5 Reasons You Shouldn't Visit Puerto Rico

I just got back from the most wonderful week in Puerto Rico, my third visit actually! This time it was "business" but mostly pleasure - after a few days of learning at Wanderful's WITS Travel Creator Summit in San Juan, I was hosted by Discover Puerto Rico on a 3 day culinary tour press trip in the central mountainous regions! I got to experience things I never would have thought about planning myself - we're talking a vegan Puerto Rican cooking class at El Grifo, a coffee farm tour at Hacienda Muñoz, and dining at absolutely phenomenal and unique restaurants including  PyP Restaurant in Caguas, Cocina Abierta in San Juan, Ojala Speakeasy in Caguas, and a Lechonera on the Pork Highway in Cayey with Sofrito Tours. I'm drooling just sitting here remembering it all (see some of my highlight videos at the bottom of this post).

Puerto Rico is gorgeous. The food is delicious. The people are friendly. The beaches and rainforest are spectacular. There are endless cultural, historical, and just plan FUN activities to do for families, solo travelers, young, old, you name it.

That said, Puerto Rico isn't for everyone.
Is it for you??
​Read on to find out!

Puerto Rico may not be best for your next vacation destination if...

1. You want to add stamps to your passport.
I get it. Having a passport full of exotic stamps is a flex. At one point I had to have pages added to my passport! Can you imagine!? But Puerto Rico is an American territory, meaning, if you're American flying from the USA, you do not need a passport! And even if you bring one, they wont' stamp it. So... if you are American and traveling to far off lands for new passport stamps is a requirement, I'm sorry, Puerto Rico is not for you. But... if you are American and don't have a passport, or enjoy the simplicity of flying to a truly gorgeous tropical island without needing your American passport, then go ahead and book your flight already!!

2. You want an all-inclusive resort.
I love a good all-inclusive resort. Sending the kiddos to the kids club and laying around on the beach sipping endless "free" mojitos all day is always a good time. But you won't find many (or any??) typical all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Rico. That doesn't mean there aren't endless amazing accommodation options, whether you're looking for adult-only or family-friendly resorts, many even have on-site snorkeling, water parks, five star restaurants, and more! From luxury resorts like the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort with an 18-hole golf course and Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton Reserve with a spa and kids club, to Villa Margarita where you get an entire house to yourself with a private beach and pool! While you won't find hordes of traditional all-inclusive resorts like you will in Cancun, many hotels in Puerto Rico have all-inclusive package options, so you can go that route as well. And if you want a more local experience, try renting an apartment or house through AirBNB or VRBO.

3. You don't like warm tropical climates.
Puerto Rico is a small island but it does have several distinctive regions, including beach, mountains, and rain forest! That said, none of these areas ever get below freezing, and most are warm or downright hot year round. For those wanting a hot and sunny escape during winter or spring break, it's perfect! But if you don't like warm tropical climates, Puerto Rico may not be for you. That said, you shouldn't take it completely off the table. San Juan, for example, rarely gets below 70 or above 90, but May through November are the most humid, so keep that in mind. Personally, I spent a week there in mid May and found it to be absolutely perfect weather! Visiting Old San Juan in the early morning (7am-10am) and then hitting the pool or beach for the afternoon was perfect! In the central mountain region, it was warm enough not to need a jacket day and night, but not at all hot, and zero bugs.

4. You don't like colorful, beautiful places rich in culture and history.
If this one applies to you, we can be friends, but I'm sorry, we can't be travel buddies! There's a time and place for just laying around on the beach, but part of traveling for me is really experiencing the culture and history of a place, feeling truly transplanted, and being surrounded by its beauty!! In Puerto Rico, you feel this ALL. THE. TIME! I especially felt it in Old San Juan. The colorful apartment buildings, the old forts, the cobblestone streets, it's just so gorgeous! You can wander around or book a tour to learn more. The Spoon Experience provides authentic cultural, food, and drink experiences in Old San Juan and is just SO much fun! Definitely look into these local tour guides and travel agencies recommended by Discover Puerto Rico to make the most of your trip!​

5. You prefer driving or long haul flights.
If you refuse to fly, then Puerto Rico is probably not for you, though you can find San Juan as a port of call on some cruises originating in the US). And if you really want to do a long haul flight, Puerto Rico (from the east cost US anyway) is not for you... I've heard great things about the Qatar's QSuite which you can enjoy for 14 hours straight on a flight from JFK to Doha! But great news for the rest of us who like quick, easy, and cheap: San Juan is SO EASY to get to!! There are endless opportunities to fly non-stop to San Juan in 4 hours from all 3 of the NYC airports with JetBlue, Spirit, Delta, and United. Prices vary by season, of course, but I've seen direct roundtrip flights for under $200!!

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So what do you think? Is Puerto Rico now on your radar for an amazing momcation, family vacation, or health & wellness retreat?? I hope so!! I can't wait to go back soon bringing my kids, husband, and parents along for a lovely multigenerational family vacation!!! See more of my vacation reviews and family travel tips here!

And to work on building up those airline miles, be sure to get you a points card (or several)!! I'm loving my Chase United card, within a month of getting it I already achieved my 60k bonus miles. Click my affiliate link here to read more about all cards they have (I'll get some bonus miles if you apply for a card).