Featuring spectacular mountains, waterfalls and rainforests, Puerto Rico is an American territory with a tropical touch - blessed with natural beauty and bathed in equatorial sun. The capital city is San Juan, home to a blend of sleepy Spanish colonial buildings and glitzy modern beach bars. With endless coastal enclaves to be explored, the island has a wide range of resorts to choose from. Here's five of our favorites, which illustrate the diversity of this unique and unforgettable island.
1. Puerto Rico Resorts: Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, Rio Grande
Situated right on the beach and within easy reach of Carabali Rainforest Park, this 4-star family resort combines comfort, convenience, and a range of cutting-edge guest facilities. All 579 air-conditioned rooms feature private balconies, along with cable TV and video game entertainment options. Lounge by the sprawling lagoon-style pool, tee off at one of the twin 18-hole championship golf courses, or tour the historic buildings of nearby Old San Juan. There are 4 restaurants and 3 bars to choose from, along with spa facilities, outdoor tennis courts, a pool, and a spa tub – everything you could ever need for an unforgettable stay in the Rio Grande.
2. Puerto Rico Resorts: The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Rio Grande
St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is the epitome of an all-inclusive tropical escape. With direct access to Bahia Beach, the resort features its own golf course, spa, and a pool with ocean views. Choose from 3 restaurants, have a swing at the tennis school or make a splash at the water sports center. Rooms feature a terrace with garden, pool, or sea views, along with luxurious oversized tub and double shower. Indulge in a range of wellness offerings at the Rèmede Spa, take a dip in the hot tub and plunge pool, or head to the gym for yoga and Pilates. Winner of the AAA Five Diamond Award, the resort also provides activities such as hiking tours, kayaking, art lessons, bird watching tours, paddle boarding, biking, fishing, and canoeing.
3. Puerto Rico Resorts: Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort, Carolina
Newly renovated Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort is situated on a white sandy beach in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Rooms come with free wireless Internet as standard, along with 37-inch LCD TVs and minifridges. If you're looking for entertainment, the Casino del Sol is open round the clock, while there's daily live music performances at the Picante Lounge. For an authentic taste of Puerto Rico try the weekly salsa dancing class, which is held in the hotel lobby. Explore the local neighborhood and you'll find plenty to spark your interest – from surf schools and beaches to the Tito Puente Amphitheatre, home of the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival. Surrounded by historic sites and the majestic beauty of the ocean, Courtyard offers an idyllic and engaging backdrop for adventures in Puerto Rico.
4. Puerto Rico Resorts: Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort, Rio Grande
Located in Rio Grande, just 24 miles (38 km) from Luis Munoz Marin Airport, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa is a secluded coastal resort, shrouded in verdant greenery and stretched out over 1.5km of gorgeous sandy beaches. Facilities include two outdoor swimming pools, a spa and wellness center, 10 restaurants, 13 tennis courts, and a fitness center. Guests can work on their swing at the resort's two golf courses or venture out into the surrounding landscape for a range of water sports, ziplining, horse riding, mountain biking and trekking. Combining beautiful interiors with the great outdoors, the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar is a resort that truly has it all.
5. Puerto Rico Resorts: La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, Condado
Located right on the doorstep of Condado Beach, one of San Juan's premier dining and nightlife districts, the La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort is a modern and luxurious place to enjoy your stay in Puerto Rico. Accommodation is a mix of spacious guest rooms and suites, which benefit from expansive ocean views and complimentary high-speed Internet access – perfect for sun seekers and business travelers alike. Whether sipping on a tropical cocktail at the Sereno infinity pool or being productive in the resort's 30,000 square feet of meeting room space, guests will find La Concha has everything they need for a comfortable and convenient stay. Nearby attractions include historic Old San Juan, La Mar Beach Spa, Ashford Avenue and Jaime Benitez National Park.
With its diverse array of cultural attractions, historic sites and breath-taking natural beauty, Puerto Rico has a lot to offer. With so many luxurious resorts to choose from, you may find it hard to leave this enchanting island.
FAQs about Puerto Rico Resorts
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Where does the name come from?
The island's original inhabitants, the Taíno Indians, called it 'Boriken', meaning "land of the great lords". After Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493, he renamed it San Juan Bautista. The name Puerto Rico didn't appear until the first Spanish settlement, in 1508, when the island became known as 'San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico'. As an official US territory, today its full name is the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico).
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What language is most commonly spoken?
English and Spanish.
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Is there more than one island?
Yes. Puerto Rico is actually an archipelago, comprising the main island and its smaller brothers and sisters: Vieques, Culebra and Isla de Mona.
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What is something I must try in Puerto Rico?
If you like a tipple or two, then you've got to try the piña colada – this international favorite was born in Puerto Rico, and nowhere does it better. Made with fresh coconut, white Puerto Rican rum and sumptuous pineapple juice, it's a taste you'll never forget!
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When is the best time to go?
The peak tourist season is from mid-December to mid-April, when the islands are filled mostly by visitors from the USA. If you want to avoid the crowds, head over during the low season between May and November.