So.... you've been thinking about getting away to the Caribbean. There's just one problem: you don't have a passport. Either you have waited until the last minute & there's no time to get one or you don't feel like paying the fees to get one. I've got the perfect destination for you...Puerto Rico! Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States so flying in/out of Puerto Rico is considered domestic travel. Good news!!

I visited Puerto Rico last year for the first time and loved it for many reasons.

1) I could get a direct flight there (out of Baltimore). Flight time is around 3.5 hours from the Baltimore/Washington area making it a quick trip. Airfare was pretty reasonable and if you book out far enough in advance, it is absolutely affordable.

2) No question... the accommodations will make or break a trip. I fell in love with the resort I chose. It was modern, open-air feel, on the beach, lots of music/people around, 2 pools, great restaurants and a fantastic lobby bar. I absolutely prefer a resort that has a lot of people and activity going on around me...this place fit the bill. But that's just me! There are so many other resorts that fill the quiet/secluded & family categories. Around San Juan you'll find the Miami-Beach/urban style hotels. However, along the north coast, there are resorts away from the city that offer a more relaxed atmosphere. Many luxury hotel chains are here from the Ritz Carlton to the St. Regis.

3) While fried plantains (or fried anything for that matter) are on just about every menu, the food in Puerto Rico has evolved. There are many upscale restaurants in Old San Juan as well as within the resorts. I also enjoyed the fantastic coffee on the island and made sure to visit a small coffee shop that is popular with the locals. It was fun to mix up eating at a few rustic places (where Spanish was mainly spoken...but I loved soaking in the culture) and then enjoying more modern food at the resort.

4) I'm all for laying at the pool/beach all day (every day) and thanks to the great facilities, that's mainly what I did. However, I figured I better explore the island at least one day! Old San Juan was easy to get to by taxi and there are tons of shops/cafes/parks. I had a great time walking in the city... love the cobblestone streets and old architecture along the coast. There was plenty to do and I'd say it's worth a day away from the beach to visit. To me, Puerto Rico offers great mix of relaxation (mainly) with a little bit of exploring.

5) US currency is used & everyone speaks English (at least as their second language). It was so nice not to have to worry about the conversion rates for currency or if someone could understand my mediocre Spanish. So no worries.... just bring your money and rest assured that the taxi driver will understand you!

I will tell you that the beaches are not the best. The water can be rough and the sand is not like other spots in the Caribbean. If you are looking for crystal clear water & white powder beaches, this isn't the place. However, if that isn't a top priority, then you won't be disappointed. The sand was fine, beaches clean & great temperatures during the day. As far as safety, I was completely at ease exploring Old San Juan during the day. I didn't leave the hotel district at night but within that area, it was great. There were a lot of outdoor restaurants/bars and people walking around. It was busy and fun! Bottom line, I'd go back to Puerto Rico in a heartbeat.

Hope I can get back there this year..... so many places visit, I've got to prioritize!!!