Puerto Rico, the “Island of Enchantment”
Island of Enchantment—in Spanish, Isla del Encanto. It’s Puerto Rico’s nickname for good reason. Sandy beaches, palm trees, and tropical breezes make it a favorite getaway for the sun-and-surf crowd. Rugged mountains and verdant rainforest attract adventure travelers. Lavish hotels with oceanside golf courses embrace vacationers who crave luxury.
But Puerto Rico is more than a picture postcard. Centuries of Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences have coalesced to create Puerto Rico’s vibrant cultural life.
The hip, bustling metropolis of San Juan boasts world-class restaurants and hotels. Casinos and clubs playing reggaetón, house music, and live salsa keep the party going until dawn. Yet, a simple stroll through the cobblestone streets of Viejo San Juan steeps visitors in a concentrated dose of the island’s history.
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Natural beauty abounds in the rivers, waterfalls, lagoons, and caves that populate the island. Venture out from San Juan and discover El Yunque National Forest with its semitropical rainforest; the northwestern karst country with its limestone caves; and three bioluminescent bays, where kayakers paddle in water that glows glittery shades of green, blue, or white at night.
Puerto Rico’s central mountain region is one of the most dramatically beautiful areas of the island, where high mountain peaks, canyons, lush vegetation, orchids, streams, and cooler temperatures prevail. The Indigenous Taíno culture once maintained a stronghold here, and their ancient ruins and petroglyphs can be found throughout the area.
All this is to say that there is a lot more to Puerto Rico than beaches. But if it is spectacular beaches you want, there are plenty to be found, as well as a bounty of water sports, from surfing and diving to fishing and sailing.
Life is vivid in Puerto Rico. The sun shines brightly, the buildings and the sunsets pop with color, and tropical music fills the air. Prepare to be enchanted.
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