300 miles of Paradise

A Brief History of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s vibrancy derives from more than 500 years of rich history and the subsequent blending of different cultures — a fusion that extends to almost every aspect of the island’s identity.

From the interweaving of the Taíno, African, and Spanish traditions emerged the Puerto Rican, a new identity composed of traits from all three groups. From the Spanish colonial architecture and prominent centuries-old buildings that remain an integral part of island; the savory dishes like mofongo and dance moves inherited from the Africans; to the slang and place names that locals still use from the Taínos, Puerto Rico’s identity is the very definition of a well-blended melting pot.

The cultural identity of the island is something you’ll experience in every sight, taste, and sound during your stay.

There’s no experience more surreal than seeing your body light up like a mass of twinkling stars as you swim at night in a bioluminescent bay. This eco-friendly experience is only found in five rare ecosystems in the world, with Puerto Rico home to three. As you swim at night in La Parguera in Lajas or kayak at Mosquito Bay in Vieques and Laguna Grande in Fajardo, they’ll see the water light up when they paddle or splash, thanks to microscopic, single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates.