Toast a new life among art and whimsy
Happy couples dancing inside an iconic building designed by MoMA architect Edward Durell Stone greet their guests among masterpieces by Jose Campeche and Francisco Oller, and pose for photos in front of a soaring sculpture by American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein or outdoors in an awe-inspiring romantic botanical garden.
Happy couples dancing inside an iconic building designed by MoMA architect Edward Durell Stone greet their guests among masterpieces by Jose Campeche and Francisco Oller, and pose for photos in front of a soaring sculpture by American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein or outdoors in an awe-inspiring romantic botanical garden.
Puerto Rico’s chic museums shine as bright as the island’s blazing blue skies, shimmering Caribbean waters, and sultry nights. They provide beautiful and unique venues to host wedding receptions with dramatic spaces, open courtyards, elegant galleries, and other variety of rooms so the special day can be remembered for years to come.
All across the country, museums of art, history, and science are opening their doors for wedding receptions—and an increasing number of brides and grooms are discovering: There’s no better place to hold their own historic events, and Puerto Rico is no exception.
Puerto Rico definitely has plenty of stunning hotel ballrooms that make for lovely venues, but commemorating your special day in a museum is unique. They offer great backdrops for wedding portraits, as well as vast indoor atriums and halls that comfortably accommodate hundreds of guests for dining and dancing. Best of all, museums often offer exclusive access to their collections. Guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind wedding experience as they mingle among masterworks dating back to the 17th century to the present and world-class temporary exhibitions.
The Museum of Art of Puerto Rico situated between San Juan’s Condado bustling tourism hub and its cultural hub of Santurce is especially popular with couples who want a level of luxury. The main room, where you dine and dance is called the Grand Hall (which can fit up to 600 guests) and it’s sure to impress. It has a height equivalent of three stories and has a spectacular stained glass window designed by Puerto Rican artist Eric Tabales where the natural light from outside softly illuminates the entire area; and cocktails can be served outside overlooking a lush and beautifully manicured botanical sculpture garden.
Its 2.5 acre botanical sculpture garden is a true oasis that can transport the wedding guests a world away from the bustle of the city and can be combined and tented for a magical seated dinner for up to 130 guests. A walkway around the free-form pond eases through individual settings including a grove of native trees, a bamboo forest, and a prairie. More than a dozen sculptures are positioned in harmony with the scenery while several gazebos serve as perches for rest and relaxation. A terrace with a natural amphitheater sets the stage for open-air events.
Designed in accordance with the strictest and most modern standards, the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico was built by architect William H. Schimmelpfennig in 1920 and its 130,000 square feet of space includes 24 exhibition galleries.
Just blocks away is the Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art in Santurce, which offers brides, grooms, and guests urban charm and historical elegance. Housed in a small but charming building, guests at the Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art can stroll through galleries of work ranging from paintings and sculpture to mixed-media, sound, and video installations. But the party happens within its enchanting interior courtyard that can accommodate about 500 wedding guests.
The Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art used to be a former public school built in 1918. The Georgian-style structure designed by architect Adrian C. Finlayson as part of a U.S. Department of Education’s drive to build public schools in urban zones, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since the late 1980s and was renovated under the direction of Puerto Rican architect Otto Reyes Casanova for its new role as home to the island’s top collection of contemporary art.
Another fashionable museum in Puerto Rico is the Ponce Museum of Art, a charming enclave of strong Catalonian heritage that captivates visitors with its small town flair and laid back atmosphere. The museum is located on the island’s sere south coast overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea in Ponce, known as the Pearl of the South, the second largest city outside the San Juan metropolitan area, and an interesting town for history buffs.
Inside, the architecture of the Ponce Museum of Art is simply ideal for dreamy wedding receptions with its stunning backdrops, sweeping spiral staircase, spacious halls, spectacular balcony and amazing garden.
