Puerto Rico Travel Tips
and Information
Located a thousand miles southeast of Miami, Puerto Rico probably is
among the most accessible of all the Caribbean islands, thanks
to the large number of airlines that fly here.
Puerto Rico is
a commonwealth of the United States where the U.S.
and Puerto Rican flags fly side by side. It measures 110 miles long
and 35 miles wide (see map).
Puerto Rico has good beaches scattered all around the island (See San Juan Water Temperatures) and more restaurants than you can
ever hope to sample in a lifetime. They range from gourmet to the simplest
roadside eateries. See Puerto Rico Things To Do.
Old San Juan is an outstanding city for
dining, shopping and roaming around on
foot. It was founded as a military stronghold in the early 1500s and
contains 2 giant forts, El Morro and San Cristobal.
The most popular and most-visited place outside of San Juan is the 28,000-acre Caribbean National Forest,
simply as El Yunque. It's about a 45-minute drive from the city.
In addition, state
forest reserves scattered throughout the island offer miles of
hiking and nature trails.
About 75% pf Puerto Rico is mountainous.
In the central mountain range, the altitude reaches an impressive 4,389
feet at Cerro de Punta. Amazingly, all
the island's lakes are artificial, built in the 20th century for water
supply and energy production.
Puerto Rico has a good highway system that makes travel around the island
relatively easy, especially to such charming cities as Ponce
& San German. However, the twists and turns on the mountain
roads can extend drive time considerably.
The countryside is also home to a legendary creature known as the Chupacabra,
a Puerto Rican version of Bigfoot.
The island celebrates 500 festivals a year, which may help explain its joyous mood.
There's always something fun going on.
Puerto Rico Travel Information
Water Temperatures
For San Juan Month by Month
Puerto Rico Deep Background
Courtesy of the CIA
Arrival Briefing
What you need to know if you go
Search & Book Puerto Rico Hotels
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Getting Married in Puerto Rico
No waiting period
Camping & Lodging for Hikers
The paradores and their locations are usually unbeatable
Puerto Rico Attractions
Arecibo Observatory
Visit an unusual telescope
Beaches of Puerto Rico
Many excellent ones around San Juan
Caguanda Indian Ceremonial Center
Old stone ball field with petroglyphs
Caribbean National Forest (El Yunque)
The facts, the figures, the animals
El Yunque Hikes
Descriptions and details of the individual hikes
Cerro de Punta
An attempt to really climb the highest peak
Culebra Island
Lots to see on this offshore island
La Parguera Phosphorescent Bay
Where the sea mirrors the heavens
Old San Juan
Wonderful for walking & shopping
Ponce & San German
Glimpses of colonial Puerto Rico
Rio Camuy Cave Park
One cave has been mapped for 7 miles
San Juan Water Temperatures
Month by Month
State Forest Reserves
Almost every kind of outdoor activity
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