5 things to do in Puerto Rico
The Islands of Puerto Rico are a jewel of the Caribbean. Beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and vast history provide a sensual feast for visitors. The country is easy to explore because even the most distant points are only 3 hours away by car. There is a lot to do to help you learn about the people, the place and the culture.
Puerto Rico is divided into 5 regions. San Juan and the North are full of historical sites, beaches, lagoons, lakes, caves and forests. In the east you will find fantastic golden sand beaches, golf courses, nature reserves and impressive underwater reefs and cays.
The Central area is world famous for its coffee. Arabica coffee has been produced in Puerto Rico since approximately 1736. The aroma and flavor of Arabica coffee warm my coffee-drinking heart. The area is also rich in archaeological sites and is home to two botanical gardens. It’s a great area to shop for fine crafts from local artists.
Porta del sol is home to some of the best surf breaks and beaches in the world, coastal forests, and coffee and sugar farms. There are several public golf courses and marinas. At Porta Caribe you can explore 15 towns (including fishing villages), plus beautiful beaches and forests. This area also has freshwater lakes for fishing and Carnival activities.
When there’s so much to see and do, it’s hard to know where to start. Here are my picks for the 5 things you must do when visiting Puerto Rico.
1. Visit the El Yunque Rainforest: Stroll through the treetops on a 60-foot elevated walkway, hike to the waterfall, and enjoy a swim in the natural pools. El Yunque has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations and is a must stop.
2. Caving and hiking in the Cuevas del Río Camuy, an impressive network of underground caves. The trams will take you through the dense tropical vegetation to the mouth of Clara’s cave.
3. Go shopping at the largest mall in the Caribbean, Plaza las Américas, in Hato Rey. There are more than 300 shops selling everything from local pottery to haute couture.
4. Take a horseback ride through a coffee plantation high in the mountains. You can rent horses by the hour and take a guided tour.
5. Do anything on the water, from snorkeling to kayaking, surfing, fishing and sailing, they’re all available.
If all this sounds like too much action and you just want to relax on the beach in a lawn chair, listening to the waves crash against the sand, while sipping on a strawberry margarita or rum and coke, well, that’s great too.