6 Reasons to Visit Puerto Rico (No Passport Required!)
With so many things to see and do, plus easy direct flights from a number of Southern cities, Puerto Rico should definitely be on your must-visit list.
The internet is awash with recent horror stories of folks struggling to renew their passports in time for international travel. In fact, the U.S. State Department issued a warning that processing times have increased — the wait is currently 10 to 13 weeks, or seven to nine weeks if you pay for expedited processing. So, if your passport is anywhere near its expiration date, that Caribbean vacation may be off the books for this year — UNLESS you opt for a destination that doesn’t require a passport for U.S. citizens. Enter Puerto Rico!
Puerto Rico’s varied landscape, rich history, delicious food, and easy direct flights from a number of Southern cities are just a few of the perks of traveling to this tropical island. Today, we’re breaking down all the reasons PR should be on your destination list.
Easy Travel for U.S. Citizens
Puerto Rico offers SO many advantages for American travelers. After the island was ravaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Rico fell off the roster of popular vacation spots as it rebuilt its infrastructure. Now that the resilient Puertorriqueños have officially rebounded, they welcome tourism dollars more than ever.
Speaking of dollars, that’s a significant advantage to adding PR to your vacation itinerary. As a US territory, the island runs on the US dollar, so there’s no need to lose money at the airport currency exchange booth on both ends of a trip. Drivers also follow the American convention of driving on the right, and it’s simple to rent a car and get around the island, which is about 75% the size of Connecticut.
Plus, getting to Puerto Rico is easier than ever. If you’re in Nashville, there’s even a weekly four-hour flight courtesy of Southwest Airlines. There are plenty of flights between the island and other Southern cities, too, with various airlines offering direct flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, Houston, and more. Once you arrive, you’ll discover that English is spoken pretty widely, especially among the younger population. As fun as it is to travel someplace exotic, it’s nice to be able to ask questions without resorting to a game of charades.
Variety
For a relatively small island, the topography of Puerto Rico is incredibly varied. While the coastal beaches are certainly the main attraction for most tourists, more than half of the island is mountainous, with four ranges taking up much of the center of the territory. These mountains are home to dramatic waterfalls and breathtaking vistas.
Parts of the island are made of limestone that has eroded over centuries to create systems of jagged cliffs and unusual rock outcroppings that look like cave formations above the ground.
East of the capital of San Juan lies El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the entire US Forest System. El Yunque is so popular that reservations are required to visit lest you be turned away at the park gate. Once inside, visitors discover a diverse ecosystem covering almost 29,000 square miles.
Interestingly, the island of Puerto Rico has its own islands, with Vieques and Culebra being the largest. Reachable by ferry or plane, these two islands are a paradise for watersports lovers. Vieques was once used as a target range for the US Navy but is now a serene resort destination with snorkeling, scuba diving, paddle boarding, and beachcombing opportunities. Wild horses run free on Vieques, and beach rides on top of tame steeds are popular.
Mosquito Bay is known as a marvel of nature thanks to millions of glowing microorganisms, which are bioluminescent at night and create beautiful swirls of light and color in the bay. Boat tours leave nightly to take in the show.
Culebra is even more remote than Vieques, making it an ideal destination for a secluded getaway at one of the small resorts or beach homes for rent on the island. Just be sure to take time away from all that relaxation to visit Flamenco Beach, where you might spy some of the pink birds that give the site its name.
Resorts
Although tourism took a major hit after Hurricane Maria, almost all of the resorts around the island have rebuilt and are better than ever. Mainly concentrated around the coastal areas, many international hospitality chains offer luxury accommodations, with brands like St. Regis, AC Hotel by Marriott, Wyndham, Fairmont, Sheraton, and Hilton on the roster. That means you can earn hotel points or spend them during your stay.
Independent resorts also offer all the premium amenities you can ask for during a vacation stay, and more than a dozen casinos are operating on the east and west coasts of Puerto Rico if you fancy yourself a high roller.
The island’s interior is worth visiting, and short-term rentals are readily available. They are also the more popular option once you get away from the beaches. Staying in a neighborhood among locals is a very special way to meet and learn from your fellow American citizens on the island.
Adventure
It’s not just the sounds of salsa music or the awesome sea views that will get your heart pumping in Puerto Rico. The island offers a myriad of opportunities for adventurous travelers. The island’s northwest coast — from Isabela to Rincón — is known for some of the best surfing beaches in the world, thanks to consistent breaks and swells that can accommodate almost any level of surfer. If you’ve ever wanted to learn, surf schools offer classes by the hour, day, or week. The laid-back vibe of villages near the water is enjoyable whether or not you get your feet wet.
The Karst region of the island is popular among serious rock climbers, who love to scale its irregular limestone formations. If ziplining is your thing, there are courses in El Yunque and some of the mountain towns. The longest zipline in the United States is in Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park, appropriately named “The Monster.” Brave travelers hang from harnesses beneath the wire as they zip at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour along the 1.57-mile path above the verdant mountain range.
History
Inhabited for more than five centuries, Puerto Rico is rich in history and represents a melting pot of cultures. Influences on modern-day Puerto Rico stretch back to indigenous Taíno populations — Africans and Europeans who each brought parts of their cultures to the island. Fascinating history museums tell stories and showcase the artifacts of past civilizations. Other specialized museums explore the history of rum on the island, as well as arts and crafts.
The walled city of Old San Juan is the oldest in the United States, and it has been more than 500 years since the Spanish built their colonial capital there. Walking the cobblestone streets of Viejo San Juan, it’s easy to feel the history of this island where Christopher Columbus visited, and Ponce de León served as governor. Brightly-colored buildings and colonial architecture are a treat for the eye, and a visit to Castillo San Felipe del Morro will demonstrate the fort’s importance as a defense against foreign navy and pirate invaders through the centuries.
Food and Drink
Puerto Rico is a culinary delight! From James Beard-nominated restaurants to tiny neighborhood eateries, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Resorts offer world-class international cuisine, but it’s worth venturing beyond the gates to visit family restaurants and discover classic puertorriqueño dishes like mofongo, fried plantains, lechón asado (a roast pork dish), arroz con pollo (literally “chicken with rice,” but served in many different delicious ways) and sweet desserts like flan, the silky coconut custard called tembleque, and coquito (the Puerto Rican version of eggnog).
Puerto Rico is also a center of cocktail culture, which is no surprise since it’s home to famous spirits brands like Bacardi and Don Q. The island supplies more than 70% of the rum purchased by Americans and is the birthplace of iconic cocktails like the piña colada as well as the minty mojito.
Visit discoverpuertorico.com for more information. All images courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico.
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Chris Chamberlain
A rare Nashville native, Chris Chamberlain has been writing professionally for over 16 years. Chris loves to write about food, bourbon, and quirky history — especially in the South. Find more of Chris's work at the Nashville Scene, Resy, Fodor's, Tennessee Visitors Guide, Bourbon Plus, NFocus, Thrillist, and Eat This, Not That.