Puerto Rico

When you are looking for an exotic location, miles upon miles of white sand beaches, plus an unbelievable rain forest and mountains, you go to Puerto Rico. A modern progressive and civilized location that maintains the charm and hospitality of days gone by. Puerto Rico is known around the world for its hospitality, lovely weather and incredibly beautiful women; where everybody - from the taxi driver to the governor - wants to make you feel at home. Explore beyond the shore. Hike the trails of El Yunque rainforest, discover the ancient Spanish fort of El Moro, or taste the cuisine of Porta Del Sol’s gastronomic inns.

Understanding The Geography

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a United States territory with Commonwealth status located in the north eastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands.

Puerto Rico consists of a main island of Puerto Rico and various smaller islands, including Vieques, Culebra, Mona, Desecheo, and Caja de Muertos. Of the latter five, only Culebra and Vieques are inhabited year-round. Mona is uninhabited through large parts of the year except for employees of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources. There are also many other even smaller islands including Monito and "La Isleta de San Juan" known as Old San Juan.

The mainland is mostly mountainous with large coastal areas in the north and south regions of the island. The main mountainous range is called "La Cordillera Central" (The Central Range). The highest elevation point of Puerto Rico, Cerro de Punta, is located in this range. Another important peak is El Yunque, located in the Sierra de Luquillo at the Caribbean National Fores. The capital, San Juan, is located on the main island's north coast.

Climate Conditions

Located in the tropics. Puerto Rico enjoys an average temperature of 28 °C (82.4 °F) throughout the year. The seasons do not change very drastically. The temperature in the south is usually a few degrees higher than the north and temperatures in the central interior mountains are always cooler than the rest of the island. The hurricane season spans between June and November.

Understanding The Culture

Puerto Rican culture is a mix of four cultures, African (from the slaves), "Taino" (Amerindians), Spanish, and, more recently, North American. From Africans, the Puerto Ricans have obtained the "bomba and plena", a type of music and dance including percussions and maracas. From the Amerindians, Puerto Ricans have kept many names for their municipalities, food, and other objects. From the Spanish they got the Spanish language, the Catholic religion, Fortresses, among other influences. From the United States they received the English language, the university system, consumption practices, fast food, and a variety of hybrid cultural forms that developed between the mainland and the island.