In just over three hours—the duration of a flight from Atlanta to San Juan—you could be sitting on the beach sipping a piña colada in the place where the coconut rum drink originated. And you wouldn’t even need to find your passport. The only thing more
laid-back than planning a trip to Puerto Rico is being on the island.
That’s not to say this Caribbean paradise lacks adventure. Puerto Rico is a captivating fusion of stunning beaches, over five hundred years of recorded history, and rich biodiversity in spectacular outdoor sanctuaries. The island’s northeastern corner,
for example, is home to the sole tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System,
El Yunque. This 29,000-acre preserve is home to 240 plant species endemic to Puerto Rico. Explore its hiking trails and postcard-perfect waterfalls, then climb ninety-eight steps to the top of the Yokahú Observation Tower for a panoramic view of the coast at 1,500 feet above sea level.
On the opposite, southwestern corner of the island, find an ecosystem of a completely different stripe—Guánica’s Dry Forest. Receiving less than thirty inches of rain a year, this biosphere is nonetheless wildly diverse, boasting 130 bird species and a host of rare and endangered flora and fauna. Mountain bikers can tow their own wheels to experience the famous Central Mountain Range; it all awaits just a two-hour drive from the capital of San Juan.
Amp up the adrenaline in the northern town of Utuado with caving, cave tubing, rappelling, kayaking, or waterfall jumping along the Río Tanamá. At the site of one of the Caribbean’s most important archaeological digs, the Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Cagüana, you can see petroglyphs left by the Taíno people some seven hundred years ago, then dip in the natural swimming pools of Cañón Blanco, otherworldly ancient rock formations.
Of course, no matter which direction you journey in Puerto Rico, you’ll inevitably encounter crystalline water and pristine white sands courtesy of the three-hundred-mile coastline. Venture westward to Crash Boat Beach to ride the waves in the vibrant surfer community of Aguadilla. For watersports enthusiasts, the ideal destination lies to the southwest in
La Parguera, though you might also consider boarding a ferry to the captivating offshore island of Culebra in the east, home to Flamenco Beach, widely considered one of the planet’s most stunning beaches. Known for its shallow, teal waters and horseshoe-shaped bay, it defines tranquility.
To complete your trip to America’s Caribbean wonderland, you must experience the bioluminescent waters of Mosquito Bay. Puerto Rico is home to three of the world’s five “bio bays,” and you’ll find the spectacle at its most dazzling on the offshore island of Vieques. A brief plane or ferry ride will take you to this natural wonder, where you can paddle or splash to agitate the microorganisms, causing them to light up a neon blue-green in a scene that evokes the stars. Better yet? Arrive during a new moon for the brightest possible Puerto Rican light display. And to think all of this adventure is just a short plane ride away.
puerto rico
no passport? no problem. america's most entrancing
caribbean escape is also its most accessible
Mosquito Bay
Flamenco Beach
El Yunque
Cañón Blanco
Guánica’s Dry Forest
For an unforgettable afternoon, park your towel on Flamenco Beach, where soft white sand meets turquoise waters. Often named one of the world’s best beaches, it sits in a horseshoe on the northwestern corner of the island and is a favorite spot for honeymooners—but snorkelers also show up for the vibrant array of fish and chance encounters with sea turtles.
Learn More
Flamenco Beach
Spanish for “white canyon,” this ethereal rock formation is known for its jaw-dropping scenery. Visitors can splash in the river and see petroglyphs left by the Taíno people on the surrounding stones.
Learn More
Cañón Blanco
Spanning 29,000 acres, El Yunque is not only the sole rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system, it’s also a sacred site in Puerto Rican culture. The Taíno tribe believed it served as the seat of their God, but regardless of a visitor’s beliefs, few can ignore its otherworldly beauty. One of the oldest natural preserves in the Western Hemisphere, it’s a biodiversity hotspot home to hundreds of native plant species and almost 200 vertebrates, including the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.
Learn More
El Yunque
Only a handful of places on the planet boast bioluminescent waters, and three of them can be found on Puerto Rico. Mosquito Bay is arguably the island’s brightest thanks to a high concentration of dinoflagellate plankton, which when disturbed by a splash or paddle appear to glow. Take a kayak tour for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Learn More
Mosquito Bay
This United Nations International Biosphere Reserve is considered one of the best examples of a dry forest in the world. Take in unparalleled views of the Caribbean Sea, visit a mangrove island, or bike or walk its many trails to discover sites like
Fuerte Caprón, a sixteenth-century fort built by the Spanish, along the way.
Learn More
Guánica
Plan your Puerto Rico trip now at
DiscoverPuertoRico.com
puerto rico
no passport? no problem. america's most
entrancing caribbean escape is also its most accessible
Spanning 29,000 acres, El Yunque is not only the sole rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system, it’s also a sacred site in Puerto Rican culture. The Taíno tribe believed it served as the seat of their God, but regardless of a visitor’s beliefs, few can ignore its otherworldly beauty. One of the oldest natural preserves in the Western Hemisphere, it’s a biodiversity hotspot home to hundreds of native plant species and almost 200 vertebrates, including the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.
Learn More
Tishomingo
State Park
Spanish for “white canyon,” this ethereal rock formation is known for its jaw-dropping scenery. Visitors can splash in the river and see petroglyphs left by the Taíno people on the surrounding stones.
Learn More
Vicksburg National
Military Park
For an unforgettable afternoon, park your towel on Flamenco Beach, where soft white sand meets turquoise waters. Often named one of the world’s best beaches, it sits in a horseshoe on the northwestern corner of the island and is a favorite spot for honeymooners—but snorkelers also show up for the vibrant array of fish and chance encounters with sea turtles.
Learn More
Natchez Trace
Scenic National Trail
This United Nations International Biosphere Reserve is considered one of the best examples of a dry forest in the world. Take in unparalleled views of the Caribbean Sea, visit a mangrove island, or bike or walk its many trails to discover sites like Fuerte Caprón, a sixteenth-century fort built by the Spanish, along
the way.
Learn More
Crosby Arboretum
Only a handful of places on the planet boast bioluminescent waters, and three of them can be found on Puerto Rico. Mosquito Bay is arguably the island’s brightest thanks to a high concentration of dinoflagellate plankton, which when disturbed by a splash or paddle appear to glow. Take a kayak tour for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Learn More
Gulf Islands
National Seashore
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DISCOVER PUERTO RICO
Illustrations by Derik Hobbs
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