If you’re thinking about taking a trip to the Caribbean—whether that’s for the holidays or for vacation next year—it’s never too early to start planning. According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Caribbean tourism grew in 2023 with an estimated 14.3% increase in international stay-over arrivals to the region. This goes to show how more and more people are flocking to the Caribbean to get away and relax with friends and family.
It’s possible you may have visited Aruba or the Bahamas, but there’s another Caribbean destination you’ll want to have on your radar. Samantha Brown, host of the popular and award-winning Places to Love on PBS, tells Parade that one location, in particular, should be next up in your travel plans—and here’s why.
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The Caribbean Travel Destination Everyone Should Visit at Least Once
Brown urges people to visit Puerto Rico if they are thinking about visiting the Caribbean in the near future.
“Puerto Rico has the easy charm of the Caribbean combined with the Spanish colonial culture found in its capital city of San Juan,” she explains. “The island is known for its fantastic beaches as well as the only rainforest in the National Park System.”
Additionally, Puerto Rico is super easy to travel to unlike many other destinations. “Convenience factor is high and I can’t stress enough how beneficial an island that it is with a major airport with many airlines servicing it,” Brown continues. “Plus, there’s no need for a U.S. passport, which can take away some additional stress.”
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Samantha Brown’s Best-Kept Secrets About Puerto Rico
Make time to visit Culebra
Most people head to the island of Vieques (also home to a Bioluminescent Bay) but more unknown to travelers is the Puerto Rican island of Culebra. “The island is accessible by a three-hour ferry or short flight on a small plane,” says Brown. “The beaches are as stunning as the beaches on the islands of Thailand.”
Learn to bomba
Bomba is a style of dance that originated in Puerto Rico designed to pay tribute to their ancestors. You’ll see people doing this dance in different locations around Puerto Rico and some places even offer classes for tourists to engage with the culture.
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Brown’s Favorite Restaurants in Puerto Rico
One way to learn about the culture and really get a feel for a new place is to visit local restaurants and dining establishments. Brown is a fan of St Germain Bistro, which is a local bistro in a quiet neighborhood away from crowds of San Juan. “They have super friendly staff and I could have eaten there every night,” she tells Parade.
Another top favorite for Brown is the Bungulu Restaurant and Bar which is on the way to El Yunque and has a laid back beachy vibe. Brown loves the fresh ceviche and the tostones sampler from this Puerto Rican restaurant.
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Brown’s Top 3 Travel Tips for Puerto Rico
If you’re considering visiting Puerto Rico, Brown shares a few tips to make your travels more enjoyable:
1. Visit early in the year
Brown recommends planning a trip somewhere between December through mid-April when it is dry and the temperatures aren’t too high. Temperatures can range between 70°F and 85°F during this time of year which makes it ideal for enjoying the beaches during the day and comfortably exploring at night.
2. Explore the nature of the island
Puerto Rico is known for its bioluminescent bays where microorganisms create a glow in the dark effect.
Brown explains, “Puerto Rico is one of the few places in the world that has this natural showstopper. There are three places in Puerto Rico to enjoy it—Laguna Grande, Mosquito Bay, and La Parguera.”
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3. Choose a hotel you’ll enjoy
For hotels, you have every major resort to choose from in Puerto Rico, so if there’s a favorite, you can stay where you have a preference or points. “From Marriot to Hilton, you are spoiled for choice to fit any budget,” Brown tells Parade.
Brown’s favorite hotel is El Convento which is a boutique hotel in Old San Juan that’s in a historic building that’s chic and cozy. “I love walking around the charming streets, visiting museums, cafes and then heading over to Castillo,” she says.
In terms of other properties, Hotel Caribe is a must for at least a drink. “This is where the piña colada was invented in 1954,” she explains. “It underwent a 150 million dollar renovation after Hurricane Maria and reopened in 2021.”
The Caribbean islands have so much to offer, especially Puerto Rico, so you’ll want to book your trip as soon as possible to see it for yourself.
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