Puerto rico holidays - Caribbean

Experience two worlds rolled into one

Pick a holiday in Puerto Rico from The Co-operative Travel, and you’ll experience two worlds rolled into one.

That’s because this largely unspoilt island benefits from being part of the United States, and so has the same excellent infrastructure as you’ll find anywhere on the mainland. That includes freeways and, in the capital San Juan, skyscrapers and excellent shopping. By contrast, Old San Juan also boasts the oldest continually inhabited executive mansion in the Western hemisphere, La Fortaleza.

Elsewhere on the island, rum production is still a major industry, whose history can be traced through the Rum Museum at Serralles Castle in Ponce, the island’s second city, and a number of working distilleries. Outside here, however, the excellent beaches - with their archetypal palm trees, white-golden sand and shimmering blue sea - nature reserves and rainforest point unequivocally to the fact that you’re in an island paradise.

And thanks to that well-developed road network, it’s all easy to get to, making exploring on your package holiday or all-inclusive holiday a joy.

Preceding American rule, Puerto Rico’s discovery by Christopher Columbus presaged a long period of Spanish rule, remnants of which abound, and make up the ‘Old Quarter’ attractions of each of the island’s main towns.

experience the culinary delights of puerto rico

You’ll find plenty of choice when deciding where to stay on your Puerto Rico holiday, from small guesthouses to the most prestigious international chains.

Boasting no fewer than 23 golf courses, many set amidst glorious tropical scenery, as well as top-quality opportunities to enjoy a rich variety of watersports, horse-riding, deep-sea fishing and tennis, there is plenty for sports enthusiasts to do on a Puerto Rico holiday.

And for the less energetic, or those who simply want to be pampered, there is a great selection of spas on hand where all your favourite treatments are offered.

The food on Puerto Rico is surprisingly diverse, again partly reflecting the island’s mixed heritage. It ranges from the expected Spanish and American influences, through the likes of French, Italian, Japanese, Greek and Mexican, to Nuevo Criollo, the Latin equivalent of nouvelle cuisine.

San Juan comes to life at night, with casinos, nightclubs, cinemas and theatres all on hand, while the city’s bars are often lively but certainly varied.

If you’re looking for a short-notice escape, check out The Co-operative Travel for availability of last-minute holidays. While holidays and accommodation here are very reasonably priced, you could find yourself with extra spending money by snapping up a late deal or offer if you can just pick up your passport, pack your case and go!