Puerto Rico is remarkably easy to reach from the United States. Direct flights from numerous U.S. cities arrive at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), and U.S. citizens traveling from the mainland do not need a passport. If you do choose to fly with a state-issued driver’s license, make sure it is REAL ID compliant, or carry another form of identification accepted by the TSA. The currency is the U.S. dollar. International travelers should, of course, have their passport and, when necessary, visa.

For Marco Polo Collection guests, the transition from runway to vacation is a short one. Our Isla Verde, Ocean Park, and Condado properties are generally 10–15 minutes from SJU; our rentals in Dorado, Bahia Beach Resort, the Northeast Coast, and Palmas del Mar are approximately 40–60 minutes away.

For us, Puerto Rico is not simply where we work. It is home—and we think that makes a difference in how you experience it.

Our beaches may be a major draw

so much so that we have beach towels at every property—but they’re is hardly the whole story…

Spend the morning by the water, then head into Old San Juan for lunch and a walk through five centuries of history. Drive east into the lush foothills of El Yunque National Forest, or spend an afternoon in Santurce at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and among the murals that have turned whole blocks into an open-air gallery.

Then there are bioluminescent bays after dark, sailing and snorkeling along the coast, surf breaks, hiking trails, and plenty of reasons to take the long way home.

The pleasure of Puerto Rico is that these worlds sit surprisingly close together. You can go from rainforest to restaurant without needing to reorganize your week.

Come hungry. Seriously, we mean it!

Puerto Rico’s food culture stretches from mofongo, arroz con gandules, lechón, fresh seafood, and frituras to some of the Caribbean’s most ambitious contemporary kitchens. Puerto Rican chefs and restaurants have earned repeated recognition from the James Beard Foundation, while a new generation continues to push local ingredients and traditions in new directions.

Then there are the staples that need little introduction: rum and coffee. Every Marco Polo Collection property includes local Puerto Rican coffee, so the first cup of the morning can begin with something from the island.

And do not assume the best meal will be the one requiring the most planning… A roadside stop, a neighborhood bakery, or lunch near the beach can easily become the meal you talk about afterward.

Puerto Rico has a soundtrack that changes with every neighborhood. Bomba and plena remain deeply rooted in the island’s cultural life, while Puerto Rican musicians and communities have helped shape salsa, reggaetón, and contemporary Latin music.

But the musical range goes much further. San Juan has a lively classical scene anchored by the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, while the long-running Festival Casals brings international classical musicians to the island each year.

A night out might mean a major concert at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico — El Choli, a performance at Bellas Artes in Santurce, or live music discovered almost by accident in a plaza, restaurant, or bar. That last option has a habit of becoming the memorable one.

Beaches, food, music, and history are easy enough to put on an itinerary. The warmth of Puerto Rico’s people is harder to schedule—and may be one of the island’s greatest assets.
Conversation comes easily here. So does hospitality. A recommendation may turn into a story, directions into a conversation, and a quick stop into something considerably less quick. That sociability is woven into everyday Puerto Rican life and gives the island much of its character.

For us, that human side of Puerto Rico matters as much as the places themselves.

Explore the Marco Polo Collection Blog for our guides to Puerto Rico’s neighborhoods, beaches, restaurants, events, and places worth adding to your stay.