Location and Travel

The workshop will take place at the Arecibo Observatory about 10 km south from downtown Arecibo . Arecibo is located about 100 km west from San Juan . The drive from the Airport to the Observatory is about 1.5 hrs during traffic-free conditions. We can provide transportation to and from the San Juan Airport and they must be arrange in advance by contacting Carmen Torres (ctorresa@naic.edu) or Eva Robles (erobles@naic.edu) through e-mail.

The other alternatives are to rent a car or to take a Taxi. The latter should be about $80-$110 per taxi each way. There are likely to be telescope users on site as well, which may reduce the number of available rooms somewhat. If you intend to stay at the observatory make sure you make your arrangements in advance! (see Accommodations for details)

All major car rental companies operate out of San Juan . Driving directions and a local map are provided at http://www2.naic.edu/~nolan/astdyn/mapmenu.html. Hertz also has an office in Arecibo , about 1/2 hour drive from the observatory.

Food

The Cafeteria at the Observatory is open Mon-Fri 7:30am - 7:00pm and serves inexpensive three meals every day, according to the following schedule:

 Breakfast LunchDinner

  7:30 - 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.  

 Sat.,Sun., Holidays

( 9:00am - 5:00pm ): breakfast lunch anytime after 9:00am . dinner 3:00 - 4:00
(closes at 4:30pm )

Accommodation

The objective is to hold the entire workshop at the Arecibo Observatory as to reduce coast and make it inexpensive for the attendees. O n-site visiting scientist quarters (VSQ) are available by advance registration and are handled on a first come, first served basis. VSQ reservation and handled by Carmen Torres (ctorresa@naic.edu) or Eva Robles (erobles@naic.edu). Money transactions for the VSQ Room and other expenses are handled by Carmen Torres and all the major Credit Cards are accepted. Charges in US $ ( per person ) are:

  Daily Weekly

SingleOccupancy  $ 42.00 $ 252.00

Double Occupancy  $ 30.00 $ 180.00

Family Units $ 84.00 $ 506.00

** All rates are per / person

** Rates are 30% lower than the average single room cost at a local hotel

It is essential that you reserve the room as early as possible. Also, in order to have everyone staying at the Observatory, participants who are willing to share rooms and have a particular roommate you may wish to share the room with, please make sure to tell Carmen Torres or Eva Robles.

There are also number of hotels near by the Observatory (~40 minutes drive). Note that the Observatory will not provide transportation to and from the hotels during the workshop so you will need to rent a car if you decide to stay at one of these hotels. One more reason to make room reservations at the Observatory as early as possible!!

We recommend the following hotels:

1) Hotel Rosa del Mar
Calle Comercio 1777
Carr. 2, Km. 86.6
P.O. BOX 227 , Hatillo, PR 00659
For reservations call 787-262-1515 o go to www.hotelrosadelmar.com

Make sure to mention that you are coming to the Observatory. The price of the room is $99.00 + 9% tax = $107.91, and includes a continental breakfast.

2) Parador El Buen Café
381 Carr # 2
Hatillo, Puerto Rico 00659
Tel: (787) 898-1000
FAX: (787) 898-7738
www.elbuencafe.com

Prices range from $86.67 to 144.45. per night

3) Punta Maracayo Resort
Carr # 2
For reservations call (787) 544-2000 ó (877) 887-0100

Price: $99.00 + 5% tax = $103.95 Per night