The striking building is comprised of seven interconnected hexagons topped with glass cupolas, which allows natural light to pour in though its corners creating a perfect setting for wedding photos. The exterior garden that can fit up to 500 guests is distinguished by the Archipelago sculpture inside the central fountain. Situated on the second floor are the balconies that can accommodate between 60 to 300 people and have views of the garden and the impressive Roy Lichtenstein, Pinceladas al vuelo sculpture. Also on the second floor but in the annex building is the Caribe ballroom that fits up to 130 people and can be divided into two rooms and for receptions there is the intimate Granada room that was designed by Dr. Rene Taylor, the first director of the Museum who was an expert in Spanish baroque art and architecture, which is why this small space that fits up to 40 guests has fountains and brick floor detailing.
Recognized as an important center for European art in the Americas, its stunning collection – the finest in the Caribbean, provides a rich panorama of western art stretching from the Renaissance to the present day. Inside are more than 1,000 paintings and 400 sculptures covering classical, ancient and contemporary works. Among the prizes of the collection are works by Velasquez, Rubens and Rodin.
Also in Ponce is the Serralles Castle Museum, a Spanish Moroccan architectonic masterpiece that captures the history of the town. Framed in an elegant and tasteful environment, this venue offers beautiful terraces, charming gardens, and breathtaking views of the city of Ponce and the Caribbean Sea that will be longed remembered by wedding guests. It’s no wonder this luxurious mansion, once the home of the affluent Serralles family who built their fortune from sugar and rum, its most famous brand being Don Q, has won consecutively the Weddingwire Couples’ Choice Award from 2014-2016.
The bride and groom can opt to rent either the east terrace to accommodate up to 200 people or the west terrace that fits 300 or reserve both for a large wedding reception of 500 guests where sprawling cityscape and majestic ocean views is the astonishing backdrop. There is also the Don Juan Café terrace to accommodate smaller affairs up to 50 guests, the exterior fountain for 100 guests, and Japanese Garden for a maximum of 120 guests, all situated on the property’s 2.5 acres of magnificent landscape filled with impressive architectural details.
Explore Puerto Rico’s unique options for weddings and receptions that stand out from the rest and where dreams are made reality.
Puerto Rico for two
Puerto Rico is notorious for many things such as being one of the happiest places in the world, one of the most beautiful; and without a doubt one of the most enchanting islands in the Caribbean.
Puerto Rico is notorious for many things such as being one of the happiest places in the world, one of the most beautiful; and without a doubt one of the most enchanting islands in the Caribbean.
For years, the Caribbean has been a popular couple’s vacation getaway and Puerto Rico has always been an idyllic playground to ignite the flame of love due to its pristine beaches, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and amazing facilities and services offered for all tastes and ages.
To enjoy Puerto Rico in a group setting or alone is delightful, but to escape and relive romance holding hands with your significant other is just an out of this world experience.
Come and explore this steamy Caribbean paradise as a twosome and take your relationship to another level.
Here are some seducing recommendations by BIENVENIDOS while in Puerto Rico to spice up your love life.
Old San Juan, the most romantic city in the Caribbean
Everything in the walled city of San Juan speaks romance; its picturesque colorful colonial houses, century’s old blue cobblestone streets, dreamy views, low-key restaurants, and charming al fresco bars and cafes are warm and welcoming making you want to get to know them.
Founded in 1521, Old San Juan has some special features that make it one-of-a kind. Here history and modernism unite, while respecting its spaces. Getting to know Old San Juan as a couple is a spectacular experience; walking hand-in-hand while discovering the smells, tastes and history of the best preserved colonial city in the Americas is a moment you will never forget.
If staying at one of the city’s wonderful hotels, you’re halfway ready. Hotel El Convento on Del Cristo Street; Hotel Milano on Fortaleza Street and the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino on Brumbaugh Street are some examples of the hostelries housed in Old San Juan and they are exceptional starting points to commence your stroll through the historic epicenter.
Start your walk visiting the impressive fortresses constructed by the Spaniards to protect the capital city from enemy attacks: San Cristobal Fort on Norzagaray Street and Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, better known by El Morro, which means “promontory.”
Walk along its ramparts, where cannons still face the ocean, and step inside one of the domed garitas, or sentry boxes, which are an iconic symbol of Puerto Rico and a perfect spot for couples in love to kiss or take a selfie worthy of many likes at the exact place where soldiers once stood to protect the bay.
