Puerto Rico, officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide, making it the smallest island of the Greater Antilles. Puerto Rico (Spanish for “rich port”) consists of an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and several islands: Vieques, Culebra, Mona and numerous islets.
Puerto Rico is the smallest and most eastern of the Greater Antilles Islands which include, Cuba, Hispaniola (República Dominicana and Haiti), and Jamaica. Located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.
Puerto Rico is considered to have one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico’s economy, once primarily agricultural, is now based overwhelmingly on services and manufacturing.
The government of Puerto Rico, based on the formal republican system, is composed of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
Best Beaches in Puerto Rico:
MONA ISLAND
Pájaros and Sardinera. Mona Island is considered the Galápagos Island of the Caribbean. You can not visit Mona during the hunting season (January – April); most tours are offered from May through November. To visit the island you need permits from the Natural Resources and Envirnomental Department. No hotels, restaurants or attractions, just for camping and wildlife observation purposes. If you go, you need to contact a tour operator for a guided safe walk/hike around the island.
CULEBRA ISLAND
Flamenco, Culebrita Island, Luis Peña, Zoní. The only camping area is located in Flamenco Beach, which at the same time is a Blue Flag Beach. To go to Culebra, you need to take a plane from San Juan or Fajardo Airports or the ferry boat from Fajardo.
VIEQUES ISLAND
La Chiva (Blue Beach), Sun Bay; other beaches: Caracas (Red Beach), Media Luna, Navío. To go to Vieques you need to take a plane from San Juan or Fajardo Airports or the ferry boat from Fajardo. Vieques is also known for the bioluminiscent bay at Mosquito Bay.
CABO ROJO
Balneario Boquerón. Palms galore at Boqueron Bay. Boqueròn Beach is a picture perfect beach beautifully framed by tall palm trees packed with coconuts; Combate – The Beach “El Combate” is one of the locals favorites and famous for parties. Take a dive into the blue calm waters from the dock or just relax and take on the sights of sailboats cruising and of course experience the famous breathtaking sunsets of Cabo Rojo. The clear calm light blue water with soft white sand are postcard perfect. Perfect spot for snorkeling; Playuela (Playa Sucia) Named many times the most scenic beach on the island of Puerto Rico. Calm beach cove with stunning views of the lighthouse, cliffs and fine white sand.
LUQUILLO – Balneario de la Monserrate(Luquillo Beach)
Northeast Corridor For a quiet walk along a deserted beach this is the place to go before they build a new hotel here (or maybe not if the Sierra club is able to stop it). Turtles nest on this beach. This undiscovered beach can be one of your most relaxing days of exploring.
AGUADILLA
This beach is about 30 min drive from the college-town of Mayaguez. It is very clean and the water is clear. It’s very quiet, so don’t expect too much going on, but there is a bar and a few stands selling a popular snack called pinchos aka grilled pork on a stick.
