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Puerto Rico Commits to Accessible and Inclusive Tourism

Thursday, September 04, 2025 Article

In 2024, one in ten visitors to Puerto Rico had special needs, according to the Visitor Profile published by Discover Puerto Rico. This segment goes beyond physical disabilities and includes travelers with visual, auditory, cognitive, or dietary requirements due to allergies or health conditions.

Ensuring accessible experiences—through adapted accommodations, walkable sidewalks, and inclusive attractions—not only reflects a social commitment but also represents a significant economic opportunity for the local tourism industry.

To address this, Discover Puerto Rico commissioned Skift Advisory to conduct an in-depth audit that identified best practices, opportunities, and strategies to position the Island as a leader in accessible tourism. The evaluation underscored that accessibility is not just a moral imperative but also a proven revenue driver: in the U.S., 61 million adults live with disabilities, generating $58.2 billion in travel spending in 2022. By 2028, travelers with mobility disabilities alone are expected to triple, reaching 33.4 million.

Tours accesibles en Casa Bacardí: El tour de Casa Bacardí en Cataño es completamente accesible para personas en silla de ruedas, con rampas desplegables, accesos amplios y transporte adaptado entre áreas.

Best Practices and Opportunities
Puerto Rico already has notable examples aligned with international standards, including Parador Villas del Mar Hau (with accessible villas), Pa’l Agua and Cocolaba (offering free amphibious wheelchairs), Horses of Hope (equine-assisted therapy), and Isla Caribe Tours (customizable tours). Casa Bacardí, El Yunque, Mar sin Barreras, and Puerto Rico Access Tours were also highlighted among the eight case studies for their inclusive initiatives.

Challenges remain, such as limited availability of adapted vehicles, irregular sidewalks in some areas, and insufficient maintenance of accessibility equipment in certain hotels. The lack of clear online information about these services also hinders travelers’ ability to plan inclusive experiences.

Sendero accesible en El Yunque El Bosque Nacional El Yunque cuenta con un sendero accesible para personas en silla de ruedas: el Discovery Trail en el centro de visitantes El Portal. Es pavimentado, relativamente plano y permite disfrutar del entorno sin dificultad significativa. También hay un cine educativo y un patio accesible en ese centro.

A Clear Strategy Forward
Discover Puerto Rico and the industry now face the challenge of translating these insights into action. Plans include enhancing the visibility of accessible services on digital platforms, integrating people with special needs into promotional campaigns, and encouraging partners to clearly showcase their accessible offerings on websites and digital channels. Strengthening staff training to provide effective and empathetic service was also highlighted as a priority.

The study emphasized that accessible tourism benefits not only visitors but also local residents, creating more inclusive spaces for all.

Visitor Profile 2024 Data

The report shows that these travelers average 48.3 years of age, stay 5.9 nights on the Island, and spend $239 per day. Among them, 34% are Boomers and 28% Millennials. Most come from the Puerto Rican diaspora (17%), with the primary motivation being leisure vacations. Weather (51%), gastronomy (47%), and scenic beauty (45%) ranked among the top reasons to visit, along with festivals and concerts (24%). Satisfaction was high: 89% reported being satisfied with their experience, and 84% said they would return.

With this knowledge, Puerto Rico is positioned to capture a growing market while transforming tourism into a true force for good.