Puerto Rico, the small, US owned island in the Caribbean, is full of beauty, culture and history. This little island is just over 3,500 sq miles and sits less than 1,000 miles from the southernmost point of Florida, right next to the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands. In 2017, Puerto Rico was hit by the most destructive hurricane in over 80 years, Hurricane Maria. While Hurricane Maria caused widespread devastation across Puerto Rico, the Gulf of Mexico and other Caribbean areas, Puerto Rico has rebuilt and the reasons to visit this small Caribbean destination are endless!
El Yunque Forest (Photo by: @rjf.photography)
1. United States’ only tropical rainforest
The El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system. This National Forest is home to lush terrain, cascading waterfalls, exciting ziplining and so much more. Spend all day or spend your entire trip here, whatever you choose, you’ll never run out of exciting things to do.
Kites over San Juan, Puerto Rico (Photo by: @alyxiaoliviformis)
2. Puerto Rican arts
Though it may be small, Puerto Rico is home to a large variety of culture and art. The numerous museums, theatres and even more art galleries display some of Puerto Rico’s most vibrant elements. In January of 2018, Lin-Manuel Miranda, one of the stars of the hit Broadway play, “Hamilton” is helping to bring the play to Puerto Rico! The proceeds from ticket sales will be going to his Flamboyan Arts Fund, aimed at helping all sorts of artists in Puerto Rico, in many different ways. If you’re interested in tickets, you can check out the Flamboyan Arts Fund’s website for more information!
3. No passport necessary
No brainer, right? Because Puerto Rico is owned by the United States, you do not need your passport to visit. No passport, no problem, at least when going to Puerto Rico!
Coffee at Caficultura (Photo by: @nincha5)
4. Puerto Rican coffee is among some of the best in the world
If you enjoy coffee, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy the delicious coffee grown in Puerto Rico! And where else to experience it than right where it’s grown? With coffee plantations passed down through numerous generations throughout families, you know these beans are taken care of from crop to cup. Many of the coffee shops you’ll find in Puerto Rico are actually owned by the same families who own the coffee plantations.
Pina Colada at Barrachina (Photo by: M. Lowery)
5. The Pina Colada was created here
That’s right, True Beach Lovers! The tasty, creamy, coconuty, Pina Colada we all enjoy sipping while sitting on the beach was created in Puerto Rico. Created by Don Ramon Portas Mingot, who, at the time, was a bartender in Puerto Rico, is known to have created the first pina colada sometime in the 1950s or 60s.
Ready to pack your bags and head for Puerto Rico? Take a look at some of the awesome deals we have in Puerto Rico.
