Puerto Rico is a fabulous travel destination that is sometimes overlooked in favor of better-known locales. However, there are plenty of reasons to choose Puerto Rico, one of which is that for American citizens, no passport is required! It has all the feel of an international locale, with none of the hassles entering the country. Here we have your Puerto Rico travel guide so you know all the best places to visit in gorgeous Puerto Rico.
The Castillo de San Felipe del Morro – also known as the El Morro – is the best-known gem of Old San Juan. For 400 years, it has been the most recognizable landmark. Its primary function was to protect the valuable shipping route taking sailors from the Old World to the New. A stroll through the citadel gives visitors a fascinating look at Puerto Rico’s storied military history. From the cannons atop the El Morro, still pointing out to sea, or the amazing sentry boxes, you can experience what it felt like to be a colonial era soldier.
Next on your list is the Vieques Biobay – perfect for a moonless night. Begin by paddling your kayak through the mangrove trees into Mosquito Bay. What begins as a routine little trip on the water ends as you emerge into one of the most stunning bioluminescent bays in the world.
El Yunque, also known as “The Anvil,” is worth a visit, as it is the only tropical rainforest to be found in the U.S. National Forest System. Lush and gorgeous mountainous terrain just two hours from San Juan will captivate you when you visit. You’ll find beginner and advanced hikes at El Yunque, and you can end your hike with a dive under a waterfall.
The next stop on your journey is Culebrita, unspoiled and isolated in all its beauty. There is but one manmade structure on Culebrita – a lighthouse – so it is the perfect place to relax. You can explore Playa Tortuga, and see nesting turtles, or you can snorkel along West Beach.
Finally, the Camuy Caves should be on your “to do” list. Since it is the third largest cave system in the world today, you’ll find plenty to see and do there. You can mud-slide, body raft, free jump, and otherwise tour through 600 feet deep caves. There is absolutely nothing like it in the world, and will make for a wonderful and memorable experience.
Puerto Rico embraces all visitors with its 300 mile long beaches in the Caribbean, tropical rain forest, more million year old vaces and a dry forest full of cacti. As one of the oldest and most diversified cultures in the world, Puerto Rico is a vibrant, modern, bilingual, multicultural society influenced by Spanish, African, Indian and U.S. influences.
The second thing that makes Puerto Rico different from other Caribbean Islands is that it remains undeveloped, except for the coastal region around its capital city, San Juan.
There are at least 11 attractions that no one should miss when visiting Puerto Rico.
Here is the list of these Puerto Rico attractions:
1. The Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, is Old San Juan’s most recognizable landmark. It has protected San Juan and the shipping route from the New World to the Old for over 400 years,
2. The Vieques Biobay: Go to this bay on a moonless night when there is little light and kayak through mangrove tres out into Mosquito Bay on Vieques Island, you might wonder what all the fuss is about then you’ll notice that your oars are glowing green in the water. Fish streak away from you like underwater lightning…
3. Camuy River Cave Park system is the third largest one on Earth. Taking a tour through the caves takes you to subterranean ravines to the edge of caves over 600 feet deep and to an underground river. You can take an eco-excursion out there including rappeling down the mouth of one of the caves, mud-sliding, body rafting, and free jumping through this subterranean world
4. Arecibo Radio Telescope and Observatory is a radio telescope which can be found close to the city of Arecibo in Puerto Rico. The Arecibo telescope is distinguished by its enormous size: the main collecting dish is 305 m in diameter. The Angel Ramos Foundation Visitor Center opened in 1997 features interactive exhibitions and displays the operations of the radio telescope, astronomy, and atmospheric science.
5. El Yunque is home to the tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. It take only two hours to get to San Juan by car. Its terrain consists of mountains. People come here to walk among the rainforest’s flora, to hike along one of several trails ranging from easy walks to difficult climb, and to dive under a waterfall
6. Casa Bacardi Rum Distillery: Tourists to the home of The BACARDI rum can take part in an interactive tour through history, observe the production process and experience the party spirit of BACARDI brand.
