Puerto Rico – Unique Times

Puerto Rico is a United States territory that is located in the North Eastern Caribbean. It is an archipelago which includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands like Vieques, Culebra and Mona. It has an estimated population of about 3.6 million people. Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long and by 35 miles wide making it the smallest island of the Greater Antilles.  The capital city of this place is San Juan. Its official languages are Spanish, which is predominant and English. The people born in this place are the native-born citizens of the United States.

This place is graced with fabulous beaches, year-round sun and adventures like deep sea fishing, diving and surfing. Its coastal area remains incredibly raw and unspoiled, lined with miles of glittering white sands. It also hosts an astounding diversity of landscapes which extends from the misty rainforests of EI Yunque and the crumbling outcrops of karst country, to reef-encrusted desert islands and the withering dry forests of the South West. It also hosts one of the most mind blowing spectaculars, the glowing waters of bioluminescent bays. The place ensures to provide its visitors fascinating scenery of cool mountain forests and sun-bleached beaches. The beaches are the greatest treasures of this place. The island’s mountainous part is covered with a land of torpid,  Spanish hill towns and gourmet coffee plantations and its state forests preserve lush, jungle covered peaks, fish filled lakes and gurgling waterfalls. The old Puerto Rico has been replaced with beautifully preserved colonial architecture that coexists with the modern shopping malls and speeding SUVs.

The territory has a bewildering relationship with the US. It is officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico since 1952. It has made itself attractive for the Americans who are looking for a passport and hassle free holiday in the sun. Even though it lacks few revolutionary methods of the Latin American nations,  it has still created one of region’s most vibrating cultural identities.

San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico where most of its journey starts from the place. It is seen as one of the largest and dynamic cities in the Caribbean. The night life in this place is especially lively ,where the resort zones of Condado and Isla Verde have surprisingly fascinating beaches. Another fascinating city in Puerto Rico is Luquillo which has a sort of tempting kisco food in its streets. It also hosts the El Yunque National Forest which is the rainforest of lofty, jungle covered peaks that are crisscrossed with hiking trails.

The Vieques Island is bound with vast stretches of sugary sand backed with scrub, palm trees and sea grape. This place ensures its visitors to feel a bewitching experience by swimming in the bioluminescent bay. The rocky Culebra is a smaller island with turquoise waters, empty beaches and dazzling cays. In the North coast lies the bizarre, crumbling limestone peaks of the karst country which contains the Observatorio de Arecibo, the Cavernas del Rio Camuy and the ruined Taino ball courts at the Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Caguana. The Porta del Sol also known as the ‘ gateway to the sun’ begins from the North West coast. Those who love diving should visit the Isla Desecheo , which is a protected island reserve that is encircled by brilliant sapphire waters. The Mayaguez city, referred to as the ‘sultan of the west’ which was once a depressed industrial city is now regaining its former colonial glory. The city has few low-key resorts: Playa Buye and Boqueron, having white sand beaches. The Southern coastal plain is known as the Porta Caribe or the ‘gateway to the Caribbean’. The Guilligan’s Island is the one that should never be missed for visiting, where it has a mangrove cay that is spliced by a lagoon of crystal clear waters.

The city features annual carnival festivals which include parades, salsa and the unforgettable ghoulish masks known as vejigantes. The Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes is located at the Northern side which is another rare reminder of Puerto Rico’s pre-Columbian past. It also includes two of its best sugary towns Guayama and Coamo. The other highlights of the place include the massive flower festival at Aibonito and the jaw dropping Canon de San Cristobal and the rural town of Jayuya which has many historical Taino heritage. The municipality of Maricao is the producer of some of the world’s finest coffee.

The climate of Puerto Rico is hot and sunny with an average , yearly temperature of 26-27 degree Celsius but can vary, on going to higher elevations during the months of January and February. The hottest climate is during the months between January and April but the island doesn’t have a distinct dry and wet season. Rains are possible year around but the South West part is extremely dry and Northern part is estimated to have rains twice as the South. The rainfall is due in the months between May and October, and hurricanes occur during the months between June and November. The major hurricanes occur only occasionally, but if such happens they can be devastating. The major tourists seasons are from December to April and then during July and August. The high summer season is the holiday time for the Puerto Ricans. During this time , the prices are high and the place will be fully crowded , especially the coastal areas. Those who wish to visit the place during Christmas, New Year or Easter are well recommended to book the tickets in advance. In the recent years, the island has become a popular Spring Break destination , attracting thousands of US college students to stay in the main resorts during February and March. Puerto Rico is sure to provide a tranquil experience to its visitors coming from all over the globe. It offers countless , cultural experiences and many historical locations that would fascinate any of its visitors.

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