Puerto Rico, with its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, has much to offer visitors. The 110 mile long and 35 mile wide island is complete with a diverse culture molded by Spanish, African, Indian and American influences. During your visit, you’ll learn that Puerto Rico is a paradox—historic, yet modern; exotic, yet familiar; vibrant, yet relaxing.
History
In 1493 Columbus claimed Puerto Rico for Spain and the island remained under Spanish rule until 1898 when Spain ceded the island to the US in the Spanish-American war. In 1917, under the Jones Act, Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens and the island became a Commonwealth of the United States in 1952.
Geography—Mountains, Beaches and Even a Rain Forest
Puerto Rico is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Its terrain ranges from palm-lined beaches on four coastlines, to rugged mountain ranges, to gently rolling hills, and dry, desert-like areas.
One of Puerto Rico’s most distinctive features is its designated forest reserves. The most notable is the 28,000-acre El Yunque—the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. There are also famous glowing lagoons, or bioluminescent bays, in Puerto Rico.
To the west of San Juan is the Río Camuy Cave Park, one of the largest cave systems in the Western Hemisphere. Guided tours include the world’s third largest underground river and a 400-foot (122 m) sinkhole.
The island also boasts 300 miles of shoreline, with water temperatures around 80 degrees. The beautiful sandy beaches of varied shapes and sizes are perfect for those who enjoy water sports and those who love unwinding on shore.
Old San Juan
The oldest city under the U.S. flag, San Juan, was originally built as a military stronghold. The seven square block neighborhood is now home to charming restaurants, shops, and homes. Stroll along the cobble-stone streets and discover great shopping and admire the 16th and 17th century Spanish colonial architecture. Places you don’t want to miss include:
National Historic Site, Fort El Morro
In 1539, Spain began building this fort on the headlands at the eastern edge of the entrance to San Juan Bay. Rising 140 feet above sea, its 20-foot-thick walls proved a formidable defense against Spain’s European enemies. The fort is a maze of tunnels, dungeons, barracks, outposts and ramps. The Spanish also constructed a wall, parts of which are still standing, around the entire city of Old San Juan.
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR)
The MAPR promotes knowledge and appreciation of Puerto Rico’s visual arts from the 17th century to the present. Its 130,000 sq. ft. of facilities combine a neoclassical structure dating from the 1920’s with a state-of-the-art modern building, set in unique tropical gardens. The MAPR has a top restaurant, a singular art products store, and houses a very interesting Puerto Rican art collection.
Plaza de San José
A great meeting spot and photo opportunity in Old San Juan is the Plaza de San José. Standing in the middle of the plaza is a bronze statue, designed from melted cannons, of Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon. The plaza is surrounded by local bars, restaurants, and museums.
Information published with permission from the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau.