Our rain forest site is in Maricao, a region located 40 miles from the capital of San Juan in the southwestern mountains of Puerto Rico. Maricao is known for its lush and exotic flora and fauna. The small town of Maricao, set amidst the Monte del Estado Forest, is bordered by exquisite tropical landscapes of gardens and ponds and is home to the famous Maricao Fish Hatchery. Maricao's stone observation tower provides distant views to the Caribbean Sea and the Mona Passage. The region's rain forest, waterfalls, state parks, bird and fish populations, beaches, and towns will provide an abundance of subject matter to inspire painting, drawing, photography and video.

Discover and express yourself while developing your painting skills in this culturally different, relaxed and exciting environment. The workshops and optional fieldtrips will provide with a unique opportunity for observation, art making and learning about the art and culture of Puerto Rico. Marcos Carvajal, our Program Leader, has been a visiting artist and instructor at the School of Art Altos de Jajome located in mountains of Puerto Rico and a faculty member at the University of Puerto Rico. In addition, he is our Program Leader for the Art Making Program in Cuba and was for the Painting in the Rain Forest of Puerto Rico Program with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston in 2001.

Optional filed trips to the Camuy River Caves Park, the colonial City of Ponce and Guanica Beach - will be combined with workshops and studio time for art making.

The arrival and departure nights in the program will be spent in San Juan. Our accomodations for these nights will be at Hosteria del Mar. Hosteria del Mar is among the famous of small inns in the Caribbean and it is on the beach at Ocean Park. It is ten minutes from the airport and minutes from Old San Juan, the new Fine Arts Muesum of Puerto Rico and Plaza Las Americas (the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean). This tropical ocean front beach house setting puts you one step from the beautiful white sandy beach. Get to Hosteria early on arrival day so you can enjoy an afternoon at the beach!

Our rain forest studio and accommodations will be at Hacienda Juanita, a restored 19th century coffee plantation located high in the cool, tropical mountains of Maricao rain forest (1700 ft. above sea level; average temperature of 72). Juanita offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, dining-in varandas overlooking the forest, a local arts and crafts store, tennis court, swimming pool and nature trails with a variety of tropical flora and fauna and spectacular bird-watching opportunities.

All levels and abilities are welcomed in photography, video, drawing and painting. CubArtEdu We will tailor dates to accommodate specific groups like art associations and schools.