Puerto Rico is the easternmost and smallest island of the Greater Antilles, which also includes Cuba, Jamaica , and Hispaniola . The U.S.-administered country is a destination that is still relatively unknown to Europeans, although it fulfills all the clichés of the Caribbean . However, the port of San Juan, the capital, is visited daily by numerous cruise ships, whose passengers then want to discover Puerto Rico in one day and are guided through the picturesque old town in groups for a few hours.

Old San Juan

Puerto Rico and its approximately 3.5 million inhabitants exude a very special flair that can best be described as a combination of Spanish tradition and the American way of life. The cobblestone streets of the historic old town and the colourful houses are a living example of the architecture of the Spaniards in the 16. and 17th century.

During a stroll through the city, the historic cathedral, Fort El Morro and the largest Spanish castle on American soil, San Cristobal, are among the most important sights. The area is best discovered on foot and at every corner another exciting photo motif reveals itself to the visitor. In the typical Caribbean shopping street Fortalezza Street, you can browse for souvenirs and souvenirs in small shops and market stalls.

Puerto Rico offers a variety of natural beauties and should definitely be explored as part of a round trip, because the country is much too beautiful for a pure beach holiday. If you organize your stay on your own, you will soon realize that it is not easy to move around the island by public transport. It is advisable to rent a car to drive to the many places worth seeing in the island state.

Ponce, the Pearl of the South (La Perla del Sur)

The second largest city in Puerto Rico is Ponce, located on the south coast. The place impresses with its colorful mix of styles. Art Deco or Neoclassical buildings stand right next to houses of Creole architecture. Ponce is also home to the most photographed building in the country: the old red fire station, which now houses a museum. Other highlights of the city include a sugar mill and a rum museum, which can be visited and give a good insight into these traditional industries.

El Yunque National Park

A visit to this impressive national park in the northeast should not only be on the excursion program for nature lovers. Various hiking trails lead through the more than 100 km² site and can be walked or ridden. The treetop walk, which starts at the visitor centre, offers a completely different perspective of the rainforest from a height of 20 metres. In the protected area, you have the opportunity to get to know 240 different types of rainforest trees and to encounter thundering waterfalls along the way.

The lush, tropical vegetation is also a perfect habitat for many animal species and so, with a little luck, you will get to see one of the coqui frogs, which find ideal conditions here. Its characteristic croaking can be heard in many variations throughout the night. Puerto Rico’s endemic species also include the silver-gray Angela Warbler and a colorful parrot species. In addition, you can meet the native iguanas (iguanas) all over the island, which can grow up to two meters long. Although they are an absolute plague for the locals, they always delight tourists.

The most beautiful beaches of Puerto Rico

The Caribbean state has numerous palm-fringed, fine sandy coastlines that seem to have sprung from a travel catalogue. For water sports enthusiasts, for example, the Crashboat Beach near Aguadilla on the northwest coast is ideal. Boat and diving excursions are offered here, as well as jet skiing and paragliding. Rincon Beach, on the other hand, is where surfers meet and this hotspot is also known for its fantastic sunsets.

Snorkeling fans get their money’s worth in many places in Puerto Rico and some of the offshore small islands are also absolute snorkeling paradises. The islands of Vieques and Culebra, among others, are particularly popular. If you prefer a quieter beach, you can drive through a barren desert landscape, which forms an incredible contrast to the otherwise lush green nature on Puerto Rico, to the extreme southwest coast. In Cabo Rojo there is a hidden small bay.

The best time to visit Puerto Rico

The Caribbean has a tropical climate with relatively constant temperatures all year round. Most precipitation falls in the months of April to November, when, with the exception of the drier south, there can be heavy rainfall in some places. The best time to travel is in the period from December to April, when temperatures rarely exceed the 28°C mark and the risk of hurricanes is extremely low.

Culinary specialties in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican cuisine is influenced by Spanish and Creole influences. As everywhere in the Caribbean, rice and chicken are among the most popular dishes. Sweet potatoes and deep-fried dumplings filled with meat or crabs are also often on the menus. In terms of drinks, of course, all international soft drinks are available and among the types of coffee, café con leche, which consists of equal parts espresso and condensed milk, is considered a speciality. The many tropical fruits that grow here are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Puerto Rico is a dream destination that is just as suitable for beach vacationers and water sports enthusiasts as it is for nature lovers.

