This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puerto Rico, The All-Star Island for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
The beautiful island of Puerto Rico is known as the gateway to the Caribbean. Just 110 miles long and 35 miles wide, the capital city of San Juan is the center of it all combing new and old facilitated by its colorful building facades, vintage watchtowers, and cobblestone streets.
Venture off the beaten path a bit and you’ll find not only lush rainforests full of adventure, but also spirited locals eating, drinking, and dancing. More than anything, you’ll be surrounded by an aura of living in the moment, with residents and visitors alike enjoying the simple pleasures in life.
Live your own 5-star vacation story in Puerto Rico.
1.No Passport Required. Puerto Rico is still technically the U.S. (a commonwealth of the U.S. since 1952; residents have been U.S. citizens since 1917 under the Jones Act), but it doesn’t feel like the U.S. No forms of identification are needed to enter beyond your driver’s license or ID card. The island culture is pronounced and vibrant with a heavy Spanish influence that transports you to a place where the warm waters and tranquil beaches make you feel like you are in another country.
2.The Bio Bays. There are only eight known places on the entire planet where the bays become “bioluminescent” at night, andthree of them are in Puerto Rico. Because of a high concentration of microscopic single-celled creatures called dinoflagellates, the luminescence occurs whenever the water is disturbed by motion such as splashing or paddling. While you were once able to swim and “glow” in the water like a superhero, conservation efforts have ended that practice. Now, you can just run your hands and arms through the water to experience what looks like sparkly lights or diamonds twinkling over your skin like a reflection of the night sky in motion (and on high speed).
3.The Beaches. Puerto Rico has 270 miles of coastline and has been featured in the Top 10 Beaches from Travel Channel, including Flamenco Beach in Culebra, often cited as one of the best beaches in the world. Beaches as far as the eye can see – do you really need any more convincing?
4.Rum. There are myths and legends about which of two locations is the true inventor of the pina colada, but one visit to Barrachinarestaurant in Old San Juan and the answer is clear: This is it. The plaque out front marks the spot where the coconutty creamy cocktail was born in 1963. Drink it with Barrilito, one of the best rums made on the island. Other island favorites include Serralles, Trigo, and of course, rum giant Bacardi, whose distillery is open for tours and tastings daily.
5.El Yunque National Forest The only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System, the El Yunque National Forest is home to rare species of plants and animals, including the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot. Its most popular trail, La Mina, crisscorsses the rive by the same name, for plenty of photo ops en route to beautiful waterfalls. Even closer to home, the Rockefeller Nature Trail, allows guests of Dorado Beach properties to make an 11-mile hike through the rainforest to the sea. Prefer to get up close to the tree canopies? There are ziplining adventures as well!
Not to mention:
- If you’re a history buff, you’ll love the old world charm of San Juan!
- If you are adventurous, you’ll love to go horseback riding, or exlore the magnificent Camuy caverns that run through the 3rd largest subterranean river in the world!|
- If you are there for the food? You will be in HEAVEN exploring the delicacies of Puerto Rican gastronomy!
Be sure Like SeePuertoRico.com on Facebook and Follow @PRTourismCo on Twitter to see what else Puerto Rico has to offer!
I would love to visit Puerto Rico someday! Their beaches are beautiful!
I would love to visit… on my bucket list!!!
I have always wanted to spend some time in Puerto Rico. I love the culture and the language. Some day, when the kids are older… 🙂
Puerto Rico seems like an amazing place. Definitely on my bucket list!
This is on my vacation list! One day. Between the history and the food, I’d be in heaven!
Book me now! I would love to visit and soak up the lifestyle
I would love to visit Puerto Rico some day. It is on my bucket list of places to travel to.
Beaches, booze, and no passport needed?! I’m totally in! I’d love to visit there one day.
I want to go to Puerto Rico. one of the places on my list of places to visit in the next 5 years
I’m going to go to Puerto Rico one of these days! It’s so pretty there!
I have always wanted to visit Puerto Rico. It’s definitely in the top five places I want to get to.
I’ve been to PR twice and I would go again in a heartbeat. I love that island!
I’ll volunteer to go to Puerto Rico tomorrow!! Gorgeous beaches here I come
Puerto Rico is a place my husband and I would like to go with your boys. I’ve heard it’s beautiful and everyone is so nice.
I thought my top reason was the rain forest, but now I’m thinking the bio bays. That sounds awesome!
Puerto Rico is on my list of places to see! I have a good friend that still has family there- she goes visiting all the time- it makes me so jealous. (Maybe I need to hide in her suitcase!)
Puerto Rico is on my bucket list.
I would go to Puerto Rico in a second if I had the chance. It looks amazing!
I would love to viist Puerto Rico! They make it so easy since you don’t need a passport. Plus the beaches look amazing!
I’ve heard such wonderful things about Puerto Rico. I would love to visit one day!
I’d love to go right now! It’s beautiful there!
I’d love to go there right now. It’s so beautiful!
I’ve never been there. I have wanted to go since my Mom went when I was a teen and she told me how great it was.
Puerto Rico looks beautiful. My husband has visited and needs to take me next time!
Those are 5 great reasons to visit Puerto Rico! I haven’t been and the no passport thing? I totally forgot about that!
I totally forgot about the passport thing! Definitely on my to-do list!
I have been seeing and hearing a lot about Puerto Rico lately and it is definitely one place I would be interested in seeing. I would love to see the forests.
I’m ready to go just to see the Bio Bays. I’ve never heard of that. It’s been added to my bucket list. 🙂
This is probably going to sounds stupid but I had NO idea you didn’t have to have a passport for Puerto Rico!
Looks beautiful! I would love to visit someday
I don’t need five reasons. They have rum, and they have gorgeous beaches. What more could a girl ask for lol!
I love Puerto Rico!! There is so much to do there and such great variety between the different parts of the island. I love the old world feel of Old San Juan, but I also love the quieter, peaceful beaches of the Northwest. And don’t get me started on the food!!!!
This sounds like a great vacation! I like that there’s no passport required!
No passport and beautiful weather? Sign me up! My husband and I have been thinking taking a trip together. Now I need to put Puerto Rico at the top of the list.
I have had several friends who have been to Puerto/Rico and they have all had a wonderful time.
I would love to visit for the Bio Bays and beaches alone. Everything else is gravy 🙂
I would love to visit sometime! Puerto Rico looks like a wonderful place with lots of heritage.
I think one of the best things is that it’s part of the US. It just makes it so much of an easier destination to travel to but still feels like you’re completely away from home!
there’s so much to see in Puerto Rico. I’d love to head back soon
So many of my family and friends have been taking trips to Puerto Rico! I really want to check it out. You’ve given me some great reasons! I’ll pass them on to the hubs. 😉