Travel guide Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico. The mere mention of this island in the Caribbean Sea creates a cascade of exotic and engaging images. Its bewitching salsa, its tropical flora and its national parks with mountains filled with lush vegetation and waterfalls. Its idyllic landscapes, too, made of heavenly beaches bathed in turquoise water, invite you to idleness under a bright blue sky occupied by a shining sun all year round. Its Creole cuisine, at the crossroads of African and European influences... Yes, all the ingredients are there for a dream stay. However, Cyclone Maria, which hit the island hard in the summer of 2017, nuanced this picture somewhat, devastating entire parts of the cities, particularly in the south-east. The inhabitants have since been on the road to reconstruction, something that visitors will soon notice. Nevertheless, the Puerto Rican tourist guide will focus on revealing the beauty of the island, from the Old San Juan, the capital, whose Spanish colonial architectural heritage is a true summary of history, to Cabo Rojo, where the red waters of the salt pans mingle with the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. You will discover the natural swimming pools of this unique destination in the world, stretching at the foot of century-old trees, as in Torro Negro, before being rushed by the Puerto Rican night, vibrating to the sound of salsa and reggaeton. Human warmth, permanent sunshine, dream beaches, healthy and tasty cuisine... What is the people asking for?
What to see, what to do Puerto Rico?
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When to go Puerto Rico ?
When to go to Puerto Rico? The high season is when the weather is most pleasant, from December to April, and the tourist rush is even more intense from January to March. The middle of the year, from May to July, as well as the month of November, are perhaps the best times to go to Puerto Rico if you want to avoid the tourist rush and still enjoy good weather. August, September and October are not the most recommended months to go to Puerto Rico because of the heat peaks, the hurricane season and the annual vacations of a large part of the merchants and tourism actors. When to go to Puerto Rico, all year round with a preference for spring.
Suggested addresses Puerto Rico
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How to go Puerto Rico
How to go alone
The average price of direct flights to San Juan from France in high season is about 1 200 € and 800 € in low season. But if you look hard enough, using flight comparison sites, you can find flights for less than 600 €. Provided that your dates are flexible. Note that the price variation depends on the airline you use and, above all, on the reservation deadline. To get good prices, it is essential to book well in advance. Consider buying your tickets six months before departure if possible. Most flights include at least one stopover and often two. If you want a direct flight, you will have to fly to Madrid. For stopovers, try to choose Miami, as the ones in New York are more easily changed in winter due to snow.
How to go on a tour
Puerto Rico is generally absent from the catalogs of French tour operators. The destination will only be proposed as a cruise stop in the heart of the Caribbean. Concerning an all-inclusive stay in Puerto Rico, the tourism professionals can still compose your trip to measure (luxury trip, honeymoon, family, etc.). To get an idea, you should plan a minimum budget of €1,500 for a flight+hotel package, for a one-week vacation.
How to get around
From a tourist point of view, public transportation is the biggest problem in Puerto Rico. Renting a car is in this case one of the solutions that may be necessary when leaving the capital, San Juan. But be careful with several points. First of all, the budget calculation (rental including taxes and insurance, parking in town, etc.).
The other alternative: the so-called públicos (collective cabs) can allow non-motorized people to reach some of the island's major destinations such as Ponce, Rincon, Fajardo.
Discover Puerto Rico
With more than 400 km of coastline and almost constant sunshine, Puerto Rico has many beautiful beaches. Some people go there for this reason alone. A stay in Puerto Rico will also plunge you into the heart of a cheerful and lively music, born from the meeting between Africa, Europe and the Caribbean air. You will hear in particular salsa and merengue in the streets. Music is everywhere! At the crossroads of American, Spanish and African influences, Puerto Rico has forged a unique identity. Its rich history, from the Taíno era to the American time, through the Hispanic colonization, has endowed its lands with a mixed heritage. The Puerto Rican people, like other Caribbean islands, can boast of bearing the marks of diverse origins, whose mixture can be found in its culture, whether in its customs, cuisine or music
The 12 keywords Puerto Rico
1. Boricua
It is a Spanish word made to designate Puerto Ricans or people from the island. As a result, in everyday language, there are many variations. The word comes from the vocabulary used by the Taino Indians to form their language, Arawak. Boricua comes from the term Borinquen, which means "Land of the brave".
