Oof!
Nope, that wasn't an exclamation of surprise on my part. It's the name of the group that owns some of my favorite restaurants in San Juan:

• Aguaviva
• Dragonfly
• The Parrot Club
• Koco
• Toro Salao

Oof! has contributed plenty to the city's fine dining scene, but they're doing a bit more this summer. The company is offering the following promotions, or "festivals," at select restaurants throughout July:

• Aguaviva is celebrating a festival of oysters, with a variety of oysters priced at $1.50 each and a combination of 6 oysters and a Stella Artois for $14.50, with another Stella thrown in for free.
• The Parrot Club chimes in with a mojito festival, with a buy 2, get 1 free promotion for any of their mojito varieies.
• Toro Salao keeps things going with a sangria festival, giving you a half jung of their signature sangrias free when you order a full jug.

Add to that the Oof! VIP Dining Club, which costs $15 but includes $20 off your next meal, and a points rewards system for dining at any of their restaurants, and you can see that Oof! gives you ample reasons to visit their eateries. So where would I be? Easy: I'd be attacking the oysters.

Ah, the western coast of Puerto Rico. A land of idyllic beaches, rolling waves, beachfront communities and small hotels. This is the preferred destination for budget travelers who want nothing more than to find a corner of the island where they can mingle with the locals, drape themselves on the beach, and eat good, cheap food. For people who crave this kind of vacation experience, I give you Wildflowers, a small Guest House located in the tiny town of Boquerón. Located close to a Blue Flag beach that draws plenty of locals on weekends, the intimate inn might be basic in its decor, but it offers comfort, hospitality, and a decent bang for your buck.

The National Park Service is doing their part to make things a bit more affordable in these tough times, by giving you three summer weekends where entrance fees will be waived at its National Parks and Sites. This includes the Castillo de San Cristóbal and Castillo San Felipe del Morro, which will be free to visit on the following dates:

• July 18-19
• August 15-16 2009
• September 26
• November 11

A free pass issued on Saturday will be honored on Sunday as well. While you're visiting one of the sites, you can take advantage of guided tours at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at San Cristóbal, as well as informational talks every hour on the hour in the main plaza of el Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal. In addition, be sure to check out the following special events at San Cristóbal:

• The free Lelolai Festival will takes place in the main plaza of Castillo San Cristóbal on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
• Sunset orientation talks will be held just outside San Cristóbal on Mondays at 6:15 p.m.

You mght have noticed that, in my July calendar, there was no mention of July 4 festivities, and if you're traveling to the island this weekend, you might be looking for the same type of party you'd find stateside. But that's not the case in Puerto Rico. While there will be some celebrating going on, it's restricted to a speech or two, some music, food, and a parade (Puerto Ricans love parades). The fireworks display isn't typically a part of the show.

Why is that? Many locals would say because they're not part of the U.S., and they're right ... sort of. The relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico is an unusual one, unique in the history of both places. So if you are on the island this week, don't expect a proliferation of American flags and other signs of a patriotic holiday. Instead, expect a weekend of beaches packed with locals and tourists, the extra partying that comes with a long weekend, and the warm, inviting atmosphere that you usually find all over the island. Enjoy!