climate, crystal-blue sea and coconut palms characteristic of its counterparts, but along with its unmistakable
Spanish colonial heritage, the island is today part of the United States Commonwealth, meaning it has a first world
infrastructure mixed in with its traditional Latin American culture. Hamburgers are as endemic as island dishes like
'sancocho', and freeways connect shantytowns to strips of high-rise beachfront hotels. The second thing that makes
Puerto Rico different to other Caribbean holiday Meccas is that it remains largely undeveloped, except for the
coastal region around its capital city, San Juan. The island is edged with some magnificent beaches featuring
coral reefs, most uncommercialised and easily reached from the capital and its large resort hotels because the
island is small and compact.
Exploring Puerto Rico, both around its coast and the interior, is a delight. Roads are excellent and there are
numerous interesting attractions and unrivalled experiences, from the world's largest radio telescope to the
magical experience of swimming at night amongst tiny phosphorescent creatures on the offshore island of Vieques.
Historically Puerto Rico, like many other Caribbean islands, was originally inhabited by Taino Indians until the
arrival of Christopher Columbus and the instigation of Spanish rule and settlement. The island's capital and larger
towns have preserved their Spanish heritage as 'old quarter' tourist attractions, full of charm and interest. Puerto
Rico is a hybrid of old and new which makes it an intriguing destination, rather than just another tropical island
paradise.