2. Coffee
Coffee remains the most profitable crop on the island, far ahead of sugar cane. The production has resumed in recent years. The production sites(haciendas) can be visited. Most of them have their own coffeeshop, on site and/or in San Juan, offering to taste and buy their freshly roasted coffee
3. Carnival
Carnival celebrations are very popular and give rise to very colorful and original festivities. Puerto Rico has a carnival that stands out from the others: the one in Ponce. Taking place over several days in February, it attracts a crowd of festival-goers, sometimes from far away. The traditional mask, called vejigante, is the emblem.
4. Casino
The gaming industry in Puerto Rico is alive and well. With the exception of Las Vegas, rarely has an American territory had so many casinos, large and small, open 24 hours a day. They are most often located in the lobbies of large hotels. You don't have to be especially well-dressed to get in, but you must be at least 18 years old
5. Colony
"We are the last colony in the world". Under the domination of the United States since the war with Spain in 1898, Puerto Rico has never been independent nor is it considered a U.S. state. This phrase is sure to come up in the ears of visitors, in the course of some lively conversations among Puerto Ricans.
6. Mall
American culture obliges, the north coast of Puerto Rico in particular, the most populated, is dotted with many malls or shopping centers. Plaza las Americas, in San Juan, is the largest in the Caribbean. You will find there many stores of ready-to-wear in majority, all the large American signs are represented there
7. Mofongo
Among the pleasant surprises to discover in Puerto Rico is the gastronomy. The cuisine is very international, but Puerto Ricans also have their own specialties, like mofongo. It consists of green plantains, fried and mashed, accompanied by fish, shrimp or meat with a Creole sauce.
8. Piña Colada
It is the island's must-have cocktail. And for good reason, the recipe for this sweet mixture of coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum and ice was born in San Juan. You'll find piña colada stands on almost every popular weekend beach in the archipelago. It is the tropical cocktail par excellence
9. Reggaeton
It is impossible to escape it. Since the early 2000s, it's been the trendy musical genre throughout the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Puerto Rican singers are at the origin of this movement which federates the youth. First and foremost is Daddy Yankee, the "king of reggaeton", who made his mark internationally with his song Gasolina in 2004.
10. Ron
The best-selling rum in the world is Puerto Rican. A true national pride, rum is to Puerto Rico what wine is to France or whiskey to Scotland. Some distilleries (Bacardi, Ron del Barrilito) are worth visiting and offer tasting sessions. Cocktails and aperitifs have been made with rum for ages
11. Surf
Puerto Rico has some of the best winter surfing in North America. In the northwest, several towns, such as Rincón, have developed thanks to the surfing market and the international competitions that have taken place there. Many schools offer lessons and equipment rental. What a way to get into the water!
12. Vejigante
This term designates the traditional mask of Puerto Rico, a folkloric figure and symbol of the Ponce carnival; it is the perfect illustration of the cultural mixture resulting from the meeting between Africa, the Caribbean and Europe. Its traditional colors are red, black, white and yellow. Some of them are of art, so much they are elaborated.
You are from here, if...
You are a fan of " buen provecho ". This is an expression that you will often hear. If you are at a table, on a terrace, for example, even strangers passing by will wish you "bon appétit". So much so that some people, in order to avoid having to interrupt themselves fifteen times before they have been able to swallow their first mouthful, tap the table three times to say "thank you"
You vibrate to the sound of the salsa. Salsa is an institution. And even though reggaeton has been gaining ground in the national music scene in recent years, salsa is still the safe bet. It can be heard everywhere, in buses, cabs, bars, public places...
You like the "playa". Puerto Rico offers superb beaches, and even a few hundred! Puerto Ricans are far from being the last to enjoy them. On Sundays and long weekends, picnicking at the beach is often the main activity