Puerto Rico is a rectangular island located in the Caribbean Sea between the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The island’s diverse environment lends to a variety of options sure to please most travelers. The island consists of different regions, each offering a variety of terrain and climate. Having over 250 miles of coastline, most of the regions offer beaches and warm weather, with each region also having a set of unique characteristics.
Visiting the Capital of San Juan and the North Coast
San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico is the largest city on the island, and it located in the northern region. There is an abundance of things to do and see in San Juan so visitors may want to spend a few days in the city. Old San Juan features historical buildings going back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Several plazas and parks featuring statues and other architecture offer places for visitors to relax. In addition, there are many museums and other sites of interests worth exploring.
The northern region, or the North Coast, on the Atlantic Ocean, includes pristine beaches and bathing areas. The town of Arecibo includes the Arecibo Observatory, which features the world's largest radio telescope. On the part of the island west of San Juan, visitors will find the Camuy Caverns, and the old resort town of Dorado with white sandy beaches, golfing, and casinos.
Puerto Rico's Southern and Western Regions For Cultural Attractions
There are plenty of beaches in the southern region, in addition to some cultural attractions as well. The southern region of Puerto Rico includes the second largest city, Ponce. This city has many architectural buildings and cultural attractions including The Ponce Museum of Art. Also located in this region is the much smaller town of Guayanilla, which boasts a natural harbor, a waterfall, and the Mario Mercado Castle.
The western region is a popular beach region with surfing and diving as a favorite activity. Visitors can also participate in other activities such as biking, hiking, golfing, or fishing. Other sites worthy seeing include Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Guanica State Forest, Mona Island, and Mayaguez Zoo.
The Mountainous Region in Central Puerto Rico
The central region is the mountain region, La Cordillera Central, where visitors will find mountains that rise to over 4,000 feet above sea level. It is cooler in this region, but beautiful with good spots for hiking, including San Cristobal “Grand Canyon” filled with waterfalls, a scenic views. Cerro de Punta is the highest point in Puerto Rico. The town of Aguas Buenas produces clean "good" spring water to drink.
The central area of Puerto Rico is also important from an agricultural standpoint since it is cooler and wetter than the other regions year-round. This cooler climate can also be a reprieve from the heat in the hotter months.
Eastern Region and Smaller Offshore Islands of Puerto Rico
For visitors staying on the eastern part of the island, there are plenty of water activities including snorkeling and diving. In addition to the beaches, the eastern region is home to El Yunque rain forest, which contains unique tropical plants and animal species.
Vieques and Culebra are islands located of the eastern coast and require nothing but a relaxation mindset. There are is not hustle and bustle here, just sandy beaches, coral reefs, and great seafood. While the small island of Vieques is becoming more popular as a tourist destination, it still offers some tranquility that the mainland may not provide.
Depending on the interests of travelers, Puerto Rico offers diverse ecology and terrain with a variety of activities for visitors to participate. Escape to Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico.com gives visitors specific information about Puerto Rico including where to stay, where to eat, getting around, and other visitor information about the tropical island.
Julie McElroy - Freelance travel writer with published articles about places all over the world, including Italy, Colorado, Japan, Germany, and Spain.
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