Passport-Free Travel - Part 1

Puerto Rico

This beautiful location between Punta Cana and the British Virgin Islands is an island that is overlooked a lot when people think of a Caribbean vacation. As I like to say about where I live, there is so much to explore in Puerto Rico!

Let's get out some facts and figures and get to know our territory to the south.

1. There are about 3.22 million people on the island as of the 2022 island census.

2. The capital is San Juan which is adjacent from the Old San Juan location where the government seat has been for almost 500 years.

3. Both English and Spanish are official languages.

4. Because they are a territory, they use the US Dollar as their official currency.

5. Before the Spanish renamed the island Isla de Puerto Rico (Island of Rich Port) the name was Borinquen or Boriken (Land of the Valiant and Noble Lord) by the Taino people before good old Chris Columbus showed up in 1493.

6. There are 4 distinct land features of the island: El Yunque (The Anvil) tropical rainforest which is the only one of its kind in the US National Forest System, mountains in the central part of the island, six major waterfalls, and miles of beachfront.

7. You have a blend of modern metropolitan areas as you'd expect in a resort location and historical locations that are from the 15th and 16th centuries just down the road. If you're willing to drive a bit, there's even older sites from before the Conquistadors took over.

Puerto Rico is a place where you can always find something that piques your interests. While there aren't any traditional all-inclusive resorts with meals and drinks as there are in other parts of the Caribbean, there are many resort hotels that have many similar amenities like spas, entertainment, and activities all on site. Also, the money you save by staying within the technical United States can go to the restaurants within the resort hotels or going off-site to get a real taste of Puerto Rico.

As a bit of a history nerd, this is a great destination to see and touch the history that they don't teach you in school. Here are a few great destinations that are free or low-cost to visit during your vacation. These are assuming a stay in the Isla Verde area of San Juan.

• Utuado - Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Park

  • 1.5 hour drive from San Juan in the Central region

  • Indigenous artifacts dating from the 14th and 15th centuries and plazas where dances, ceremonies, and batos (ball games) were held.

  • $5 entrance fee for adults, $4 for children and seniors for access to the park, museum, and indigenous areas.

• Ponce - Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibas

  • 1.5 hour drive from San Juan in the Southern region

  • Pre-Taino civilation artifacts uncovered in 1975 from a torrential rainstorm.

  • Artifacts and structures date from around 400 CE to 1000 CE with the Tainos being the last residents.

  • $3 admisstion per adult with discounts for children, seniors, students (with ID). Over 75 and under 5 years old are free. Cash only.

• Ponce - Hacienda Buena Vista

  • Former coffee plantation from the 19th century

  • Tours available by reservation in English or Spanish

  • $15 per person, $11 for seniors and students

• Old San Juan - Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, Fort San Juan de la Cruz, Cuartel de Ballaja

  • UNESCO site

  • Construction started in the 16th century by the Spanish Conquistadores to protect the port.

  • Large area of grass to just relax and enjoy the area

  • $10 per person entrance fee. Keep the receipt from El Morro to access San Cristobal for free!

• Old San Juan - La Forteleza

  • Governor's residence since 1533!

  • Oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the New World.

  • Entrance fee: FREE!!!

Other things to do in Old San Juan

• Capitolio de Puerto Rico - The Capitol building of Puerto Rico. Tours are available by reservation. Admission FREE!!

• Santa Maria Magdalena Pazzis Cemetery. Beautiful sculptures and views of the ocean.
  

I saved the best for last. As a Yinzer, you know the name Roberto Clemente. Roberto was a puertorriqueno and locally known as "The Great One". His hometown is a place called Carolina (car-oh-LEEN-ah). He was one of the greatest Pittsburgh Pirate we ever had on the team. If you want to see and stay in Carolina, there are many things to do there as well. Luxury hotels, boutique shopping, a children's museum, as well as a baseball stadium named after him. In front, there is a full-color memorial statue of Roberto in his Pirates uniform. Even if you don't stay in Carolina, it's very near San Juan. Go get a selfie and stay for a game!

Until we meet again...