The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that Miss Colombia María Alejandra López and Miss Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski arrived Sunday at Luis Muñoz Marín Airport
- Primera Hora reported that dozens more delegates from countries including Ireland, Great Britain, India, Sri Lanka, Chile and Venezuela arrived Sunday, with some having arrived the previous week
- Contestants will attend events in Aguadilla on Nov. 11, Ponce on Nov. 14, Guaynabo on Nov. 16 and Hato Rey on Nov. 17 according to Metro Puerto Rico
- The typical costume parade is set for Nov. 21, preliminaries on Nov. 22 and the final on Nov. 24 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico
Updates
Update, Nov 8, 11:25 AM AST
New reports confirm arrivals of Miss Universe contestants including Philippines in Puerto Rico on Sunday, adding schedule details.
Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski arrived at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport on Sunday along with Miss Colombia María Alejandra López, among the first of more than 120 expected delegates. Metro Puerto Rico reported that they were welcomed by Miss Universe Puerto Rico Jenniffer Barreto. Several other contestants including those from Ireland, Great Britain, India, Sri Lanka, Chile, Venezuela and others also arrived Sunday, while some had reached the island the previous week, Primera Hora reported.
The arriving contestants will participate in activities including a cultural event in Aguadilla on Nov. 11, the “Luz de Esperanza: Universo Rosa en Puerto Rico” community event with cancer patients in Ponce on Nov. 14, a visit to Parque Forestal La Marquesa in Guaynabo on Nov. 16 and a donation event at SER de Puerto Rico in Hato Rey on Nov. 17, according to Metro Puerto Rico. The typical costume parade is scheduled for Nov. 21 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, with preliminaries on Nov. 22 and the final on Nov. 24.
Contestants expressed enthusiasm about experiencing Puerto Rico, with Miss Universe Sri Lanka Nimhara Sasindi mentioning interest in colonial buildings and trying mofongo, while Miss Universe Venezuela Clara Federica Vegas Goetz noted prior visits and her social project work, Primera Hora reported.
Contestants travel to host island
Croatia’s Miss Universe 2026 representative Antea Mršić has left for Puerto Rico to take part in the 75th Miss Universe pageant, an event that will gather contestants from 128 countries. Croatia Week reported that Mršić departed from Zagreb on Saturday travelling via Madrid. The grand final will take place on 24 November.
Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Bea Millan-Windorski has also left for Puerto Rico to represent her country in the competition set for November 24. DZRH reported that she received a warm send-off at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Aguadilla travel guide
National costumes and preparations
According to Croatia Week, Mršić earned the national title "during a gala event in Zagreb at the end" of May. She will spend the coming weeks joining official activities, photo shoots and other events. Her wardrobe includes creations by several Croatian designers and a national costume titled ‘Dalmatinka’ crafted using over 200 antique crocheted doilies.
DZRH reported that Windorski wore a custom yellow ensemble designed by Anthony Ramirez featuring Inabel Bangar fabric for her departure. She won "the national title in may after competing against" 49 other candidates.
Where the sources differ
The original sources (Croatia Week and DZRH) reported the departures of the Croatia and Philippines contestants for Puerto Rico this past week with the final on Nov. 24; the new sources (Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora) confirm the Philippines contestant has now arrived on Sunday along with many others and provide a detailed activity schedule through the final. Metro Puerto Rico states 121 delegates are expected while Primera Hora reports at least 120; both new sources agree on the final date and location but Primera Hora notes some contestants arrived the week prior. No direct contradictions with the earlier departure reports.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the arrival date or status of the Croatia contestant, the exact number of countries participating, when all remaining delegates will arrive, full details of the preliminary competition format, or the identity of the current Miss Universe titleholder. They also do not specify the full list of 120-plus participating countries or details of the judging process.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published and last updated. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting PHOTOS: Miss Universe Croatia departs for Puerto Rico with hopes
- Reporting Bea Millan-Windorski departs for Puerto Rico to compete in Miss Universe 2026
- Reporting Comienzan a llegar las candidatas de Miss Universe 2026 a Puerto Rico
- Reporting Quieren conocer a Puerto Rico y comer mofongo: Comienzan a llegar las aspirantes a Miss Universe
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora reported the arrivals and upcoming schedule in Puerto Rico on Sunday while the original Croatia Week and DZRH articles covered only the departures of the Croatian and Filipino contestants. The activity schedule rests on Metro Puerto Rico while contestant quotes and reception details rest on Primera Hora.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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