The Caribbean island of Grenada is the southernmost of the Leeward Islands. La Grenade was what the French called the island in colonial times: the jewel. And she is a jewel indeed. It is of volcanic origin, only 18 kilometers wide and about 34 kilometers long, but the extinct volcanoes rise up to 840 meters out of the sea.

The island is almost completely covered with rainforest. Dreamlike beaches invite you to linger, while inland, untouched nature, crater lakes, waterfalls and hot springs beckon. And despite all this, Grenada is still considered an insider tip and is not flooded by crowds of tourists.

Caribbean dream beaches

Whether beaches with fine light sand that slope gently into the water and are therefore ideal for families, black-gray beaches that are reminiscent of the volcanic origin of the island or beaches where the palm trees grow into the sea and the coconuts practically fall into your lap: here everyone will find their own personal dream beach.

And with all this, you can still find beaches where you are really lonely. For example, in the north of the island there are some small offshore islands that are uninhabited and can only be reached by boat. Only a few find their way there. A detour is worthwhile for those who want to experience Robinson’s loneliness.

Grenada – A paradise for all divers and other water sports enthusiasts

On an island like Grenada, water sports are of course the top priority when it comes to outdoor activities. Surfing is not possible, the water is too calm and the winds too calm. But divers and snorkelers get their money’s worth in the waters off the island. In addition to the coral gardens with their colorful tropical underwater wildlife, parrotfish, diadem angelfish, surgeonfish and other colorful sea creatures, the Grenada coast is also considered a top wreck area. Around a dozen shipwrecks can be discovered during dives, including “Bianca C”, which is often referred to as the Titanic of the Caribbean .

Another highlight is the Scultpure Park. The underwater museum with an area of more than 800 square meters was created in 2007 by the English diver Jason de Caires-Taylor. In the meantime, the approximately 80 figures are populated by sea urchins and corals. Fish also enjoy it.

The calm sea off Grenada is also ideal for another water sport: stand-up padding. Kayak tours are also offered. And of course, swimming in the turquoise blue sea is always a pleasure. But there is also the possibility to take a refreshing dip in most of the natural pools at the waterfalls inland.

Outdoor activities in unspoiled nature away from the sea

Most of Grenada is covered with rainforest. The easiest way to discover the natural beauties is to take a tour of the island by car along the coastal roads. But there is also the possibility to walk on paths, some of which still go back to the paths of the indigenous people. There are now marked hiking trails, for example up to the summit of Qua Qua, Grenada’s second highest mountain at 700 meters.

Another hiking trail leads to the Seven Sisters, seven contiguous waterfalls. The crater lake Grand Etang is also a popular hiking destination. If you want to go even further into the rainforest, you have the opportunity to be guided by a guide and discover very special natural beauties; Craters, waterfalls and a flora and fauna of exotic beauty.

St. George’s, the capital of Grenada

St. George’s was founded by the French in the mid-17th century as Fort Royal. In the course of history, the city changed affiliation several times. The French and Britons exercised colonial rule over town and country and left their mark. Three forts lie above the city and those who dare to climb will be rewarded with a fantastic view over the city, harbor and surrounding area. The city itself stretches steeply up into the hills. But the most impressive thing is probably the city’s large market. Here you can find an abundance of typical fruit and vegetables, spices, but also souvenirs.

Culinary

In addition to all the scenic advantages, Grenada is also considered the spice island of the Caribbean. Mainly nutmeg is grown here, but also cinnamon, cloves, ginger and other spices. Grenada’s cuisine is correspondingly spicy. It is Creole, influenced by African, Native American and Indian influences. The sea is never far away, and so fish and seafood play a major role. But chicken and other types of meat are also popular.

The tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, cashew fruit, papaya or soursop are also unsurpassed in taste, which are worlds better than the imported goods in our latitudes straight from the tree. Grenada’s national dish is oildown. The colorful mixture of different types of bananas, breadfruit, callaloo, a kind of spinach, coconut milk, spices and, depending on taste, other vegetables and meat or fish, is usually only served at larger festivals, as it is very complex to prepare and therefore not practical for home use.

Inextricably linked with Grenada is nutmeg. It can even be found on the flag of the island state. And it is not only used as a spice. It is considered a cultural asset and is used for what feels like everything the kitchen has to offer. They are processed into jam, oil, syrup, liqueur or rum.

