Even if you have only a passing interest in current events, you’ve probably at least seen or heard devastating reports about the destruction wrought by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. But as temperatures in North America drop and an urge to scratch that Caribbean vacation itch grow stronger, you’re probably also wondering, “Is now a good time to visit?” The answer, actually, is yes. Not only do tourist dollars assist in recovery (that means relaxing poolside with a pinã colada actually helps the local economy!), but most visitors will encounter a Puerto Rico that looks very much like the one they saw last. Carla Campos Vidal, Acting Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, answers all our most frequently asked questions.
We keep seeing news headlines coming out of Puerto Rico. What’s really going on down there?
After a natural disaster, destinations need time to get back on their feet, and the truth is that Puerto Rico is not only officially open for tourism, but it’s also making a remarkable comeback! The capital city of San Juan has been receiving leisure travelers since November 30th and other areas around the Island, like Culebra, Ponce, La Parguera, Mayaguez, Cabo Rojo, Rincón, Vieques and others, are also back in business.
Yes, Puerto Rico is ready to visit!
Currently, there are more than 100 hotels, 4,000 restaurants and 107 major tourism attractions open and operating. All airports are fully operational. There are approximately 70 flights per day across 27 different major commercial airlines. The Luis Munoz Marin Airport (SJU) continues to have daily nonstop service from 17 major airports in mainland U.S. Lastly, over 200,000 passengers have cruised to and from San Juan over the last three months, and 40,000 more are expected to do so through January 31, proving once again the importance of Puerto Rico as a major Caribbean hub and sightseeing destination.
Shouldn’t we just wait until next year to take our Puerto Rico vacation?
Right now is the best time to visit Puerto Rico. We’ve already welcomed hundreds of thousands of leisure travelers in the past couple months. We’re seeing more travelers come to the Island as an escape from the frigid cold that many are experiencing, especially because it’s easy and no passport is required for Americans. Tourism is vital to Puerto Rico’s full recovery, and the best way to support the Island is by continuing to visit, staying at hotels, eating at restaurants, buying from local businesses and giving back through rebuilding efforts for those who want to add a bit of meaningful travel to their 2018 resolutions.
Our cruise ship will be docking in Old San Juan. Will there be anything for us to do?
Major tourism attractions Island-wide have been cleaned up and restored. There are close to 60 cruise shore excursions available for enjoyment. Also, iconic attractions are currently open including Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Bacardi Tour, Cueva Ventana, Hacienda Carabalí, Toro Verde and many others. Depending on a traveler’s interest, there is something to do for everybody!
We love wandering the narrow, cobblestone streets of Old San Juan at night. Will our favorite bars and restaurants be open?
More than 1,835 restaurants, including franchises, are open for business in Old San Juan, Condado and Santurce areas so it’s more than likely that your favorite local bars/restaurants are open. Popular spots like La Factoria (where the infamous summer hit song “Despacito” was filmed), Barrachina, Taberna de Lupulo, Mermalade and many others are operational and eager to receive new visitors. We encourage travelers to let Puerto Rico re-enchant them.
Culebra
We never visit San Juan without taking a day trip to stunning and serene Flamenco Beach on Isla de Culebra. Are day trips still available?
Culebra is still accessible. Travelers can visit the Island of Culebra via the ferry or book a flight with Air Flamenco.
Are the beaches covered in debris?
Puerto Rico’s top beaches, including [popular] San Juan beaches, were cleaned up just a few days after Hurricane Maria and have been open since. More beaches on the Island like Combate Beach in the west coast and Seven Seas in the east coast, are also open to the public!
The one travel item we can’t live without is our hair dryer. Are there going to be frequent power outages at our hotel?
You certainly won’t need to worry about your hair dryer! The truth is that all operating hotels and tourist zones are fully energized and outages are very unusual now. We don’t anticipate power outages in the area.
We’ve heard it’s fun to road trip around the island and take in sights like the city of Ponce and the surf community of Rincon. What’s it like driving the Island right now?
The best way to move around the Island is renting a car. It gives travelers the flexibility to explore the Island and experience the culture through a local lens. We have 24 major car companies open for business, with 84 dealers distributed in the Island.
We’ve heard that nighttime tours of Bioluminescent Bay are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Are they currently being offered?
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is working alongside the appropriate government entity to ensure our natural resources are being taken care off. The Bioluminescent Bays have taken a bit of time for them to be back to their glowy and magical self, but we expect they should open again to the public shortly! We will share the latest update on this matter as soon as it’s available.
Is El Yunque National Forest still closed to the public? When will it reopen and what kinds of nature attractions might you recommend instead?
El Yunque is beautiful as the largest rainforest in the U.S., however, it remains closed for now. This is one attraction that we must allow nature to take its course. For those looking for a thrill, Toro Verde, one of the world’s longest ziplines recently open to the public and Cueva Ventana, an enchanting limestone cave set into the side of a cliff, are just a few of the nature-focused options currently available for travelers.
Ponce
We love getting off the beaten path when we travel. What San Juan neighborhoods or small towns around the Island can you recommend that are open to visitors?
One of the closest neighborhoods to visit is Santurce. Calle Loiza has truly transformed in the last couple of years and is home to great local cuisine and art. You can also head to the south of the Island and to the second largest city Ponce, where you can visit Museo de Arte de Ponce, the largest museum in the Caribbean, and then swing by La Guancha Boardwalk for traditional food and live music. Those are just a couple options but there’s plenty more!
We love putting our dollars to good when we travel. Besides just visiting the Island, are there other recommended ways to help out while we’re in town?
For travelers who want to make their visit extra meaningful in 2018, we recommend they reach out to local organizations to volunteer in a rebuild day. Some local organizations to consider are Local Guest, Para la Naturaleza and Explora.
Jason Heidemann, Travelocity Staff Writer
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Nothing about the night life in Old San Juan
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