This is one of my absolute favorite places to go ( I am biased because I am from there). This island is a real hidden gem. The island is full of passionate people who love this place so much! You have people who love to dance, eat, and drink. However, this tiny little island in the Caribbean is so much more than what you expect. It is the only place in the United States with a national rainforest, the world’s most extensive rum facilities, some of the best beaches in the world, and the most tasty food you can find.

The primary language in Puerto Rico is Spanish. The people in the PR are very charismatic. They have a vibrant personality that can lift your mood. They have some of the friendliest and most joyful people in the Caribbean. Many famous people have come from this island, including Jennifer Lopez, Daddy Yankee, Ricky Martin, Roberto Clemente, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Puerto Rico is a special place with a lot of Latin flavor. Puerto Rico was discovered initially by Christopher Columbus in 1493. A lot of the culture still on the island came from the Spaniards. A lot of the food they have has a Spanish influence. Some of the famous dishes from here are mofongo, tostones, arroz con gandules, pernil, and pinchos. All of these are a must-try when you visit this gem of an island.

However, this wasn’t any ordinary trip. This wasn’t just another trip going back to my home island. My six best friends and I all bought plane tickets at the same time to enjoy this adventure together. We called each other on the phone, and we both purchased at the same time. This had to be one of the best experiences of my life. My aunt had an extra 4-bedroom house she lent us while we were here on our trip. 

We had the opportunity to adventure when we were here on this beautiful island. We shopped and explored Old San Juan while eating mallorcas (Sweet bread), raspados (a Puerto Rican icee), and some fresh tostones. We did an ATV trip through the Yunque National Forest and drove through a thunderstorm, passing bamboo fields. We passed through Castillo San Cristóbal, which is the largest Spanish fort built in the New World. We took a trip to one of Puerto Rico’s islands, Culebra. We packed our bags, took a ferry, and slept on Flamenco Beach, which was rated the #8 best beach in the world. With all this said, my favorite part of this trip had to be going to the Baha Bioluminescent Bay. I have never in my life experienced water that glows. You take a kayak out at night, and as you go through the water, it glows beneath you. 

This was one of my most memorable trips as I got to experience it with my best friends. This trip meant so much to me, and I am so thankful it happened. My love for Puerto Rico is strong, and I love to brag about it, Next time you are looking for a place to visit, I hope you have Puerto Rico as the next destination. Make sure to leave a comment.