This Caribbean destination has the tourism infrastructure, rich history and culture, and unforgettable tropical settings to host nearly any type of meeting, big or small. As a U.S. territory, no passport is required. Here's a closer look at a few things groups can do while on the island.
DAY 1: A Taste of History
10:00 AM
Start the morning with a tour of Old San Juan, where you can walk along the cobblestone streets, admiring the colorful buildings that surround you. There, you'll find a number of historic sites and buildings that date back to the 18th century, including the Puerta de San Juan, the only remaining set of wooden doors that used to be closed at sundown to protect residents. Local shops and restaurants are also wonderful spots for attendees to peruse.
www.meetpuertorico.com
6:00 PM
Puerto Rico is home to the Bacardi Rum Factory, where groups can tour the facilities, learn about the history and production process involved in one of Puerto Rico's most famous drinks, and enjoy a sip or two as well.
www.casabacardi.org
DAY 2: Forest Escape
12:00 PM
One of the most beautiful destinations to be found on Puerto Rico is El Yunque, the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. Here, groups can explore the trails and discover exotic flora and fauna, or have encounters with wildlife like the Puerto Rican parrot.
www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque
6:00 PM
Not far from El Yunque, at the foothills of the forest, you'll find a private jungle idyll called Coco Rio, which provides an ideal setting for dinner in an authentic rainforest with more than 17,000 square feet of open-air, covered pavilions, as well as a full catering kitchen.
www.cocoriopr.com
DAY 3: Outdoor Adventures
10:00 AM
Zip your group over to Toro Verde Ecological Adventure Park, where miles of zipline cables have garnered it accolades as the 23rd coolest new attraction in the world to visit by the editors of Travel + Leisure magazine.
www.toroverdepr.com
8:00 PM
End your program with an unforgettable evening spent at the Hacidena Don Carmelo, a breeding and training facility for the famed Paso Fino horses, located in the city of Vega Baja in north central Puerto Rico. The 60-acre property overlooks the Atlantic and features a beautiful Tree House built inside a 125-year-old Samán Dormilón tree.
www.haciendadoncarmelo.com
This article appears in the September 2014 issue of Successful Meetings.