Puerto Rico is a beautiful island nation. Best Beaches in Puerto Rico for Snorkeling
Puerto Rico is a small but very picturesque country, a trip to which will give a lot of impressions to all vacationers. Moreover, tourists here will find not only relaxed beach holiday, but also exciting excursions to historical and cultural attractions. This Island state in the Caribbean Sea, under US jurisdiction. Some even call it the 51st state. Waiting for you here developed infrastructure, excellent service and many options for relaxation. Solo travel in Puerto Rico it turns out to be relatively inexpensive and quite varied. However, you will need a US visa to enter the country, which makes it difficult tourist trips here.
Features of culture
The state bears the imprint of several cultures - Spanish, Caribbean and American. This is a great example of how different ethnic groups coexist harmoniously on a small land. In addition, the fate of this state is inextricably linked with the long struggle for the country’s independence, so one can feel the desire for freedom and emancipation here. Central cities and the streets gravitate towards the American lifestyle, and in the provincial areas you will encounter a mixed and original Creole culture.
Top 3 interesting cities and attractions
The capital of Puerto Rico is . Recommended for visiting here Old city with a lock Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, San Jose Square, the Pigeon Park and the incredibly picturesque embankment. The next destination is the island. Here see the most beautiful bioluminescent bay. If you are interested cultural heritage country, visit the port city - its center is literally dotted with old churches and other architectural monuments. For example, here is one of the oldest fire stations in the world and the amazingly beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
To get a complete picture of the country, a trip to the coral island is recommended Coolerbrita- white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters will immerse you in a tropical paradise. Another trip idea: caves Kamuy. They occupy third place in the ranking of the largest cave systems on Earth - the length of the complex reaches 16 kilometers. And if you want to get acquainted with the unique nature of Puerto Rico, be sure to visit national reserve El Unco. Here you will find the pristine and untouched natural beauty of this island state.
When is the best time to relax?
The most favorable time to travel to this country is from December to April. It is during these months that the water and air temperatures are as comfortable as possible, and the amount of rain is minimal. However, it is precisely at this time that the peak of the tourist season occurs, which leads to a sharp jump in prices for tours, hotels and an abundance of vacationers. Book hotels in advance. And trips in the low season turn out to be no less bright and eventful - average temperature throughout the year it fluctuates from +22 to +28C.
Safety regulations
Puerto Rico is a safe holiday destination with a low crime rate. Attacks on tourists are very rare here, so safety advice is standard - remain vigilant and prudent, especially at night. The only recommendation for those who rent a car is not to leave valuables in the car when leaving it. They can attract the attention of intruders who will take the opportunity to open the car.
The Freely Associated State of Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean Sea on the island of Puerto Rico from the Greater Antilles group of islands and a number of adjacent small islands.
Puerto Rico consists of the main island of Puerto Rico and many smaller islands and cays, including Mona, Vieques, Culebra, Desecheo and Caja de Muertos.
State
State structure
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and has the status of an “unincorporated organized territory,” which means that the territory is administered by the United States (and is not an integral part of it).
The head of state is the President of the United States. The head of government is the governor. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor after consultation with the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico.
Language
Official language: Spanish, English
Spanish is the main language in government institutions, although English language is a compulsory subject of study. Although relatively not most of islanders consider English their main language, the majority of the population in major cities speaks both languages, or at least understands English and uses it in certain situations.
Religion
About 85% of the population are Catholics, about 10% are Protestants, but for the majority of believers, Christianity is combined with spiritualism, voodoo and Indian folk and religious traditions.
Currency
International name: USD
The US dollar is often called "peso" on Puerto Rican price tags. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and specialized exchange bureaus.
Credit cards have virtually unlimited uses. In all major populated areas There are many automated teller machines (ATMs). Provincial use credit cards somewhat limited.
Travel checks can be cashed at almost any bank office.
