Puerto Rico, the Caribbean island located between the domains of the British Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic is nothing less than a slice of paradise that our planet has carefully preserved to satiate the cravings circumscribing aesthetic pleasure and peace of mind in every man. A beautiful island adorned with bright colors, lush green vegetation, and breathtaking beaches, Puerto Rico should qualify as a must on your “to visit” list. No matter which direction you look, you will be greeted by picturesque panoramas that are both subtle and extraordinarily stunning at the same time. In the following section, we will be noting down the top 5 things that you can do when in Puerto Rico so that by the time you reach the end of the article, you confirm your next travel destination. 

• Spend a day exploring Old San Juan

The capital of Puerto Rico Island, San Juan, offers much more than you can imagine it to be. It was the Spanish population that first settled in this part of the island and thus, the colonial section hosts an interesting palette of architecture that is characterized by dazzling colors and symmetrical designs. The magnificent pastel buildings and cobblestone streets that lead to the cruise ship dock in the town draw close resemblance with priceless postcard pictures that are bound to be etched in your mind for the rest of your lives. We would recommend you to seek assistance from a local guide, if possible, to get acquainted with the intricate constituents of the town and stop for short breaks at the restaurants, local shops, and street sidebars to rejuvenate your energy levels.

• Take a tour to the art galleries 

More than anything else, Puerto Rico is known for its unparalleled treasure of art and culture that are safely conserved within the walls of its finest galleries. Regardless of your taste and preferences, you will inevitably find something that would complement your predilections the best and return with a happy heart. The galleries have a wide selection of contemporary fine art, local Caribbean influenced artwork and modern art that will inexorably enhance your experience and make your visit worthy! 

• Take part in one of their festivals

Puerto Ricans sure know how to live life to the fullest and welcome their patrons with similar degrees of enthusiasm and liveliness. Even though the best time of the year to take part in a festival would be around December or January but, they do have carnivals scheduled for each month of the year, while some of them are year-long celebrations. If you are not too fond of crowds, then we would recommend you to be a part of the ones that employ most hours of the day instead of the night. 

• Try their authentic food 

When it comes to food, Puerto Rican food has very few competitors and thereby, it will certainly impress you and leave you wanting more. For those of you who might not know, the natives of the island like to call their land the “Dining Capital of the Caribbean and justifiably so. Some of their most popular delicacies include Arroz con gandules y lechon which is rice coupled with pigeon peas and pork, arroz con dulce that is sweet sticky rice and mofongo or mashed plantain. Other than that, there is a wide array of options to choose from on the menu that presents an idyllic blend of American, Spanish and Tahini flavors.

• The age-old fort 

Like we have already mentioned in the preceding section, Puerto Rico was previously the hotspot of Spanish settlements and the fact that the island witnessed a string of massive constructions that were majorly of walls and forts shouldn’t come as a surprise. Old San Juan exemplifies the Castillo San Cristobal with unblemished glory which, in turn, happens to be the largest fortress that has been ever built by the Spanish in the new world. This giant structure overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is a treat to the eyes and a gateway of the mind into the palace of infinite tranquility.