With Puerto Rico being a part of the United States, I never really thought about visiting it. Plus, with the Bronx being one of the main Puerto Rican hubs, I always felt a certain connection to it and its people.
Last year, a friend suggested that I visit Puerto Rico, noting that a lot of it is changing. If I wait too long, I may never know what it is really like. With that in mind, I decided to bump Puerto Rico to the top of my vacation list.
The flight and transportation to Puerto Rico are fairly simple compared to other places I have been. Uber is available, making traveling to different towns very easy. The food, depending on which part of Puerto Rico you are in, is pretty Americanized, especially in New San Juan, where I spent most of my time. They use the dollar for currency, and credit cards are widely accepted, so you will feel right at home for the most part when spending.
The hotels and Airbnbs are reasonably priced, but the better the locations, the higher the prices, and they jump high, not gradually. I stayed in a large building in the New San Juan area because I wanted to be surrounded by air conditioning as much as possible and the beach. While I’m not so demanding at home, on vacation, I prefer comfort.
I spent my mornings at various beaches, which are quite accessible. Most people seemed to be on a relaxed schedule. Buses do not run on a “regular time” schedule, the beaches were empty until around 11 a.m. or noon, and most people enjoyed talking to tourists and guiding them along routes.
I took the opportunity to visit other places outside of New San Juan. I went to Old San Juan for the many museums they have, such as the Museum of Puerto Rico, the American Museum, and Castillo San Felipe del Morro, which is an old military fortress with a lighthouse. I also visited El Yunque National Forest with a local tour guide, for which I am immensely grateful and highly recommend.
I enjoyed many local tourist attractions like having a piña colada where it was invented, smoking cigars in their many lounges, and trying different styles of food. I preferred the food in Old San Juan or away from the tourist areas because it seemed more authentically Puerto Rican, like the food I could get in the Bronx from a friend’s grandma. There were times I couldn’t find pastelillos anywhere.
Puerto Rico’s daytime life is as exciting as its nightlife. Although I am not much of a partygoer, I enjoyed walking around, listening to music, and watching people dance the night away. After my morning beach routine, I spent my days walking around different areas searching for new adventures. You can easily attend outdoor church services, take boat rides to nearby islands, or visit their many stores if you want a souvenir to take home.
For an average person, Puerto Rico has a lot to offer and much to do. You just have to plan it out and make sure to have enough to splurge on a few extravagant activities like jet skiing, swimming in mountain waterfalls, visiting a casino, zip-lining, and helicopter rides.
My trip to Puerto Rico was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The food, the people, the attractions, and the accommodations were all joyful and welcoming. It was the first time I wanted to return to a destination as soon as I got back home, and I think fondly of going again soon. One of the things I would like to do in Puerto Rico during my next visit is to explore other cities and towns.
I am not oblivious to the changes happening there. I spoke to many locals and heard both the good and bad aspects of these changes. I plan to return soon and hope you will take the opportunity to visit now before it changes more in the near future.
After landing back in New York, I instantly felt overwhelmed. Reality had kicked in; I was back to a city that is always on the move, with people constantly hustling. In contrast, in Puerto Rico, I saw a smiling face every time I asked for help or directions.
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