Information for Travelers
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated North American territory with a landscape of mountains, waterfalls and the El Yunque rainforest.
As a tropical travel destination in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico has it all and more.
In San Juan, the capital and largest city, the Isla Verde area is known for its range of hotels, beach bars and casinos.
Beautiful beaches lined with palm trees, some with calm, warm waters lapping at the golden sand and others with huge waves and famous surf spots, attract all kinds of beach seekers, from couples and families to extreme surfers.
Its Old San Juan neighborhood features colorful Spanish colonial buildings and El Morro and La Fortaleza, huge century-old fortresses.
Home to the only rainforest in the US Forest System and the night wonders of Bioluminescent Bay, Puerto Rico is a pleasant surprise for nature lovers.
Puerto Rico is a complex island with Spanish Caribbean culture with an obvious American flair.
This is particularly noticeable around San Juan, with its American restaurant chains and other amenities associated with the American continent.
Venturing further afield, you'll find picturesque towns, small villages, beautiful islands, caves and a rugged mountainous interior.
Add to that the culture and charm of historic San Juan, with its colonial architecture and ancient forts, and the picture is complete.
Culture
Walking the streets of Old San Juan, with its beautiful colonial architecture and imposing forts, is like stepping back into another era.
This is one of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico, so be sure to set aside some time on your itinerary around this city.
More than 500 years old and the second-oldest city in the Americas, Old San Juan is a blend of Spanish colonial history with layers of modern-day Puerto Rican life.
The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with hundreds of restored Spanish colonial buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries.
In Old San Juan, some of the highlights are the Fortaleza ; the Castillo de San Cristóbal (Fort of San Cristóbal); and the Cathedral of San Juan, which contains the tomb of Ponce de León.
The main attraction is Forte El Morro (Fuerte San Felipe del Morro) which juts out on a peninsula high above the ocean, just steps from the city centre.
Today, you can dine, shop or even stay in some of these beautiful old structures.
Read about Puerto Rico in Wikipedia