Tropical: Puerto Rico

With its breathtaking natural scenery, pristine beaches, abundant activities and wide range of luxury accommodations, Puerto Rico is perfect for honeymooners. Just a quick flight from anywhere in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico is a convenient, yet exotic, destination for romance. Whether travelers want a relaxing beach escape or a honeymoon filled with adventure, Puerto Rico has romance options to fit every couple’s needs and budget.

For couples looking for a glamorous getaway, full-service hotels such as the El San Juan Hotel & Casino and Ritz Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino pair dazzling nightlife with great restaurants and amazing suites.  For the couple looking for a unique boutique hotel experience, the historic Hotel El Convento is one of the best examples of small luxury hotels on the island, while adventurous couples will love the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort & Golf Club and Wyndham El Conquistador Resort & Country Club, both offering every activity under the sun along the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, in close proximity to the El Yunque Rainforest.

One of the most romantic aspects of Puerto Rico is the beautiful beaches that border the entire island.  Day trips to the islands of Vieques or Culebra provide the most secluded beach hideaways in Puerto Rico.  While there, couples can explore wildlife by land and by sea at the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, including amazing coral reefs and tropical fish seen while diving or snorkeling. A nighttime excursion through the mangroves to Vieques’ bioluminescent Mosquito Bay provides the experience of a lifetime, as tiny bioluminescent organisms produce incredible glowing waters best seen in the light of a full moon.  For slightly more adventurous honeymooners, spelunking through the underground Camuy Caves, snorkeling, hiking, and many other land and water activities are available.

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Climate~Puerto Rico is predominantly tropical with moderate temperatures year round that average near 80°F in lower elevations and 70°F in the mountains. The rainy season is from April into November. The mountains of the Cordillera Central can cause the temperature, rainfall and wind to vary throughout the year. On average, one quarter of the annual rainfall occurs during tropical cyclones, which are more frequent during La Niña events.

Time Zone~Standard time zone: Atlantic Time Zone – UTC-4 hours (One hour later than NYC in winter and the same in summer as Puerto Rico has no daylight saving time.)

Electricity & Currency~Since Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, it’s electricity and currency are the same as they are in the U.S. The largest difference between the two are the languages spoken.

Language~The official languages of Puerto Rico are Spanish and English, with Spanish being the primary language. English is spoken by less than 10% of the population even though all official business is conducted in English.

Getting married in Puerto Rico~With Puerto Rico’s exotic ambiance and spectacular sunsets, there’s no better place to be swept up in the romance of a wedding. Working with a wedding planner or travel agent might be helpful if you choose to marry in Puerto Rico. Here’s a list of the requirements:`- Photo ID or passport from each person`- Proof of divorce or death certificate (if applicable)`- Each party will need to take a blood test from a federally certified laboratory (in the U.S. or Puerto Rico) within 10 days of the wedding date.`- A marriage certificate can be acquired in advance from the Puerto Rico Dept. of Health; call (787) 767-9120 for more information (be patient – you might have to try this number multiple times).`- A doctor will need to sign and certify your marriage certificate and blood test in Puerto Rico.`- The couple will then visit the Demographic Registry to obtain the marriage license, and purchase two license stamps (total stamp cost is $30).`- Couples can expect to receive their marriage license within ten days of their wedding date.
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