The whimsical grounds of El Morro are now a place for couples to come to relax, picnic, and fly kites while being playful and flirtatious. Even on the hottest day, you’ll be cooled and kissed by gentle Caribbean trade winds. You can buy a kite, called chiringas, at a nearby stand.
Take time to explore the narrow streets of the city that are full of shops, museums, plazas, restaurants, bars, churches, and cafes. Enjoy together the marvelous scenes any which way you turn and appreciate what you find on your way; from a single musician displaying his talent on a street corner to cobblestone on the streets that have taken a blue tone due to time and humidity.
If you want to stop to get a drink or bite before continuing your stroll, stop by Hotel El Convento. This hostelry is an architectural gem located in a former nun monastery founded in 1651; it has restaurants, bars, and an exceptional terrace perfect for cooling off before continuing your romantic venture.
The next stop is Paseo de la Princesa, a promenade on the southern part of the city with awe-inspiring views of the San Juan Bay. Constructed in 1854, it offers the perfect setting to spend quality time as a couple to walk embracing one another while being fueled by the gorgeous scenery. This combined with the majestic bronze fountain called “Raices” which depicts the diverse ethnic and cultural origins of our heritage and several food and drink kiosks make this visit to the Paseo a must-see.
The Paseo de la Princesa also is interesting because there is an old Spanish jail that today houses the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the government-owned corporation in charge of stimulating and promoting the destination. In this building there is an art gallery that features the agency’s art collection as well as other exhibits.
From here you are minutes from the waterfront port area, where dozens of boats and mega cruise ships are received weekly from all over the world. Equipped with park benches and surrounded by lush vegetation, sculptures and restaurants, this area is a great rest stop so you can steal a quick kiss from your partner while being enamored by the setting of the Old City.
After the stroll there is nothing better than sipping a couple of glasses of wine from the balconies or outdoor seating of the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, which lies in front of Dock 3 and 4. All you have to do is cross the street to continue appreciating the surrounding beauty and magnetic vibe of the city.
If you like nature and everything that is trendy than doing paddleboard yoga the next day should result as a fascinating idea.
Doing yoga poses while on a paddleboard with your significant other by your side is a sublime practice.
One of the most popular sites in Puerto Rico to practice paddleboard yoga is at the Condado Lagoon in San Juan using the services of Paddle Yoga Puerto Rico, one of the most recognized operators offering these tours and classes.
Fall in love as you restore and renew your body, mind, heart, and soul. Let the spirit breathe new life in you and reawaken romance and adventure and gratitude for your life. It’s an experience of unity with your partner aside from also being a spectacular mode of exercise.
Head to the East for pure al fresco passion
After undertaking paddle boarding in the morning, you have all day to continue exploring Puerto Rico.
About 30 minutes from San Juan, towards the eastern side of the island is the spiritual El Yunque Rainforest, with 24 miles of trails; it’s the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System as well as a former contender in the race to become one of the world’s natural wonders.
Perfect for exploring, take a pair of sneakers, comfortable clothes, and of course your bathing suit so you can take a dip in one of its eight rivers and crystalline waterfalls that includes La Mina, La Coca and Juan Diego.
The most visited waterfall is La Mina that entails a relatively easy walk to get to via the trail with the same name. Take advantage of the visit to set up a picnic for two in front of the waterfall to talk and enjoy a good time and appreciate together the pure natural majesty that are devoid of human influence that surrounds.
El Yunque has clearly demarcated trails and a visitor’s center where you are told the location and easiest way to get to the areas that you would like to get to know.
Puerto Rico does not fall short to the endless possibilities of things to do or see al fresco. One of the most gorgeous and that practically cannot be done in no other part of the world is visiting a bioluminescent bay.
There are almost no bays with these characteristics in the planet, but Puerto Rico is blessed with three: Mosquito Bay in Vieques (officially declared the brightest recorded in the world by Guinness Book of World Records in 2008), the second brightest Laguna Grande in Fajardo, and the least bright is in La Parguera in Lajas. The first two can be reached by plane from San Juan or Ceiba or by ferry from Fajardo, while the bay in Lajas, which is in the southwestern region, is a two-hour car ride from San Juan.
