Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island with a difference. It has the
pristine beaches, tropical climate, crystal-blue sea and coconut
palms characteristic of its counterparts, but along with its
unmistakable Spanish colonial heritage, the island is today part of
the United States Commonwealth, meaning it has a first world
infrastructure mixed in with its traditional Latin American
culture. Hamburgers are as endemic as island dishes like
'sancocho', and freeways connect shantytowns to strips of high-rise
beachfront hotels. The second thing that makes Puerto Rico
different to other Caribbean holiday Meccas is that it remains
largely undeveloped, except for the coastal region around its
capital city, San Juan. The island is edged with some magnificent
beaches featuring coral reefs, most uncommercialised and easily
reached from the capital and its large resort hotels because the
island is small and compact.
Exploring Puerto Rico, both around its coast and the interior,
is a delight. Roads are excellent and there are numerous
interesting attractions and unrivalled experiences, from the
world's largest radio telescope to the magical experience of
swimming at night amongst tiny phosphorescent creatures on the
offshore island of Vieques.
Historically Puerto Rico, like many other Caribbean islands, was
originally inhabited by Taino Indians until the arrival of
Christopher Columbus and the instigation of Spanish rule and
settlement. The island's capital and larger towns have preserved
their Spanish heritage as 'old quarter' tourist attractions, full
of charm and interest. Puerto Rico is a hybrid of old and new which
makes it an intriguing destination, rather than just another
tropical island paradise.
