POTENT Issue #2 - The Women's Issue

TRAVEL
PUERTO RICO
This island paradise has a rich
history of food, music and culture,
which is all summed up in its
name. Puerto Rico translates to
“rich port” and it definitely has an
abundance of attractions:
1. No Passport Needed. If you are
a U.S. citizen, traveling to Puerto
Rico doesn’t require a passport.
You can jump on a flight to the
island with just a state-issued ID.
2. Varied Archipelago. Though
known as one island, Puerto Rico is
an archipelago of one main island,
three smaller islands and several
islets. The diverse archipelago has
mountains, a bioluminescent bay
and several coral reefs to explore.
3. El Yunque Rainforest. On
the eastern side of the Luquillo
mountains lays El Yunque,
a mountainous, subtropical
rainforest that you can drive
through and hike the small cloud
forest at its top. The forest is home
to several unique plant and animal
species including the endangered
Puerto Rican parrot and coquis
(indigenous tree frogs).
4. Old San Juan. Old San Juan,
the historic colonial section
of San Juan, is the oldest
settlement in Puerto Rico. The
area is characterized by its blue
cobblestone streets and flat-roofed
brick and stone buildings. Get
absorbed in the colonial past of the
Caribbean with a stroll through the
city and to the beach where you’ll
find Fort San Felipe del Morro.
5. Mofongo. Considered among
many to be the leader of Puerto
Rican cuisine, this dish can be
found everywhere from a finedining
restaurant to a roadside
shack. Mofongo is a delicious and
filling mix of mashed plantain,
seasonings and the chef’s or the
guest’s filling of choice (veggies,
seafood, beef or pork). Every
Puerto Rican household and
restaurant does mofongo a little
differently so you can experiment
until you find your favorite recipe.
POTENT Magazine | EIGHTY-TWO