In bioluminescent bays there are organisms named Pyrodinium bahamense, Dinoflagellates (dinos). These dinos are responsible for a bizarre natural phenomenon. When these dinos come into contact with another organism or are shaken they produce a bright burst of blue-green light for a decimal of a second. Imagine slipping your bodies into one of these bioluminescent bays with your partner and magically millions of stars light up and scatter with every splash you make. Without a doubt, one of the most mesmerizing evenings that can ever be experienced together.
Exploring the marvels of rock carvings on the north shore
You can enjoy this unique outing by kayak or small boat like the ones offered by Island Adventure BioBay Eco-Tours in Vieques through these bodies of water to fully appreciate this beauty up close.
Another excellent activity to enjoy with your partner is to visit the Cueva del Indio (Cave of the Indian) situated in the town of Arecibo, on the northern side of Puerto Rico just an hour away from San Juan. It is a spot of extreme natural beauty because a major part of the cave is underwater and to get to it you must walk down wooden stairs so make sure to wear comfortable clothes and sneakers.
Head to the town of beautiful sunsets
It is estimated that the Cueva del Indio has the most amount of petroglyphs in the coastal zone of the island made by Taino Indians, Puerto Rico’s original residents. In this cave you can appreciate seven arches and other formations created by ocean water erosion. It is not easy to get to the bottom of the cave and its arches but it is an unforgettable experience. The natural beauty and cultural richness are intense. Once there, there is nothing better than to take photos and sit together appreciating this marvel which seems to be detained by time.
That same day that you visit Arecibo, why not travel west until you arrive to one of the towns with the most spectacular sunsets: Rincon. There are not many stunning things to do as a couple than relish a sunset in this region. Rincon is about 1.5 hours from Arecibo and on the way you have various options to rest a while, eat and drink something.
What do you think about this idea? Reserve an ocean view room in a hotel, leave when the sun begins to set to take a romantic stroll together on the beach to walk with the warm waves breaking and caressing your feet while witnessing one of the most natural wonders that Puerto Rico can offer.
After that walk which will fill you both with positive energy and relive romance, return to the room to continue conversing while sipping on a glass of wine.
In Rincon there are excellent beachfront hotels and one in particular is Rincon Beach Resort, a boutique resort with 112 rooms and 24 villas. If you are not staying in Rincon, simply visit the town for a few hours and stop at world renowned beaches like Tres Palmas, Maria’s and Domes, ideal for surfers; and Sandy Beach, Corcega and Almirante where you can have front row seats to witness the most amazing sunset in the planet.
From Spas to Casinos to rekindle the flame
If you have enjoyed what nature has to offer and want some different ideas on how to rekindle the flame here are two that are very nice. Maybe you have never thought that painting the town with glitz and glamour by hitting a sexy, adrenaline-pumping casino can spark up romance, sure it can!
Puerto Rico has incredible gaming facilities situated at all major points of the island and visiting one as a couple can convert itself into an exciting affair.
The casinos are located at the Hyatt Place Bayamon, the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino in Isla Verde, Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Real, Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino in Miramar and the Holiday Inn Mayaguez & Tropical Casino Hotel.
Slots, poker, black jack, and roulette tables serve as the ideal games to test your luck, play each other’s birthdays, teach or showoff to your partner your gaming skills, sip free cocktails, and have a great time. Win big and you’ll have a story for the ages. And if you lose, well, at least you’ve still got each other.
After your gambling adventure, take your loved one to a romantic dinner for two at one of the hotel’s top restaurant or for privacy ask your hotel concierge to set up a private table on your room balcony, in your room, or other private area at the resort; making this unique evening the perfect end to a passionate escapade.
At Olas Spa @ Caribe Hilton in San Juan there is no shortage of treatments for duos looking to pamper themselves at a dreamy spa retreat. This spa offers a couple’s massage called Party of Two, a 50-minute soothing massage with seductive aromas to spice up the evening that includes the use of the facilities’ steamy sauna and bubbly Jacuzzi.
If you prefer an incredible ocean view couple’s massage than the Away Spa at the W Retreat & Spa in Vieques has exactly what you’re looking for. They offer a 50- or 80-minute aromatherapy or deep tissue massage for two with unbelievable ocean views and after your treatment move over to its private, outdoor Jacuzzi where you can sweet talk or simply close your eyes and hold hands while relishing total relaxation.
