Tourism in Puerto Rico attracted 4.2 million visitors in 2013 and 4 million visitors in 2011, a notable increase over 2010 at 3.68 million, tourism has been a money revenue industry for Puerto Rico for a number of decades given it is host to diverse natural wonders, cultural and historical buildings, concerts and sporting events. The fact that visitors from the United States do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico attracts a large number of tourists from the mainland United States each year. Other groups of tourists that visit Puerto Rico in significant numbers include French, German, Spaniards, Canadians, Mexicans, Venezuelan, Brazilians and Asian tourists.
The inauguration of the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel on 16 October 1919 marked the beginning of upscale tourism in Puerto Rico.
The tourism industry is expected to moderate levels of growth in 2014, driven primarily by the introduction of new cruise lines and airfare activity and the development of new hotels on the island. Nonstop flights to Puerto Rico from Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Bogota, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York are currently available. New direct routes from Europe and Latin America are in the works.
Cuba and Puerto Rico have always been indirectly competing in the Caribbean for top tourist destination. However, due to Cuba and the U.S. resuming diplomatic relations, Puerto Rico's tourism industry could be in jeopardy in the near future.
Aguadilla: site of old Ramey Air Force Base, now a local airport
Arecibo: site of the famous Arecibo Observatory
Bayamón: site of the Science Park
Cabo Rojo: site of beautiful beaches
Cataño: the site where Bacardi has the world's largest rum distillery
Culebra: home to several solitary beaches such as Flamenco Beach
Fajardo: home of the Fajardo Lighthouse and its luminicent bay, Las Croabas fishing village, the Paso Fino horse national competition ring, and Seven Seas beach.
Luquillo: Home to several beaches, including Balneario La Monserrate, Playa Azul, La Pared, and La Selva - the last two, sandy bottom surf spots where leatherback turtles often nest.
Mayagüez: home of the Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo and the local beer, Medalla, brewery
Ponce: home to a 19th century historic district with over 1,046 restored buildings, plus the world-renowned Museo de Arte de Ponce, the imposing Castillo Serrallés, the nostalgic Hacienda Buena Vista coffee plantation, and its whimsical Parque de Bombas firehouse.
Rincón: surf capital of the Caribbean
San Juan: home of Old San Juan, the Puerto Rican Museum of Art, El Morro Castle
Trujillo Alto: home of Lake Carraizo Dam
Rio Grande: home of El Yunque National Forest
Vieques: home to many beaches, two Spanish castles and lighthouses, eye-catching mountains and sought-after marine reefs.
Culebra Airport, Island of Culebra
Eugenio María de Hostos Airport, Mayagüez
Humacao Airport, Humacao
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, San Juan
Mercedita Airport, Ponce
Rafael Hernández Airport, Aguadilla
Vieques Airport, Island of Vieques
