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#TravelTuesdays: The Archipelago of Puerto Rico

Lifestyle

Ai, ai, ai, ai, ai, ai Puerto Rico. Two years after Hurricane Maria hit the U.S. territory, Puerto Ricans are still facing the aftermath.

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Mourning the death of more than 2,000 islanders, Puerto Rican natives continue to rebuild their homes. Though President Donald Trump said Puerto Ricans should be “proud” that the death toll wasn’t high like in a “real catastrophe like Katrina,” the natural disaster was one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history. As of 2018, more than 135,000 Puerto Ricans left the archipelago to continental United States; they are still facing power outages and rebuilding entire communities. And yet, Puerto Rico is “still as enchanting as ever,” and the best way to help them is through tourism. 

Traveling to la Isla De Encanto is one sector of the economy that can quickly bounce back,” said Carla Campos, the Executive Director of Puerto Rican Tourism Company to Forbes. “The best thing you can do is fly over, stay in our hotels, go shopping.” 

Here is a list of things to do in your next trip to the islands.

Explore Old San Juan

The colorful Old San Juan is perfect for day and nightlife. Eat authentic Puerto Rican cuisines in the restaurants or cafes, browse in the art galleries and souvenir shops, and make sure to go partying on the island.

Escape to La Parguera 

This hidden gem is known to be a tiny village near the municipality of Lajas. The clear waters are perfect kayakers, divers or simply for those who want to relax on boats and enjoy the views of the mangroves.  

Walk Around Dorado

Since we can’t possibly get enough of the Caribbean sea, check out the coastal town of Dorado. Dorado is a town about 11 miles east from San Juan. It used to be a common travel spot for the wealthy and still has luxurious resorts. Yet, it still has small-town feels, with classic Spanish architecture. If you are a history buff, make sure to check out the Casa del Rey, where Spanish government officials used to live, and the Museo Historico. If you are like me and enjoy walking around, try to find the art murals spread in the town. 

Visit Luquilloand Hike in The Yunque National Forest

It is no wonder that Luquillo is known as la capital del Sol: Luquillo is perfect for those seeking the good, old beach-getaway. It’s considered one of the most popular beaches in the area, most likely due to its famous surf stops and closeness to the Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the United States.

If you like hiking, go to the Mount Britton tower at Yunque National Forest. The climb takes about 45 minutes, but visitors say the view makes up for it.  

Enjoy Sunny Vieques

Enjoy the sun inVieques

This small island part of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, about 8 miles away from the mainland, known for their crystal clear beaches and the bahia bioluminiscente Mosquito Bay, often regarded as the brightest bio bay in the world. If you do choose to visit the bay, avoid nights with moonlights for best visibility. Sun Bay beach and Playa Caracas are both especially good for those seeking a relaxing day, and La Chiva is one of the best snorkeling beaches on the island. If you are looking for total seclusion, check out Playa Escondida. Keep in mind that there are no facilities there, which can be a good excuse for a picnic day. 

Get Your Adventure On

Daredevil anyone? Puerto Rico is an adventure island, so make sure to have some. Toro Verde in Orocovis has the “biggest zip line of the Americas,” with 1.7 miles of length and speeds up to 95mph. During his trip, NBC’s Tonight Show host, Jimmy Fallon seemed to have enjoyed it. 

Volunteer

While tourism is the best way of helping Puerto Rico in its rebuilding efforts, consider volunteering in the island as well. Organizations like All Hands and Hearts are working to repair homes and the community infrastructure in Yabucoa, Humacao, Barranquitas and Toa Baja. The organization provides accommodations, meals, and you are required to have the weekends off. It gives you a chance to enjoy the island as well. You would have to pay the airfare and the meals on your days off.

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Clara Longo de Freitas is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Journalism and Latin American Studies. In between her college classes and internship duties, you will find her catching up on her favorite shows, trying to finish her to-read list and, of course, writing because it is her favorite thing to do in the world. She also loves to travel and believes the best way of learning about culture is through food. Clara is an advocate for human rights, and hopes to use her reporting to make changes in her home country, Brazil, and the world.

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