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Puerto Rico Tourism Company
La Princesa Building
#2 Paseo La Princesa
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902
(800) 866-7827
www.GoToPuertoRico.com
Posted by: Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Introduction
Located at the gateway to the Caribbean, the island of Puerto Rico is 110 miles long and 35 miles wide. San Juan, the capital city, offers a unique blend of old and new with modern infrastructure and tourism offerings combining traditional Puerto Rican and colonial Spanish flavors.
In 1493, Columbus claimed Puerto Rico from Spain and the island remained under Spanish rule until 1898 when Spain ceded the island to the U.S. in the Spanish-American War. In 1917, under the Jones Act, Puerto Rico's residents became U.S. citizens, and the island became a commonwealth of the U.S. in 1952. Both Spanish and English are the island's official languages. English is widely spoken, especially in San Juan.
There is so much to discover in this authentic Latin port from its natural beauty to its diverse attractions and rich culture. Old San Juan, the only walled city and also one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean, has been beautifully preserved through the city’s architecture. It boasts four fortresses from the Spanish Colonial Empire, cobblestone streets, and a myriad of historic sites and buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, including El Morro.
Outside San Juan, visitors can explore the El Yunque Rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system. In the Northern Region, the island's oldest natural wonder, the Camuy Caves is one of the longest underground river systems in the world. Puerto Rico offers 272 miles of coastline and hundreds of beaches. Water sport lovers will enjoy easily accessible activities such as surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, deep-sea fishing and windsurfing. Sports enthusiasts also appreciate the more than 100 tennis courts and 18 championship golf courses located throughout the island.
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