Puerto Rico’s endless array of beautiful beaches offer up a tried to true way to spend a great day. But the island has so much more on tap than simple fun in the sun. A case in point is Parque de las Ciencias, or the Science Park, an educational, recreational and interactive space offering a wide variety of exhibits and activities for all ages.
Located in the city of Bayamon, Parque de las Ciencias sits within easy reach of the metropolitan tourism hotspots including Old San Juan, Condado, Ocean Park and Isla Verde as well as the resort hubs of Dorado to the west and the Rio Grande, Fajardo and Luquillo area to the east. After sitting idle for some time in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017, the long beloved park is back and better than ever after undergoing a sweeping and thoughtful overhaul marked by the addition of many new attractions. If you haven’t visited the revamped park, it is a great time to do so.
Parque de Ciencias is packed with features across its mix of outdoor areas and themed pavilions that put an illuminating spin on topics including astronomy, technology, biology and the history of Puerto Rico. Heady stuff for sure. But always delivered in creative and engaging ways that put a premium on interactive fun.
The can’t miss, must-see and need to do elements of the park include a planetarium, rocket park, animal sanctuary, the Caribbean’s only 3D movie screen and a series of state-of-the-art exhibits that spur knowledge in a fun way. Parque de las Ciencias is at its core a plug and play space that feeds the mind and the body. Oh, and the belly, too. The themed El Yunque Restaurant and Hacienda Angelina, along with various kiosks around the property, serve up food and drink for all tastes.
Parque de Ciencias more than makes good on its mission to provide for all members of the family within an educational and stimulating environment
The reborn Parque de las Ciencias is a stellar example of coming back stronger and with a fresh vision. But the facility is not resting on its revamp. Multiple temporary exhibitions are featured throughout the year providing new attractions for repeat visitors.
Parque de Ciencias is publicly owned but is operated by Toro Verde, the company behind two wildly popular adventure parks on the island. Their flagship Toro Verde Puerto Rico Park crisscrosses the highest reaches of the mountain town of Orocovis and boasts La Bestia, or The Beast, the longest and fastest zipline in the Caribbean. Toro Verde Urban Park provides a truly unique experience winding up and down and in and out of the heart of the San Juan Convention Center District. Toro Verde has proven it can deliver pure adrenaline. While the cerebral side gets more attention at Parque de Ciencias there is no shortage of good times to be had there as well.
Parque de Ciencias more than makes good on its mission to provide for all members of the family within an educational and stimulating environment that encourages learning about the arts and sciences through alternative teaching methods and raise awareness of the importance of environmental conservation.
Entrance passes to Parque de las Ciencias can be purchased online https://parquedelascienciaspr.com/ or at the onsite box office. The park is located within a 15-minute drive from the metropolitan tourism hubs and can be reached by the Urban Train mass transit rail line with a short shuttle from the Bayamon station to the facility. The park includes rentable spaces for corporate team-building and family and friends activities ranging from birthdays to baby showers.
Try to make time for a stroll through the Bayamon Museum of Art, a separate facility located on the grounds of the Parque de Ciencias that is focused on Puerto Rican artists across seven galleries for the permanent collection, a temporary exhibition gallery and a sculpture garden. The museum hosts culture activities and educational programs including workshops for artists at heart of all ages.
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