the rainforest.
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