DefinitiveCaribbean logo - The Definitive Caribbean Guide - written by James Henderson, and Caribbean travel specialists. James Henderson is of Britain's most respected travel writers and the author of The Cadogan Guide to the Caribbean & the Bahamas. Puerto Rico flag
Home > Which Island > Puerto Rico Print page
Fort San Felipe del Morro, Puerto Rico
El Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico

See more pictures - Here


 
Key Features
Relatively large island (a rectangular 100 miles by 35, very mountainous) with three smaller islands and many cays, easily accessible from the US (less so from Europe), mainly Spanish-speaking but English understood everywhere. Highly developed and quite modern compared to the rest of the Caribbean, strong and lively Latin culture, visible history (particularly Old San Juan), salsa music, local art. Beaches varied, some excellent (particularly on Vieques and Culebra), inland excellent country including rainforest. Extremely broad range of tourism at all price levels, urban and beach hotels (many chain hotels), beach resorts and country retreats, some smaller hotels with charm in town and country. Huge cruise ship traffic (into San Juan), shopping, extensive sports, golf, national parks, hiking, sailing.

Vieques and Culebra (off the east coast towards the Virgin Islands) are smaller, much less developed and lower key, with generally better beaches. Small, charming hotels. Excellent sand, some sports, sailing. Mona is a natural reserve and barely visited.
 
This independent review is brought to you by  
Caribbean travel guide, guides to travel in the Caribbean ^ back to home page