Between beaches, forests and colonial remains, Puerto Rico is worth a detour
In the Greater Antilles, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico (or Puerto Rico) was once known as “Boriken”, the Land of the Valiant Lord. It was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and was colonized by the Spaniards. Today, the island enjoys the status of unincorporated territory of the United States, part of the American commonwealth. But above all, it is a very popular destination for a varied vacation.
Puerto Rico has remained a wild land sheltering mountains, tropical rainforest, white sand beaches. Between the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, there are astonishing bays suitable for swimming, an architecture that testifies to a colonial past, the taste for celebration and many other wonders.
What to visit in Puerto Rico?
The Capitale San Juan
San Juan, the capital, is discovered through its paseos that lead to the fortresses. It is the oldest town on the island and the historic heart offers a surprising contrast to the skyscrapers. Fort San Felipe del Morro continues to watch over the city and protect it with its ramparts.
Le site architectural de Caguana
The Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center is an archaeological site where you can learn more about the Taino Indians. They gathered there for religious ceremonies and today we can discover the museum and the reconstituted village.
The Arecibo telescope
In Arecibo, on the north coast of the island, the radio telescope was until 2016 the largest in the world. Its diameter still reaches 305 meters.
Puerto Rico's natural wonders
El Yunque National Forest
This humid tropical forest covers a good part of the Sierra de Luquillo. Its name means “cloud forest” and it is one of the wettest forests in the world. El Yunque peak towers at 1 m. It is home to many endemic species, including orchids.
Amazing sites
The Laguna Grande and the Bahias Fosforecentes are worth a visit. The night is never dark there since billions of unicellular algae sparkle with all their fires. The spectacle is breathtaking.
Cock fights
In Isla Verde, you can still witness cockfighting. They are watched and very controlled by the government. The fight can last up to 15 minutes, but most often it ends in four or five minutes.
Diving, surfing and kayaking enthusiasts
In Puerto Rico, the sandy beaches allow you to relax and soak up the sun. But you can also discover superb seabeds in the east of the island. They are shallow and covered with corals. Sea kayaking is very popular for exploring the reefs and mangroves.
Porto Rico in pratique
Flag : ??
Capitale : San Juan
Area: 8870 km²
Number of inhabitants: 3,47 million
Currency
As part of the American comonwealth, the US dollar is the prevailing local currency in Puerto Rico. In 2017, € 1 = $ 1,15.
Language
The main language of Puerto Rico is Spanish, but English also enjoys official language status.
Weather
The Puerto Rican climate is tropical with very mild temperatures (between 25 ° and 30 ° C) throughout the year. However, be careful with the rainy season (from May to December), with sometimes violent hurricanes between August and November. Better to leave between January and March to enjoy the Puerto Rican sun.
Formalities and visa
The entry requirements for Puerto Rico are the same as for the United States.
Safety
Puerto Rico remains a very safe state for travelers. However, cases of Zika virus disease have already been diagnosed there. It is therefore recommended to consult a doctor in the event of a fever occurring during the trip or in the weeks following the return to France.
As always, for more details, we invite you to consult the France Diplomatie website before leaving on your trip.
Arrive in Puerto Rico
Located in the eastern suburbs of San Juan, Luis-Muñoz-Marín International Airport (SJU) is the main airport in the Greater Antilles. Depending on your departure dates, you may want to book a first flight to Miami (or even Fort Lauderdale), then a second between Miami and San Juan.
