US Caribbean Territories

Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands: Spanish colonial old towns, rainforest, bioluminescent bays and white-sand beaches, a Caribbean with no passport needed for US citizens.

In this plan, the US Caribbean Territories consist of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Both are US territories, so travelers from the US mainland do not go through customs, but foreign visitors, including Chinese tourists, need a valid US visa or the relevant entry authorization. Puerto Rico is the main destination. The Old Town of the capital, San Juan, is a World Heritage site, with colorful streets and the forts of El Morro and San Cristóbal bearing witness to Spanish colonial history, while Condado and Isla Verde in the new town are the hotel and beach areas. In the northeast, El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System; bioluminescent bay night tours near Fajardo and on Vieques are distinctive, and Flamenco Beach on Culebra is often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. In the south, Ponce has colonial-era architecture, and Rincón on the west coast is a surfing destination. The US Virgin Islands comprise three main islands: St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas is a cruise port and duty-free shopping center; most of St. John is Virgin Islands National Park, where Trunk Bay has an underwater snorkeling trail; and St. Croix preserves the character of its Danish colonial towns. A common plan is 3–4 days in San Juan plus 2–3 days on the eastern offshore islands, or an island-hopping trip of about a week combining Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Travel between islands is by ferry and small planes, and on the islands by rental car or taxi. Buy travel insurance for hurricane season, and book ferry tickets to the offshore islands in advance.

Destinations

Itineraries