Puerto Rico Map
Popular attractions
Tourism in Puerto Rico
Popular hotels
Tips
A 10-15% service charge is added to most bills at upscale hotels and restaurants, so tipping is not required. However, in most mid-level establishments, tips are not included in bills; in this case, you can leave them to the service staff within 10% (directly in hand when paying), in bars and street restaurants you can limit yourself to 5%. Porters, conductors and taxi drivers expect a tip of $0.50.
Office hours
Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8.30-09.00 to 14.30-15.30 (working hours may vary).
Purchases
All casino hotel accounts are subject to an additional 11% tax, non-gaming hotels are subject to an additional 9% tax, and small hotels are subject to an additional 7%. Sales tax is 1.5% and 5% on jewelry purchases. Stores with sales tax refund ( tax free) not in the country.
Shops are usually open from Monday to Wednesday from 09.00 to 19.00, from Thursday to Friday from 09.00 to 21.00. On Saturdays, most retail outlets are open from 11.00 to 17.00-18.00.
You can bargain at markets and in private shops; in large stores prices are usually fixed.
Medicine
Natural hazards native to the island include hepatitis B (in the northern Caribbean coast), dengue, bilharzia (schistomatosis), rabies (vaccination recommended), and stomach ailments are common. In some cases, immunization against typhoid, diphtheria, tuberculosis and polio is recommended.
Safety
Poor majority areas major cities are noticeably criminalized and pose a certain danger to foreign tourists. There is a risk of fraud and theft.
Tap water is usually chlorinated and is relatively safe, but bottled water is recommended.
Emergency numbers
Unified rescue service - 911.
Police - 787/343-2020
Ambulance - 787/343-2222.
Fire Department - 787/343-2330
Coast Guard - 787/729-6770.
Puerto Rico, or the Freely Associated State of Puerto Rico - small, beautiful, island country in the Atlantic Ocean.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a small island state, the distinctive feature of which is that, although it has its own Constitution, it has not received complete independence. The freely associated state of Puerto Rico (as it is officially called) is under the jurisdiction of the United States. What links a small country to a superpower is citizenship, currency and defense. And although Puerto Ricans are citizens, they are exempt from income taxes. And what’s interesting is that the way of life on the island is not American at all; it rather resembles a small Europe. Probably because the Spaniards lived here for a long time. This historical fact influenced the fact that almost everyone local residents speak two languages: English and Spanish.
The capital of Puerto Rico is the city of San Juan, which is inhabited by about 440 thousand inhabitants. Look short video about San Juan de Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico, whose territory occupies about 9 thousand km 2, “takes refuge” at the junction of the Lesser and Greater Antilles, of which it is located. Atlantic Ocean It washes the state from the north, and the Caribbean Sea from the south. The island on which the country is located bears the same name. In addition, several nearby islands are adjacent to the state territory of Puerto Rico. His coastline stretches for 501 km.
Puerto Rico Map
Through the Mona Strait in the west, from the northeast - by the British Virgin Islands, and the southeastern border separates it from the Netherlands Antilles.
The ethnic composition of the indigenous population of Puerto Rico is quite homogeneous: Creoles live here - 81%, mulattoes - 11%, Indians and Asians - 10%, blacks - 9%, etc.
Puerto Ricans who emigrated to the United States are used mainly in low-paid jobs, but due to high population density and unemployment, they do not want to return to their homeland.
The flag of Puerto Rico - only side by side and together
The flag of the state of Puerto Rico alternates 5 horizontal stripes of red and white, respectively 3:2.
Puerto Rican flag
On the side of the shaft there is an equilateral blue triangle, the base of which is equal to the width of the panel.
In the center of the triangle is a white five-pointed star.
The state national flag of Puerto Rico, adopted in July 1952, is flown only with the flag of its “curator” - the United States.
It is interesting that the “Regulations on the Flag” do not specify the exact color shades in detail. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find flags that have different tones of primary colors.
