Puerto Rico Vacations

Overview

Puerto Rico is a self governing, unincorporated territory of the United States. The island of Puerto Rico is not a sovereign state but is considered a country by the United Nations. Officially, it is the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and is called Estado Libre Associado de Puerto Rico (literally translated as Associated Free State of Puerto Rico). It is located in the northeastern Caribbean, bordered by the Dominican Republic, and Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is an archipelago that includes the islands of Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. The smaller islands are known as keys. This island is also known as "La Isla del Encanto," which means the "Island of Enchantment." Most of the inhabitants of this island are the descendents of Taino Indians. The people of Puerto Rico are some of the friendliest in the world, and welcome tourists with a smile.

Activities & Attractions

Puerto Rico is one of the most diverse locations in the Caribbean. If you want to know history of Puerto Rico then you can start in Old San Juan. There are many places you can explore that give you an old world feel. Here, you can see one of the oldest and best preserved colonial cities.

Near the main island of Puerto Rico, nearly eight miles off the Puerto Rico coast, is a place called Vieques Island, where you will find many unique types of plants and animals. For many years it was used as a test bombing region, but now it is being restored to its natural state. A famous tourist destination is Castillo Serralles Museum located in Ponce. This museum displays artifacts that tell you about the history and art of the island.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love to visit Isla Mona. You can see dramatic geological formations, wildlife, and petro glyphs of Taino Indians. However, before going there it is advisable to check if the nature park is open to visitors. This is because the nature park may be closed for months for safety reasons. Some of the waterway bays in and around Puerto Rico are photo luminescent. These are some of the last known bays of their type in the world. Puerto Rico is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, and features many animals and birds that are not found elsewhere in the world.

Lodging

Lodging facilities are available for all budgets. You can choose to stay in the luxury resorts or in the budget hotels. Some of the popular hotels on the island are El Conquistador Resort, Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, Villa Playa Maria, Rincon Beach Resort, and Amapola House.

Transportation

You can charter yachts or powerboats to travel to the nearby islands. Plenty of buses run in San Juan and that is an efficient and affordable means of transport. Car rental agencies are available that let you rent a car for your travel to the places of interest. You can also rent motorcycles. These modes of transport are popular as they give you the flexibility to travel around the island at your own leisure.