It’s safe to say that Puerto Rico is on a major roll, with the Caribbean U.S. territory notching “historic and unprecedented momentum” after four consecutive years of growth.
“If I could summarize what has happened in Puerto Rico over the past four years in just one word, it is ‘momentum,’” said Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean during the destination’s IMEX America press conference, adding that 2023 meetings bookings were up 8% over 2022 numbers, which was 2.5 times more than before the pandemic.
“Puerto Rico is on an incredible trajectory, with 2023 shaping up to be the most successful year for meetings and events in nearly a decade, and we are poised to continue this momentum into 2025 and beyond,” said Ed Carey, chief sales officer for Discover Puerto Rico. “Our destination is not just appealing because of its technologically advanced facilities; it’s the unique blend of vibrant culture, gastronomy and thrilling outdoor adventures that truly sets us apart.
Recent stats back up the positivity from Discover Puerto Rico.
“We expect that growth to continue into 2025,” Carey said. “This success translates to an impressive 239,075 room night bookings—22% more than the previous year. With exciting hotel renovations and developments on the horizon, alongside the recent opening of the highly anticipated Parque de las Ciencias, there is so much to celebrate and look forward to in Puerto Rico.”
Following are some major new developments that will continue to fuel both MICE and leisure visits in the years to come.
Major Hotel Openings in Puerto Rico
According to Discover Puerto Rico, these are some of the major hotel and venue openings making news:
Hilton plans to double its presence in Puerto Rico by introducing new Hilton hotels across five brands in San Juan, Ponce and Dorado, including the Hilton Duo project, which will add 257 rooms to the Convention District by 2026. The additions will further expand the destination’s ability to host larger events while also greatly adding to the desirability of the Convention District due to the compact footprint of its accommodations options.
ONE DISTRITO will add 109 apartment-style units in the heart of the Convention District under the newly launched Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy brand. Expected to open by mid-2027, the project represents an $80 million investment.
The Ritz-Carton, San Juan is scheduled to open in early to mid-2025. The long-anticipated luxury property has undergone more than $150 million in renovations over eight years. The beachfront Isla Verde property suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017, delaying the project.
New developments breaking ground in the next few years include a Hard Rock Hotel in San Juan and Nayara Hotel in Orocovis.
Moncayo in Fajardo is expected to open in 2027 and Veranó San Juan is targeting spring 2025 for an opening in Santurce.
Major Hotel Renovations in Puerto Rico
Discover Puerto Rico said the following properties are undergoing major renovations:
- Wyndham Grand Rio Mar recently announced a more than $50 million renovation project.
- Hotel El Convento recently completed a $3.6 million design and architectural renovation.
- As part of its transition to a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, La Concha Resort has made a $45 million investment in 238 oceanfront suites. Other improvements include upgrades to its dining and meeting spaces, lobby and reception area, and the new Elemara Spa. New dining options include Tekka Bar by Takashi Segawa and Levant by Michelin-starred chef Michael White.
On Your Offsite Radar: Parque de las Ciencias
A prime opportunity for offsite activities, bleisure programs and special event rentals, Puerto Rico’s Parque de las Ciencias (Science Park) reopened in August after a seven-year hiatus.
Located less than 10 miles from central San Juan, Parque de las Ciencias (formerly known as Luis A. Ferre Parque, and a staple for generations of school trips over the years) reopened in September following a $20 million investment by private equity firm ToroVerde.
Parque de las Ciencias features 25 attractions and is considered one of the most advanced theme parks in the Caribbean.
Highlights include the Aerospace Institute, a museum created in partnership with NASA that features an exhibition area detailing the history of aerospace advances. The Institute offers an event terrace that is available for group rental. A virtual reality simulator lets visitors experience what it feels like to float through various landscapes in zero gravity.
Other highlights include:
- Planet of Time, which showcases “Ciudad Torito,” a miniature village that offers a barbecuing area, restaurant and an event space that is primed for food and entertainment gatherings.
Planet of Biodiversity. Credit: Parque de las Ciencias. - Planet of Biodiversity, which features a reptile terrarium and the Little Explorers Institute for children. The area also contains the Yunque Rainforest Cafe, which sits patrons in a lush rainforest environment and entertains with a state-of-the-art projector dome that is video-mapping-capable and presents an immersive El Yunque Rainforest experience.
- Archaeological Planet contains a museum dedicated to the history of Puerto Rico’s native Aboriginal population and allows visitors to partake in faux archeological expeditions digging for buried treasures. Rounding out Archaeological Planet is the T-Rex house, featuring an interactive dinosaur exhibit.
- Planet of Imagination, which offers a planetarium with Lumen & Forge audiovisual equipment that can be used for event activations.
Further dining options include Sugar Lab, which will satiate attendee sweet tooths via a candy shop, ice cream parlor and dessert bar.
On the meetings front, Parque de las Ciencias can customize programs such as corporate events, conferences and networking functions. The venue said the transformation was designed with neurodiversity in mind, offering sensory-friendly experiences and spaces to accommodate individuals with different sensory needs.
