Did you know Puerto Rico is an amazing Caribbean destination with much to offer for your vacation experience and no passports are required? Puerto Rico is a US Commonwealth and with a unique blend of Spanish culture, natural beauty, and contemporary lifestyle Puerto Rico has something for everyone.
While Puerto Rico is a great year ‘round destination, December – April are the best months to visit. The temperatures are in the 70s-80s F during the day and in the 70s at night. You will want to take a sweater for the evenings, especially in the mountain areas or to wear inside in air-conditioned areas. Hurricane season is June-November, when it can be cloudy, more humid and rainy. It seems to rain at least every other day year-round, but most of the rain comes in brief torrents and doesn’t ruin a whole day. Since it is a commonwealth of the U.S., Puerto Rico uses the U.S. dollar; just don’t be surprised when locals often refer to as a peso. All major credit cards are widely accepted, however, some smaller shops may not accept American Express or Discover.
Activities and attractions abound in Puerto Rico! Puerto Rico’s main attractions include deep-sea fishing, gambling, historical attractions, horse racing, culture, nightlife, beaches, rain forests, shopping, golf, tennis, caves, hiking, horseback riding, world-class surfing and watersports (including snorkeling and scuba diving).. You c an visit old forts (San Felippe del Morro and San Cristobel are two not-to-be-missed forts), enjoy the shopping and Spanish colonial architecture of Old San Juan, tour the Bacardi Rum Distillery, or try your luck at one of the islands many casinos.
Bacardi Distillery Old San Juan
While San Juan is definitely the heart of Puerto Rico, there are other great areas to explore as well. Ponce is a historic city on the southern coast of the island features attractions such as the Serralles Castle and the Parque de Bombas (old firehouse). Another great option is to visit the off shore islands of Vieques and Culebra is great for some off-beat adventure. Culebra has a wildlife refuge and coral reefs, and Vieques attracts snorkelers and boasts some of the best beaches.
San Felippe del Morro
A few fun facts about Puerto Rico:
1.Puerto Rico purports to be the largest rum producer in the world.
2. The Caribbean National Forest, dubbed El Yunque in Spanish, is the only tropical forest in the U.S. Forest Service system, and the smallest as well.
3.Puerto Ricans measure distance in kilometers but speed limits in miles per hour.
4. In San Juan, at midnight on St. John the Baptist Day (23 June), people walk backward into the sea (or the nearest body of water) three times. This ritual is performed to wash away the year’s sins and ensure good luck for the following year.
5. The island’s local beer is the award-winning Medalla Light. It’s sold in 7- to 10-ounce sizes to ensure that the beverage can be consumed before it warms.
I hope you have enjoyed this short introduction to the island of Puerto Rico!
Kelley