14 Reasons to Add Puerto Rico to Your Travel Bucket List
Easy to reach, rich in culture, and blessed with beaches and rainforest alike, Puerto Rico offers a Caribbean escape without the passport
Puerto Rico is always ready to embrace travelers with a warm welcome. The Caribbean island pairs vibrant culture, historic cities, lush rainforests, and sun-soaked beaches—all without requiring a passport for US travelers.
From the island roots of icons such as Rita Moreno and Roberto Clemente to the rhythms that shaped stars such as Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico’s cultural influence reaches far beyond its shores and makes a compelling case for exploring the island firsthand.
We spoke with Jeffrey Lee, product director for vacation company Pleasant Holidays and a seasoned traveler to the island, about why now is a good time to plan a visit.
Warm weather year-round
There is no winter, spring or fall in Puerto Rico—only summer. Enjoy sunny days with 80-degree temperatures, 365 days a year.
A cosmopolitan and beach vacation into one trip
If you can’t decide on an energetic city getaway or relaxing respite in nature, combine them in one trip. “You have the best of both worlds in Puerto Rico,” says Lee, adding that many travelers like to pair a few days in San Juan with time on a secluded beach.
No need for a passport
Because Puerto Rico is a US territory, you can leave the passport at home.
Plentiful flight options
Direct flights to Puerto Rico are available from most major US cities and across multiple airlines. “The frequency of airlift makes it very affordable,” says Lee, “and very conducive to the last-minute [traveler].”
Revitalized hotels and resorts
Lee notes that several of the island’s top resorts have undergone significant renovations in recent years, offering travelers refreshed stays with modern upgrades. Among them is the AAA Four Diamond Fairmont El San Juan, an oceanfront icon that completed a $65 million transformation and is home to the first Foxwoods Casino in the Caribbean. The AAA Four Diamond Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico is home to the island's largest lagoon-style pool and is one of the only Puerto Rico resorts with pickleball courts.
Ease of communication
Monolinguals can breathe easy, as English is widely spoken in Puerto Rico. If you need to stay connected to those back home, know that Internet connectivity is great across the island and there’s no need for an international phone plan for American travelers.
Waters that glow
Check this off your travel bucket list: nighttime kayaking in a glowing body of water. Puerto Rico is home to three of the world’s most famous bioluminescent bays. These are bodies of water that light up in an ethereal glow-in-the-dark shade of blue-green when stimulated by movement. Lee recommends booking an excursion to Mosquito Bay in Vieques, which the Guinness Book of World Records deemed the brightest bay in the world.
A rainforest that wows
Pack your hiking boots. Puerto Rico is home to El Yunque National Forest, one of the oldest nature reserves in the Western Hemisphere and the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest Service. Enjoy hikes within this diverse ecosystem where colorful parrots, beautiful waterfalls, and natural pools (ideal for swimming) adventurous travelers.
Beaches that beckon
Choose from nearly 300 beaches. Whether you want to paddleboard, surf, and snorkel—or do nothing at all—Puerto Rico has a postcard-perfect beach to match your vibe. Find some of the most beautiful and most remote beaches on the islands of Culebra and Vieques, which are accessible by boat or small plane.
Caves to explore
The natural beauty above ground is obvious. For a deeper dive, literally, take your island exploration underground. The Río Camuy Cave Park is one of the largest underground cave systems in the world, a natural wonder still being mapped to this day. Spelunk its extensive network of natural limestone caves and underground waterways. It boasts 10 miles of caverns and 220 caves—and counting.
Street art that dazzles
The free-spirited neighborhood of Santurce is a living canvas worth a visit, whether you have an appreciation for art or you’re simply looking for one of the island’s most Instagrammable settings. It’s become one of the largest art districts in the Caribbean (thanks to its unique galleries and museums), but Calle Cerra, a street that features a rotating assortment of vibrant street art and murals, is the main attraction.
World-famous rum to sample
The rum made here goes back to the days of the pirates and is a main ingredient in Puerto Rico’s most celebrated libation: the Piña Colada. Guided rum tours and mixology experiences sometimes include the opportunity to bottle your own rum. Casa Bacardí, Hacienda Santa Ana, and PitoRico are among the most popular distilleries open to (thirsty) visitors.
Crazy-delicious cuisine to taste
The cuisine of Puerto Rico is as vibrant as its people, a quality that comes alive in flavorful dishes such as mofongo (deep-fried green plantain mashed together with garlic and crackling pork rinds). Head to Lote 23, a gastronomic park in the heart of Santurce that offers diverse food options; or restaurant-hop down the Luquillo Kiosks line, which features 60 family-owned stalls that’ll satisfy a big appetite. If you want to follow in the footsteps of fearless chef Andrew Zimmern, drive into the mountains to Guavate to feast on its local delicacy: the spit-roasted suckling pig.
Picturesque cities
The capital city of San Juan is a must, especially its premier UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old San Juan. Step back in time while meandering its blue-cobblestone streets, which are home to 16th-century fortresses and walls (popular during the day) and a vibrant nightlife (popular when the sun goes down). For a slower cosmopolitan pace, Lee recommends visiting Ponce on the south coast of the island. “It’s a little more relaxed,” he says. “It has the history but not the hustle and bustle of San Juan.”
All photos courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico