Puerto Rico is a Caribbean paradise that attracts visitors from all around the world.
Although you might’ve heard about Puerto Rico, its unique sites worth a visit, its beaches, or its tropical rainforest (the only one in the US National Forest System), there is a lot more to it than meets the eye!
As a Puerto Rico local and someone who has penned an ebook on Puerto Rico, I am proud to share these 42 facts you should know about Puerto Rico.
Notification: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!
Interesting Facts About Puerto Rico
1. Puerto Rico Isn’t an Island (It’s Several)
Puerto Rico is an archipelago that consists of a main island surrounded by smaller islands and cays.
Two of the largest Puerto Rico islands, Vieques and Culebra, are two of the best towns in Puerto Rico.
Other smaller islands like Mona Island, Gilligan’s Island, Isla Palomino, and Caja de Muertos are reserves used for investigation and leisure and rank as some of the top things to do in Puerto Rico.
2. Puerto Rico is a Territory
Although Puerto Rico has its own government and sovereignty, it has been a territory since 1898, when the United States invaded the island during the Spanish-American War.
Spain signed the Treaty of Paris to cede Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. This treaty declared Puerto Rico an unincorporated territory. Source.
3. Puerto Ricans Have the US Citizenship
With the Jones-Shafroth Act created in 1917, Puerto Ricans received United States citizenship for the first time since the arrival of the United States after winning the Spanish-American war.
4. Puerto Ricans Don’t Vote in US Elections
Puerto Ricans are US citizens and, yet, they can’t vote in the US Presidential General Election or the US Congress unless they’ve moved permanently to the United States.
5. Puerto Ricans Have Their Own Citizenship
For being a commonwealth, Puerto Rico’s inhabitants have both US citizenship and Puerto Rican citizenship. Foreigners can acquire Puerto Rico’s citizenship too.
Juan Mari Brás was the first person to receive Puerto Rican citizenship, after a complex trial in which he resigned from US citizenship, but claimed to be a Puerto Rico citizen. Source.
6. Puerto Rico is Still a Colony
Spain gave autonomy to Puerto Rico by the end of 1897. Although Puerto Rico was on the road to being a free country ever since the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493, on May 1898, the United States invaded the island. Today, Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory.
📚 Bookmark for Later: Places to Visit in Puerto Rico
7. US Citizens Don’t Need a Passport
Do you need a passport to go to Puerto Rico?
Since Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, if you’re an American citizen and are traveling from within the US, you don’t need a passport or any additional visa to visit and stay in Puerto Rico.
But, while you might not need a passport, there are a lot of other things you should pack for Puerto Rico (read that post for my full list!).
8. Puerto Rico Has Two Official Languages
According to the Constitution of Puerto Rico, the country has two official languages, Spanish and English, although this is more a written paper than truth.
Even though English is part of public education, a relatively low percentage of the population speaks fluent English. Source.
9. Cristopher Columbus Wasn’t the First to Arrive
Although history says Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico in 1493 the island was already inhabited by Tainos, the indigenous people of the Caribbean hundreds of years before.
It’s estimated that by Columbus’s arrival, there were close to 30 thousand indigenous inhabitants in Puerto Rico. Source.
10. The Island’s Name Was Formerly “San Juan Bautista”
Puerto Rico’s name changed multiple times under the Spanish empire. When the Spaniards first arrived on the island, the Taino called it Boriquén.
Christopher Columbus renamed the island San Juan Bautista.
Later, the governor Juan Ponce de León named the capital Puerto Rico. Eventually, the names got flipped. Also, Boriquén became Borinquen, a name that is still used today.
11. San Juan Wasn’t Always the Capital City
The original capital of Puerto Rico was Caparra, an area between Guaynabo and Bayamón, but for its exposed and non-central location, it moved to Old San Juan, where you can now find some of the top sites in San Juan.
12. Puerto Ricans are a Mix of Races
Puerto Ricans are mainly a mix of Taino, Spanish, and African races.
But, many European, Caribbean, and American immigrants contributed to the archipelago’s diversity too. As a result, Puerto Rico is filled with diverse people, music, local food, and customs.
