by Brian Major
Last updated: 10:11 AM ET, Thu December 14, 2017
Puerto Rico tourism officials have targeted December 20 as the launch date for the island's winter travel season.
The launch follows the most challenging period in the island's recent memory and spotlights Puerto Rico's singular success in achieving a measure of recovery from Hurricane Maria's devastation.
Celebrated visitor attractions in and around San Juan are open for business, from the Castillo San Felipe del Morro (a UNESCO World Heritage site), to the Bacardi Visitor Center to Cueva Ventana-a natural attraction featuring a large cave atop a limestone cliff overlooking the Río Grande de Arecibo valley.
Attractions and restaurants are up and running across the Old San Juan colonial district, which remains a primary draw for travelers. More than 100 of San Juan's diverse collection of hotel are also open, including the trendy stalwarts Caribe Hilton, La Concha, the AC Hotel San Juan Condado and the Condado Vanderbilt.
Puerto Rico's airports are now offering 70 daily flights and non-stop flights from 17 U.S. airports, said Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) officials.
The island's cruise ship business is again active: PRTC officials say 70 "transit" calls from cruise lines are scheduled through the end of January. Additionally, 80,000 passengers have embarked aboard ships home porting in San Juan over the last two months. Another 85,000 guests are expected to embark through January 31.
Government officials are also providing residents with updates on public facilities and services including hospitals, ATMs, supermarkets.
Yet in many ways, Puerto Rico remains in crisis mode. Residential areas beyond Old San Juan continue to confront power outages and shortages, access to clean drinking water and other inconveniences. Hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans have fled the island entirely, with most relocating to Florida.
Moreover, the level of tourism activity in several regions beyond Old San Juan is unclear. Toro Verde nature and adventure park in Ororcovis-an hour outside San Juan-is open despite reports of Maria's devastating impact on the surrounding community.
Stakeholders in the island's crucial tourism remain determined to recover from the storms as quickly as possible. The December 20 winter season launch coincides with "the longest holiday season in the world," say PRTC officials, offering Puerto Rico tourism stakeholders an ideal opportunity to encourage travelers to visit the destination.
Puerto Rico's Christmas holiday season traditionally extends beyond December 25 to include Three Kings Day (January 6), which commemorates the Three Wise Mens' travels to visit the baby Jesus.
Old San Juan hosts the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián each year-a raucous and popular street fair which fills Old San Juan's winding cobblestone streets with music, revelers and scores of food, drink and craft vendors. This year's event will symbolize the island's comeback from Hurricane Maria's devastation.
"Tourism is a vital contributor to the Island's economy," said José Izquierdo, PRTC's Executive Director, "so reaching these milestones not only will help build a stronger, better Puerto Rico but [showcase] the resiliency in our people and destination."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
