Puerto Rico is home to the deepest point in the North Atlantic Ocean and the only rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. There is a lot to see in Puerto Rico; the main island of Puerto Rico is larger than that of the smallest U.S. state, Rhode Island. Puerto Rico’s culture and history have come a long way since Christopher Columbus first arrived and named the island San Juan Bautista. Key Facts About Puerto Rico Details Population(2025) 3,235,289 Official Language Spanish and English Currency the US dollar (USD) Capital San Juan Area 3,459 sq mi (8,960 km2) Main Religion Roman Catholic If you aren’t quite ready to take the plunge and travel to Puerto Rico, here are some fascinating facts about Puerto Rico. 17 Fun Facts About Puerto Rico The Puerto Rico Trench is the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean Puerto Rico boasts one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System Puerto Rico has more than 300 miles of coastline and over 200 beaches San Juan is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States Puerto Rico does not have its own citizenship Puerto Ricans don’t pay U.S. federal income tax Puerto Ricans use ‘Spanglish’ slang like “Hanguiar” for “hanging out” The song “Maria” from West Side Story helped support Puerto Rican recovery after Hurricane Maria La Fortaleza is the oldest executive residence in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere American citizens can travel to Puerto Rico with only a government ID Puerto Rico is an archipelago, not just a single island Puerto Rico competes as its own team in the Olympics and Miss Universe Puerto Rico is home to the world’s largest rum distillery The piña colada was invented in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico has the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean Cerro de Punta is Puerto Rico’s highest point
1. The Puerto Rico Trench is the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean The Puerto Rico Trench is the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean, reaching depth estimates ranging between 27,480 feet (8,376 m) and 28,675 feet (8,740 m). The trench is a key feature of Puerto Rico geography. Located north of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, it stretches 503 miles (810 km) and marks the boundary between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Its deepest point is known as the Milwaukee Deep. Deepest ocean trenches in the world: Rank Name Location Depth (feet) 1 Challenger Deep Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc, Mariana Trench, Pacific Ocean 36,197 2 Tonga Trench Pacific Ocean 35,702 3 Galathea Depth Philippine Trench, Pacific Ocean 34,580 4 Kuril-Kamchatka Trench Pacific Ocean 34,449 5 Kermadec Trench Pacific Ocean 32,963 6 Izu-Ogasawara Trench Pacific Ocean 32,087 7 Japan Trench Pacific Ocean 29,527 8 Puerto Rico Trench Atlantic Ocean 28,232 9 Yap Trench Pacific Ocean 27,976 10 South Sandwich Trench Atlantic Ocean 27,651 2. Puerto Rico boasts one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world Mosquito Bay in Vieques is the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. According to legend, Mosquito Bay is named after the famed, Robin Hood-style pirate Roberto Cofresí and his ship, the Mosquito. Thankfully, the bay is not known for its 700,000 mosquitoes swarming the waters. The water lights up at night due to the presence of tiny microorganisms called dinoflagellates. There are up to 700,000 of the dinoflagellates in every gallon of water, creating a light show on this Caribbean island. Puerto Rico bioluminescent bays Mosquito Bay – Vieques Island, Puerto Rico Laguna Grande – Fajardo, Puerto Rico La Parguera – Lajas, Puerto Rico 3. El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. El Yunque National Forest receives 120 to 240 inches of rainfall annually and is home to over 200 plant species, including 16 endemic to Puerto Rico. The forest is home to 13 of the 16 endemic coquí frog species, known for their 90-decibel “co-kee” call. The coquí, Puerto Rico’s national symbol, is a tiny tree frog recognized for its distinctive nighttime sound. El Yunque also houses the endangered Puerto Rican parrot, a key species in the island’s wildlife conservation efforts. Fun Fact About Puerto Rico: The beautiful jungle of the El Yunque national forest in Puerto Rico is a wonderful place to explore. There are endless beaches to explore in Puerto Rico. 4. Puerto Rico has more than 300 miles of coastline and over 200 beaches. Puerto Rico boasts over 248 beaches along its 311-mile coastline. The government officially recognizes 248 beaches, though some lists include up to 1,000 when counting small and private beaches. Famous Puerto Rican Beaches Flamenco Beach (Culebra) – Consistently ranked among the best in the world Luquillo Beach Condado Beach Playa La Chiva (Vieques) Playa Sucia (Cabo Rojo) 5. San Juan is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States. Founded in 1521 as a Spanish colony, its origins trace back to Christopher Columbus, who named the island San Juan Bautista in 1493. In 1509, Juan Ponce de León founded Caparra, the first capital, later relocated to a port city called Puerto Rico. In 1521, the names swapped—San Juan became the capital, and the island took the name Puerto Rico. The name Puerto Rico originates from the Spanish and means “rich port.” After the Spanish-American War in 1898, Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory under the Treaty of Paris. The Old Town of San Juan is like stepping back into the past with its cobblestone streets and old architecture. 