Ready, set, go! Yes, it’s time to travel again, and among the hottest tickets to book right now? A carefree getaway to sunny Puerto Rico, the Caribbean dream destination for celebrating with family and friends. Gather all your favorite people craving blue skies, sparkling beaches, poolside cocktails, watersports galore, world-class golf, an eclectic food scene, a wealth of cultural attractions, exciting nightlife, and 3,500 square miles of island fun. Add to that, seamlessly easy travel with Apple Vacations—plus U.S. travelers need no passport for entry.
No doubt the balmy weather and long hours of daylight have something to do with Puerto Rico’s appeal. The island sees temperatures of 70°F to 80°F throughout the year, and water temperatures at the island’s 300 sandy beaches average a sublime 82°F. Yes, Puerto Rico is a water lover’s paradise for swimming, surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sailing, with more than 360 miles of palm-studded coastline.
Big-time outdoor pursuits also include fishing (tarpon, wahoo, marlin), tennis, horseback riding, golf on one of 30 manicured courses, and hiking and ziplining through such wilds as the 28,000-acre El Yunque National Forest, a symphony of parrots and tree frogs just an hour’s drive from the bustling capital of San Juan.
Small wonder that Puerto Rico is known as the “island of enchantment,” with so many dazzling natural attractions. Moreover, that magic extends to urban adventures in history, culture, dining, and shopping.
In San Juan, you can explore the Old Town’s cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and 500 years of history on a single walking tour. Highlights include La Fortaleza, the ornate governor’s palace, and La Catedral de San Juan Batista, a 16th-century landmark of Gothic ceilings and stained glass. En route, pop into neighborhood boutiques and galleries for stylish souvenirs like guayabera linen shirts, artisan crafts, and designer swimwear and tote bags. Ready for more? Check out the nearby Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, with its prestigious Caribbean collections and lush gardens of sculptures and waterfalls.
Come happy hour, relax in a waterfront bar over frothy piña coladas. Puerto Rico’s unofficial national drink, this tropical confection was invented here in the 1800s (stories abound about who made it first…). And when it comes to culinary pleasures, San Juan restaurants showcase everything from Puerto Rican delicacies (spicy codfish stew, mofongo plantain fritters) to international fare (steak, pasta, burgers, sushi) to imaginative fusion cuisine that runs the gamut. San Juan also boasts plenty of nightlife with live music, dancing, and casinos.