Puerto Rico: Ravishing White Sand Beaches And All The Luxuries Of Home

mg_im_outer
Liked the article? Share it!
This fantasy island is a natural dewdrop of emerald in the azure waters of the Caribbean with everything to satisfy the luxury traveller, from the beach bum to the rainforest explorers, adrenaline seekers, and big wave surfers. Puerto Rico’s stunning coral reefs are just waiting to be discovered by divers and snorkelers, and the wildlife in its diverse rainforests will inspire birdwatchers and hikers. Often referred to as “the island of enchantment” by the locals for its intriguing past of pirates and colonization by the Spanish and the British, Puerto Rico is a refreshingly diverse island in the Caribbean Sea. It is home to a wide range of tropical terrains and beaches, just a two-hour flight from the U.S. You will find yourself seduced by the mixture of Indian, African and Spanish influences on this small speck in the Caribbean Sea. And by the rainforests, sandy beaches and the expansive dining scene and happening nightlife.

Caribbean Sea
The verdant dense jungles of Puerto Rico are teeming with wildlife.

When visiting Puerto Rico it is possible to explore the whole island on day trips in a rented luxury car. Step back in time in Old San Juan, where you can jump on and off the trolley for free, to explore every inch of this magical place, from the ramparts of El Morro, to the sparkling sea. Catch a salsa performance at Old San Juan’s Nuyorican Café. Music is ingrained in the way of life in Puerto Rico so make sure that you also catch a bomba performance, or listen and dance to some reggaeton in a nightclub. Find the latest luxury at the high end designer boutiques of Condado, or visit the picturesque town of Ponce with its many fascinating museums like the Museo de la Musica Puertorriquena. Or wander around the beautifully restored plantation at Hacienda Buena Vista. Make sure that you don’t miss seeing the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, which has the greatest collection of art in the Caribbean with over one thousand artworks on display. You could easily get lost in the massive 130,000 square foot space.
 
palm fringed sands of Playa Flamingo
The palm fringed sands of Playa Flamingo.

Explore Puerto Rico’s seductive beaches, from the perfect golden sands of Playa Flamingo to the big wave beaches of the west, and deserted mangrove hideaways in the south. Take to the seas in a chartered boat to explore the neighboring beaches of Culebra and the sparkling waters of Vieques, which sometimes glow with bioluminescence, a sight not to be missed. In recent years Puerto Rico has been seeking to change its reputation as a spring break location, and is now investing in the high end set. You will be sure to be enticed by the incredible rental villas available, and by the newly restored resorts and chef-driven restaurants in San Juan and Vieques as well. More day trips include hiking in the stunning El Yunque Forest and discovering the caves at Parque de las Cavernas del Rio Camuy.

seafront in San Juan
The historic seafront in San Juan. 

For dinner head to San Juan’s SoFo district, where you can find a smorgasbord of constantly changing restaurants, where only the finest and most creative survive the refined tastes of the visitors. You can’t go wrong here with simple Puerto Rican flavors prepared using international techniques. For some of the finest flavors in the city, head to Jose Enrique in the Santurce neighbourhood and try the famous sous vide veal cheeks with green banana. Or try Santaella that serves up island classics in an iridescent blub lit dining room.

fort of San Juan
The fort of San Juan. 

Simultaneous to this embracing of its former glory, Puerto Rico has also experienced a cultural renaissance, in the art district that lies just beyond the historic center of Old San Juan, young artists have started a cultural revolution. Visit La Productora, which is part of the Calle Cerra collaborative, a group of young artists, curators and gallerists who are putting their mark on the cityscape. Street art is now synonymous with Santurce. And Calle Loiza, which used to be an abandoned commercial area is now being revitalised with quirky specialty shops and eclectic bars and galleries. This is also the epicenter of nightlife in the city, with local Sanjuaneros bar-hopping from Bar Bero to the Funky Buddha and Art d’Chocolat and the whisky serving pizza bar Loiza 2050.

stunning waterfall in the jungle
A stunning waterfall in the jungle. 

All the new revitalization and investment is turning Puerto Rico into “the Palm Springs of the tropics.” The government is trying to attract luxury clientele like celebrities, one-percenters and fashionistas to Puerto Rico with the tagline “sun, sand and zero taxes”, and by building new luxury hotels and malls, like the incredible new Mall of San Juan, which is any fashionistas’ dream come true. Come and visit this fascinating island by staying in a luxury villa rental to see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Liked the article? Share it!

© 2025 Villaway Group International LLC. All rights reserved

This website uses cookies to enhance the user experience.