Tourism

One of the Caribbean Sea’s four Greater Antilles, in ancient times this island was given the name Borinquen but was more recently called Puerto Rico. It is also known as ‘Isla del Encanto’ (The Island of Enchantment). And enchanted it certainly is, of this there can be no room for doubt.

The island is located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, so it’s able to offer visitors 500km of white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, perfect for divers who can appreciate its rich marine life, and waters that remain clear down to a depth of 30m.

The island is also blessed with a number of different ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to semi desert areas, which are home to a wide variety of animal and plant species.

Human residents have also contributed to Puerto Rico’s charms, in the shape of its magnificent buildings. Of particular note are those dating from the Spanish colonial period, when the island was transformed into a landscape of churches and fortresses, the latter built for protection against pirate attacks.

Any visit to Puerto Rico has to start in its main urban center of San Juan. Founded in 1521, it is the oldest capital city in the United States. This is where visitors can find real architectural gems, built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The most impressive of these is probably the Castle of San Felipe del Morro, which began life in the year 1539 as a small bunker and over time was extended into the fortress that it is today.

Given its historical importance the Castle has been recognized by Unesco as a world heritage site, a status that it shares with other buildings on the island such as the Fortress of San Cristóbal, built in 1634 in order to protect the city from land attacks.

Other buildings worthy of mention are La Fortaleza (The Fortress), which currently houses the Offices of the Governor of Puerto Rico and is the oldest executive mansion in the Americas; also Casa Blanca (the White House) the most elegant of all the houses in the historic sector of Old San Juan, which today houses the Casa Blanca Museum, where visitors can see everyday household items from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the Taíno Indian Ethno Historic Museum.

This is a sample of the most traditional buildings. However, Puerto Rico is a land of contrasts and can also show off to visitors a number of modern buildings, including its luxurious resorts, which have added to the island’s attraction as a first class tourism destination.

These are buildings that have taken advantage of Puerto Rican’s rich landscape to the fullest extent, in order to show off the country’s natural beauty. Attention is naturally drawn to the sea with its possibilities for enjoyment of a wide variety of water sports such as diving, snorkeling, windsurfing and sport fishing. Some of these resorts also offer large golf courses, considered to be among the best in the world.

A case in point is the Hyatt Dorado Beach, which is on the list of the four most important on the planet, built to a design by the legendary Robert Trent Jones. Its East Course is famous for the 13th hole, which has become a challenge for even the most experienced golfers as it is surrounded by water and ends up in the Atlantic Ocean. Overcoming this hole is a real test of your skill and experience with the clubs.

Apart from sports, visitors to Puerto Rico should not miss visiting its forest reserves, of which there are 20 in all. Among the most important are the 11,000 hectare Bosque Nacional del Caribe (Caribbean National Forest); Guajataca, with its 40km of pathways for walking; and the Bosque Estatal de Guánica (Guanica State Forest), which has the enviable record of being home to the largest number of bird species on the island.

However, it is not only Puerto Rico’s nature reserves that can show off their natural beauty. Unlike almost any other place on earth, the island has no less than three bio luminescent bays, which give you the impression of looking at a mirage. The first is at La Pargüera, another is close to the coast at Vieques and the third is in the town of Fajardo.

All of these factors make Puerto Rico an essential destination. It is a charming island where you can find all the best elements of a Caribbean hideaway. On offer are natural beauty, the island's culture, exquisite cuisine, water sports, and constantly warm seas just waiting to welcome anybody with the inclination to take a dip, together with tourist complexes fit for a king. So don’t think twice about making sure it is on your very next itinerary.

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