Unique Experiences in Puerto Rico

Officially the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, tis north eastern Caribbean Island is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America.

Comprising an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands including Vieques Island and Culebra Island. Puerto Rico is one of the smallest of the Greater Antilles however it the third largest in population out of the four Geater Antilles which include Cuba, Jamaica and Hispaniola.

The island was claimed by Christopher Columbus for Spaiin on the 19th November, 1493 during his second voyage to the Americas. During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States, as an outcome of the war, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the US. The United States and Puerto Rico thus began a long-standing relationship and Puerto Rican's became US Citizens.

The island of Puerto Rico is surrounded by sandy beaches on both the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea coastlines. The middle of the country is dominated by dramatic mountain scenery and sub tropical rainforests with the main mountain range called La Cordillera Central. El Yunque National Forest is home to over 200 species of trees and plants, 23 of which are found nowhere else and offers the nature lover numerous walking trails of various distances.

A holiday to Puerto Rico can be as relaxed or active as you wish, a number of the luxury hotels offer full serice spas, many hotels boast beachfront locations and offer a range of water sports. Puerto Rico is the perfect destination for the more adventurous traveller with ATV tours, mountain bike trails, horse back riding, zip lines and cave networks for you to explore. Escape the busy beaches and casino hotels of San Juan and take the short flight to Vieques Island where you feel you have stepped back in time. The luxurious W Retreat and Spa, Vieques Island offers a peaceful haven where you can chill out and relax and explore this fascinating island and outstanding beaches. Vieques Island also boasts one of the world's largest Bioluminescent Bays where the water glows at night when micro-organisms in the water are disturbed.

Puerto Rico has something for almost everyone, quiet and unspoiled islands and beaches, historic and colonial towns including San Juan and Ponce, beautiful mountain scenery and walking trails through sub tropical rainforests. Adventure sports abound and the shopoholic is spoiled with choice with shopping malls and exclusive boutiques and fashion outlets. A range of accommodation is on offer from beautifully restored boutique colonial guest houses to international luxury hotels offering night spots and casinos in beachfront locations.

Cuisine in Puerto Rico is similiar to Cuban, Spanish and Mexican with a unique blend of Spanish and African. Indigenous seasonings and ingredients are used such as coriander, papaya, cacao, nispero, apio, plantains, and yampee. Locals call their cuisine "cocina criolla".

A classic dish is sopon de pollo con arroz, chicken soup with rice, often served with pumpkin and and diced potato. Yypical main dishes include veal (ternera) a la parmesana,  roast leg of pork, fresh ham, lamb, or veal, a la criolla and fried beefsteak with onions (carne frita con cebolla.

Fresh sish is plentiful and is often simply grilled and flavoured with garlic and squeezed lime and served with a mojo isleno, a Puerto Rican sauce made with olives, olive oil and onions, pimientos, capers, tomato sauce, vinegar, and a flavoring of garlic and bay leaves.

Rum is the national drink and Puerto Rico is the world's leading Rum producer with 80% of the rum consumed in the United States from the island.  The Pina Colada, made with rum, Pineapple and coconut was created at the Caribe Hilton's Beachcomber Bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 16 August 1954.

Old San Juan

Wander around the old cobbled streets of Old San Juan and be transported back in time by 500 years. Old San Juan has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with seven blocks of historic colonial buildings, churches and numerous museums. This living neighbourhood offers plenty of fine places to dine, restored buildings have been converted in to boutique colonial hotels and there are plenty of opportunities to shop in local craft stores and places in which to party.

Bacardi Rum Distillery

Take a 45 minute tour of the world's largest rum distillery and savour a delicious sample at the end of the tour.

Botanical Gardens

Managed by the University of Puerto Rico, Jardin Botanico is a lush tropical garden with approximately 200 species of vegetation including a collection of Palm's, heliconias, orchids and sculptures among ponds and is a peaceful retreat in the middle of the city. The Monet Orchid Garden is exceptional. Footpaths blaze a trail through a heavy forest opening onto a lotus lagoon.

Casa Blanca

Built in 1521 as a home for Governor Juan Ponce de Leon, today this historic landmark contains two interesting museums of Indian and colonial artefacts, as well as a large tranquil courtyard garden.

