Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico possesses great opportunities for diving, surfing, deep-sea fishing. The coast of Puerto Rico is lined with white sand, it’s raw and unspoiled. Here you can notice the mixture of different cultures – European, African, Taíno. You may participate in festivals, taste criollo food, visit ancient colonial villages and towns. Puerto Rico has its own musical traditions that just gave the birth to salsa. Puerto Rico possesses great links with USA, but despite this fact this country has its own identity and remains Latino.

Swimming and surfing are very famous in Puerto Rico. The coastline is coral-smothered here so diving or snorkeling can be organized greatly in this place. Windsurfing is widely spread here due to the wind that pummels the east and north coast. The rugged interior of Puerto Rico is perfect for hiking as well.

You can investigate the forest slope while being engaged into caving, canyoing, kayaking, whitewater rafting. 

For those who are fond of biking Hacienda Carabalí will be the best place for starting. All trails feature downhill courses, rock gardens and a lot of jumps. You can also find other trails just in the Bosque Estatal de Cambalache, Guánica dry forest or Cabo Rojo Refuge Bike Trail. Such places as Vieques or Culebra are nice and safe areas for exploring by bike. Here you can find a lot of places for renting.

Diving and snorkeling

La Cordillera, Vieques, Culebra are the best places for snorkeling. Of course it’s possible to organize snorkeling in any place along the coast in Puerto Rico. But you have to know that the pollution of the rivers that flow into the sea makes the snorkeling unremarkable or inaccessible in some of the places. The best places for snorkeling are considered to be cays offshore that can offer fish and coral life. Culebra is the best place for diving as well. Also you can dive in Isla Desecheo, Isla de Mona that are on the west coast. The waters in Mona are clear and teem with beautiful marine life.

Fishing

Fishing is a famous activity in Puerto Rico especially deap-sea fishing. The north coast is also known as “blue marlin alley” because of the great number of the migrating fish there. The island occupies the main position on the International Billfish Tournament. Winter is the best fishing season for dolphinfish, white marlin, wahoo, yellowfin tuna. Snook and tarpon thrive in the shallow waters of  bays and lagoons in Puerto Rico, being the easiest targets from small boats.

Golf

Puerto Rico is considered to be the golf capital among other countries in the Caribbean. The major part of the courses is located in Dorado or on the east coast.  Here you can find the most luxury resorts, for example Palmas del Mar that can offer the toughest course in the world.

Skydiving and hang gliding

The first parachute jump for the beginner can be organized in the skydiving school at Humacao regional airport. The jumpers must reach the age of 18.

Hiking

Puerto Rico combines the beauties of the sea and ocean views with the tropical wilderness of the forests that offer the great possibilities for all hikers. Here you can find the rare species of tropical birds. El Yunque National Forest is the most accessible place for travelling where you can find well-maintained highlights and trails.

Toro Negro is the place astride the Central Cordillera, it is rewarding and is rather close by the highest peak Cerro de Punta. Also you can  find the best trails in the Bosque Estatal de Guajataca and in the Guánica dry forest.

The elevations are not so high for hikers, the only problem is rain or cloud cover. Because of the lack of the signs you have to plan your travel in advance. Try to avoid hiking in the mountains during the rain.

Horse riding

Puerto Rico gives the chance to ride their Paso Fino horses. A great number of ranches can offer unforgettable trail rides. Rancho Buena Vista is among the most famous ranches.

Kayaking

If you want to see all the beauties of Puerto Rico you can go kayaking. You’ll receive unforgettable impressions while exploring the marvelous lagoon of  La Parguera and Guánica.

Sailing

The sailing paradise of Puerto Rico is considered to be the east coast. Such marinas as Villa Marina and Puerto del Rey are the best places for charter yachts. By the way it’s rather hard to rent the boat in Puerto Rico as the west and south coasts are popular with yacht owners.

Surfing

Puerto Rico is similar to Hawaii but in its Caribbean version with the most consistent and hardest waves in the region. The most famous beaches can be found on the north and northwest coast, nearby Aguadiila or Luquillo. The south of Carribean coast is calmer but at the same time you won’t see so many waves there. The best time for surfing in Puerto Rico is the time from October to February.

Caving, canyoning, abseiling

The best territories for caving, canyoning, abseiling can be found in Parque de las Cavernas del Río Camuy. The Central Cordillera or the Bosque Estatal de Toro Negro are the proper places for travelling in Puerto Rico.

Windsurfing is well-organized in such beaches as Jobos, Playa Crash Boat. Beginners can try their skills at the beach El Conquistador or at the west coast nearby Boquerón, La Parguera.

Spectator sports

Baseball, basketball, boxing are also very famous in Puerto Rico. Horseracing or cockfighting remain popular there as the elements of Spanish culture.

Baseball

No doubts baseball is considered to be the national sport in Puerto Rico and Roberto Clemente is the star of baseball from Puerto Rico. Americans introduces baseball in Puerto Rico in 1898. Baseball is fanatically played at schools and at all levels of amateurs.

Boxing

Boxing in Puerto Rico has the impressive history. In spite of this fact it’s rather difficult to see the fights in the country as the major part of them takes place just on the mainland and are screened via TV.

Cockfighting

Cockfighting was introduced in Puerto Rico in 1770 and just in 1933 it was legalized. It’s considered to be rather controversial way of spending pastime being all the time condemned by the activists of animal rights. It’s worth to know that the contests are rather vicious. Fights are finished only when one of the cocks is exhausted for continuing it. Anyway the supporters prefer this kind of sport as the main aspect of the culture of Puerto Rico.

Horseracing

The main horse race in Puerto Rico is the famous Hipódromo Camarero that is in Canóvanas. The races are held on weekends and also on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Clásico del Caribe is the richest race of the Caribbean. Gambling on the races is almost legal being the biggest business in Puerto Rico.