Puerto Rico Update 2017: After Hurricane Maria
Jobos Beach photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. All rights reserved.
2017 has been a terrible year for North American hurricanes. 3 major hurricanes made landfall. Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria. My heart goes out to all those affected by these monster storms.
Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, one of my favorite Caribbean islands. Two weeks after the hurricane, most residents are still without clean water or electricity. The island’s infrastructure is basically wiped out leaving Puerto Rico a humanitarian disaster.
Why am I writing about Hurricane Maria when this website is about travel and beaches? Because I’ve spent time in Puerto Rico and its citizens are some of the warmest people I’ve met anywhere. Also, prior to Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico was a fantastic destination for anyone who loves beaches. It has it all! Beautiful beaches. Great nightlife. Yummy food. Shopping. History. A cosmopolitan city. Rural areas. Mountains. Rainforests.
Sandy Beach photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. All rights reserved.
How You Can Help
In the interest of Puerto Rico’s inhabitants, please do what you can to help the island recover. Eventually, visiting Puerto Rico will be the best thing you can do to help because tourism is an important part of the island’s economy.
Until then, a monetary donation – in any amount – to one or more reputable charities is the best thing you can do. The following organizations are legitimate charities with the resources to help.
Humane Society of the US (because Puerto Rico’s pets and livestock need help too)
If there’s a charity you want to donate to that’s not on this list, you can verify it through Charity Navigator or GuideStar.
Condado Beach photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. All rights reserved.
Puerto Rico Beaches
When Puerto Rico’s infrastructure is rebuilt and tourism is possible again, I highly recommend you add Puerto Rico to your beach vacation list. Especially the following beaches and Old San Juan Puerto Rico.
Condado Beach in San Juan
Jobos Beach in Isabela
Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla
Sandy Beach in Rincon
Flamenco Beach in Culebra
Blue Beach in Vieques
Crash Boat Beach photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. All rights reserved.
Summary
Puerto Rico is an island inhabited by wonderful people and surrounded by magnificent beaches. Unfortunately, it was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. However, Puerto Rico can, and will, recover with all of our help.
To many joyful beach experiences!
— Lisa Dworkin
