As exotic and beautiful as the island of Puerto Rico is,
for Americans it is still close to home in both language and
currency. This gorgeous island is a commonwealth and an
unincorporated territory of USA. On one edge is the warm waters
of the Atlantic while the other side is the Carribean Sea making
this a true tropical getaway. Travelers from all over the globe
seek Puerto Rico travel information when planning their ultimate
holiday in the sun.
The area has had human inhabitants since the pre-Colombian
era. These people were called Taino, however they left very
little archaeological evidence behind them. Once it was
officially discovered by the Spaniards in 1493, their relatively
quiet lives changed forever. Spanish settlement changed the
island and the advent of slave trading changed it even more. The
current residents are of African, Taino and Spanish descent and
the culture has a unique flavor that is found only in this
area.
Temperatures in the area are moderate all year long, with
little variation between winter and summer. The consistent
temperatures are due in part to the warming influence of the
Atlantic Ocean. On average the temperatures range around 80
degrees F/26 degrees C in lower lying areas. Areas with a higher
elevation have an average of around 70 degrees F/21 degrees
C.
Travelers from the U. S. May well find that getting to the
island is as simple as boarding a plane from a major airport
such as Dallas or New York, then flying non-stop to their
vacation destination. This island commonwealth is not only close
to home in currency and languages spoken, but also in ease of
transportation. Global travelers may have a longer distance to
travel, but find just as much to delight them as the U. S.
Holiday seekers do.
Puerto Rico means rich harbor and this gorgeous island is
certainly rich in beauty and things to do. The stunning beaches
are pristine stretches of pure sand, often counterpointed by a
backdrop of sheer cliffs. The main island offers a lot to see
for the history buff including, Spanish Monasteries and
architecture from hundreds of years ago.
Many visitors begin and end their holiday in San Juan, the
capital of the commonwealth. Its rich cultural history with
large segments of this city dedicated to preserving the
architecture maintained from the eighteenth century are
certainly attractions. Many of these venerable buildings now
house upscale boutiques and shops, while monasteries and
churches stand unchanged as if awaiting the return of monks and
clerics from the past.
Some travelers may find a relaxing holiday lying on the beach
and being served by attentive and friendly residents the
ultimate in vacations, others may prefer a little spice to their
vacation adventures. Perhaps exploring the rugged terrain which
still features untouched rain forests will be ideal. Or a jaunt
to a nearby island, a deep sea fishing trip, a snorkeling
adventure or scuba dive would suit, it is all there and
more.
Puerto Ricans are not immune to the attractions of their
gorgeous beaches and warm waters. The island of Culebra has been
the destination of many a local resident for their fun in the
sun vacation. This unspoiled area offers all the beauty of the
main beaches and even better, it is a quiet area except for
holidays so that a visitor seeking peace and quiet may find
these areas perfect.
After a hard day of sightseeing, tanning on the local beaches
or even surfing in the moderate waves, a traveler can then
retire to a comfortable inn or a luxury motel or anything in
between. Accommodations in Puerto Rico are designed to fit
almost any budget and almost any level of luxury from economy to
the ultimate in pampering in a luxurious resort. The spicy fare
of the local Puerto Rican dishes can be found aplenty. Such
feasts as the Lechon, a world famed roast pig dish, or the
national dish called Arroz con Gandules can be found for the
hungry traveler along with European and American cuisines. Eat,
sun, hike, surf, swim, and enjoy Puerto Rico.
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