Experience France and the Caribbean at the same time on one holiday – isn’t that possible? It’s possible! In Guadeloupe. The indigenous people call the archipelago in the Caribbean “Karukera”, the place of beautiful waters. This belongs to France and is considered largely undiscovered among travelers.

In the immediate vicinity are the British overseas territory of Montserrat to the northwest and the Republic of Dominica to the south. The island of Martinique, which also belongs to France, is located 120 kilometers to the south.

More than a dozen volcanic islands belong to Guadeloupe, six of which are inhabited – Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Désirade and the Îles des Saintes. From lonely sandy beaches to forested mountains, the archipelago’s scenic diversity stretches. The two main islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre together form the wings of a butterfly. They are separated by a mangrove swamp spanned by a few bridges.

Guadeloupe – Breathtaking nature with guaranteed relaxation

Only about 400,000 people live in Guadeloupe. The archipelago is considered one of the only 25 UNESCO biosphere reserves in the world. Thanks to its volcanic origin, there are golden and black beaches in addition to chalky white beaches. All of them invite you to laze in the soft sand.

Flower lovers will get their money’s worth at the Deshaies Botanical Garden in Basse-Terre. On seven hectares of land, you can marvel at breathtaking flowers from all over the world, including orchids, hibiscus and bougainvillea.

The tiny islands of La Désirade, Marie-Galante or Les Saintes are only about an hour’s ferry ride from the main islands and invite travellers who want to experience absolute solitude to visit as part of a day trip. During hikes through the nature reserve, you may be lucky enough to discover rare species such as the Lesser Antillean iguana, the Désirade skink or the Gaïac.

Hikes through the species-rich flora also promise relaxation. At the eastern end of Grande-Terre, a path leads up the cliffs to the Pointe des Châteaux, which offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

A major attraction of the archipelago is the Guadeloupe National Park on the island of Basse-Terre, which covers an area of 75,000 hectares of rainforest.

Active holidays in Guadeloupe

Located in the national park is the Grande Soufrière volcano. It is considered an active volcano that last spewed lava in 1976 and is accessible to travelers. The ascent is considered moderately demanding. The summit is at an altitude of 1467 meters. Once at the top, a view into the crater is possible.

For water sports enthusiasts, there is the possibility of snorkeling, surfing and diving. That
Even for travelers who have had enough of sunbathing on the beach, Guadeloupe offers a whole host of activities such as surfing.

Eventful colonial history and diverse cultural mix

Christopher Columbus first set foot on Basse-Terre in 1493. The Caribs, the indigenous inhabitants of Guadeloupe, successfully resisted colonization by the Spaniards, but were no match for the French who invaded later. In 1674, the archipelago fell to France, then to England and back to France. The import of African slaves for work on sugar cane plantations began. After slavery was abolished in 1848, Indian servants took over the work on the plantations. In 2015, the Mémorial ACTe Museum opened, commemorating the history of slavery. It is considered part of the UNESCO slave route project.

The colonialist history is particularly visible on Marie-Galante – it is characterized by windmills and the ruins of a sugar factory.

To delve deeper into the present-day culture of the archipelago, the numerous festivities in the villages are particularly suitable. Here you can dance to various traditional music styles such as Gwo’ka, Biguine Vidé and Zouk.

Guadeloupe as a destination with other advantages

Even the high season on the small French Caribbean islands is not characterized by mass tourism – unlike other Caribbean islands. Of course, there is also the rum typical of the Caribbean , which can be tasted in distilleries.

Small markets full of traders also exude Caribbean flair – in addition to coconuts, inger and tamarind, punch can be bought in hand-painted bottles that make good souvenirs to take home.

Those who love French baguettes, pastries, good butter and cheese are also in the right place in Guadeloupe. The French influence is clearly noticeable and adds to the charm of the archipelago. Since this belongs to France and thus to the European Union, the official currency of the Euro and currency exchange and conversion is not necessary. Anyone who, as a citizen of the European Union, falls in love with one of the islands of Guadeloupe and wants to stay, can do so indefinitely without major obstacles and additional work permits.

The climatic conditions in Guadeloupe are not characterized by extremes. Thanks to north-easterly trade winds, the tropical climate is mitigated, so that temperatures on the coast vary between 25-28 degrees Celsius.