Puerto Rico

Overview

Puerto Rico is an island in the eastern Caribbean, and as a commonwealth of the United States it blends American and Latin Caribbean culture into a distinctive identity, with Spanish as an official language and deep Latin American roots. Four centuries of Spanish colonial history remain visible in the architecture, religious traditions, and local festivals, while the island's music, including salsa and reggaeton, has made Puerto Rico known around the world. A tropical climate, well-developed infrastructure, and use of the U.S. dollar make the island a convenient yet exotic destination.

Old San Juan, the oldest European-founded city in the Caribbean, is best known for the Spanish-built forts of El Morro and San Cristóbal, along with its colorful colonial buildings, making it the island's most iconic historic site. The Paseo de la Princesa promenade captures the coastal charm of the old town, while Ponce, known as "the pearl of the south," offers a different urban character with its art deco and neoclassical architecture. The Camuy Caves, one of the largest cave systems in the Western Hemisphere, feature underground rivers and dramatic rock formations.

El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, offers excellent hiking amid waterfalls, dense jungle, and the endemic coquí frog. Off the island's southern coast, Mosquito Bay on Vieques Island is one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world, where microorganisms in the water glow blue at night. Local cuisine blends Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, with mofongo, a mashed plantain dish, and lechón, spit-roasted pork, as signature dishes, often enjoyed alongside live salsa music.