21 Fun and Interesting Facts about Puerto Rico

Quick, take into consideration America’s biggest websites for vacationers. You most likely take into consideration Disneyworld in Florida or the Grand Canyon. But Puerto Rico attracted four million tourists in 2020, producing almost three billion {dollars} in income. 

These information about Puerto Rico might shock you. Yet these two statistics are simply the tip of the iceberg. There’s lots it is best to find out about Puerto Rico earlier than you propose a visit to the island territory of the United States.

Fun Facts About Puerto Rico

Is Puerto Rico a state, and the place did it come from? What are a few of Puerto Rico’s greatest points of interest, including food-related ones? What are some suggestions it is best to use to get across the island?  Answer these questions and you’ll have an ideal Caribbean trip very quickly. Here are 21 information it is best to find out about Puerto Rico.

1. Puerto Rico Is Not a State

Puerto Rico’s politics are awkward, to say the least. Puerto Rico will not be a state, however a commonwealth inside the United States. This implies that American residents can journey to the islands and not using a passport.

This additionally implies that the federal authorities has jurisdiction over Puerto Rico. But Puerto Ricans do not need representatives within the Senate. They have a resident commissioner who represents them within the House of Representatives, however the commissioner can’t vote on payments.

Yet many worldwide establishments deal with Puerto Rico as its personal nation. Puerto Rico has a separate Olympic group from the American one, and so they ship their very own contestants to the Miss Universe pageant. 

2. Yet Puerto Ricans Are Americans

However, all Puerto Rican residents obtain birthright citizenship. They have American passports, and so they can journey to the American mainland as they please. 

Unfortunately, Puerto Ricans do not need the identical rights as different Americans. They can’t vote in presidential elections, although they will vote for get together nominees. 

Oddly sufficient, you may obtain a Certificate of Puerto Rican Citizenship and develop into a twin nationwide of Puerto Rico and your private home nation. You have to be born in Puerto Rico, have a Puerto Rican guardian, or be an American who has lived within the commonwealth for a yr.

3. Don’t Confuse the Island With the Archipelago

When folks learn the time period, “Puerto Rico,” they normally take into consideration one island. In actuality, Puerto Rico is an archipelago of many islands. 

The primary island is named Puerto Rico, and it comprises the capital of San Juan. Vieques is seven miles off the primary island’s east coast. More than 8,000 folks stay on the island, and it comprises dozens of seashores you may go to. 

Culebra is 9 miles north of Vieques and roughly 16 miles away from the primary island. Roughly 1,800 folks stay in Culebra, however a lot of the island is undeveloped. 

The remaining islands are all uninhabited. Some of them are nature preserves you could possibly go to on a ship.

4. Puerto Rico Is the World’s Oldest Colony 

Puerto Rico information go approach again in historical past. The Taino folks inhabited the primary island for 1000’s of years earlier than Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493. He stayed on the island for simply two days, but he claimed it as a Spanish colony. 

Spain then managed Puerto Rico for simply over 400 years. In 1898, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States after the Spanish-American War. It has been below American management ever since, and a few Puerto Ricans name the island a “colony” attributable to it not being a state.

5. World War II Is Everywhere

World War II might have been fought in Europe and Asia, however it left its mark on Puerto Rico. The American navy was apprehensive that the island could be invaded, so the federal government spent hundreds of thousands of {dollars} fortifying it.

It added modifications to historic forts in order that they had been usable once more. It additionally constructed bases and bunkers all through the archipelago, together with on Culebra. 

When the battle was over, the navy left its gear behind. You can discover navy tanks on Flamenco Beach on Culebra, and you’ll discover deserted bunkers on Vieques. 

6. El Yunque Is the Forest Service’s Only Tropical Rainforest

Read any listing of fascinating information about Puerto Rico, and also you’ll examine El Yunque. It is the one tropical rainforest in America’s pure forest system. It’s 29,000 acres, making it one of many smallest forests within the United States. 

Yet it’s brimming with pure wonders and unique wildlife. You can climb up mountains which can be greater than 3,000 ft tall, and you’ll watch parrots and frogs frolic.  

7. You Can Walk Along 300 Miles of Beaches

Like any Caribbean paradise, Puerto Rico is hottest for its seashores. On the primary island, Luquillo Beach is extraordinarily standard. You can stroll alongside white sand for miles and lounge beneath coconut palms. 

If you’re trying to keep away from the crowds, it is best to get away from the primary island. Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island comprises coral reefs which can be good spots for snorkeling and diving. Vieques provides Sun Bay Beach, which has crystal blue water that’s good for swimming.

8. You Can Also Visit Bioluminescent Bays

Sun Bay Beach has one other shock for you. It comprises Mosquito Bay, which is residence to plankton that produce bioluminescent mild at night time. If you go to below the fitting situations, you may see the water glowing blue after sunset.

You can even go to Fajardo Bioluminescent Bay on the mainland and La Parguera on Lajas, one of many outlying islands. You can swim and go boating within the water, however you shouldn’t pollute the water with chemical compounds or trash.

9. Puerto Rico Has America’s Largest Cave Network

The Cavernas del Río Camuy comprises greater than 200 caves that stretch over 250 miles. Only a small portion of the caves have mapped trails, however you may go to everytime you need. You can even go off the overwhelmed path and go exploring, although it is best to go in a gaggle so that you keep away from accidents.

10. The Birth of the New World Is America’s Tallest Statue

The Birth of the New World is an outline of Christopher Columbus on the helm of his ship. The statue is product of bronze and it’s 360 ft tall, making it greater than 200 ft taller than the Statue of Liberty. 

You can go to the statue in Arecibo. You can’t method the statue, however the authorities of Arecibo is planning to open a park round it quickly.

