If you are keen to steer clear of the beaten path, you don’t have to look far and wide for the most remote locale—studying in San Juan can be just as meaningful (and surprisingly accessible)! Puerto Rico has a culture that isn’t found elsewhere in the U.S., and studying in San Juan will provide ample opportunities to meet locals and to become immersed in the milieu of heritage that makes the Caribbean what it is. Enjoy the beaches and surf culture, but also check out the lush mountainous regions of the island’s inland.

Our advice would be to dive in headfirst, because Puerto Rico is open to those who wish to know more. Numerous world-class museums and galleries, ranging in scope from history and anthropology to art and science, make it easy to learn about the former Spanish colony and its heritage. Be sure to make it to the offshore island of Flamenco, which is accessible by bus and ferry. A day bookended with cafe con leche in the morning and a piña colada in the evening (at the drink’s birthplace!) can be every bit as meaningful, even if you are spending American dollars.

San Juan seamlessly marries its pre-contact and colonial history with its modern identity. The city is simultaneously familiar and intriguing to anyone familiar with cities in the United States, blending with aplomb its American connections with the culture, lifestyle, and food found only in the Caribbean. Whether you are considering taking your studies overseas for a year or have a month to buckle down on language learning, San Juan will provide ample opportunity for you to become enveloped in its music, food, culture, and history and, what’s more, it can serve as a hub for travels to other Caribbean destinations.

Read our comprehensive guide on where and what to study in Puerto Rico!