Here at Royal Holiday Cruises, we love giving you the best information about how amazing your next vacation with us could be. There are many remarkable islands all over the world that we know for sure, would make the perfect location for your next holiday. However, what if we told you one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean and perhaps the whole world, sits right at our doorstep. Get ready to be amazed and discover Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico is officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), and is 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.
Puerto Rico is the smallest island of the Greater Antilles, with a territory of approximately 100 miles long by 35 miles wide on the main island and there are also a number of smaller islands such as Mona, Culebra, and Vieques. The island’s population is approximately 3.5 million and its capital is San Juan.
Puerto Rico’s rich history, tropical weather, diverse animal and plant species, celebrated traditional food, and warm people make it a popular destination for travelers from all over the world.
Beaches
Puerto Rico may be a small territory, but it does have more than 270 miles of beautiful coastline. Quantity stops being impressive once you experience the quality of the beaches you can find here and the endless amount of activities for the entire family to enjoy.
Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island): This uninhabited island off the southern coast of Puerto Rico is a protected natural reserve due to the amount of turtles that frequent its beaches. The island has four beaches: Pelicano, Playa Larga, Carrucho, and Coast Guard. Some of the animal and plant species found here, cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
Flamenco Beach: Located on the island of Culebra, Flamenco beach has been rated as one of the top ten best beaches in the world. The beach extends for a mile around a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped bay and is frequented by those who want to swim, fish and dive in the most perfect turquoise waters and soak up the sun in the beautiful white sand. There are two ways to get to Culebra Island: by airplane or by ferry. Airplanes depart from Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport and arrive at Culebra airport and the ferry can be taken from Fajardo (a small city in the east of the island) and it takes around 50 minutes to arrive to Culebra.
Culture and Food
The culture of Puerto Rico is the result of a number of international and indigenous influences, both past and present that include the Taíno, European, African, American, Latin/Caribbean, Asian, Hawaiian, and more. Local architecture demonstrates a wide array of traditions and styles present over centuries of Spanish rule. Spanish colonial architecture, Ibero-Islamic, art deco, post-modern, and many other architectural forms are visible throughout the island, especially in the city of San Juan.
Puerto Rico’s amazing food, has transcended geographical boundaries and can be found in several countries outside the archipelago. If you’re one of those who believe that a culture is best understood through its food, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime. One of the main ingredients used for many traditional preparations are plantains as they can be found everyone in the island. One of the most popular dishes of Puerto Rican cuisine is the Mofongo. A mound of mashed fried green plantains; the mofongo is often stuffed with seafood, pork, or vegetables. Another popular dish is Lechon, where an entire pig is put through a spit, and roasted over charcoal. This type of preparation is very traditional and usually done to celebrate an occasion with many people attending the feast.
Puerto Rico’s largest annual food festival has rapidly grown to one of the most important gatherings for food fanatics and chefs in the Caribbean. This weekend-long celebration of Puerto Rican cuisine offers food pavilions and great celebrity chef competitions.
Image courtesy of Robert Pittman at Flickr.com
Nightlife
Puerto Rico truly comes alive once the sun comes down. Salsa is the music of Puerto Rico and you can hear it everywhere as you walk the streets and meet the friendly locals who won’t be shy to teach you a few moves. Did you know that 70% of the rum consumed around the world comes from Puerto Rico? But don’t worry, not all of the rum leaves the island so while you visit, you can find some of the most exquisite blends of rum in the entire world. Puerto Rico has four distilleries and a strictly preserved tradition that dates back to the 1600s; they have perfected the craft of making their favorite drink over the centuries.
