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Description An island with endless amounts of activities, Puerto Rico is as diverse as any island in the Caribbean. From exciting, bustling urban areas to more rural, quiet seaside towns, this island has it all.
Destination
Highlights Exciting nightlife in San Juan
Lush rain forests
272 miles of great beaches
Local
Weather Average coastal temperatures are a comfortable 75-83 degrees Fahrenheit, slightly cooler in the evenings and in the mountains. Summer highs can hit 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but the eastern tradewinds keep the air moving. Average annual rainfall is 62 inches, with susceptibility to summer storms and hurricanes from August-October.
Other
Destinations
Description Whether you choose to spend your vacation at a sleek resort in the capital or at an unpretentious inn in the island's traditional countryside, it probably won't take you very long at all to discover why Puerto Rico is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations. Lying 1000 miles southeast of Miami, 80 miles east of the Dominican Republic and 50 miles west of the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico is the easternmost and smallest of the Greater Antilles. Three small offshore territories flank the main island: Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. Immerse yourself in this creative culture as you explore the historic sites and peaceful countryside of this fascinating island.
From laid back to beachfront deluxe, Puerto Rico is an island offering so many vacation experiences that it calls itself "The Continent of Puerto Rico." Want to be waited on hand and foot, or would you rather forego the air conditioning for the rustic reality of a rural parador out on the island? In the busy capital, San Juan, you'll find sightseeing attractions, luxury hotels, superb restaurants, exciting nightlife, and dazzling casinos. Out in the countryside, the mood is quite different--it's another world, several other worlds, actually. Spanish colonial towns, a lush rain forest, quiet seaside restaurants and golden beaches await you.
A combination of mountain ranges and the prevailing trade winds divide the island into several climate zones. A lush tropical jungle covers the eastern mountains as the peaks are drenched in rain and shrouded in the cloud forest at El Yunque. See brightly colored parrots, fragrant orchids and over 200 species of tropical ferns and trees. Popular hiking and walking trails take you through forests and gardens to cascading waterfalls. North and west of the mountains, short grasses and cacti mark the landscape.
San Juan has grand beaches for sunning and clear waters for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports. Along the island's 272 miles of coastline you'll find beaches dotted with swaying palm trees and private sandy coves. The continental shelf that extends along three sides of Puerto Rico offers an abundance of coral reefs, caves, sea walls, and trenches for scuba divers to explore. Boating, fishing, and sailing trips are readily available all around the island.
Local Information The official languages of Puerto Rico are Spanish and English. Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, the official currency is the U.S. dollar. The electric current on the island is usually 110 volts however, pack an adapter just in case. For most travel you will need a rental car. Taxis are metered. Driving is on the right, and a valid driver's license is required.
Airport
Information Air service is into Luis Menoz Marín Airport in San Juan (SJU), Mercedita Airport in Ponce (PSE), and Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aquadilla. Puerto Rico is served by ACES, Air Canada, American Airlines, American Eagle, British Airways, BWIA, Copa, Condor, Continental, Delta, Flamenco, Iberia, LIAT, Mexicana, Northwest Airlines, TWA, United, US Airways and Vieques Air-Link. Most air service is into San Juan. Departure taxes are included in the price of the tickets.
Entry
Requirements We recommend all U.S. Citizens travelling abroad should carry a passport due to heightened security at airport check-in and immigration. If you do not have a passport or are not an American citizen, please contact your airline or your local consulate or embassy in regards to travel documentation necessary for your vacation.
