Welcome to Puerto Rico! Visitor Information, History, and Culture
Puerto Rico, Discover a Magnificent and Unique Island, Full of Adventures and Experiences. Puerto Rico, officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
Guánica, Puerto Rico
Located in driest area of Puerto Rico, temperatures in the forest are, on average, around 80 °F (27 °C) in shaded areas and 100 °F (38 °C) in exposed areas. The dry forest has 700 plant species of which 48 are endangered and 16 exist nowhere else, including the Puerto Rican woodpecker, the Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo and the Puerto Rican ...
Discover Culebra, Puerto Rico
Culebra is located 27 km (17 miles) east of Puerto Rico and 19 km (12 miles) west to Saint Thomas, its dimensions are about 11 km (7 miles) long and 5 km (3.5 miles) wide. Culebra consist of the main island and twenty-three smaller islands that lie off its coast.
Discover Cayey, Puerto Rico
Its original name was "Cayey de Muesas", in honor of Miguel de Muesas, the governor of Puerto Rico at the time. Cayey is famous for its two twin peaks known as "Las Tetas de Cayey ," (the teats of Cayey), nicknamed for their similarity to a female body part, which were formed by volcanic activity.
Discover Vieques, Puerto Rico
The island is located between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas (USVI), and is separated from the southeast coast of Puerto Rico by approximately 8 miles of sea, although if you are taking a ferry from Fajardo the distance will be 18 miles. Numerous other small cays (islets) lie …
Coamo, Puerto Rico
Coamo is located in the southern region of Puerto Rico, about 90-minute car ride away from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). Coamo is known as "La Villa Añeja" (old villa) or "La Villa de San Blas de Illescas" (San Blas de Illescas villa) in honor of the San Blas Half Marathon celebrated every year in February.
Hatillo, Puerto Rico
Hatillo is located on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean; north Lares and Utuado; east of Camuy; and west of Arecibo. Today, Hatillo is the mayor producer of milk in the island and produces the third part consumed in Puerto Rico. There are many well-known "hatillanos", among them: Velda González.
Puerto Rico Passports and Visa Requirements
For additional information, contact your local U.S. Embassy or call the Puerto Rico State Department at (787) 722-2121. Citizens of other countries have the same requirements as for entering the USA. Potential visitors must first obtain a visa, either a non-immigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.
Explore Adjuntas, Puerto Rico
Adjuntas is known by many names, the city is commonly known as "La Ciudad del Gigante Dormido" (the city of the sleeping giant) because a mountain formation called by that name. It is also known as "La Suiza de Puerto Rico" (the Switzerland of Puerto Rico) because it's low temperatures, with an average yearly weather of 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
History of Puerto Rico: 1600 - 1797
Puerto Rico's population had reached 44,883, of whom 5,037 were slaves, making an 11.2 percent, a very low ratio, considered the lowest for the Caribbean. 1770. Cockfighting began in the island. 1772. On August 28, a hurricane strikes the island, accompanied by an earthquake. 1780. On June 13, a hurricane strikes the island. 1781