At the Spa at El Conquistador in Fajardo; couples have two exhilarating choices to feel sensual: the Majestic, a 75-minute treatment that includes a 50-minute couple’s massage, and an Asiatic reflexology or Ayurveda massage from India; or Paradise for Two, that lasts 100 minutes, divided among a 50-minute couple’s massage, then having your skin caressed with a Coconut Sugar Scrub and finished off with 25 minutes of reflexology. There is no better way to reconnect with one another.
You see, Puerto Rico is not only beach and nightlife, it’s much more. It’s a place full of variances and choices for every type of mood and person. The island offers spectacular sunsets, natural majesty, glamour, it’s the Caribbean at its entire maximum splendor; an ideal destination to enjoy in the arms of your loved one.
Wedding ceremonies for all styles and all tastes
With its tropical weather, colorful scenery, and vibrant culture, Puerto Rico is ripe for romance. The island is a picture-perfect spot for destination weddings, particularly for American couples who don’t need to secure a passport or visa to get married here.
Puerto Rico has magical indoor, beachfront, city, seaside, and countryside locations.
With its tropical weather, colorful scenery, and vibrant culture, Puerto Rico is ripe for romance. The island is a picture-perfect spot for destination weddings, particularly for American couples who don’t need to secure a passport or visa to get married here.
“The biggest draw to destination brides is the fact that Puerto Rico feels foreign but it’s still domestic,” says Jillian Anderson of E. P. Anderson Studios and Green-Eyed Girl Weddings & Events. “With U. S. marriage licenses and currency, it’s a lot easier to get married here than it is on other Caribbean islands.”
But Puerto Rico offers more than just convenience and ease. Whether brides prefer to strut down the aisle in stilettos or go barefoot on the beach, they’ll find what they’re looking for at dreamy venues all over the island. Below are five whimsical wedding locations that BIENVENIDOS highly recommends.
Beachfront Bashes
Seclusion and intimacy are all the rage on Puerto Rico’s western shore, offering private to semi-private beaches where the water is not a single blue but rather a shimmering mosaic of turquoise and deep sapphire, stunning panoramic views, and amazing colorful sunsets surrounded by natural beauty; all idyllic qualities for weddings.
Rincon Beach Resort delights couples looking to tie the knot with salt in the air and warm, unspoiled sand between their toes perfect for kicking off your shoes and exchanging low-key I do’s. The hotel backs up to a serene beach where romance and local charm captivate guests.
From the flowers to the cake, Rincon Beach Resort handles all of the wedding details in house, freeing up couples to enjoy time together on the island.
“We even have a minister that will take couples to complete all of the paperwork they need to get married in Puerto Rico,” says Stephanie Ramirez, sales and marketing director. “We want our brides and grooms to enjoy their time here with as little stress as possible.”
City Celebrations
Centuries-old blue cobblestone streets and brilliantly colored historic buildings as if you stepped out of a time machine is what you will discover in the Old San Juan, situated in the northern coast of Puerto Rico.
Once the crown jewel of the Spanish Empire in the Americas, the Old City still preserves its stunning colonial architecture ranging from imposing fortresses to the best museums, restaurants, shops and nightlife Puerto Rico has to offer.
Couples who want a wedding address that’s sure to impress say “I do” at the landmark Antiguo Casino in Old San Juan. Elegance seeps into each and every affair at this stunning venue, which originally opened its doors in 1917 as a social club for Puerto Rico’s elite. Today, beaux arts architecture, stunning gardens, ample balconies, white marble floors, a majestic staircase, grandiose chandelier, attention to detail, in an exclusive ambiance make Antiguo Casino the epitome of glamour.
They can reserve the outdoor courtyard or choose to celebrate in the marble-columned ballroom, adorned with romantic French doors, and a dramatic mezzanine. Want to keep the party going? Weddings don’t have to end when the band has packed up and gone home; city bars and nightclubs are within easy reach for groups that want to celebrate into the early morning hours. From Thursday through Sunday it’s as if there’s a celebration going on nearly everywhere in San Juan.
