The unique island of Puerto Rico is home to diversified climates and distinct terrains. Lush jungles and rivers meet mountains, dry forests and miles of beautiful coastline, making this the perfect destination for nature enthusiasts. From caving to zip-lining, this small island has enough adventure for everyone. Key facts about Puerto Rico: 1) In Puerto Rico, Spanish and English are the official languages; most Puerto Ricans speak English. 2) Puerto Rico is a U.S. commonwealth and the U.S. dollar is the official currency; U.S. citizens don’t need a passport or a currency converter! 3) El Yunque is the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service, a place so indescribable that it must be seen, heard and felt. It’s one of our must-visit destinations. 4) More than 70% of the rum sold in the U.S. comes from Puerto Rico; sample our favorite local brands and enjoy a tour of our rum distilleries. 5) Puerto Rico houses the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, spanning almost 20 acres. It’s the only radio telescope that can accurately predict when and where an asteroid might collide with Earth, and was responsible for the first asteroid images in history. 6) Toro Verde features one of the longest Zip Lines on Earth: La Bestia. It uses a specially designed harness to soar through the air across 4,745 feet of terrain. 7) Bioluminescence exists around the world, but there are only a few biobays on our planet. Puerto Rico has three of them, a kayak or boat-ride away from our shores, they must be seen to be appreciated.

3. A city within a city, Old San Juan is connected to
mainland Puerto Rico through a series of three bridges, the Puente Dos Hermanos, the Puente
G. Esteves, and the Puente San Antonio. Away from the busy Condado beachfront and the
gaudy casinos of Isla Verde, it’s a peaceful haven of charming colonial architecture, fascinating
history, and unforgettable dining, which you might miss sipping pina coladas poolside.
Deemed a National Historic Landmark District last year, more than 40 years after being listed
on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Puerto Rico’s oldest settlement offers a
delightful collision of old and new best explored on foot.

4. Lechon, mofongo, exotic tropical fruit, rum drinks, etc.
Lechoneras are outdoor restaurants that specialize in seasoned whole-pig, slow roasted over
an open fire. This makes the pork flavorful and delicious. Families make the trip in droves, not
just for the lechon, but also for the various side dishes like rice and pigeon peas, cassava,
breadfruit, sweet potato, blood sausage, and yellow or green plantains. Of course, besides the
delicious pork, there are turkeys and chickens cooked and seasoned in a similar way.

5. During the day,
Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay is your stereotypical Caribbean hideout — but at night, the sky
and waters emit a blue glow from the half-plant, half-animal microorganisms that live there.
More than 700,000 bioluminescent dinoflagellates live in each gallon of bay water, and recent
travelers have been amazed by just how much visibility these tiny creatures provide.

6. Sometimes referred to as the Caribbean
National Forest, the El Yunque National Rainforest, or simply El Yunque, this lush expanse is
the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest System. It's also a particular favorite for
vacationers who like to hike — but even if nature really isn't your thing, travelers urge you to
make the trip just 35 miles east of San Juan.
The forest has 13 well-marked hiking trails that range in difficulty. The two most popular, La
Mina & Big Tree Trail, are a combined two-hour hike that snakes by La Mina River and ends
around La Mina Falls.

7. Carolina
Beach is a popular public beach among both visitors and locals. Families especially love its
white sand, warm water and that there's an on-duty lifeguard.
There are plenty of vendors on the beach, including spots to rent equipment for water sports
like kiteboarding, to satisfy the needs of most visitors. Although there are plenty of vendors
selling refreshments - pretty much anything you want.

8. Cueva Ventana is located in Arecibo, close
to the Arecibo/Utuado border, just off of Route 10. It is amazingly easy to get to once you
know how. Actually, there are 2 caves here that one can enter — and they are right next to
each other.
Cueva Ventana is the cave on the left, with the steps going down into it. This cave has a bunch
of very pretty formations — stalagmites and stalactites.

9. Culebra is an island 20 miles off the north-east coast of
Puerto Rico. This small island (seven-by-four-miles) is a favorite of tourists and locals alike, not
only for the things on the island , but also for the things you will not find here. Culebra has no
luxury resorts, casinos, elegant restaurants, theaters, or night life to speak of. It also has no
crowds, crime or traffic. What it does have is just a laid back island feel and great beaches and
snorkeling.

10. Culebrita Deserted Island boasts beautiful white sand
beaches, clear water with great underwater visibility for snorkeling, a wild turtle population
that frequents the area (and are often seen), some amazing “baths” (rock formations that slow
the large northern waves and form a Jacuzzi-like experience), ruins of an old lighthouse, and
some walking trails that will get you across and up to the top of the cay. The island is a wildlife
refuge, so you’ll see birds and some other animals.

11. El Morro juts out of San Juan harbor
beckoning to cruise ships just as it used to deter sea attacks. The structure is a hulking six-story
fortress built between 1539 and 1589, withstanding the two World Wars and several other
scrimmages. Now, El Fuerto San Felipe del Morro is Puerto Rico's go-to tourist attraction, both
for its extensive history and its outstanding vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. You can also walk
though the fortress' depths, which include a maze of tunnels, barracks and prison cells.

12. Take one of these adventure tours for something you wouldn’t do
back at home — Ziplines, ATVs, Rappelling, Hang Gliding, Horseback Riding, and more.
The unique island of Puerto Rico is home to diversified climates and distinct terrains. Lush
jungles and rivers meet mountains, dry forests and miles of beautiful coastline, making this
the perfect destination for nature enthusiasts. From caving to zip-lining, this small island has
enough adventure for everyone.

13. 45 minutes from
San Juan
EXPEDIA
$1522.98
Club Price
$679

14. 45 minutes from
San Juan
Endless Vacations
$1259.99
Club Price
$679

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