Puerto Rico is a beautiful country located in the Caribbean sea. It is technically an American State, but it has very little in common with the country up north. The culture of Puerto Rico is quite independent of the 50 states. The culture is a unique mixture of cultures primarily the Caribbean, but closely related to the culture of Spain with a few African and Taino influences. The capital San Juan is the place to go if you want to experience a mixture of something old and new. Whilst wandering through the narrow streets in an old town, you could meet someone who would teach you salsa and reggaeton, a town where everyone knows how to dance with the hips.
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| Culebra |
San Juan,
Old San Juan is the Capital city and home to many old 17th and 18th-century historic buildings and quite a few forts build to protect the island. This makes it a true pleasure to walk through the old city. You feel like you are transported back in time to an old pirate town. When you walk through the historic district of Old San Juan you will find Fort San Felipe del Morro. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions along with El Castillo de San Cristóbal and el Cañuelo. All three forts are built for defense and are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But San Juan isn’t all old. It is filled with clubs and bars where Puerto Ricans in all ages are dancing and having a good time and enjoying life on this tropical paradise island.
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| San Juan |
While spending time on the main island spend at least one day exploring El Yunque. This is Puerto Rico's rain forest. And when I say rainforest the forest lives by its name so expect it to rain at least once a day. Wear clothes that can and will get wet and expect it to be soaking. There are many hiking and trekking trails which both leads up the mountain where you can end up at Yokahu tower and get a splendid view of the rainforest. Another option is to walk down towards La Mina waterfalls. You can dip in the natural pool at the bottom of the falls. Another different experience is to visit a plantation, and here are a few to pick from. Puerto Rico is home to numerous plantations including coffee, sugar cane, and tobacco which has been the primary export from Puerto Rico since the old days.
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| Puerto Rico |
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| Puerto Rico |
Isla de Vieques
Since Puerto Rico is an archipelago, it is worth mentioning the differences between the islands. Isla de Vieques is a personal favorite of mine. This little pearl consists of a national wildlife refuge with numerous beaches that are commonly listed among the top beaches in the Caribbean for their azure-colored waters and white powder sands. Isla de Vieques has two small cities, Isabel Segunda and the smaller Esperanza on the southern side. Staying there it is difficult not to have a full ocean view because the city is pretty much just one street running next to the beach.
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| Vierques |
Besides relaxing and finding inner peace this island offers the opportunity for long walks on empty beaches, beautiful nights of stargazing without light pollution, and The Bioluminescent Bay. We went swimming in the bay – a bay where, as an old lady said to me, it looks like “the stars had fallen into the water”. The luminescence in the bay is actually caused by micro-organisms, which glow bays will glow when they dart away from movement whenever the water is disturbed, leaving a trail of neon blue. But when one is just looking at it it does look like small stars. If one is into diving, or just interested in what lies underwater, diving here is easy and nature is very unspoiled. Turtles, stingrays, barracudas and every size of fish are easily spotted and colorful corals in very shallow waters. During the evening this little village offers a few beach bars and the option to just lie in a hammock and enjoy the stars.
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| Vierques |
Culebra
Isla Culebra is another little island located just a boat trip from mainland Puerto Rico. Visiting Culebra feels like coming home. Even though you have never visited this island before, the people living here greet you, talk to you and help you around like you have been there for the whole of your life.
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| Culebra |
Getting around is easy by either a bike or taxi. Everything on this island is happening at a very slow and relaxed pace, so if you want dancing and energy this is not the place to go, but for a laid-back holiday with a good book, friendly locals and exotic food, Isla Culebra is a fantastic place. Furthermore, Isla Culebra is widely famous for its beaches and its Flamenco Beach is ranked as one of the most exotic beaches in the world. If you are a beach lover and snorkeling adorer, the beach is a must-visit place. The only thing I would say to foreigners coming to Culebra beach is “welcome to paradise”.
I can definitely recommend Puerto Rico for anyone who wants an amazing holiday in paradise. This tropical island has everything the heart desires and all you have to do is to find it.
Insider tip: Remember to bring an umbrella if you want to go to the rain-forest because it is cold to get back into the air-conditioned car for the drive back.
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| San Juan |
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| Puerto Rico |
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| Vierques |
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| Vierques |
* All photos are private and taken by me
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