City Hall

Built in stages from 1604 and 1789 and resembling the city hall in Madrid, this government building also houses a tourist information centre and a small gallery of rotating exhibitions.
 
Condado

A famous strip of beach , packed with high rise hotels, condominiums, elegant homes, shops, restaurants and jazzy night clubs.

El Morro Fortress

Constructed to defend the San Juan coastline during the 17th and 18th centuries. This dramatic fortress rises 140 feet above the sea on a rocky promontory and is comprised six levels of ramps, barracks, dungeons, turrets, towers and tunnels.
 
El Yunque National Forest

The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Situated on the east coast of Puerto Rico and only an hours drive from San Juan, the forest contains rare wildlife including the Puerto Rican Parrot, which is one of the ten most endangered species of birds in the world. The forest offers numerous walking trails of all levels, for beginners to those seeking a full day adventure.

Puerto Rico Adventures

For the adrenalin junkie, a holiday in Puerto Rico will offer you a range of different adventure sports and activities. These range from tandem handgliding, zip-lining across rainforest valleys, rappelling down mountainsides, surfing, enjoying subterranean adventures in the Camuy River, horse back riding and scuba diving.

Bio Bay
Located at Vieques Island off the east coast of Puerto Rico, Bio Bay is one of the most spectacular Bioluminescent Bays in the world. A mysterious blue-green light is created by micro-organisms which thrive in an environment uniquely suiteed to their needs. You will have the opportunity to swim  when the water is disturbed on a clear balmy night the water comes alive with millions of these glowing creatures and the water becomes an incredible spectacle.

Ponce
Ponce, more affectionately known as the Pearl of The South, is about one and a half hours drive from San Juan through spectacular mountain scenery. Billions of dollars have been spent to restore this historic city.

Nightlife

La Concha Lobby Bar and Solera Terrace - San Juan
The La Concha Hotel recently underwent a US$100 million revamp and has reinvented itself as a stylish place to people watch and be seen. Located in the gay-friendly Condado district, the lobby bar comes alive Thursdays through Saturdays as perma-bronzed cleavageand bright shirts flutter around the white-on-white marble floor.

Casino's

A popular pass time in Puerto Rico is gambling, many of the larger city hotels have gaming rooms and casino's which are often open 24 hours a day.

Shopping

Golf

British travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa, must get an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to their journey. Visitors should register through the ESTA website and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel. If you do not have an ESTA you will be refused travel to the USA. The US Customs and Border Protection department charge $14 per application for an ESTA. All payments must be made by credit card.

To enter under the VWP your passport must contain a machine-readable zone (MRZ).At the foot of the photo page. The MRZ contains 2 lines of text as letters, numbers and chevrons (>>>).  If the area is blank the passport is not machine-readable and you need to apply for a visa.The new style passports containing a biometric chip and an MRZ are acceptable for the VWP.

We suggest that all our customers review foreign office advice for Puerto Rico before travelling to any destination featured on our website. Please use the following link: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo for the most up to date information

The local currency is the US$ (USD).

Credit cards are widely accepted but small restaurants may only take cash or travellers cheques. ATM's are readily available and are often found in the lobbies of larger hotels, especially those tha feature a casino.
 

Puerto Rico operates on Atlantic standard time which is -4 hours GMT.

We can arrange transfers or tours all around the Puerto Rico, as well as between airports and hotels.

It is possible to tour the island in a few days.

Puerto Rico Self Drive Holidays

Most travellers to puerto Rico will concentrate their time either in San Juan or on one of the north or east coast beaches, all within an hours drive from the capital. Puerto Rico has far more to offer than sun, sand, sea and casino's.

Self drive holidays in Puerto Rico are both easy to arrange and rewarding. Most major roads and motorways are of a good standard and driving is easy. A Caribbean island full of history and adventure. Head south to Ponce, a city of stunning colonial architecture from the late 17th century and nearly 30 museums and galleries, only 2 hours drive from San Juan through dramatic scenery.

El Yunque is the islands pristine National Forest System, only an hours drive from San Juan, El Yunque National Forest is a hikers delight with numerous walking trails, horse riding and bird watching.

The lesser known area to the west of San Juan, Rincon is the island's main surfing town. Rincon offers spectacular sunsets, a completely different style of architecture to San Juan and some amazing whale watching from November - February. Rincon is only a 2.5 hour drive from San Juan.