Tag: bikepacking

If I told you that you could have the experience of cycling through another country without leaving the United States, would that be enough to raise your level of interest to consider it?

First of all, let’s clarify. Puerto Rico is not really a country but an island and an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is remote enough and has its own culture, however, to make it seem like it simulates another country. And with Adventure Cycling, you can get total immersion in the island as you loop around it.

About Puerto Rico and Why It’s Considered An Unincorporated Territory

Puerto Rico is an island nation located 1,000 miles south of Miami, Florida. It is considered an unincorporated territory of the United States. What does that mean? It means that while the island is governed by the U.S., all the laws written into the constitution may not affect it, and the inhabitants may not have the same rights as those in states that are officially part of America.

The island of Puerto Rico was claimed by Spain. That occurred with “the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493 and [was] subsequently colonized by Juan Ponce de León in 1508…” It was originally populated with Spanish immigrants and African slaves, but over time, its identity shifted to be influenced by European, African, and indigenous peoples. Both English and Spanish are spoken on the island.

Trip Details for Cycling Puerto Rico

The trip is 12 days with 9 days of riding. There is no riding on the first day, then later in the trip, there are two rest days. Total miles for the trip are 340. While that may sound like a lot, the typical mileage for this trip is in the 45 mile or less range per day with one day that is 58 miles.

But don’t let the shorter mileage days mislead you. Adventure Cycling classifies this trip as a level four in difficulty, which means you need to be fit, ready, and used to riding at least 40 miles per day. The cost is $4,299. The trip takes place Dec 7 – Dec 18, 2025.

The organization describes this trip as “A tour for someone looking to push themselves on their adventure. Average mileage between 45 and 60 miles per day, with a variety of terrain. Longer mileage days will typically have more rolling terrain, while shorter mileage days will have hilly or mountainous terrain. Average daily elevation gain between 2500 and 4500 feet per day, with some days possibly exceeding 4500 feet in elevation gain…“

Adventure Cycling trips usually involve a camping component. This trip features riding from one coastal inn to the next over the 12 days. Along the way there will be a couple days of downtime, although you will have to bikepack your gear with you.

Last Thoughts

The chance to bicycle around Puerto Rico is a unique experience if you enjoy the adventurous aspect of a trip without the high-end amenities that come with trips hosted by a bicycle travel company. You will definitely get to ride a lot, but with time to rest built in.

Adventure Cycling makes your trip feel more like a vacation versus an intense immersion to cover lots of ground as quickly as possible. The price point is in line with other bicycle trips, and the fact that you’ll get to stay in coastal inns along the way will enrich the experience. I’d say sign up if you want to give yourself a special early Christmas gift that will give you memories for years to come. That’s better than a new pair of socks any day.