Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island that feels like two worlds at once: a lush, tropical escape with its own distinct Latin-Caribbean rhythm, yet a U.S. territory where you don’t need a passport or currency exchange. Beyond the famous old-town cobblestones of San Juan, you’ll find bioluminescent bays, a rainforest with no mosquitoes at higher elevations, and a food scene that fuses Taino, Spanish, and African influences into flavors you won’t find anywhere else. It’s compact enough to explore in a week, but rich enough to make you want to stay much longer.