This strategic site was attacked unsuccessfully by Sir Francis Drake, occupied by English forces in 1598, burned and plundered by the Dutch in 1625 and subjected to other sieges until a last attempt by the British in 1797. The Spanish used San Juan Bay to protect their ships from pirates and attacks by other countries. The capital was transferred to its present site and named San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico in 1521, the year of de León's death.

He established the first settlement at Caparra in 1508 and in 1510 he was appointed the island's first governor by Spain's King Ferdinand. The island of Puerto Rico gets its name from the exclamation “¡Qué puerto rico!” (What a rich port!), which is said to have been made by conquistador Juan Ponce de León when he entering the bay.

He landed on the northwestern part of the island and named it San Juan Bautista. Originally named Borikén (Island of the Brave Lord) by the Taíno Indians, Puerto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 during his second voyage to the New World. The capital city of San Juan is home to the busiest and biggest airport in the Caribbean-Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport-in addition to a major cruise port hub. Puerto Rico has made great strides economically and today boasts one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean. Nowhere is this more evident than in the capital city of San Juan, with its mix of centuries-old Spanish fortresses and glamorous resort hotels. territory rather than a separate country, the island of Puerto Rico is a progressive blend of old and new. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, where more than 300 miles (500 km) of palm-fringed coastline and a lush interior of rain forests offer adventurers plenty of opportunity for exploration.Ī U.S. A diverse tropical landscape awaits you in the U.S.

All inclusive trips to puerto rico