PUERTO RICO’S meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry confronted significant uncertainty during the Zika outbreak and a local economic downturn. When the Centers for Disease Control issued an “Alert – Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions” for Puerto Rico, concerns rose about travel and event bookings.
Despite those worries, Meet Puerto Rico reported resilience: between March and May it secured 57 new bookings for meetings, conventions and events through 2017. Milton Segarra, president and CEO of Meet Puerto Rico, estimated those bookings could generate roughly $20.4 million in direct spending for the local economy.
At the height of Zika concerns in summer 2016, Meet Puerto Rico was on track to host 42 groups totaling about 40,000 room nights, with an anticipated economic impact of approximately $32 million. The organization also reported growth in business development, generating 260 new leads—up 7 percent from 242 leads the previous year.
Segarra attributes this confidence to targeted education for event planners and attendees, and to coordinated public health and hospitality measures. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association and the CDC implemented a range of precautions in hotels and public spaces. Examples included regular spraying of mosquito-prone areas, chlorination and maintenance of pools, distributing welcome kits with the latest CDC guidance, and providing EPA-approved insect repellent at check-in.
Implementing those measures is a sizable effort on an island that offers roughly 15,000 guestrooms and 1.3 million square feet of meeting space. Those capacities are expected to grow as the Puerto Rico Convention Center District expands: by the end of 2017 the district was projected to have about twice the hotel rooms and commercial space compared with four years earlier. Plans have included new hotels, an entertainment center and a marina to accommodate luxury yachts.
Within the convention district, the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino features 503 rooms and San Juan’s largest casino, Casino Metro, with more than 400 slot machines and 16 table games. The hotel also offers amenities for groups and leisure travelers, such as the Zen Spa Retreat, a fourth-floor infinity pool and an expansive 57,000-square-foot sun deck.
Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino boardroom © STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
Hyatt introduced its fourth Puerto Rico property with the $29 million Hyatt Place San Juan/City Center. The 149-room hotel offers 3,165 square feet of tech-ready meeting space, a 24-hour fitness center and a resort-style pool that provide restful options outside conference hours.
The St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort offers a luxury beachside setting and 26,557 square feet of function space centered around its Plantation House. The property has 139 rooms and 16 meeting areas, including the John Jacob Astor Ballroom and several outdoor venues with ocean views—suitable for upscale events and incentive programs.
For a historic, elegant atmosphere, event planners frequently choose the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. Originally owned by Frederick William Vanderbilt, the hotel combines oceanfront charm with culinary excellence. Executive chef Juan José Cueva creates refined menus for venues like the Michelin-recognized 1919 Restaurant and Ola Oceanfront, while other outlets such as Tacos & Tequila and Marabar Martini Bar and Lounge provide more casual options for groups.
Food and beverage options across the island often complement meeting programs. In the Plaza de Armas Hotel, Melt Local Artisan Diner offers a nostalgic 1950s diner atmosphere and crowd-pleasing breakfast items such as the Breakfast at Tiffany’s BLT. Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar in Old San Juan remains a top choice for intimate business meals, with tasting menus and curated wine pairings that suit small-group gatherings.
In Condado Beach, Oceano provides a modern, three-level venue with panoramic ocean views and a remodeled second floor ideal for cocktail receptions or dinners. Its upstairs deck bar is frequently reserved for private meetings and social events.
For experiential programs, Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park combines outdoor activities—horseback riding, ATV excursions and rainforest trails—with meeting-friendly amenities like La Cava del Terroir, a wine and tapas bar on site that works well for post-activity gatherings or small receptions.
The Puerto Rico Convention Center Pedro Rosselló remains the backbone of the island’s MICE sector. Known as one of the Caribbean’s largest and most technically equipped convention centers, it can host events ranging from intimate gatherings of 10 to large conferences of up to 10,000 attendees, with flexible interior and exterior event spaces.
Travel logistics are convenient: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is only about 11 minutes from the Puerto Rico Convention Center and offers numerous nonstop connections—making access easy for U.S. and international attendees. The airport completed a major $750 million renovation and had additional enhancement projects planned to continue improving the passenger experience.
UNIQUE VENUES
Beyond convention halls and hotels, Puerto Rico’s diverse landscapes provide distinctive venues and activities that enhance meetings and incentive programs. The island’s beaches, mountains and El Yunque—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. forest system—create opportunities for memorable, locally rooted experiences, such as bioluminescent bay kayaking and high-adrenaline zipline adventures.
The Arecibo Observatory, once home to one of the world’s largest radio telescopes, offers meeting-friendly facilities including exhibits, a 100-person auditorium, a science store and dedicated meeting rooms, plus an observation platform with views of the observatory structure.
Historic settings like the San Juan National Historic Site provide dramatic backdrops for events. The preserved fortifications and colonial-era architecture offer walking tours and private event opportunities that reflect Puerto Rico’s strategic and cultural significance in the Caribbean.
Island excursions to nearby Vieques are popular for incentive and leisure programs. Groups can snorkel at Bahía de la Chiva and take evening tours of the bioluminescent bay, creating unforgettable shared experiences for attendees.
Casa Bacardí provides another distinctive option: the distillery hosts tours and private events focused on rum history, tastings and mixology demonstrations—an engaging addition to beverage-focused receptions or team-building programs.
With a mix of modern meeting infrastructure, expanding hotel capacity, resilient industry leadership and uniquely Puerto Rican experiences, the island continues to position itself as a compelling destination for business events, conventions and incentive travel.