6. Puerto Rico does not have its own citizenship Here’s a fun fact about Puerto Rico: the island does not have a separate citizenship, as Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, not a sovereign state. Everyone born in Puerto Rico is a U.S. citizen, but as an unincorporated territory, only parts of the U.S. Constitution apply. Puerto Ricans cannot vote for congressional representatives or in U.S. presidential elections. 7. Puerto Ricans don’t pay U.S. federal income tax In addition to fun fact about Puerto Rico #6, Puerto Ricans do not pay U.S. federal income tax unless they work for the federal government or earn income from the mainland U.S. However, they still pay federal payroll taxes, including Social Security and Medicare, along with local taxes. 8. Puerto Ricans use ‘Spanglish’ slang like “Hanguiar” for “hanging out” Puerto Ricans use unique Spanglish slang, blending Spanish and English in everyday speech. Since both are official languages, many words are exclusive to Puerto Rico. Slang Word Meaning English Origin Hanguiar Hang out Hang out Broki Friend Brother Gufear Fool around, joke around Goofy Parquear Park Park Birras Beer Beer Student travelers learning on their Spanish language immersion program in Costa Rica. 9. The song “Maria” from West Side Story helped support Puerto Rican recovery after Hurricane Maria in 2017 The song “Maria” from West Side Story inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to co-write Almost Like Praying to support Puerto Rico’s recovery after Hurricane Maria in 2017. Featuring 22 Puerto Rican and Latin artists, the song topped the Billboard Digital Songs Sales chart, selling 111,000 downloads and earning 5.2 million streams in its first week. All proceeds went to hurricane relief efforts. 10. La Fortaleza is the oldest executive residence in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere La Fortaleza, the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, is the oldest executive residence in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. Built between 1533 and 1540 as a defensive fort, it protected San Juan from sea invasions. Despite modifications, it retains much of its original architecture and remains a major historic site in Old San Juan. In comparison, the White House was not built until 1792, giving La Fortaleza a 259-year head start as the longest-standing executive residence in the Americas. 11. American citizens can travel to Puerto Rico with only a government ID Puerto Rico is one of the few places outside the continental U.S. where American citizens can travel with just a government-issued ID. Other U.S. territories—American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—also allow travel without a passport but require a birth certificate. 12. Puerto Rico is an archipelago, not just a single island Puerto Rico is more than just one island; it’s an archipelago. It includes the main island of Puerto Rico, two inhabited islands (Vieques and Culebra), and hundreds of smaller islands, cays, and islets. Many Puerto Ricans visit the surrounding islands on holiday weekends. The main island, the smallest of the Greater Antilles, is 100 miles long and 35 miles wide. These are the three islands that make up Puerto Rico: Island Name Size (square miles) Population Puerto Rico 3,424 3,275,833 Vieques 51 8,249 Culebra 10 1,792 Learn more about other island nations in the Caribbean with 11 Fun Facts About The Dominican Republic 13. Puerto Rico competes as its own team in the Olympics and Miss Universe Although Puerto Rico is part of the U.S., it competes as a separate entity in the Olympics and Miss Universe pageants. The island has won five Miss Universe titles and multiple Olympic medals, including a historic gold in tennis by Monica Puig in 2016. Notable individuals of Puerto Rican heritage, such as singer Jennifer Lopez, have also contributed to the island’s international presence. 14. Puerto Rico is home to the world’s largest rum distillery Casa Bacardí, located in Cataño, is the world’s largest rum distillery, producing over 100,000 liters per day. 15. The piña colada was invented in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is the birthplace of the piña colada, the island’s official drink. While the exact origins are debated, most credit Ramón ‘Monchito’ Marrero, a bartender at the Caribe Hilton, with its creation in 1954, while others claim Puerto Rican pirates created it earlier. 16. Puerto Rico has the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean Plaza Las Américas, located in San Juan, is the largest shopping center in the Caribbean. It features over 300 stores, including high-end brands and local Puerto Rican boutiques. 17. Cerro de Punta is Puerto Rico’s highest point The tallest peak in Puerto Rico stands at 4,390 feet above sea level and offers 360-degree views of the island. Ready to immerse yourself in the unique history and culture of Puerto Rico? Explore student travel programs for this summer!