Since Cristobal Colon landed in 1493 and until today, the archipelago of Puerto Rico has been consolidated as a tourist site with a wide cultural diversity, gastronomy and night celebrations. Made up of the main island and a significant number of keys and smaller islands (such as Mona, Vieques, and Culebra), the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the closest coast to the continental United States and one of the most attractive sites in the north Caribbean.
When the Spanish navigator took possession of the island, he baptized it with the name of San Juan Bautista and, according to some historians, he was completely amazed by the place. In 1505 Juan Ponce de León, its first ruler, received permission to explore it until he finally colonized it in 1508, reversing the names of San Juan and Puerto Rico, to be given to the capital and the State, respectively.
Full of breathtaking natural landscapes and history, this island has a great diversity of ecosystems with rain and dry forests, mountainous areas, coastal marine ecosystems and beautiful lakes.
Important clarification before planning the trip: the particular history of Puerto Rico has direct consequences for those who want to visit the country, as since 1898 the territory of Puerto Rico is American. To get to the Caribbean island, the same visa and the same immigration law procedures as those required to set foot on North American soil apply.
We are going to focus on the capital, San Juan, but it applies to the entire country, since it is small in size.
1. Friendly climate
The temperature fluctuates all year round between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, which means that it is always a good time to visit the island. The best time to visit San Juan and Puerto Rico is from mid-April to June, just before the summer, which is quite rainy.
In spring it is also very pleasant, barely exceeding 26 degrees every day. The island has its best climate in winter, which is why this is the most expensive time to visit. December to April are the quietest months with the lowest prices.
2. Natural landscapes for all tastes in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a tourist paradise in terms of landscapes. While most of Puerto Rico is inhabited by locals and occasionally overrun by tourists, it does have a “wild west coast” that is supposedly home to some of the best surfing and diving spots in the Caribbean. Shacks Beach is excellent for snorkeling, Ballenas Bay for seeing sea turtles and Punta Las Marías in San Juan is excellent for surfing.
Also, the best bioluminescent bays in the world are in Puerto Rico. When the sun sets over Puerto Rico, the island’s bioluminescent bays come alive with twinkling lights, emitting a mysterious blue-green glow below the water’s surface.
Very close to San Juan, you can find some of the best bays to know this type of natural phenomenon: Mosquito Bay and Laguna Grande Fajardo.
Sleepy Vieques is a very popular weekend getaway in San Juan. Mass tourism has not get to reach this island off the east coast of Puerto Rico yet, where wild horses run freely and there are no traffic lights. During the day, visitors flock to nearly deserted beaches or jump straight into the water for snorkeling, swimming, jumping, kayaking, and fishing trips. On low moon nights, you can kayak through the Bioluminescent Bay.
By the way, Playa Flamenco is located an hour from San Juan, and is considered one of the best beaches in the world.
3. Gastronomy
Puerto Rican cuisine is the most vivid manifestation of the island’s culture, combining influences from the Taínos (pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas), indigenous, African, Spanish, and Hispanic. Down the street in San Juan you can get a good meal for a few dollars and there is something for all tastes.
On the other hand, in San Juan you can also taste some of the best coffee in the world in dozens of bars throughout the city.
4. San Juan of Puerto Rico
Most of Puerto Rico´s history can be found in Old San Juan, the historic district of San Juan, a World Heritage Site according to Unesco. From the Morro of San Felipe (a construction of the early 15th century that, according to urban legend, is one of the angles of the Bermuda Triangle) to the entrance gate of the city that has the phrase “Blessed the that comes in the name of the Lord “and that leads directly to the church of the city, history is present all the time.
The streets of Old San Juan are absolutely picturesque as they are paved with bricks brought from the north of England, because they contain a special mineral that made them more absorbent in times of heavy rain and gives them a characteristic bluish tone. Vestiges of the colonial era can be found in this area, along with a succession of facades of striking colors.
5. Nightlife And People
Puerto Ricans love to party: merengue and salsa occupy a very important place in local life. With Spanish, African and Caribbean influences, among others, the dances are also a great attraction for tourists and enliven the night of San Juan.
In this nightlife, rum is the protagonist. As the island’s main export, it is the staple ingredient in many of the best cocktails in Puerto Rico. Get to taste some latin spirit!
