Tourists who want to relax in the Caribbean should visit Puerto Rico. With its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, it is a perfect place to relax and unwind. The beauty of the island does not end only in the beaches, with an amazing geographical diversity; it also offers deserts, mountains, forests and caves. That’s why many fun activities await you on the island.
With the Atlantic on its north shore and the Caribbean on its south shore, beach lovers are sure to enjoy their stay on the island. There are also many inland tourist destinations for you to enjoy. The El Yunque Rain Forest, which is 28,000 acres, has a great diversity of plant and animal species. With over 240 different types of trees and around 50 species of birds, ten of which are on the endangered species list, the jungle is sure to thrill nature lovers.
The activities on the island are varied and there is much reserved for the tourist. Like all other colonies of Spain before it, the island has many festivals that are mostly religious in nature. Each town has its own festival and it is exciting to participate in one of them. The food, the arts, the music, the dances are all that make these festivals great.
Tourists flock to this island throughout the year due to its unspoiled tourist destinations. Generally, the months of December to May are the peak months for tourism. Even if you visit the island out of season, there is still a wide variety of fun and activities to do.
Upon arrival in Puerto Rico, your entry will most likely be in San Juan, which is the capital city. Located on the northern coastal plains, it is a major port and tourist hub of the West Indies. There are many exciting places to visit in San Juan. A lot of beautiful beaches are located in this area.
In addition to the beaches, you should also visit Old San Juan. This neighborhood of San Juan is over 400 years old and originally served as a military stronghold. It is an area of 7 square blocks whose streets are paved with blue stone cobblestones. People visit this area to admire the carefully restored 16th and 17th century Spanish buildings. There are also gambling casinos and beautiful beaches in this area.
Other structures of interest are the famous El Morro fort and its counterpart Fort San Cristóbal. El Morro is a six-tier fort with 18-foot-thick walls. The view of San Juan Bay from this fort is magnificent. It is the largest fort in the Caribbean covering 74 acres and is now a National Historic Site. San Cristóbal, partner of El Morro in the defense of the city, is considered the Gibraltar of the Antilles. Rising 150 feet above sea level with a total area of 27 acres, it is made up of five separate units connected by a moat and tunnel. It is now a World Heritage Site and a National Historic Site.
This is only in the San Juan area. Once you explore places outside of the city, you will discover many other beautiful tourist places to visit. So come and visit Puerto Rico and experience what the place has to offer.