The aqua waters sparkle, the palm trees sway, and I’m sipping a piña colada just steps from the bar where it was invented. After we tear ourselves away from the golden sands of the beach, my family and I explore turreted forts and ancient fortress walls, acting out pirate adventures in sight of the ocean waves below. Then we follow the cobblestone streets to reach our dinner destination, a lively locals` spots with live salsa music on an outdoor patio under twinkling stars.
Best of all, our tropical family vacation didn’t require a passport or a change of currency, and even our cell phones are still working. This ease of travel combined with the natural beauty and cultural highlights are just a few of the many reasons my family has returned to Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the United States, multiple times.
We’ve stayed in San Juan hotels and family-centric resorts around the island, and although the beaches may vary, they always have one thing in common: Everyone is happy to see families arrive and they go out of their way to entertain children. Here are a few of our favorite spots for kid-friendly retreats around Puerto Rico: