Puerto rico archipielago: The Island of Puerto Rico
Best Puerto Rico Islands to Visit in 2022
Popular Top Rated Island Tour
Puerto Rico is an archipelago made up of about 143 islands, cays, and islets. The largest islands consisting of Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, the islet of Old San Juan, are the only islands inhabited. The offshore islands, cays, and islets are all unique, offering visitors the more natural side of Puerto Rico and possibly the last true “virgin islands” experience in the Caribbean. Vieques & Culebra are truly special, just ask anyone who’s been there. The well-known Islet of Old San Juan is a destination every traveler ought to visit.
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There’s no denying the beaches on the main island of Puerto Rico are beautiful, but the beaches of Vieques & Culebra are pure perfection. The rest of the islands and cays offer seclusion and lush green landscapes with little to no development – that true “island life” feel Caribbean dreams are made of.
IslandsofPuertoRico.com now PuertoRicoTravelGuide.com was the first website to bring the most complete guide to the offshore treasures of Puerto Rico. We consider them among the top treasures of Puerto Rico and we just had to share them with the world.
We’ll start our list with the best islands and cays to visit. There are various tour operators that offer excursions to these offshore treasures. In some of the towns, there are businesses offering boat and kayak rentals so you can go and explore the cays and islets on your own.
We’ve included a map at the bottom of this page of Puerto Rico Islands, Islets, and Cays that are most enjoyable, easily accessible, and popular among tourists.
Following, we’ll introduce you to Vieques & Culebra, known by sailors as the Spanish Virgin Islands, two of the few unexploited islands by tourism in the Caribbean. These islands are homes to the Brightest Bioluminescent Bay in the World & Flamenco Beach. While most destinations in the Caribbean are saturated with high rise hotels and tourist traps, these gems allow visitors to experience the Caribbean of the past.
Culebra, an archipelago made up of smaller islands and cays is the sleepier of the two islands. Few get to make the trip to this gorgeous island, residents and Culebra lovers would love to keep it that way. This tiny island is home to Flamenco Beach, consistently included on “Best World Beaches” lists. Culebra’s coral reefs and superb underwater visibility make it a world-class snorkeling and scuba diving destination.
+ Culebra Island, Puerto Rico
Top Rated Tours to Culebra – One of the Islands of Puerto Rico
If you’re staying on the metro or east coast of the island, be sure to book a trip to Icacos Cay, one of the top-rated day trips and favorite attractions by tourists. Cayo Icacos is surrounded by crystalline turquoise waters, perfect for a fun day of swimming and snorkeling and taking in the magic of Puerto Rico.
+ Cayo Icacos, Puerto Rico
Vieques, the bigger of the two sister islands is a unique island with unmatched beauty, winning various prestigious awards as one of the best islands in the Caribbean.
Spend all day beach hopping on pristine beaches without a single building onsite or crowds. After dinner, the magic begins under a starry sky on the bioluminescent bay, where you can kayak over waters that light up like a science fiction movie.
+ Vieques, Puerto Rico
Culebrita, Puerto Rico
Culebrita is part of the Culebra Archipelago. You may book a charter for a marvelous morning or afternoon enjoying the pleasures of total seclusion. While visiting Culebrita you can spend the morning hiking to the lighthouse ruins with awe-inspiring views. After the hike, refresh with a dip on the tidal pools. Finally head over to Tortuga Beach, a gorgeous cove with clear turquoise tinted water and white sand popular for boaters and typically only busy during summer months when boaters from the main island head over to Culebra with family and friends.
Top Rated Culebrita Tours
Palomino Island, Puerto Rico
Palomino is part of the Cordillera Nature Reserve, a wonderful day trip for those desiring to experience a more relaxed and personalized tour exploring the offshore treasures on the east coast of Puerto Rico.
Various tour operators offer smaller and private charters, perfect for families and groups.
+ Palomino Island, Puerto Rico & Top Rated Tours
Top Rated Tours to Palomino Island
The Islet of Old San Juan consists of Old San Juan, the historical area in the western half, and the Puerta de Tierra government/business district in the eastern half. This once walled city is connected to the main island of Puerto Rico by bridges – 1 to the east and 2 in the southeastern corner. Old San Juan is the most popular tourist destination in Puerto Rico and the hottest cruise port in the Caribbean. Old San Juan is packed with world-class historic attractions, excellent restaurants, and unique shops.
This colorful town is the cultural center of Puerto Rico, the best place to immerse yourself in the warm and vibrant culture of the island. Whether you choose to vacation in San Juan or another destination in Puerto Rico, Old San Juan is one place you can’t miss visiting during your stay.
+ Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Top Rated & Fun Tours – Old San Juan
+ Old San Juan
The little mangrove island is a favorite among locals on the west coast region of the island. We adore this place, we love to share it, and more visitors are heading to this secret little gem. During the regular high tourist season, you can enjoy this place without crowds on weekdays. Gilligan’s Island is like a giant natural pool of shallow clear water. Here you can snorkel, kayak, picnic, read your favorite book or do nothing at all.
+ Gilligan’s Island – Guanica, Puerto Rico
La Parguera Nature Reserve
Popular for locals but still considered one of the unbeaten paths for tourists. La Parguera Nature Reserve is made up of 30 cays and islets. La Parguera is one of the best day trips you offered on the west coast of Puerto Rico. Various charters offer deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking trips.
After a fun day on the water, head back to land, and enjoy a delicious authentic Puerto Rican meal at the village.
+ La Parguera Nature Reserve – Lajas, PR
Palominito Island – Pirates of the Caribbean Location
Palominito is (was) perhaps one of the most picture-perfect cays on the Caribbean. So perfect it was used as a location on the final scene of Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides. On this perfect white sand little island, Jack Sparrow leaves Angelica.
Over the past decade, Palominito started to disappear, sadly in 2017, most of the island disappeared with Hurricane Maria. Depending on the tide, you may be able to see what’s left of it.
Caja de Muertos, Puerto Rico
Top Rated Tour to Caja de Muertos
With an hour’s drive from San Juan and a scenic ferry ride, you could be at one of the most underrated places in Puerto Rico. Here you can spend the day suntanning and swimming at Pelican Beach, hike a trail leading to a lighthouse with heavenly views, go snorkeling and explore more unique beaches.
Isla Desecheo / Desecheo Island
+ Desecheo Island
You can’t step on Desecheo Island, but you may book a charter to take you scuba diving deep around its walls. Desecheo is right off the coast of the town of Rincon. + Isla Desecheo / Desecheo Island
Isla de Mona / Mona Island
+ Mona Island
If you dreamed of visiting the Galapagos Islands, you may want to consider making the trip to Isla de Mona. Mona Island is often referred to as” The Galapagos of the Caribbean”. If you’re one of the lucky ones to set foot on this secret treasure, you can enjoy secluded beaches, explore impressive caves, and get lost in the beauty of the colorful world beneath the surface of the waters surrounding Mona.
If you love camping, Mona on your bucket list. Stargazing is spectacular. + Mona Island, Puerto Rico
Island Hopping Tours
Cayo Luis Peña
+ Cayo Luis Peña
Cayo Luis Peña is part of the Culebra Archipelago and Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. It is located off the west coast of the Culebra. With so many beaches in Culebra, few visitors make the trip to this wildlife refuge. You can access the island by water taxi or kayak. Once here, you can have a very quiet day swimming, snorkeling pristine coral reefs, hiking on trails and beachcombing. + Culebra
Cayo Afuera
+ Cayo Afuera – Vieques
Everywhere you go in Vieques is gorgeous, every beach and every cay. Cayo Afuera is one more place to add to your places to go while in Vieques. Rent a kayak and glide through crystal clear waters or book a tour with a guide to explore the coral reefs surrounding Cayo Afuera.
Cayo de Tierra
+ Cayo de Tierra – Vieques
After a great lunch in Esperanza on the island of Vieques, take a walk to Cayo de Tierra, a cay connected by sand to Esperanza Beach.
You can do a little hiking on the cay and take a long pause to admire the views. From Cayo de Tierra you have unobstructed views of El Malecon and Sun Bay Beach.
Cayo Ratones
+ Isla Ratones
Isla Ratones is located right off Joyuda, a fishing village in the town of Cabo Rojo on the west coast of Puerto Rico. The cay covers .99 acres, currently managed and protected by the Department of Natural & Environmental Resources. Book a charter, in just a short 3-minute ride you can enjoy the beach with clear calm waters. Isla Ratones offers visitors an inexpensive activity with easy access. + Isla Ratones – Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
- Cayo Berbería – 5.5 km from Caja de Muertos
- Cayo Blanco – This beautiful cay with white sand is just 2.5 miles off the coast of Vieques. Here you can have a great snorkeling experience.
- Cayo Caribe – Part of Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve made up of 15 islets on the southern coast of Puerto Rico between the towns of Guayama and Salinas.
- Cayo Magueyes – Part of La Parguera Nature Reserve – Facilities of University of Puerto Rico Marine Sciences Department
- Cayo Monito – 5 km northwest of Isla de Mona
- Cayo Norte – A privately owned cay / island on the northeast of Culebra. It is the only cay on the Culebra Archipelago that’s not part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. Cayo Norte is about 321 acres covered in semi-arid vegetation. This site is a refuge for two endangered sea turtles (hawksbill sea turtle and the green sea turtle), seabirds and various species of fish.
- Cayo Piñero – Ceiba
- Cayo Santiago – On the east coast of Puerto Rico in the town of Humacao. Land size of about 37 acres. Research site of monkeys by The University of Puerto Rico. Other names used are Santiago Island & Isla de los Monos.
Tours Visitors Love in Puerto Rico
Archipiélago Puerto Rico Keychain Beach Llavero Puerto Rico
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State of Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico – Planet Earth
islands of the archipelago. The first culture to settle in Puerto Rican lands was the Ortoiroid Indian culture, which is believed to have originated in the South American Orinoco River basin.
By the beginning of the second millennium AD. the dominant position on the islands was occupied by the descendants of settlers from the Arawak Indian people – secretly. It was they who made up the majority of the population of Puerto Rico when the second expedition of the Spanish navigator Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) landed on the island November 19, 1493 Baptist, and only many years later this name was transferred to the capital of the colony, and the island itself was called Puerto Rico – “rich port”.
The first Spanish settlement – Caparra was founded on the site of the future Puerto Rico in 1508 through the efforts of the conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon (1460-1521). This began a period of rapid and successful colonization of Puerto Rican territories by Spain. Those from the Taino who did not die in clashes with the colonialists or from diseases brought by Europeans were forced to work for the Spanish crown. The ranks of slaves were also replenished by specially brought African slaves.
Although Puerto Rico did not achieve the prosperity that the mainland Spanish colonies enjoyed, over time the islands became an important outpost on the route between Europe and the South American colonies of Spain. Fortifications began to appear on the island territories, which reliably protected his lands from repeated attacks by European opponents of the kingdom. The power of the fortresses was quite enough for Spain to be able to maintain its position in Puerto Rico, even when other colonial possessions were lost.
In 1898, a war broke out between Spain and the United States over the division of colonial possessions. In August of the same year, the victory went to the Americans, and among other trophies, Puerto Rico was at their disposal. In 1917, all local residents received US citizenship. However, in the early years of the 20th century began to form a movement of fighters for the autonomy of the island. Unsuccessful, local activists went to extreme measures On November 1, 1950, an attempt was made on the life of US President Harry Truman (1884-1972).