Ballroom Brides
Located in the east region of the island bordering the Atlantic Ocean is one of the most beautiful resorts on the island, El Conquistador, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, situated in the town of Fajardo. The town’s perfect beaches are bounded by calm waters ideal for snorkeling, sailing and plenty of scuba diving.
Couples dreaming of a fairytale wedding in a majestic hotel ballroom needn’t look any further than El Conquistador Resort. Spanning more than 500 acres, the hotel is the largest in all of Puerto Rico, but its thoughtful design, breathtaking oceanfront locations, perfectly manicured palm-dotted grounds, and caring, attentive staff make every wedding feel intimate and personal.
El Conquistador, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has several exquisite reception venues to celebrate your big day. Its stately Grand Ballroom is the ideal setting for luxurious wedding receptions and ceremonies featuring over 20,000 sq. ft. of space.
Opt to host your lavish ceremony or reception in the exquisite Grand Caribbean Ballroom featuring elegant décor and crystal chandeliers as well as a built-in stage.
While its Pablo Casals and Magnolia Ballrooms even though are much smaller indoor venues accommodate up to 800 guests but both provide the opulence of a Waldorf Astoria Resort that is flawless for an unforgettable intimate affair.
El Conquistador Resort includes swimming pools, a championship golf course, tennis courts, a private island, a spa, 23 restaurants and bars, and even an on-site waterpark. From pre-wedding events to after-hours parties, everything that happy couples need to entertain their guests is located right on site.
“Couples and their guests use their stays as vacations,” says Kamil Rivera Lopez, catering sales manager. “There’s no need to leave the hotel. Everything you need or want is right here.”
Seaside Ceremonies
Just seven miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico lies Vieques, a rustic island of lush mangroves and forests, calm beaches, and a glow-in-the-dark aquatic wonder that must be seen to be believed.
Vieques, affectionately known as Isla Nena, is equally beloved by locals and visitors. It’s a true spot to unwind, slow down to Caribbean time, and beach-hop. And we are not talking about just any beaches; they come in all shapes, sizes, and sand colors.
El Blok Hotel, Restaurant and Bar adds a dose of high-style to the otherwise laid-back island of Vieques. Since it opened in 2014, the uber-chic adults-only hotel has been a hit with cool couples who want to get married with breathtaking, awe-inspiring Caribbean views.
The hotel’s alfresco rooftop dazzles guests as soon as the elevator doors open. As day turns to night, stunning sunsets offer a gorgeous backdrop for ceremonies and receptions. Funky package enhancements like a coconut shucking station, a piraguas cart, and a Caribbean rum station add Puerto Rican authenticity.
“Every event we host is as individual and unique as the property itself and the people who patronize it,” says Laine Gorman, general manager.
Country-Minded Couples
The bustling town of Carolina borders the Atlantic Ocean and many who visit are familiar with its tourist district called Isla Verde, a popular beach spot in the San Juan metro area that lures both locals and visitors to the pleasure of sun worshiping, swimming, and a vibrant nightlife.
Just a short ride away in the lush, tranquil countryside of Carolina is Hacienda Campo Rico where its flora and fauna surroundings make it feel a world away from urban life. Exquisite chandeliers, intricate woodwork, and uncommon artwork feed the senses all over the estate grounds.
This grand hacienda used to be a coffee plantation during the Spanish colonization. Its expansive open lawn and grand double staircase offer two of the most memorable outdoor ceremony sites on the entire island.
The ground level at Mi Casa can host a wedding party for 500 guests and its Blue Room, situated on the upper level, is used for small affairs with a seating capacity for 120 people. It overlooks the wide expanse of the undulating plains and there is a dining room for guests. Tropical flowers and herbs as well as surrounding ponds enhance the beauty of this one-of-a-kind countryside plantation.
After the vows, partiers dance the night away on the charming interior patios. When the last of their guests have gone home, brides and grooms can spend their night as man and wife in Hacienda Campo Rico’s stilted lakefront suite bungalow. It doesn’t get more private than that.
So whether you’re here as a bride, a groom or a guest, let the Island of Enchantment work its magic. Fall in love in – and with – Puerto Rico.