Watch Puerto Rico’s live session on demand
With its glistening turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and streets pulsating with vibrant music and art, the Island of Puerto Rico is renowned for being the characterful gem of the Caribbean. As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico boasts strategic connectivity with major US hubs and visitors have the same entry requirements as those visiting the mainland.
History & Culture As the second-oldest European-founded city in the Americas, Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan is the beating heart of history and culture on the Island. It is a place where the Old World meets the new and is also a lively hub of contemporary, urban pursuits, including shopping, dining, and nightlife. Dive into the city’s nightlife, where bars serve some of the world’s finest rum, or go on a journey through time with a visit to Casa Bacardi Puerto Rico, the world’s largest premium rum distillery. Experience one of the most breathtaking celebrations of Puerto Rican heritage by experiencing Bomba, an Afro-Caribbean rhythm played by two or more drums guided by the dancer’s feet. There are many places where visitors can learn this Puerto Rican tradition right alongside the Boricuas, who continue and pass on the tradition from generation to generation. Boricuas is a term used to refer to the locals of Puerto Rico, reflecting a deep sense of cultural identity and pride in their heritage. Whether visitors are drawn to tropical beaches, historic sites, art museums, or salsa music, San Juan promises a unique and unforgettable experience.
Beaches With 270 miles of coastline and nearly 300 beaches to explore, Puerto Rico spoils beach lovers for choice. From the iconic Flamenco Beach on the island of Culebra, ranked as one of the best in the world, to the pristine shores of Cayo Icacos in the East Region, offering expansive reefs teeming with marine life, each beach offers its own unique slice of paradise. Whether visitors are snorkelling amidst schools of fish or simply basking in the sun, Puerto Rico’s beaches offer unparalleled beauty and tranquillity.
Culinary The vibrancy of Puerto Rican culture comes alive in its many rich and diverse dishes, a celebration of flavours that visitors have the opportunity to indulge in. Blending elements of Spanish, African, and native Taíno cuisine, staple dishes include mofongo, made of deep-fried green plantains; tostones, double deep-fried plantain wheels; and lechón asado, a slowly spit-roasted pork dish with juicy meat and crispy skin that was recently declared a Puerto Rican culinary legacy. Experience the best lechon first hand in Guavate, known as the “pork highway”, which is lined with lechoneras (pork restaurants) serving locally sourced pork. Puerto Rico celebrates sustainability and self-sufficiency with its remarkable tours of local coffee and chocolate plantations, known as Haciendas. These tours offer visitors the opportunity to engage in cooking classes and tasting sessions, providing an immersive experience in the Island’s agricultural heritage.
Adventure For adventurers, Puerto Rico’s natural wonders provide endless opportunities for discovery and exploration. El Yunque National Forest, nestled on the Island’s East side, stands as the only tropical rainforest in the U.S., offering rugged trails, breathtaking waterfalls, and unparalleled biodiversity. Ziplining amongst the lush green canopies and chirpy parrots is also highly recommended for nature lovers! Situated on the Island’s East coast, visitors can experience one of Puerto Rico’s natural wonders at Laguna Grande – a bioluminescent bay. Kayaking through the bay reveals a magical display of tiny dinoflagellates illuminating the water with their glow. And for those seeking subterranean thrills, the impressive caves of Puerto Rico offer a fascinating realm for hiking, spelunking, and even rafting. Situated in the North Region, Camuy is home to the world’s third-largest underground river and one of the more complex cave systems on the planet at the Río Camuy Cave Park. Explore its ecosystems — home to over 16 bat species, the natural forms of stalagmites, stalactites, and even sinkholes.
URLs of recources/training platforms
Puerto Rico Travel Specialist Program
Email us at: DiscoverPR@hillsbalfour.com
