This commonwealth of the United States of America is a
self-governing island nation in the Caribbean located east of
the Dominican Republic and west of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This
prime location (also near Panama Canal shipping lanes) has been
responsible for the fantastic growth seen in Puerto Rico over
the years. When you add a mild, tropical marine climate to the
mix, you can begin to see why it's such a popular destination
for travelers from all over the globe. If you want to see the
Caribbean island that is mostly mountainous, a trip to Puerto
Rico is in order.
Things to See and Do in Puerto Rico
This is just a small sampling of some of the places to see and
things to do in Puerto Rico.
El Yunque National Forest -
Although you can pay $5 for a guided tour, there is no fee to
enter this national park. If you have ever wanted to go on an
"eco tour," this is one of the best places to experience one.
You'll be able to see why our natural resources are so
important and what is being done to protect them.
Caja de Muertos Island -
Located off the southern coast of Puerto Rico, this small
uninhabited island (well, if you don't count all the protected
turtles in the area) is enjoyed by hikers and nature lovers.
Respect the land and turtles if you decide to go here.
San Juan National Historic
Site - Located in some of the oldest sections of San Juan,
this is actually a collection of a few different places. You
can see some of the famous architecture from the 17th century,
which is still quite impressive today. If you're in the city,
you're going to want to spend some time (and money) here.
Trust me.
La Parguera - If diving is
your thing - or you want to see bioluminiscent fish - this
small fishing village should be on your list of places to
visit in Puerto Rico.
Horseback Riding - While
you might not think of horses when you think of islands in the
Caribbean, they actually played a large role in the history of
the region. Today, horseback riding is a great way to see the
countryside of Puerto Rico.
There are plenty of other activities for you in Puerto Rico,
but we're going to leave some of the planning up to you. Another
thing to think about, however, is what else you should expect
when you arrive. Both English and Spanish are spoken throughout
the island. That said, there are more Spanish speaking people
than those who speak English. If you have a chance to brush up
on your Spanish or learn it it before you go, it's a good idea
if you want to minimize problems.
When it comes to food you might think seafood is big in Puerto
Rico, but you would be wrong. The waters around the island
aren't that good for fishing. Because of that, pork and chicken
are the primary meats consumed be people on the island. Still,
Puerto Rico has one of the most diverse menus in all of the
Caribbean. If you enjoy food (who doesn't?) then you are going
to love your culinary options when staying here. It's possible
to have something different every night of your vacation and
still not sample everything Puerto Rico has to offer.
About Puerto Rico