8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Puerto Rico Right Now

Hiking through El Yunque National Forest is a must on any trip to Puerto Rico
Hiking through El Yunque National Forest is a must on any trip to Puerto Rico | Courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico
Luke Prowse

There are few places on earth as enchanting as Puerto Rico and there’s no better time to experience its magic than right now. From basking in year-round sunshine to enjoying a slower, more sustainable adventure vacation, Puerto Rico offers an eco-conscious trip in paradise. Here’s why you should visit right now.

1. To enjoy exhilarating outdoor activities

From cantering down powdery beaches on horseback to zip-lining above rainforest treetops, Puerto Rico is packed with exhilarating outdoor activities. Head north to explore the Río Camuy Cave Park, a network of natural limestone caves and underground waterways carved by one of the largest underground rivers in the world. Appreciate delicate ecosystems on a trek through El Yunque (the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest Service) or traverse mountains, waterfalls and ravines on a canyoning tour along the Tanamá River in Utuado.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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The Tanamá River offers plenty of activities to get your heart pounding

2. To experience some of the best beaches in the world

If you’re a wildlife wanderer, Playa Flamenco on Isla de Culebra (14mi/22.5km east of Puerto Rico) is the place to go. More than a third of it is designated a national wildlife refuge – a unique ecosystem of forests, coral reefs (pack a snorkel), mangroves, lagoons and beaches. If you’re a surfer, there’s Playa Crash Boat, an ideal spot to frolic in the sea or catch waves. Cabo Rojo, on the southwesterly tip of Puerto Rico, is a quiet stretch of coastline with calmer waters. If you visit, catch the sunset from the lighthouse – the views are unbeatable.

Snorkeling in Culebra makes for an unforgettable underwater adventure

3. To kayak through bioluminescent bays

You won’t be short on slow and sustainable adventures in Puerto Rico, starting with kayaking through magical bioluminescent bays. There are five places in the world where you can get up close with this fluorescent phenomenon and you’ll find three of them in Puerto Rico – Mosquito Bay, Laguna Grande and La Parguera. Glide along the surface and watch as sparks light the water around you.

Grab a buddy and kayak through a bioluminescent bay

4. To feast on mouthwatering Puerto Rican food

Puerto Rican cuisine is a celebration of culture. Expect fresh seafood in abundance, plus succulent meats, just-picked fruit and hearty stews (best washed down with a cold rum punch). For meat-eaters, a traditional loaded tripleta sandwich is as good as it gets; it’s commonly made with a triple serving of meats – marinated pan-seared steak, shredded or sliced pork, and sliced ham – doused in cheese, mayonnaise and ketchup. Mofongo is a must – it’s made with mashed plantains fried with lots of garlic and crispy pork skin – as are bacalaitos, deep-fried crispy salt cod fritters.

‘Mofongo’ is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made with fried plantain

5. To soak up history and heritage

It’s not all about the beaches here – though they’re reason enough to visit. A lively atmosphere is the result of many wonderful cultures fused together over the last 500 years. Head to Old San Juan to see architecture that beautifully depicts the different eras. Expect bright colonial-style houses, plus neoclassical, gothic and baroque buildings scattered throughout the region (it’s home to more than 400 historic structures). If you want to learn more about the history of Puerto Rico, stop by the San Juan National Historic Site.

Visit Old San Juan to get acquainted with the history of Puerto Rico

6. To stay in eco-bliss

There’s a growing number of green hotels and resorts popping up in Puerto Rico, making it easier to leave a smaller footprint and travel more responsibly. Bask in barefoot luxury at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, on a former plantation. This premium resort promises a remote escape with a genuine respect for the environment. If you’re a foodie, there’s one place in particular that’s doing everything right, El Pretexto. It’s a farm-stay in the depths of the Cayey mountains that’s got the balance of green and glam just right. It’s all about the food here: the menu is exclusively for guests and is a celebration of Puerto Rican agriculture.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is the height of luxury in Puerto Rico

7. To bask in gorgeous weather

Every day is summer in Puerto Rico, and even when it rains on one side of the island, there’s always another part gleaming with sunshine. The reliable weather lends itself perfectly to outdoor activities. Go in search of paradise in Guánica, in the southwest, and explore a wonderful dry coastal forest. It’s home to hundreds of plant and animal species, some of which are endangered, including the Puerto Rican nightjar and the Puerto Rican boa. Here you can explore 9,000 acres (3,640ha) of land amid sandy coastal areas, mangroves and dense forest. If water activities are more your thing, grab a snorkel and explore one of the many flourishing multicolored coral reefs.

Head to Guánica dry forest to see the local plant life

8. To volunteer and help preserve the island

There are many ways you can give back to the community and leave the Island of Enchantment better than you found it – from lending a helping hand with chef José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides meals for victims of humanitarian, climate and community crises, to showing up at a local beach clean-up. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy paradise with a lighter conscience, to shrink your footprint and help preserve Puerto Rico.

Get planning your eco-friendly adventure in Puerto Rico at discoverpuertorico.com

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