Introduction

There’s all the sun, fun and sporting activity you’d expect. The 437km coastline has world-class beaches for sun-bathing, swimming and snorkelling. Nightlife is among the liveliest in the Americas and there’s a full range of accommodation, from rustic campsites to luxury hotels.

Away from the popular resort zones, you can taste the high octane cocktail of cultures and traditions – Caribbean, Spanish, Amerindian, African and North American – that makes Puerto Rico a unique island experience. Puerto Rico has also three satellite islands: Vieques with 40 wonderful beaches Sleepy Culebra also has faultless beaches and Mona, which is uninhabited.

History

Since the first humans came ashore thousands of years ago, the island that is now known as Puerto Rico has sheltered Indians, Spaniards, Africans and Anglos. The Spaniards had the earliest and greatest influence to the Island at their arrival in 1493. During their 400-year tenure the Spaniards laid the bedrock of the language and culture. They built cities and towns, fortresses and churches, lighthouses and roadways. They brought slaves from Africa to work in the fields, who, in turn, contributed the spice of their culture, enriching the language, music and diets.

Culture

Close to 4 millions people live on the "Island of Enchantment," with more than a million in the greater San Juan metropolitan area alone. It is a vibrant, modern, bilingual, multicultural society, one that has been moulded by Spanish, African, Indian and U.S. influences. Residents of Puerto Rico have much in common with their fellow Americans in the continental United States, yet they retain a decidedly Hispanic heritage.

Map

To See

Historic Old San Juan including El Morro Fortress; Casa Blanca, the ancestral home of the Ponce de Leon family; La Fortaleza, the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere; Plaza San Jose; Pablo Casals Museum; Quincentennial Plaza; San Juan Cathedral; Plaza de Armas; Paseo de la Princesa. In Ponce, Puerto Rico's second city, Plaza Las Delicias, Parque de Bombas Firehouse, Casa Armstrong- Proventud, the Ponce Museum of Art, the Museum of Music, Serralles Castle (rum museum) & El Vigia. Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve. Arecibo Observatory. Phosphorescent Bay in Parguera & the Guanica & Guajataca Forest Reserves. El Yunque Rain Forest. Rum distilleries. Rio Camuy Cave Park. Hacienda Buena Vista (restored coffee plantation) near Ponce. Tibes & Caguana Indian sites in Ponce & Utuado.

Useful information

Airports: Luis Muñoz Marín (LMM) International Airport.

Area: 8,897 km2 (3,435 square miles).

Business: Business hours are similar to those on the mainland, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekdays.

Capital: San Juan.

Climate: The trade winds cool the coastal towns and the temperature decreases as you go up into the higher mountains.

Clothing: Light cotton clothes. Rain coat recommended.

Currency: The U.S. dollar. Credit cards & traveller’s checks are widely accepted.

Customs: Puerto Rico being part of the United States, the same rules apply as for the USA.

Economy: Puerto Rico doesn’t have lots of natural resources. Fabrics now are bigger than agriculture as the first revenue. Fruits and vegetables are cultivated for the exportation.  Tourism is the main services industry and continues to grow since the last years.

Electricity: US Standards. 110 Volts.

Entry & Departure requirements: Please refer to the Puerto Rico tourist office website (link below) or ask us.

Health: Medical services are good but expensive, like anywhere in the United States. A good medical insurance is recommended.

Holidays: News Year’s day (01 JAN), Epiphany (JAN), Martin Luther King Day (JAN), Presidents’ Day (FEB), Abolition day (MAR), Good Friday (MAR-APR),  De Diego Day (APR), Memorial Day (MAY), U.S. Independence Day (04 JUL), Constitution day (JUL), Barbosa Day (JUL), Labour day (SEP), Columbus day (OCT), Veteran’s day (NOV), Discovery Day (NOV), Thanksgiving (NOV), Christmas (25DEC).

Language: Spanish and English.

Political status: Associated State of the United States.

Population: 3.9 million.

Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic.

Security: In general, travel in the US is pretty safe, though it's worth exercising some caution around cities, as you should with any country -- all cities have their bad areas. In the suburbs, things are quite relaxed, but it's worth taking local advice on places to avoid -- a taxi driver or hotelier will be pleased to offer guidance on the good and bad neighbourhoods.

Shopping: Shops are open 9am-6pm every day and Sundays from 11am-5pm. Payment cards are widely accepted.

Taxes & Service charges:  Departure tax-None. Paradores-7%. Hotels-9%. Hotels with casinos-11%. All-inclusive-5%. Service charge-8%-15%.

Telecommunications: The international dialling code is +1 787.

Time: Time Zone: GMT – 4 hrs. Puerto Rico Island Time does not operate Daylight-Saving.

Transportation: Driving is on the right hand side of the road. Signs are in Spanish, the distance markers are in kilometres & the gas is sold in litres. Speed limit is in miles per hour.

MORE INFORMATION: www.SeePuertoRico.com