You could drive down to Ponce on the south coast.

Very nice old town, coffee plantation, gardens, boardwalk. I did a post on my blog visit-the-coqui.com/2007/…

Other options head out west at somewhere like Isabela.

Also, you do not state when you will be here - the caves might have re-opened by the time you are here.

Well, unless you are really into space and natural sciences, I can't say going only to Aricebo just to see the Radio Telescope is a "Must Do". But if you still want to go to the Observatory and will be in Aricebo....

Just this weekend, I went to see the Cuevo del Indio to see the petroglyphs. The setting is fantastic- the waves crashing over the rocks at the shore line. The petroglyphs are really neat to see. Wear sneakers to walk CAREFULLY on the sharp stone to the cave.

It is a short drive off of RT 22.

It depends on what you like to see. Nature- go to the Fajardo Nature Reserve, do the Bio Bay, visit a Botanical garden- in SJ or Caguas, or even drive some of the Ruta Panoramica.

For a great "local" experience- with food and music and dancing, on a weekend, go to Guavate.

Go down to Ponce area- can do a tour of the old city or the coffee plantation, or see Serrelles castle or Tibes Indian Center.

Check my travel blog for other day trip ideas-

www.puertoricodaytrips.com

Thanks for the quick response and great ideas. We will be in Puerto Rico on Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24. We typically take land vacations in the Caribbean and this time we are trying a cruise out of San Juan. So, we thought that we would explore Puerto Rico to see if we might want to return for a land vacation sometime. I enjoy seeing caves no matter how small/large and my husband is interested in space/astronomy. So, I thought a trip to Arecibo and Rio Camuy would be good for us. With the caves possibly still closed, I appreciate the great ideas and Web links. I'll check all of this out this week. If anyone has any other suggestions, please post them. Thanks.

If you like surfing - there is a big tournament happening at Dome Beach Rincon that weekend

Since you are into caves, then the Camuy/Aricebo area is right for you. You would really like the petroglyphs and Telescope in Aricebo.

If Camuy Caves are still closed when you come,and you don't mind being alone in the forest and can walk, go to the Guajataca Forest in Isabela (another 20-30 min west of Aricebo).

There you can walk about 2 miles in to see the Cueva del Viento. It is a small but neat cave. Bring a flash light!

I have a map and can help with details if you are interested (contact me via the message feature above).