Officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic — famous for its rainforest, bioluminescent bays, historic forts and beaches.
Puerto Rico, officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is an unincorporated U.S. territory — meaning Congress has determined that only select parts of the U.S. Constitution apply. It's located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic, only about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami. View map →
Puerto Rico is famous for its rich history, tropical rainforest, mountain and waterfall landscapes, national wildlife, beaches and nightlife.
Nationality: Puerto Rican / U.S. citizen · Size: 9,104 km² (3,508 sq mi) · home to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System
Island stations, live.
Our community of featured businesses is growing, making it even easier to discover and support local favorites.
Poets Passage is a lifestyle presented in a shape of a coffee shop connected to a poetry gift shop boasting a stage for open mic poetry and indie music sessions every Tuesday from 7 till late. We're located in the heart of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. If you're a musician or a poet come show us what you've got!
★ Cool factor: A visual experience, awesome coffee, free internet Visit site
Mok Properties PR specializes in short term and long term apartment rentals in the Condado (San Juan) tourist area of Puerto Rico. They also have properties for sale. Most properties are on Ashford avenue in Condado, on or very close to the beach. They are all walking distance to restaurants, nightlife and just 10 minutes by car from Old San Juan.
★ Cool factor: Great variety! All affordable! Visit site
JimBOATtrips.com offers boat trips, sailing snorkeling and fishing excursions on a great variey of yachts in and around Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques and Spanish Virgins.
★ Cool factor: Variety of boats & variety of islands! Visit site
gandor.tv specializes in creating, maintaining, hosting and promoting websites in the Caribbean. They are known for their customer service, maintenance packages, fast response, e-commerce, booking systems and social media magic and creation of advertisments.
★ Cool factor: They create, maintain, host and promote websites. Visit site
Sail and Snorkel in Puerto Rico with Puerto Rico Boat Trips. Sailing in the Caribbean sea to an exotic island will be one of the most amazing adventures you will experience in Puerto Rico. You will enjoy snorkeling on our pristine reefs and relaxing on our catamaran Fun Cat. We offer free lunch, soda and water all day. Beer is provided for a minimal price. When everyone has had their fill of snorkeling we set sail for home port. The return trip is a Fun Cat party filled with music and our very popular rum punch. Book your trip today.
★ Cool factor: Variety of Boats and Destinations Visit site
Sky Banditz is a full service Kiteboard Center with longtime Owner and Chief Instructor Francisco Escudero. Their School is located at the prime spot for Kitesurfing and Paddleboarding in San Juan and Rio Grande. They offer one to one or group instruction for novices to expert level advanced instruction. Skybanditz kitesurfing lessons and programs will allow you to learn the way you want to, by respecting your progression rhythm and allowing you to find a lesson best adapted to you. You can choose different time formats, from one hour up to several days.
★ Cool factor: Many locations in Puerto Rico Visit site
TRES PALMAS, one of the most established surf shops in the Caribbean. Clothing, boards, and everything surf. They're also associated with PRISK surf school. Rumor has it they're working on a website.
★ Cool factor: A surf shop by surfers, what's cooler than that? Visit site
PR Half Mile. is much more than a car event. It brings together owners of exotic cars and "supercars" to race a half-mile on an airstrip in a unique and elegant environment. The "Puerto Rico Half Mile Event" is recognized like the most prestigious exotic car racing event in Puerto Rico. It is most of the times open to the general public who will have the opportunity to enjoy and be part of this spectacular event.
★ Cool factor: Lamborginis against Porsches against Audis. Cool! Visit site
Cafe Berlin is an cosmopolitan restaurant that serves international dishes as well as Puerto Rican and Vegeterian. It is the first restaurant you'll see on entering Old San Juan.
"Uno de los componentes historicos que embellece y distingue a Cafe Berlin es su piso confeccionado en mosaico hidraulico o "losa criolla", el cual se introdujo a la Isla desde Barcelona, Espana alrededor del ano 1900."
★ Cool factor: Free Wifi. Great people watching veranda Visit site
VIP Adventure arrange tours or rentals of paddleboard, kayak, snorkeling, bicycle, inline skate, skateboard or jetski. Our concept is based on three important aspects: outstanding experience: unique activities, human and nature relation and the best personalized service to create your best tour experience in Puerto Rico. We provide a selection of adventures catalog, so you can book the adventure that you are looking! From the beautiful San Juan to the amazing eastern coast Fajardo and the exclusive islands of Palomino or Icacos. Our excellent service will fulfill your personal, corporate and residential lifestyle needs. We are well known to personalize your adventure and corporate event and make it the best experience out there!
