Puerto Rico

Quick Facts

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Capital

San Juan

Population

3,886,000

Government

Commonwealth associated with the US

Religions

Christianity (Catholic, Protestant)

Languages

Spanish, English

Calling Code

+0

Nationality

Puerto Rican

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Introduction

Transito

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What is most striking about Puerto Rico is the apparent contradictions between its Latino/Caribbean culture and its cosmopolitan city centers, akin to mainland U.S. cities. The influences of U.S., Spanish, African and Taíno cultures have had a perplexing effect on all aspects of Puerto Rican life. Fast food chains and old Spanish colonial buildings stand side-by-side in San Juan; folk music descendant from Spanish folk music contrasts with the bomba, a dance carried over from Africa.

Since it is easy to reach from the United States (no visa is required), Puerto Rico has matured into a tourist hot-spot. But while San Juan continues to be the country's prime attraction, journeys into the countryside reward travellers with a clearer glimpse into the unique Puerto Rican culture.

Islands

• Puerto Rico is the main island and by far the largest.
• Culebra
• Vieques
• Mona

Aside from these islands, there are numerous smaller islands (many uninhabited) included in the archipelago.

Cities

• San Juan - The capital
• Areceibo
• Mayagüez
• Ponce
• Guayama
• Caguas

Getting there

Plane

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan is where all international planes arrive and depart. It serves as the Caribbean hub for American Airlines and American Eagle and there are connections to almost every island nation in the region with these two airlines.

Many other airlines based in the United States serve Puerto Rico from numerous cities. These include Delta Air Lines and US Airways.
Destinations further away include Frankfurt, London and Madrid in Europe and several cities in South America like Bogota.

Boat

Dominican Republic - Puerto Rico vv
Ferries del Caribe offers three weekly ferries between Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and Mayagüez in Puerto Rico. From Santo Domingo they leave on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm arriving in Mayagüez at 8am the following morning. From Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, they leave on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm, and arrive in Santo Domingo at 8am the next morning. The journey takes about 12 hours in both directions.

Puerto Rico - United States Virgin Islands vv
Every two weeks leaving on a Sunday at 1pm, there is a fast ferry between Fajardo in Puerto Rico and St. John and St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. In the opposite direction, boats leave every two weeks on a Thursday at 5pm from St. John and 6 pm from St. Thomas. The trip takes about 2 hours.