Sea and Sand on Puerto Rico: Popular Vacation Destination for U.S. Visitors

Puerto Rico has been a popular holiday destination for US visitors due to it's "commonwealth" status and using the US Dollar as its currency. In consequence, English is widely spoken.

For many visitors, the beaches (and related activities) are the main reason to visit Puerto Rico. One of the best known is the Isla Verde which has the additional advantage of being part of the capital city of San Juan. Quieter options include Luquillo (clear waters and mountains rising from the sea) or Playa Buye on the more remote west coast. This spectacular beach is backed by palm trees and has a relaxed atmosphere.

Off the main island are the smaller islands of Vieques and Culebra (both until relatively recently US military bases). The beaches on Vieques are particularly spectacular (powdery sands, reefs etc) and wild. Perhaps even more spectacular is the option to swim, kayak or sail in the Puerto Mosquito. Here the lagoon glows in the dark and water runs off your hand sparkling like diamonds - however, do not visit on the full moon when the sky is too bright!

In addition it is possible to take a more active and adventurous approach to the sea. Puerto Rico has more than its fair share of spectacular diving locations but has had a reputation for difficulty in organising trips and accessing the more spectacular sites. However, it is possible to dive off the beaches in San Juan which eases access. The general advice seems to be that most of the local dive companies actually cover specific areas of the island. So if your ambition is to dive in all the sites (and they are scattered across both the main and the smaller islands) you might need to deal with more than one company.

If you want to stay on top of the sea, then Puerto Rico also offers a range of surfing opportunities. The best period is winter (October to February) with waves between two and twenty feet. Surfing is popular with both tourists and locals so the more popular locations can be crowded. In addition, a number of beaches have dangerous currents and rip tides so it is a good idea to check out local conditions (in particular if you are a beginner or with children).

In general there is a huge range of activity available in Puerto Rico. Just lazing on the beach and some gentle swimming (made all the easier by the proximity of spectacular beaches next to San Juan), wilder beaches, good surfing and an under-developed location for diving.