Puerto Rico has been one of the most dynamic and competitive economies in Latin America and the Caribbean region until recent years, Puerto Rico's economy relies mainly on federal aid from the United States government.  Since 2006, Puerto Rico's growth has been negative since.  The dip coincides with the elimination of tax preferences that had led US companies to invest in the island since the 1950's.

Religion has always been important to the Puerto Rican people.  The Taino people were deeply spiritual and worshiped multiple gods who they believed lived in nature.  When Ponce de Leon arrived in 1508, a little more than a decade after Christopher Columbus, he brought with him the Roman Catholic faith.  Today, Catholicism is the predominant religion in Puerto Rico.  Puerto Ricans hold Christianity near and dear to their hearts.  It is believed that 75 to 85 percent of the population is either Catholic or has strong Catholic ties.  Each city has a patron saint who is celebrated with festivals and religious processionals.

The vibrancy of Puerto Rican culture comes alive in its dishes, a celebration of flavors that visitors have the opportunity to indulge in. Some of the favorites are mofongo, tostones, pasteles, arroz con gandules, tembleque, and coquito.