Puerto Rico
Photo: Original: Unknown Vector: Cerejota, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean archipelago located approximately 1,000 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, consisting of the main island and several smaller islands including Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. Home to approximately 3.2 million people across 78 municipalities, this U.S. territory has become a focal point for UFO researchers since the early 1990s, when reports of unusual aerial phenomena began surging dramatically. The island's strategic position in the Caribbean, combined with its mountainous terrain and deep ocean trenches nearby, has made it a hotspot for unexplained sightings. Both Spanish and English serve as official languages, though Spanish predominates among the population. Ancient astronaut theorists have pointed to the dramatic increase in UFO sightings reported since the early 1990s as potential evidence of extraterrestrial activity, with some suggesting an underwater alien facility may exist beneath the island's ocean floor. While these reports remain documented and subject to ongoing civilian investigation, mainstream scientific and archaeological authorities have found no confirmed evidence of anomalous subsurface structures, attributing many sightings to natural atmospheric phenomena, military activity, and misidentified conventional aircraft. The island's rugged terrain and position along major Atlantic flight corridors continue to make it a focal point for both UFO researchers and skeptical investigators seeking explanations for the reported aerial activity.
Timeline
Indigenous peoples including the Ortoiroid, Saladoid, and Taíno begin settling Puerto Rico
Christopher Columbus claims Puerto Rico for Spain during his second voyage
Juan Ponce de León establishes Spanish colonization of the island
Puerto Rico acquired by the United States following the Spanish-American War
Puerto Ricans granted U.S. citizenship
Beginning of documented surge in UFO sightings and unexplained aerial phenomena reports
What the Show Claims
- ›Theorists claim there has been a tremendous surge of UFO sightings in Puerto Rico since the early 1990sS06E09
- ›Witnesses are convinced there is a massive futuristic alien installation deep below the island under the ocean bedS06E09
- ›The island's position makes it ideal for monitoring extraterrestrial activity in the Caribbean region
Theorist Takes
“There's been a tremendous surge of UFO sightings in Puerto Rico since the early 1990s. And for many of the Puerto Rican witnesses, they're absolutely convinced that there's some sort of massive futuristic installation deep below Puerto Rico, under the ocean bed.”
From the Transcripts
“There's been a tremendous surge of UFO sightings in Puerto Rico since the early 1990s. And for many of the Puerto Rican witnesses, they're absolutely convinced that there's some sort of massive futuristic installation deep below Puerto Rico, under the ocean bed.”
“we're looking at, as the camera zooms, we're looking at puerto rico. That's that bright blob that we see in the middle of the screen.”
What Archaeology Says
While Puerto Rico's modern UFO phenomena date to the 1990s, the island has a rich archaeological heritage spanning thousands of years. Archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of successive Indigenous cultures, beginning with the Ortoiroid people and continuing through the Saladoid and Taíno civilizations. These pre-Columbian inhabitants left behind petroglyphs, ceremonial plazas, and sophisticated agricultural terraces that demonstrate their deep connection to the land.
The Spanish colonial period beginning in 1508 brought dramatic cultural changes, with the construction of massive fortifications like El Morro and San Cristóbal in San Juan. These UNESCO World Heritage sites represent some of the best-preserved Spanish colonial military architecture in the Americas. Archaeological work at these sites continues to reveal details about colonial life, military strategy, and the interaction between European colonists and Indigenous populations.
Regarding the modern UFO phenomena, mainstream scientific analysis has found no evidence supporting claims of underground alien installations. Local researchers and international UFO investigators have documented numerous eyewitness accounts and alleged photographic evidence, but these reports lack verification from established scientific institutions. The surge in sightings coincides with increased military activity in the region and the presence of advanced radar installations, which some researchers suggest could explain many of the reported phenomena.
What remains genuinely intriguing is the consistency of witness reports across different locations and time periods since the 1990s. While no physical evidence has been recovered to support extraterrestrial explanations, the cultural impact of these sightings on Puerto Rican society and the dedication of local researchers to documenting them represents an interesting modern folklore phenomenon worthy of anthropological study.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
Puerto Rico is home to the Arecibo Observatory, which was one of the world's largest radio telescopes before its collapse in 2020
The island has more than 270 miles of coastline featuring both Atlantic and Caribbean waters
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System
Puerto Rico produces more rum than anywhere else in the world
Planning a Visit
Puerto Rico is easily accessible to U.S. citizens without a passport and offers numerous historical sites, natural attractions, and cultural experiences. The island features excellent tourist infrastructure with hotels, restaurants, and guided tours available in both Spanish and English. Visitors interested in UFO-related locations often explore the mountainous interior regions and coastal areas where sightings have been reported.
San Juan, the capital and largest city, serves as the main entry point to the island.
The best time to visit Puerto Rico is during the dry season from December to April, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is minimal. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with peak activity typically occurring in August and September.
Featured Locations1 sites within this area
Puerto Rico / Virgin Islands (STS-80 video reference)
United StatesTheorists point to an object visible in STS-80 footage above Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that moves 340 miles in half a second — a speed compared to a bolt of lightning — as evidence of an intelligently controlled craft that NASA never officially addressed. No mainstream explanation for this specific fast-moving object in the earlier portion of the STS-80 footage has been publicly offered by NASA.
Related Sites
Roswell
Both locations are associated with major UFO incidents and alleged government cover-ups in U.S. territory
San Clemente Island, California
Another U.S. location with documented military connections to unexplained aerial phenomena
GIMBAL UAP Incident Site (Atlantic Coast of Florida)
Recent U.S. military UAP encounters in the same Atlantic region as Puerto Rico's reported sightings
Also Covered In
Featured In1 episodes
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia