Where is Puerto Rico?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: February 19, 2025, 05:30 AM ET

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated territory of the United States. It is located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. It lies approximately 40 miles (65 km) west of the Virgin Islands, 50 miles (80 km) east of the Dominican Republic, and 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of the U.S. state of Florida.

Where is Puerto Rico Located on the Map

Where is Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Location Map

About Map: The map shows the location of Puerto Rico in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Where is Puerto Rico Located?

Puerto Rico, officially Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, It is located on the continent of North America, in between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands. The capital and largest city is San Juan. Puerto Rico covers an area of 3,515 sq mi (9,104 km2), with popuation of 3,285,874 as of 2020 U.S. census.

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  • Puerto Rico follows the Republican form of government. That is based on the American model, with a separation of powers. The government of Puerto Rico is under the authority and control of United States. The government of Puerto Rico consists of three branches viz the executive branch, legislative branch and the judicial branch. The governor serves as the leader of the executive branch. The legislative branch is composed of Senate and House of Representatives. The speaker of the house leads the House of Representatives, while the president leads the senate. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is the head of the judicial branch.

    One of Latin America and the Caribbean's most competitive and dynamic economies has been Puerto Rico. The economy of Puerto Rico is based on manufacturing like pharmaceuticals, textiles, petrochemicals, and electronics, followed by services such as finance, insurance, real estate, and tourism.

    Puerto Rico has everything you could possibly want in a sunny Caribbean vacation resort. All types of beach lovers, from couples and families to dedicated surfers, are attracted to the stunning palm-lined beaches, some of which have mild, quiet waters lapping the golden sand and others that have tremendous waves and renowned surf breaks. Puerto Rico is a complicated island with a clear American influence on top of the Spanish Caribbean culture. With its American brand restaurants and other luxuries connected to the mainland USA, San Juan makes this particularly clear. If you travel deeper, you will come across charming towns, tiny villages, stunning islands, caverns, and a rough rocky interior. Some of the tourist destinations are Castillo de San Cristobal, El Yunque National Forest, El Morro Fort, Old San Juan, Culebra Island, Vieques and Bioluminescent Bay, Catedral de San Juan Bautista, Cayo Icacos, Luquillo Beach and so on.

    Puerto Rico Map

    Puerto Rico Map

    Puerto Rico Facts

    ContinentNorth America
    Sovereign StateUnited States
    Before annexationCaptaincy General of Puerto Rico
    Puerto Rico Coordinates18.2208° N, 66.5901° W
    LocationNortheastern Caribbean Sea
    Cession from Spain11 April 1899
    Current constitution25 July 1952
    Capital and largest citySan Juan
    Official languagesSpanish, English
    Total Area 9,104 km2 (3,515 sq mi)
    Water (%)1.6
    Population (2020 census)3,285,874
    Population Density350.8/km2 (908.6/sq mi) (39th)
    CurrencyUnited States dollar (US$) (USD)
    Time zoneUTC-04:00 (AST)
    Ethnic groups (2010)75.8% White, 12.4% Black, 3.3% Two or more races
    .0.5% American Indian & Alaskan Native,0.2% Asian
    0.1% Pacific Islander, 7.8% Other
    Demonym(s)Puerto Rican
    GovernmentDevolved presidential constitutional dependency
    Highest elevation4,390 ft (1,340 m)
    Driving sideright
    Calling code1 (787), +1 (939)
    USPS abbreviationPR
    ISO 3166 codePR, US-PR
    GDP (PPP) (2021 estimate)$112.273 billion[6] (88th)
    Gini (2011)53.1 high
    HDI (2015)0.845 very high - Rank 40th
    AirportLuis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina,
    Mercedita Airport in Ponce,
    and the Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla
    Puerto Rico PortsSan Juan Port , Port of the Americas in Ponce
    RoadFreeways, Expressways, and Highways
    Internet TLD.pr
    Websitehttps://www.usa.gov/state-government/puerto-rico
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    Places to Visit in Puerto Rico

    The top places to visit in Puerto Rico are:

    • Castillo San Felipe del Morro: A historic 16th-century fortress overlooking San Juan Bay.
    • Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan: One of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas.
    • Arecibo Observatory: Famous radio telescope site set in a natural sinkhole.
    • Black Sand Beach: A unique beach known for its dark volcanic sand.
    • El Yunque National Forest: A tropical rainforest with waterfalls and hiking trails.
    • Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico: Museum showcasing Puerto Rican art and culture.
    • Cueva del Indio: Coastal cave with ancient petroglyphs and ocean views.
    • Mar Chiquita Beach: A scenic cove beach with calm waters.
    • Flamenco Beach: A well known beach with clear water and white sand.
    • Isla Palominos: Small private island popular for water activities.
    • Faro Los Morrillos: Lighthouse offering views of dramatic cliffs.
    • Castillo de San Cristóbal: Large historic fort in Old San Juan.
    • Crash Boat Beach: Popular beach for swimming and snorkeling.
    • Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico: Rum distillery offering guided tours.
    • Cascada Gozalandia: Hidden waterfall ideal for swimming.
    • Sitio Histórico de San Juan: Historic district with colonial architecture.
    • Cayo Icacos: Small island known for clear waters and snorkeling.
    • Playa Sucia: Quiet beach with natural coastal scenery.
    • Balneario del Escambrón: Urban beach near Old San Juan.
    • Bahía Bioluminiscente: Bay known for glowing waters at night.
    • Cueva Ventana: Cave with a natural window overlooking a valley.
    • Parque de Bombas: Historic red-and-black firehouse museum.
    • Playa Jobos: Popular surfing beach on the northwest coast.