Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico – an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands with tropical rainforest, warm turquoise waters and soft yellow sand. Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide, making it the smallest island of the Greater Antilles, and roughly the size of Connecticut. Visitors are attracted to the island’s beaches, from San Juan’s calmer Atlantic waters to Rincón’s ripping surf breaks, and from Culebra’s picture-perfect Flamenco Beach (rated one of the top 10 beaches in the world by the Discovery Channel) to Vieques’ nearly deserted beaches where wild horses roam, there really is sand and surf for every type of beach bum in Puerto Rico. It is easy to find a sizzling night life and fun adventures here.

Weather: The average temperature ranges between 70*-85*degrees

Language: English~Spanish

Highlights:

• Beaches- In the San Juan area, the beaches at Isla Verde and the more famous Condado merge together; where one ends the other begins. Outside the city, Luquillo Beach (30 miles) to the east is considered the country’s finest. Playa Dorado,  just west of San Juan, is actually a series of beaches especially popular with families.
• El Yunque- the only U.S. National Forest System tropical rain forest and only about 45 minutes from San Juan. Walks at lower altitudes are easy on paved paths. These popular trails require a hard surface to accommodate both heavy foot traffic and combat possible erosion from sometimes torrential rains. There are true wilderness hiking experiences at higher, less visited altitude.
• Bioluminescent Bays- welcome night-time visitors to see this show of natural lights dancing in the water, which is caused by dinoflagellates and a cluster of conditions that make their movement visible, the biobays are located in Fajardo, the town of La Parguera, and at Mosquito Bay on Vieques.
• Old San Juan- The wonderful colonial Spanish fortresses of El Morro and San Cristobal are both perched on cliffs, and most of the old city remains enclosed by a wall built in the 16th and 17th centuries. Blue cobblestone streets, intimate plazas, and colonial-style homes provide many opportunities for memorable photos.
• Mona Island – Puerto Rico has its own ‘Galapagos Island’ off the eastern shore of mainland Puerto Rico.  It is referred to this way because of its unspoiled-by-man natural beauty and its colony of iguanas, which practically overrun the place.