Although Puerto Rican radicals Griselio Torresola and Oscar Colazzo were sentenced to life in prison for attempting to assassinate the head of state in his own home, the action resulted in a referendum authorized by the incumbent President of the United States. According to the results of the popular vote on July 25, 1952 g Puerto Rico was assigned the status of an associated territory of the United States. Decades later, the struggle for independence began again among the inhabitants of the island, which, however, did not bring results: Puerto Rico is still considered part of the American territories.
Puerto Rico, part of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean, is an archipelago of the main island of the same name and several smaller islands. Not all “satellites” of Puerto Rico can boast of having a permanent population. On the Desecheo Islands (1.5 km 2 ), Caja de Muertos (1.54 km 2 ) and Mona (57 km 2 ), are protected areas and nature reserves, where only employees who maintain protected areas are allowed to live.
The status of Puerto Rico to this day remains not quite certain, in its own way a compromise for local and American authorities: the inhabitants of the associated territory of the United States have not achieved complete independence, but the islands are not actually a full-fledged part of the United States. However, such political uncertainty does not lead to popular unrest and does not at all prevent Puerto Ricans from living the way they want.
Unlike many countries that were colonies of the Spanish Kingdom in the past (including Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia), Puerto Rico can well provide for itself. The pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries bring income to the island, and a lot of money comes to the treasury thanks to the tourism sector: the beaches of the Caribbean Sea in the area of Punta Guillarte, Arroyo and Boguerina are always popular among Europeans. The resorts of Puerto Rico are especially convenient, given that the waters off the coast of the archipelago are quite “peaceful” – vacationers are protected from the predatory Caribbean waters by a “wall” of coral reefs that prevent sharks and other dangerous local inhabitants from getting close to the coast.
The capital of Puerto Rico is the city of San Juan, located on the northern coast of the main island of the archipelago. In its name, San Juan retained the historical name of a group of islands once discovered by the Spaniards. The original name of the capital of Puerto Rico itself, or “rich port”, on the contrary, passed from the capital to the entire system of islands. This port was founded in 1521, shortly after the first Spanish settlement in the future Puerto Rico. For centuries, Old San Juan, as the historical part of the capital is called, served as the main urban center of the colony. Today, the surviving Spanish fortifications of San Felipe del Morro, San Cristobal and La Fortalezaiz, which saved Puerto Rico from European attacks until 189, remind us of the city’s former life. 8 AD, when the islands were invaded by American troops.
Puerto Rico has lived under the cultural and economic influence of the United States for over a hundred years, but the culture of the inhabitants of the archipelago still does not lose close ties with Spanish traditions. Spanish is the most widespread language here, although English is taught in all educational institutions and is considered official (among local residents, more than three million people call Spanish their native language, while only about 80,000 people speak English in everyday life). Most Puerto Ricans remain faithful to the Roman Catholic Church, and few have embraced Protestantism in the twentieth century.
General Information
Official name: Free Associated State of Puerto Rico.
Form of government: dependent territory.
Administrative-territorial division: 78 municipalities.
Capital: San Juan, 395,326 people (2010).
Languages: Spanish, English.
Ethnic composition: white Hispanics – 75.8%; Afro-Latino, 12.4%; Indians – 0.5%; Asians – 0.2%; people of mixed origin and others – 11.1% (2010).
Religions: Catholicism, Protestantism.
Currency: US dollar.
Largest city: San Juan.
Largest river: Rio de la Plata.
Major airport: Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport.
Most important port: San Juan.
Numbers
Area: 9103.8 km 2 (including the water surface).
Population: 3 725 789people (2010).
Population density: 409.3 people/km 2
Highest point: Cerro de Punta (1338 m).
Economy
GDP (PPP): $77.41 billion (2007).
Industry: food, electronics, pharmaceuticals, light (clothing).
Agriculture: cultivation of sugar cane, coffee, pineapples, bananas; animal husbandry.
Services: tourism, financial services, trade.
Climate and weather
Tropical marine.
Average January temperature: +22-24ºС.
Average July temperature: +28-29ºC.
Average annual rainfall: to 2500 mm.
