Puerto Rico

Culebra Island

Overview

Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, could not have been more different than what I envisioned.  I was fortunate enough to visit Puerto Rico on a recent press trip, and while these islands have never been on my radar before, they are firmly planted there now.  If you’re assuming Puerto Rico is like all the other Caribbean Islands, think again.  Diversity like no other and a blend of Spanish, African, and American culture set Puerto Rico apart.  That combined with actively dissuading any all inclusive resorts anywhere on the island, plus the fact that US citizens don’t need a passport and everything runs on the US dollar, Puerto Rico should shoot up the list as the top Caribbean destination.

Highlights-What to Do

There’s so much to do in Puerto Rico, it would be difficult to get it all in during a one week trip.  There is the beautiful, fortified, laid back city of San Juan, gorgeous beaches all over the island, amazing culinary opportunities, the El Yunque Rainforest, world class golf and scuba diving, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

San Cristobal Fort in Old San Juan

• San Juan- If visiting Puerto Rico, chances are you’ll find yourself in San Juan at some point.  This beautiful city has lots to offer any traveler.  Old San Juan is a fortified city set on an island, with vibrantly colorful buildings and photo opportunities around every turn.  And don’t get me started on the food.
• San Juan Metro Area-  The San Juan metro area is chock full of unique places all offering something different.  Condado is the place to go for nightlife, beaches, and shopping.  Isla Verde is the main tourist area right outside San Juan and is closest to the airport.  There are hotels right on the beach and many of the big, chain hotels are located here.
• Culebra Island- Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island has been voted one of the top 10 in the world by the Travel Channel, and with good reason.  Powdery white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, and palm trees lining it all, it doesn’t get much better than this.  This small island has a town of about 2700 people and several restaurants and accommodation options, including camping right next to the beach.
• Vieques- Another island off the coast of the main island, Vieques offers secluded beaches (a little busier than Culebra), eco-adventures, and a kayaking trip through bioluminescent Mosquito Bay.  There is also a National Wildlife Refuge on the island.
• El Yunque Rainforest- A short 35 miles outside of San Juan, El Yunque is the only rainforest located in the United States.  60 foot elevated walkways, educational exhibits, waterfalls, and swimming in natural pools are all activities that can be enjoyed in the rainforest.
• Outdoor Activities- No matter what your outdoor interests are, chances are that Puerto Rico can accommodate them.  Scuba diving, golfing, hiking, ziplining, biking, fishing, tennis, surfing, and much, much more are all offered around the islands.

Budget

Puerto Rico is going to be more expensive than many of the regions covered here on World Travel for Couples, but for what you get out of it, it’s well worth the costs.  The great thing about Puerto Rico though is the variety of options one has.  If you’re looking to pamper yourself, there are plenty of top resort hotels (none are all inclusive) around the islands.  If you’re looking to do it on a budget, there are hostels as well.

For accommodations, plan on spending about $100US/night and you’ll get a pretty nice place.  There are a few hostels in San Juan for about $40-$50US/night for a private room for 2.  Camping is available on Culebra Island for about $20US/night, while there are plenty of B&B style places to stay for around $100US.  You can go as bare bones or as fancy as you want, which is just another great thing about traveling to Puerto Rico.

Variety is the spice of life when it comes to food as well.  We ate at some of the best restaurants in town, and I found the prices very fair.  My seabass dish smothered in lobster and a lobster and truffle beurre blanc sauce at Perla, one of the best restaurants in San Juan, cost $32 and was well, well worth it.  If you venture out to Pinones just outside the city, there are streetside restaurants offering cheaper fare, and if you want a unique culinary experience, make sure you check out Crispy y Relleno.  I would guess that if you were on a budget, you could get by on $40-$50US/day for food and still eat very well.  There are grocery stores as well if you want to cut costs more than that.

ATV Riding at New Hacienda Campo Rico

Activities are going to be the thing that costs the most in Puerto Rico.  Ziplining, snorkeling, scuba diving, golf, and all different types of activities are available for a wide range of prices.  For example, a ziplining trip to the New Hacienda Campo Rico just outside San Juan costs about $90US.  They also have ATV riding, amphibious vehicle tours, and horseback riding available in this pristine location.  An all day snorkeling catamaran excursion out to Culebra Island costs about $90US as well, including lunch and drinks all day (even rum cocktails!).  Whatever your interests, Puerto Rico has it!

When to Go/Weather

A tropical marine climate greets visitors to Puerto Rico, which means little variation in seasons and temperatures.  Temperatures typically don’t much higher than 90 F (32 C) or lower than 70 F (21 C).  The mountains see colder temperatures, and sometimes it can dip a bit below the low at nighttime.  The north coast and mountains see more rain than the rest of the island, and the south coast is actually quite dry most of the year.  June to November sees the most rain as it is hurricane season, but it usually just rains hard about once a day during this time of the year.

Transportation

Air: There are three major airports in Puerto Rico.  Luis Munoz Marin International Airport is located in San Juan, while there is also one each in Ponce and Aguadilla.  There are smaller airports on the islands of Culebra and Veiques.

Public Transportation: Outside of San Juan, the public transportation options are limited.  There are public buses in and around San Juan to get around, but taxis are much more efficient and timely.  Obviously if you have time and are worried about budget, buses are the better option.

Car Rental: If planning to explore the rest of the island outside of San Juan, renting a car is the way to go.  It’s unnecessary to have one in San Juan, so I would just wait until you are finished exploring San Juan to rent a car.  All the major car rental agencies have offices on the island.  The roads around Puerto Rico are in excellent shape, and safety is not an issue in Puerto Rico.  The Tourism Board encourages travelers to get out and explore as much of the island as is possible.

Be sure to check back throughout the next few weeks as I will put up more and more posts and pages about traveling in Puerto Rico, plus various tips and advice for traveling around these islands.  When a post or page is published, there will be live links below, exactly like the Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina pages.

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