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Puerto Rico |
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Puerto Rico
Say “Hola” to tropical Latin America in Puerto Rico. But don’t be surprised if it answers you back in English. As exotic as the island can be, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is still a territory of the United States. English is widely spoken, dollars are the official currency, and US Citizens do not need a passport. This may surprise you as you stroll the streets of Old San Juan, where you’ll sometimes think you’re in Spain (and the 16th century). Other parts of the island will make you think you disappeared into a South American rain forest, or found yourself on a deserted tropical beach. One thing you can be sure of is having a relaxing, luxurious vacation.
Activities and Attractions:
Your first stop will almost certainly be San Juan. The second-oldest city in the Americas is more Spanish than much of Spain, and there are relics of the Colonial empire everywhere.
Be sure to explore Old Town. These seven square blocks contain almost 500 years of history. Examples of Colonial architecture are everywhere and include La Fortaleza, the governor’s mansion; the El Morro fort, dating from 1539, 17th century city walls; and the magnificent Catedral de San Juan, the construction of which started in 1521. It’s not all dusty history in Old Town, though; there are boutiques and lively restaurants in the neighborhood that are worth a visit, too.
In the evening, shake your groove thing in SoFo, the hip nightlife neighborhood south of Calle Fortaleza. The next day, recharge on Condado, a fabulous city beach. Visit the Museo de Arte or the Museo de Arte e Historia de San Juan, two excellent museums devoted to Puerto Rican art and culture.
And if at all possible, try to see what the rest of the island has to offer. At the very least, visit Luquillo beach, about 45 minutes from San Juan. This famed expanse of golden sand is said to be one of the best (and most popular) beaches in Puerto Rico. There’s plenty of room, and the water’s perfect.
Another eastern Puerto Rican attraction, not much further afield than Luquillo, is the El Yunque rain forest preserve (the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. park system). You can tramp through 28,000 acres of jungle, alone or with a knowledgeable ranger. If you’re incredibly lucky, you’ll spot a critically endangered Puerto Rican Amazon parrot. There are only about 30 of these little green birds left in the wild.
If you have time, go where Puerto Ricans go on vacation: the islands of Vieques and Culebra. Suddenly stylish Vieques (You’ll hear the “V” pronounced like an English “B”) is about 7 miles off the coast of the main island of Puerto Rico. The U.S. military possessed most of the island until 2003, inadvertently protecting more than 40 beautiful white-sand beaches from development. Now much of the island is a wildlife preserve, where wild horses roam free. It’s also home to two eerie and endlessly fascinating bioluminescent bays.
Even more unspoiled than Vieques is Culebra. Eighteen miles from the “mainland,” Culebra is surrounded by talcum-like beaches and coral reefs. You might feel like you’re on the edge of civilization, but you haven’t even left the United States.
Insider Tip:
Puerto Rico isn’t as formal as some parts of Latin America, and it’s okay to dress like you’re on vacation…most of the time. If you’re going out at night, though, ditch the flip-flops and put on some long pants. A little sartorial effort is appreciated at nightclubs and nice restaurants.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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