Puerto Rico Island

Most people would like to spend time on a tropical island with white beaches and a warm welcome from the local people. The archipelago of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean includes the biggest Puerto Rico Island and several keys and smaller islands such as Mona, Vieques and Culebra. Borders between the islands and the United States are open and allow free movement between the two countries. Spanish and English are the official languages.

The terrain of the island is varied, offering some memorable scenery. Visitors can hope to see mountains, coastline, rain forests and deserts. Caves are also a common feature, with resident bats and subterranean rivers. Other wildlife includes iguanas and various species of lizard and mongoose. There is a wide range of plants, including orchids, mahogany trees, cactus and coconut palms. Puerto Rico Island is susceptible to cyclones and hurricanes.

Cultural and sporting life is important to the island and its tourist economy. There are many art galleries and museums with interesting exhibits on the history of the island and the arts and crafts tradition of its people. The architecture in the capital, San Juan and other towns is influenced by the Spanish colonial style. The local population supports many sports, including basketball and baseball. Visitors can play tennis, golf or participate in water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing and wind surfing. Sport fishing is also popular and there are opportunities to catch game fish such as Blue Marlin.

San Juan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean. The old walled city has an historic district with charming cobbled streets and 16th century colonial buildings. There is a lot to see, including forts, plazas, parks and museums. One museum is dedicated to the life and work of the cellist, Pablo Casals and exhibits memorabilia including musical scores. Visitors to the capital on Puerto Rico Island also enjoy the beaches and the casinos.

Food is important on every vacation and the cuisine here is tasty and varied. Herbs and spices are used a lot in the Creole inspired dishes. Rice, soup and stews often feature on the menu and there is an abundance of seafood. Chicken is the most popular meat. The desserts are refreshing after the spicy main courses and jellies, custards and coconut puddings are amongst the favorites. Puerto Rican coffee is strong and the national alcoholic brew is rum. Puerto Rico Island is the perfect spot for sipping a rum cocktail at the end of a hectic, day of sightseeing.