13. The Island Has a Hurricane Season
Although Puerto Rico doesn’t have four defined seasons like the United States, it does have a rainy season parallel with the hurricane season in Puerto Rico that goes from late June to November.
During this season not only does it rain more, but the island is prone to suffering the impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes.
14. There is Also a Dry Season
The best time to visit Puerto Rico for dry weather is from December to May. During this period it rains less and there isn’t any risk of hurricanes.
15. Puerto Rico Claims the Only Rainforest in the USA
El Yunque National Forest is the only rainforest in the United States and it’s home to 183 animal species and 225 tree species.
See my full guide to how to go to El Yunque to plan your visit!
16. The Island Is Home to Top World Beaches
Puerto Rico’s beaches have ranked as some of the best in the world. Flamenco Beach in Culebra is often listed as one of the top ten beaches in the world for its white sands and turquoise waters.
On the beach, there is a military tank from the time the US military occupied the island. Source.
17. The World’s 3rd Largest Underground Cave Network is in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is home to an impressive cave system, formed by the Camuy River, the third-largest underground river in the world.
The Caverns of Rio Camuy as they’re called, are the third-largest underground cave system in the world, and the biggest in the West Hemisphere.Source
18. And the Deepest Point of the Atlantic Ocean Too
North of Puerto Rico, in the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find the Puerto Rico Trench, the deepest point of this ocean, with water depths over 8,400 meters. Source
19. The Highest Point is Cerro de Punta
Cerro de Punta is a mountain located between Jayuya and Ponce, part of the central mountainous area and it’s the highest peak of Puerto Rico, with 1338 meters or 4, 389 feet above sea level.
20. There are Three Bioluminescent Bays
Bioluminescence is quite a strange phenomenon and yet you can find three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico:La Parguera in Lajas, Mosquito Bay in Vieques, and Laguna Grande in Fajardo. This last one is officially a lagoon, and it’s one of the best things to do in Fajardo.
21. Vieques Features the Brightest Bio Bay in the World
Talking about bio bays, , for its high concentration of dinoflagellates that glow when disturbed. Source.
The US Navy used Vieques as a Naval Training Range for bombings and military training for more than 50 years until the accidental death of a civilian sparked protests that led to the exit of the Navy from Vieques in 2003. Source.
23. There is a Forbidden Island
Desecheo Island, one of Puerto Rico’s islands,is off-limits to visitors since it was used as a training and test field by the United States military and today it still has unexploded military ordinances.
Visitors can only visit Desecheo Island’s coast, which houses some of the best dive spots in Puerto Rico.Source.
24. Puerto Rico is Home to the First Nuclear Plant in the Caribbean
Puerto Rico was home to the first nuclear facilities in Latin America. The BONUS Nuclear Plant was built in the early 1960s and it operated from 1964 to 1968.
It was the eighth nuclear plant in the world and it was a prototype to test a form of nuclear energy. Source.
25. Puerto Rico is the Base of the Largest Rum Distillery in the World
If you’ve ever tasted alcohol, then chances are you’ve heard about Bacardí Rum. Bacardí originated in Cuba and established facilities in Puerto Rico in 1930.
After the Cuban Revolution, Bacardí continued its operations in Puerto Rico, where you can now find the largest distillery in the world and one of the best excursions in Puerto Rico.
26. Puerto Rico Has The Oldest Operating Executive Mansion in America
La Fortaleza was one of the first fortifications built in Puerto Rico back in 1540 to protect the capital.
In 1846 it got remodeled and since then it’s been housing governors of Puerto Rico.
Up to today La Fortaleza or Palacio de Santa Catalina has been the home of 170 governors and it’s the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in America.
27. Speaking of Governors, the First Governor is in San Juan
Juan Ponce De Leon is one of the most famous Spanish explorers and the first governor of Puerto Rico. His remains are inside Catedral de San Juan.
28. San Juan Features Some of the Oldest Churches in America
Old San Juan is a city with 500 years of history and some of the structures and best San Juan attractions sport almost the same age.
Iglesia de San José built in 1522 is the second oldest church structure in the American continent. The San Juan Cathedral’s original structure was built in 1521, but it was rebuilt in 1540.
29. Some of the Streets Have Original Cobblestones
The streets of San Juan are famous for many reasons. One of them is for the beautiful cobblestones that Spaniards used to pave the streets. Y ou can still see some of the original ones in some streets of Old San Juan.
30. San Juan is One of the Busiest Ports
Every year around 1.6 million tourists arrive at San Juan city through the cruise ports. San Juan receives over 500 cruises yearly, which is why it’s considered one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. Source.
31. Castillo San Cristobal is the Biggest Fort
Castillo San Cristobal in Old San Juan is the largest fortification built on the American continent.
This impressive fort took more than 150 years to build and even the United States contributed to its structure during WWII. Source.
32. You Can Celebrate One of the Oldest Carnival in the West Hemisphere
Historians believe the Ponce Carnival is one of the oldest carnivals in the West Hemisphere.
One of Puerto Rico’s top festivals, the Ponce Carnival dates back to 1858 and it takes place every year one week before Ash Wednesday. Source
33. The Island Had its Own Pirate
Although stories about pirates might seem out of a movie, Puerto Rico did have a pirate known as Roberto Cofresí.
The legend says this famous pirate attacked ships and distributed the earnings among the poor. Many locations in Puerto Rico got their name after him.
It’s said he got buried on the shore next to Old San Juan’s cemetery, where many famous Puerto Ricans are. Source.
34. Puerto Rico Sports the Tallest Statue in the Americas
If you’re looking for the tallest statue of the Americas, then look no further than Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
.
35. And Also the Most Stunning Beauties
Even if it’s a commonwealth, Puerto Rico competes in the Miss Universes contest as an independent country. During the history of the contest, Puerto Rico has won the title of Miss Universe five times.
36. Puerto Rico Does Not Follow Daylight Saving
The island doesn’t follow Daylight Saving Time, which means the hour doesn’t change in the winter as everywhere else in the United States.
37. Puerto Ricos Uses Both the Imperial and Metric Systems
Something very confusing about the measurements in Puerto Rico is that it uses both the Metric and Imperial systems.
The Metric system is mostly used to measure distances, but speed is measured in miles per hour.
Gas also gets measured in liters but other liquids like water and milk get measured in gallons.
38. Puerto Ricans Made a Governor Resign
Back in 2019, a controversial private chat conversation between the governor and a group of other politicians became public and sparked the ire in the country.
Protests got held in front of La Fortaleza for more than a week, ending up in the resignation of a governor for the first time in history.
39. Puerto Rico Celebrates the Longest Christmas in the World
Puerto Ricans are famous for their liveliness and party spirit. That’s why Christmas in Puerto Rico lasts longer than in any other country.
Christmas originally started after Thanksgiving, and lasted until late January, after the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián. This year cities are doing their official Christmas activities from October 30.
40. Puerto Ricans Call Themselves “Boricuas”
It’s not uncommon to hear the term Boricua in Puerto Rico. It’s a term Puerto Ricans use to identify and define themselves, and it derives from the original country’s name, Boriquén.
You’ll also hear it in the phrase, “You soy Boricua, pa’ que tú lo sepas’”.
41. Puerto Rico’s Flag Is an Important Symbol
Puerto Rico’s flag is a symbol of pride for the island. Here is what it means (officially): the triangle represents the government’s three branches,while the star represents the Commonwealth.
The red stripes represent blood nourishing the three branches, and the white stripes stand for liberty. Learn more in my complete guide to the flag of Puerto Rico.
42. Puerto Ricans Are (Over) Friendly
Puerto Ricans love to make visitors feel welcome and to help them. But many visitors experience a culture shock since Puerto Ricans salute with hugs and kisses even the people they just met.
They also use the informal form of Spanish to address everyone, regardless of age, status, or gender. It’s a cultural thing. Don’t worry though, Puerto Rico is safe!
***
Before you go, continue reading about the top activities you can do on the island!