Standard of living
Puerto Rico has a fairly high standard of living compared to most other Caribbean islands, but it is still significantly lower than even the poorest US states. The unemployment rate is quite high, so many Puerto Ricans try to find work in the United States, while the rest most often work various types temporary income.
Safety
The security situation here is quite ambiguous. On the one hand, the overall level of violent crime here is quite low, and the areas often visited by tourists are quite safe and are protected by special police units. However, the poor areas of most large cities are noticeably criminalized and pose a certain danger to foreign tourists.
You should not openly display jewelry, expensive photo and video equipment, or the thickness of your wallet. Areas with large crowds of people should be avoided, as in such places it is common to great amount pickpockets. It is also not recommended to exchange money on the streets - the risk of facing fraud or outright robbery is extremely high. You should avoid visiting deserted shores alone and especially at night.
If you ask a Puerto Rican how to get to this or that place, you will most often hear “follow me.” In most cases, such a guide has sincere intentions to take the tourist to the place he needs, but it should be borne in mind that in some cases this way you can get to the wrong place or even get robbed. You should be especially careful with such escorts at night and are extremely undesirable for women and individual travelers. If traveling by car, you should park in well-lit areas and take all valuables from inside the car with you.
Nudism
Nudism in in public places prohibited in Puerto Rico.
Electricity
Electrical voltage is 110 V, 60 Hz (some hotels provide 220 V). Plugs are usually American style with two flat pins.
Units
The system of weights and measures is metric, but in many retail outlets in tourist areas, elements of the imperial system of measurements are often used along with it.
zdenulya | September 2014
All around is the Spanish language, bronze faces, ancient fortresses on the shores of pure and warm sea. The city has narrow streets with houses of Spanish architecture. Tourism Puerto Rico relevant all year round, but the hottest season, in terms of the arrival of holidaymakers, occurs in the first quarter of the year. This can be explained by the fact that the island's summers are spent in tropical hurricanes.
rest in Puerto Rico is already considered one of the most popular, according to tourists. Paradise Island in the Caribbean, which is developing its economy quite quickly. In Puerto Rico good roads and interesting local color.
The island was inhabited by the Spaniards for a long time, so the lifestyle here is partly Spanish and partly American. The Creole flavor is especially evident in provincial areas. All local people are fluent in English and Spanish, but Spanish with a Creole dialect. Puerto Rico has always attracted tourists with its ideal climate: the air temperature here throughout the year does not fall below 20 ºC, and the rainy seasons are very short. On the island you can not only relax on the beach all day long, but also visit ancient Spanish Puerto Rico attractions, for which the island is famous throughout the world.
In this Caribbean paradise there are many modern resorts with different prices and offers. You can go on an elite tour, or you can choose a more economical family option. have modern service and high-quality service.
You love vivid impressions And leisure, Then ski resorts Puerto Rico just for you. This country captivates skiers enough long time, because this type of pastime is always relevant, regardless of the time of year.
During the entire rest period, your body will be filled with solar energy. Caribbean island. Treatment spas in Puerto Rico– this is the cleanest sea, warm sun and stunning sea breeze. Every day spent on the island will heal your entire body.
Very actively developing tourism On this small island. Travel companies can offer you various Puerto Rico tours. The country is waiting for you to give unforgettable vacation the whole family.
Could there be anything better than a paradise resort on tropical island? Every person dreams of having one like this holiday in Puerto Rico. It will give you and your family time of warm sun and fun that the island has to offer.
Well, what the island is rich in is sunny beaches. Almost every hotel has its own access to the azure water. There are for a secluded holiday, for surfing, relaxing swimming and active beach holidays.
You can choose holiday accommodation in Puerto Rico to suit every taste, color and budget. All Puerto Rico hotels offer modern American service that will delight and surprise everyone. You can also choose a more budget hostel if you are traveling with a large group of young people.
Transport Puerto Rico
The main types of transport on the island are taxis and buses. This city car is reliable and affordable. Also on the island there is the opportunity to use marine species transport.