★ Cool factor: Many activities many locations! Visit site
Sail Snorkel Party is a sail boat tour operator in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. They offer 3 Hour sailing tours around the old city with very flexible times in the Morning, Afternoon and Sunset. Good for up to 6 people and the pricing is very affordable They sail around the bay and harbor of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. On this private sightseeing sailing tour you will: Experience a true sailing experience on a full size proper sailboat - a 6 passenger vessel, pass historical, Old San Juan forts, have a clear view of the castle, enjoy a romantic view of cityscapes and have a memorable photo opportunity! This sightseeing sailing tour is a truly exclusive, off the beaten path, private experience. Charter your own Private ßUSCG Lic 6 passenger vessel AIRBORNE
★ Cool factor: Flexible timing. You say when and they'll make it happen Visit site
Puerto Rico. Home to El Yunque, the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service, a place so indescribable that it must be seen, heard and felt. It's one of our must-visit destinations.
★ Cool factor: The Spanish Caribbean culture. Visit siteNo businesses in this category yet.
Real, lived-in advice from travellers and locals — trip reports, packing lists and the tips that make a Caribbean vacation go smoothly.
These Puerto Rico tours or activities are independently operated. After booking, the tour operator will contact you directly with your reservation details.
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The stories behind the postcard — a few things worth knowing before you go.
Puerto Rico's indigenous people, the Taíno, left a lasting impact on the island's culture and language. Words like "hamaca" (hammock) and "canoa" (canoe) are of Taíno origin and are still used today.
Located in northeastern Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System — home to diverse flora and fauna, including the coquí, a tiny tree frog considered the unofficial symbol of the island.
Puerto Rico is home to three of the world's bioluminescent bays, where microorganisms in the water emit a glowing light when disturbed. Mosquito Bay in Vieques is especially renowned for its bright blue-green glow.
Puerto Rico is a major producer of rum. Bacardi, one of the world's largest rum producers, originated in Cuba but moved its operations to Puerto Rico in the 1960s — a rum-making tradition dating back centuries.
Puerto Rico has a vibrant cultural scene blending Spanish, African and indigenous Taíno traditions — evident in its music (salsa and reggaeton), cuisine (mofongo, arroz con gandules) and festivals like the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián.
Ranked by locals — the Puerto Rico essentials.
See the island before you go.
“La Borinqueña”
Christopher Columbus encountered Puerto Rico in 1493 during his second voyage to the New World, naming it San Juan Bautista. On 12 August 1508, Juan Ponce de León invaded with a small army and became the island's first governor, establishing the town of Caparra near what is today San Juan Bay. The Taíno, the island's original inhabitants, ultimately could not resist Spanish weapons and were enslaved for mining work; their leader Agueýbana led a rebellion before falling in battle, and by 1514 fewer than 4,000 Taíno remained, prompting the introduction of African slave labor.
As mining resources dwindled, sugar cane cultivation became the island's economic engine. To defend Spain's treasure fleets from French, English and Dutch raiders, San Juan was fortified — construction of El Morro began in 1539 and successfully repelled an attack by Sir Francis Drake in 1595. The Dutch later besieged and burned part of the city under General Boudewijn Hendricksz, but again failed to take El Morro. San Juan was eventually encircled by a defensive wall, with Castillo San Cristóbal built to guard the city's eastern approach.
Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory in 1898 following the Spanish–American War and has been an unincorporated territory ever since — residents are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections and have only non-voting representation in Congress, currently via Governor Jenniffer González-Colón and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera.
A free, urban beach steps from San Juan's hotel strip — calm swimming, beach bars and easy access make it the classic first-timer's stop.
Regularly ranked among the best beaches in the world — a short ferry or flight from the mainland gets you to horseshoe-shaped white sand and clear turquoise water.
A wide, palm-lined beach near El Yunque with calm, reef-protected water — famous for its roadside kiosks serving fried local seafood.
A dramatic, less-crowded beach near the Los Morrillos Lighthouse in the island's dry southwest corner, backed by limestone cliffs.
A lively, resort-lined beach near the airport in San Juan — golden sand, watersports rentals and a busy nightlife scene right on the sand.
Tips by Liz Strauss, an experienced traveler and piano entertainer. www.lizpiano.com · Disclosure
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