Plaza Las Américas stretches throughout 1.9 million sq. ft of house, and it comprises greater than 300 shops. You can discover almost all main retailers, together with JCPenney, Macy’s, and Best Buy. If you need genuine Puerto Rican souvenirs, you should buy antiques, artworks, and license plates from shops all through the mall.

12. La Fortaleza Is America’s Oldest Executive Mansion

In 1529, Governor of Puerto Rico Antonio de la Gama began writing letters to the Spanish emperor. The residents of San Juan had been feeling unsafe, and so they wanted fortifications to stay in. 

The emperor responded by financing the development of a mansion in San Juan referred to as La Fortaleza. Construction resulted in 1540, but the emperor had forgotten to offer the troopers on the mansion weapons. Rather than let the constructing go to waste, the governor moved into the fortress in 1544 and made it his personal residence.

La Fortaleza has been in steady use because the governor’s residence ever since. It is open to the general public, and you’ll take a 30-minute tour of the grounds and gardens.

13. Old San Juan Is Different Than San Juan

Articles with enjoyable information about Puerto Rico like to debate San Juan. They normally point out that San Juan was established within the 1520s, and that’s true. 

However, not all of modern-day San Juan was inhabited. Old San Juan is a district of town that comprises the oldest buildings, together with La Fortaleza. You can spend a day touring the district, visiting totally different retailers and strolling by means of castles.

14. San Juan Isn’t the Only Cultural Hub in Puerto Rico

San Juan is the capital, however it’s removed from the one city heart in Puerto Rico. Ponce is residence to roughly 140,000 folks. Many festivals happen within the metropolis all year long, together with the National Genip Festival in August. 

More than 120,000 folks stay in Caguas. The metropolis comprises quite a few parks and pure areas you may go to, together with the Bairoa River Natural Protected Area, which has a riparian forest.

15. Puerto Rican Food Is a Melting Pot

Ask a Puerto Rican resident what the nationwide dish is, and so they’ll let you know about arroz con gandules. The dish combines slow-cooked tomatoes, garlic, and onion with rice and pork. You can discover quite a few variations of the dish, with some cooks including olives and plantain leaves to it.

Indeed, you could find variations for almost all Puerto Rican dishes. You can eat pasteles with shellfish, raisins, or garbanzo beans. At kiosks, you may strive codfish fritters, mozzarella sticks, and octopus salad.

16. You Can Enjoy Delicious Rum

The rum business in Puerto Rico is valued at roughly $51 million. You can discover microdistilleries in any main metropolis, and lots of eating places have an inventory of rums you may pattern from.

You can even take excursions by means of distilleries, together with Bacardi’s distillery in Cataño. Some of the distilleries allow you to take mixology lessons and tastings, although chances are you’ll have to pay charges.

17. But Don’t Miss Out on the Coffee

Puerto Rican espresso could be the most underrated a part of Puerto Rican delicacies. Coffee plantations are situated all through the primary island, and you’ll go to cafes for breakfast or a day espresso break. 

Many residents prefer to drink espresso, which could be a little bitter and overpowering. If you wish to minimize down on the bitter taste, you may order a cortadito, which mixes espresso with steamed milk.

18. The Climate Is Incredible Year-Round

The weather in Puerto Rico is sweet all year long. Average temperatures stay within the 80s for all 12 months, although temperatures can dip in the course of the fall and winter. 

Puerto Rico does have a moist season between May and November, with August seeing a mean of seven.7 inches of rain. This season corresponds with the hurricane season, and chances are you’ll encounter tropical storms when you go to the island in the course of the summer time.

19. Christmas Isn’t Just for December 25

Another purpose to go to within the fall and winter is Christmas. Cities begin to dangle up their Christmas decorations in late October, and the festivities formally start after Thanksgiving. You can go to church ceremonies, watch parades, and cook dinner elaborate meals together with your family members.

The festivities don’t finish on Christmas Day. They proceed till the San Sebastián Street Festival in late January. The event is an elaborate avenue competition in San Juan, and you’ll take pleasure in stay music and watch dancers carry out.

20. Islanders Use the Imperial and Metric Systems

One of probably the most common mistakes amongst first-time travelers is mixing up the imperial and metric techniques. Road indicators describe distances utilizing kilometers, and gasoline is bought in liters. However, pace is measured with miles per hour, and drawings will listing measurements with ft and inches. 

Make positive the fundamentals of the metric system earlier than you head out. You might wish to obtain a conversion app in your cellphone so you are able to do fast calculations. Hey, that’s fairly just like Canada, try these 72 Funny And Interesting Facts About Canada

21. Islanders Speak Spanish and English 

Puerto Rico has two official languages, Spanish and English. Puerto Ricans typically greet one another in Spanish, and so they might have fast conversations within the language. If they go extra in-depth, they could transition to English. 

You ought to be aware of fundamental Spanish phrases so you may greet natives and observe travel safety tips. But be happy to make use of English when you discover pronunciation guidelines in Spanish troublesome. 

Interesting information about Puerto Rico

These Facts about Puerto Rico might need stunned you. It has an extended historical past of colonization, and it stays an American commonwealth, not a state. But Puerto Rican tradition is extraordinarily vibrant. The islands have quite a few pure wonders, together with pristine seashores and bioluminescent bays. You can even pattern a wealthy delicacies and drink scrumptious rums and coffees. 

Try visiting the islands in the course of the Christmas season. Make positive the metric system and Spanish earlier than your journey. Okay, perhaps you don’t have to know the metric system, however it’s enjoyable to strive! Join the remainder of the world and use km as an alternative of miles.  

Anyone can take pleasure in Puerto Rico, as soon as they’ve the information. The Planet D gives informative journey guides. Read our guide to Puerto Rico.