Attractions
■ San Juan: Old San Juan, Cathedral of San Juan Batista, Fort San Felipe del Morro (XVI century), Fort San Cristobal (XVII century), El Palacio de Santa Catalina, Hotel El Convento (the former home of the Ponce de Leon family, called Cassa Blanca), the Historical Museum of La Princesa;
■ Desecheo, Caja de Muertos and Mona Reserve Islands; a El Yunque National Forest;
■ Reserves: Toro Negro, Rio Abajo, Guanica, Maricao;
■ Historic Lighthouses: Cape San Juan Lighthouse (1818), Caja de Muertos Lighthouse (1887).
Curiosities
■ Puerto Rico in the early 1990s. reggaeton music style was born, which is very popular in the Caribbean and in the United States. Its formation is associated with the influence of Puerto Rican traditions and musical trends such as reggae, dancehall and hip-hop.
■ In 1991, Puerto Rico’s incumbent Governor Rafael Hernandez Colón initiated a law making Spanish the only official language in the archipelago. The idea found support among many politicians and local residents, but two years later English was again recognized as the second state language – many Puerto Ricans hoped that one day the islands would become part of a full-fledged US state, which is impossible without recognizing the official language of the United States.
■ Not far from the city of Arecibo in Puerto Rico, there is an astronomical observatory of the same name equipped with one of the largest radio telescopes in the world (reflector diameter 304.8 m, area approx. 73,000 m 2 ).
■ One of Puerto Rico’s unofficial symbols is the tiny coca leaf frog, which is believed to be native to the archipelago. Interestingly, the name of the species has an onomatopoeic character: frogs only 3-5 cm in size make sounds that sound similar to the combination “coca”.
■ There is a version according to which the Puerto Rico archipelago and the capital San Juan “swapped” names during the Spanish colonization due to a mistake of geographers: they simply mixed up the two names.
■ In 2012, a 94-meter statue of Columbus, designed by Zurab Tsereteli, will be erected near Arecibo. Residents have long resisted the installation of the monument because of its huge size and high cost, but the authorities hope that the monument will attract tourists.
Puerto Ricans voted to turn the archipelago into an American state /Corr. TASS Ivan Pilshchikov/. Most of the participants in the referendum on the status of Puerto Rico, held on Sunday, were in favor of the fact that this freely joined the US territory became the 51st US state. This is evidenced by the preliminary results of the vote count.
According to data published on the official website of the referendum, the results of which are advisory in nature, a total of about 509 thousand people from 2. 29 million eligible voters in the archipelago came to vote. Approximately 97% were in favor of making Puerto Rico the 51st US state.
The second of the options proposed in the ballot – the preservation of the former status of the archipelago – was supported by about 1.5% of voters. The third possibility, which involves holding another round of voting in October, during which residents can vote either for complete independence from the United States or for Puerto Rico to have the status of a freely associated state with the United States, about 1.3% were in favor referendum participants.
The referendum was supported by a party seeking to join the archipelago as a new state in the United States. Its representatives believe that this would help Puerto Rico cope with serious financial difficulties. The result of the will of citizens is not binding, it is only a recommendation for the US Congress.
Earlier it was reported that local political forces opposed to the transformation of Puerto Rico into a new US state, will boycott the referendum. The Washington Post noted that the Republicans in the US Congress in any case will try to prevent a change in the status of the archipelago. One of the reasons for this is that the people of Puerto Rico, if the territory becomes the 51st US state, are likely to support the Democratic Party, which will somewhat strengthen its position in Congress and in the presidential elections.
Due to the severe economic crisis, the Puerto Rico authorities are unable to pay off debts of approximately $70 billion. Consultations on debt restructuring have not yet yielded results.
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosello hopes that Washington will take into account the results of Sunday’s referendum, in which residents of this freely annexed territory voted for it to become the 51st US state.
“Federal authorities will not be able to ignore the opinion of the majority of American citizens of Puerto Rico from today,” Rosello quoted the Associated Press as saying, commenting on the advisory vote.