5 Reasons to put Puerto Rico top of your bucket list destinations
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Today, Puerto Rico’s national drink turns 70. In light of this exciting day, here is a couple of reasons why Puerto Rico is a perfect holiday destination for all sorts of travel.
The archipelago has so much on offer ranging from surf adventures to farm-to-table dining.
- Connect with Puerto Rico’s vibrant wildlife
Explore Puerto Rico and discover the U.S. National Forest System’s only tropical rainforest. El Yunque national forest offers a range of activities for travellers to immerse themselves in. Journey up to Yokahú Observation Tower, the 1,575 foot elevation promises jaw dropping views of the emerald rainforest and glistening blue ocean in the distance. Back under the cover of emerald green trees, adventurers can hike, bathe in waterfalls or have a go trying to spot some of Puerto Rico’s hundreds of native plant and animal species. Travellers will definitely hear the famous sound of “Co-kee! Co-co-kee!” made by Puerto Rico’s native coquí frog or try to find the spindalis bird.
Fill the day with a night time experience and witness Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays. There are 5 bioluminescent bays in the world and Puerto Rico is home to 3 of them. Take a tour kayaking through the water and be mesmerised as the water lights up like a sparkling starry night. Puerto Rico even offers the opportunity to swim in the water at La Parguera, where tours provide equipment for diving to witness the magic of nature up close.
- Ride the waves in a surfer’s sanctuary
With its pristine coastline and tropical climate all year-round, Puerto Rico is a surfer’s paradise. The west coast town of Rincón is known locally as the “town of beautiful sunsets”. Whether travellers are new to the sport or looking to pick up new skills and tricks, there is no better place to learn how to ride the waves than at Rincón Surf School. Rincón welcomes surfers of all levels, a great spot for those with more experience as well.
- Indulge in Puerto Rico’s diverse culinary scene
Puerto Rico’s food scene cannot be discussed without mentioning the Piña Colada! Puerto Rico’s national drink was created 70 years ago at the Caribe Hilton Hotel. Due to a coconut shortage on the night, a bartender had to improvise and created the famously refreshing piña colada. Visit Puerto Rico and stay at Caribe Hilton Hotel, and sip on the magic that started it all!
The culinary scene in Puerto Rico excels not only in quality and diversity but also sustainability. Utilising local ingredients, Puerto Rico’s growing farm-to-table offering signifies an exciting cultural and culinary shift, opening up doors for local and organic growers to showcase their produce and for chefs to take advantage of Puerto Rico’s finest ingredients. Writing about food can only communicate so much, food deserves to be eaten! Experience Puerto Rico’s exquisite cuisine first-hand with a visit to El Pretexto, the Island’s first culinary farm stay. The farm employs locals and showcases ingredients produced onsite. Dinners take place regularly, enjoyed on a long table with stunning views of the Cordillera Central, the mountain range that crosses Puerto Rico from west to east.
Rates start from £281 per room per night at the Caribe Hilton Hotel. For more information, please visit www.caribehilton.com
For more information on El Pretexto, please visit www.elpretextopr.com
- Get pampered in Puerto Rico
The natural surroundings encourage relaxation laying on lush soft sand beaches or thermal pools. For some, wellness is best achieved from the comfort of a spa. Puerto Rico has it covered. A stay at Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve promises rejuvenation equipped with an idyllic spa offering a range of treatments integrating indigenous ingredients. Be transformed by Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s outdoor bathtub treatment or be cleansed of stress by an unforgettable massage amidst the treetops, surrounded by the wondrous sounds of nature. For the ultimate reset join a wellness retreat, caring for your spirit as well as your body.
Nestled away in the flourishing Coamo hills are the Coamo Thermal Baths. These natural hot springs are said to have rejuvenating powers, even rumoured to be the legendary Fountain of Youth. There are two pools for guests to move between and dip into. This escape to the country promises to calm guests with water containing restorative minerals heated by a dormant volcano.
Rates start from £853 per room per night. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com
- Island hop around Puerto Rico’s very own archipelago
The main Island of Puerto Rico has so much on offer it is possible to forget the other islands included in the archipelago. Travel by boat, plane, ferry, or in a kayak to even just one of the Island’s hundred islets for a unique insight into Puerto Rico’s hidden gems. Only a short ride from the mainland, the Island of Culebra is home to one of the top ranked beaches in the world, Flamenco Beach, located ina postcard-worthy stretch of white-sand and turquoise waters.
Only accessible by kayak, Gilligan’s Island offers a hidden haven to relax with a picnic on the beach or spend the day floating among the verdant mangrove trees. Due to Gilligan Island’s clear water, it is a great spot for snorkelling. The most remote Island off Puerto Rico is the Isla de Mona. The uninhabited Island is known as the “Galapagos of the Caribbean” due to its natural environment and endemic flora and fauna. A visit to this Island guarantees a memorable experience worth the journey.
For more information, please visit www.discoverpuertorico.com
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