7. Hacienda Buena Vista is a farm where you can experience a journey into the past. The plantation is still at working recapturing rural life in 19th century Puerto Rico.The huge machines are once again in work. Farm animals roam the grounds and the completely furnished rooms appear prepared for their inhabitants to return. The scent of freshly roasted, freshly brewed coffee fills the air.
8. On Gilligan’s Island you can be ruler for a day and rule over white sand beaches, mazes of mangroves, and crystalline waters. Sometimes it is nice to get away from civilization and enjoy a little bit of island paradise.The activities on the island usually take place in one of a lot of mangrove cays that can be found on the island. Here the water is clear and the sand is white. There is also a cool current which runs through the mangrove canals, so you can cool off quite easily by just taking a swim
9. Luquillo Beach is one of Puerto Rico’s most well-known attractions. The sights from the beach is extraordinary. It features a long gold crescent of sand lined by innumerable coconut palms with the mountains of the rainforest in the distance. Luquillo Beach’s offshore reefs keep the waters calm and tranquil so that families can enjoy the water knowing that the lifeguards are on duty and that rough waters are far away
10. Toro negro Forest is virtually uninhabited tropical jungle with highmountains that you can look down on the clouds. From these heights you can see clouds drift between the peaks and you’re surrounded by wild bamboo, banana trees, hibiscus, enormous ferns, impatiens, elephant ears, flamboyan trees, and seemingly millions of sierra palms, distinguished by their long straight trunks and pale green foliage towering 30–50 feet high
11. Culebra Island, is a tiny island just off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast. Culebrita is an isolated place with unspoiled beauty and beaches
Before you become a visitor in Puerto Rico make sure you have a proper Puerto Rico vacation rentals. There are a number of villas in Puerto Rico that offer a unique taste of Puerto Rico.
It may surprise you to learn that Puerto Rico is a gay travel destination that is quite happy to welcome all to their island.
Puerto Rico is one of the most enchanting Caribbean islands that one can visit. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States. This means that US citizens can travel to this island without the extra hassle of obtaining visa and immigration documents. It is one of the few areas in the world to legalize gay partnerships. Due to the tolerant outlook of the government, this island is known to be a safe haven for gay couples who want to spend quality time together.
This fascinating island has a rich and varied history, and has a wondrously blended culture. The two main ethnic groups on this island are descendents of the Arawak Indians and of the colonist Spaniards. The people of this island are friendly and tolerant to all visitors and extend a cordial hand to all travelers. Tourism is a very important part of the economy for these people, and tourists have many facilities provided.
The best way to experience Puerto Rico as a gay travel enthusiast is to stay in one of the numerous lodgings along the beach and to soak in the activity and culture of the place. The gentle pace of the beaches belies the passionate zeal of the people of this island.
San Juan one of the oldest and most important cities on the island has a host of hotels and accommodations for the inveterate tourist. There is a wide range offered from the basic facilities at cheap prices to expensive luxury hotels. This city is best experienced with waves lapping at ones feet on the beach, or by walking past old churches along narrow, winding cobblestoned pathways.
The beachside hotels are simple places with basic facilities and come at a reasonable price. But for a more comfortable stay there are a range of luxury and boutique hotels that have opened up here. Some of them are the Hotel El Convento, a fully restored convent dating back form the 1700’s, the Water Club, a luxury hotel right on the beach, and Tangerine its opulent restaurant and bar.
Another natural wonder of Puerto Rico is the Rio Camuy Cave Park. It is a complex network of subterranean caves with magnificent stalactite formations, called the Cathedral Caves. An underground river runs through these caves and has hewn these distinct caverns over millennia.
It is supposed to be one of the most awe inspiring adventures to go swimming in these glowing waters at night. El Yunque is the tropical rainforest that spreads across most of this island. It is one of the few spots where one can trek through hiking trials that run parallel to streams and waterfalls. To experience a bit of tropical paradise people flock to the Puerto Rican province and soak in the warm sunshine and generous hospitality.