Destination Of The Month: Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a knack for easily shifting gears between high-energy rainforest adventure or buzzy, reggaetón tapas lunches, to lazy beach afternoons curled up under a cabana, or parting still, dusky water with an oar. It stands out from its Caribbean neighbours for sheer variety factor, whether that’s the vast array of exotic landscapes and surrounding glassy waters to the multitude of cultures influencing the Island’s culinary identity.

As such, boredom rarely features on all flavours of romantic escapades here, though, with a raft of pampering, beach-hugging hotels, downtime is still taken seriously. There are enchanting bioluminescent bays to marvel at, dense tropical rainforests to hike through and cobbled streets to wander lazily along, absorbing the Old World architecture while scoffing pasteles and alcapurrias. Add in powder-soft beaches and angry, garnet sunsets, and this could just be the most romantic, authentic spot in the Caribbean.

Food & Drink

By Francesca Newman-Young, Contributing Editor

Puerto Rico’s culinary identity is a delicious blend of indigenous Taíno, Spanish, and African influences. From the soul-comforting mofongo (a mashed plantain dish) to the savoury arroz con gandules, the Island’s food is a carnival for the senses. Alongside its more home-spun, unbuttoned restaurants is an emerging fine-dining scene with intriguing tasting menus accompanied by elegant wine pairings. Puerto Rico’s gastronomy feels as varied as the Island itself, with its vast array of landscapes and surrounding waters offering up fresh, exotic bounty for chefs to play with.

Highlights include Epicuro Culinary Centre, where Chef Pérez boldly explores new flavours, as well as erring-on-alchemic combinations; then there are the classics such as the elegant 1919 Restaurant in the legendary Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, where you should order the mighty swordfish served with chickpeas, buche bacalao, pancetta and a shrimp curry jus; and the more easy going haunts such as Vianda in hip Santurce, where a radical farm-to-table ethos leads the way.

Discover more of Puerto Rico’s best restaurants here.

Adventure

By Kelly Eastwood

While Puerto Rico excels at languorous beach afternoons with cocktails (the piña colada, a Puerto Rican invention, is a must-try), the Island offers so much in the adventure department. Couples can marvel at its enchanting bioluminescent bays, hike through its lush tropical rainforests, such as El Yunque National Forest, snorkel alongside turtles and rays at La Parguera Natural Reserve, and even trot through the grounds of a Hacienda, spotting native wildlife as they go. As island’s go, it’s manageable (3,500 square miles), so couples can easily enjoy an endless variety of exhilarating adventures in just one trip.

Explore Puerto Rico’s most adventurous excursions here.

Culture

By Tabitha Willett, Contributing Lifestyle Editor

With its mix of sun, beach, and culture, Puerto Rico is the ultimate romantic Caribbean escape. Honeymooners can look forward to generous sunshine but also a dizzying raft of places to explore and things to pull themselves off the warm sand for. The Island itself is part of the USA; however, its rich, multicultural heritage is potently manifest in its traditions – from music and art to dance, cuisine, language, architecture, and fashion. This cultural tapestry is woven with threads from various influences, including Dutch, French, and English, but the most significant elements come from Spanish, African, and Taíno (the indigenous people who inhabited the Island long before Spanish arrival) heritage, offering a unique and enriching experience for visitors.

The pride that Puerto Ricans share in their history and culture is keenly felt in San Juan, where faces are warm and welcoming, listed ‘settler-architecture’ houses are all brightly painted, and locals are always so happy to detail their melting pot Puerto Rican identity. It’s worth knowing that they refer to themselves as ‘Boricua ’ – a person of Puerto Rican descent or a native of Puerto Rico. The name actually comes from Borinquen (or Borikén) which is the name given to the Island by Taínos.

Discover the best ways to immerse yourself in the rich culture of Puerto Rico here.

Honeymoon

By Emily Champion, Contributing Editor

Puerto Rico is the quintessential tropical honeymoon, seamlessly blending luxurious experiences with exotic landscapes and plenty of culture. Warm waters lap sun-kissed beaches, and all the rainforest-meets-sea beauty is embellished with Old World Spanish architecture. Old San Juan is particularly enchanting, where cobbled streets lead to pretty plazas and time-warp cafes. You can indulge in lavish suites with those sweeping ocean views all honeymooners long for and relish in exquisite fine dining, and equally, the Island is dotted with plenty of home-spun, authentic spots for a moreish ‘quick bite’ and locavore restaurants showcasing, in deliciously simple style, the Island’s finest bounty. Puerto Rico’s honeymoon promise is this unique fusion of exotic, paradisiacal landscapes, pampering hotels, lashings of culture, and outdoorsy adventures that are bound to imprint themselves in your shared memory for years to come.

Learn more about Puerto Rico as a honeymoon destination here.

Family

By Rosalyn Wikeley, Travel Editor-At-Large

Yes, you can whisk the whole clan to an easy-going Caribbean island where resorts could, really, be anywhere hot and tropical. Or you can shake things up and book a trip to Puerto Rico for classic Caribbean charm, pastel-hued old-world architecture, and heaps of regional variety to keep all family members happy. Boricuas are warm and joyful, welcoming guests with their distinct cultural mosaic and deep sense of history. Families can enjoy a variety of activities: surfing in Rincón, ziplining in the mountains, exploring natural pools in Manatí, and tasting fresh seafood tacos maybe for the first time. It’s an Island that can easily shift gears between high-energy rainforest adventure and reggaetón tapas lunches to lazy beach afternoons curled up under a cabana or parting the still water with an oar from a paddleboard. So, forget the monotonous, soulless resorts occupying vast chunks of other Caribbean island coastline, and instead expose your family to this sun-doused isle’s cultural vibrancy and staggering array of landscapes – here are 5 reasons Puerto Rico is the ultimate holiday destination for families.

Discover more about visiting Puerto Rico on a family-friendly holiday here.