Get your bearings
Puerto Rico sits in the north-eastern Caribbean, just east of the Dominican Republic. Windswept white-sand beaches ring the island and volcanic mountains and lush rainforests fill its interior.
San Juan, the island’s buzzing capital, preserves Puerto Rico’s Spanish heritage in its colonial neighbourhoods, especially in
Old San Juan. In the north-west, rivers flow down from the mountains past tiny towns like
Rincon and
Arecibo. Here, surfers ride waves and cavers explore
Rio Camuy Cave Park. East of San Juan, the verdant
El Yunque National Forest draws hikers to cascading waterfalls. The southern part of the island is home to natural wonders like the tiny glowing plankton of
Phosphorescent Bay. Activities in and out of the water
San Juaneros head to the golden sands of
Isla Verda Beach to swim and snorkel in the calm, clear waters. At nearby
Luquillo Beach, windsurfers jump the blues waves. Those with surfboards head west to the clean breaks of
Rincon. Scuba divers opt for the south-eastern coast where underwater caves and unspoiled reefs reveal a rainbow of colourful sea life. Rare birds and varied flora draw hikers to the sprawling jungle of
El Yunque National Forests. Eating and drinking local
Local vegetables dominate the menus in Puerto Rican restaurants. There are
fried green plantains, red beans and rice, and
yams baked or stuffed and peppered in garlic, onion and oregano. Meat eaters opt for the
enceballado (steak smothered in onions) or sancocho (beef and tuber soup). For seafood lovers,
Caribbean lobster is softer and sweeter than its Maine counterpart. Finish with
coffee con leche or a dark
Puerto Rican rum on ice.
Bargain shopping
Expect to find myriad bargains in Puerto Rico among the luxury goods and local crafts.
Avenida Ashford in Condado in San Juan is bursting with couture emporiums and bookshops; jewellery boutiques fill
Old San Juan. Special treasures and colourful carnival masks are best found in the craft shops of the outer hamlets.
Luxury living
Pamper yourself on a break in Puerto Rico with your own villa on a
private beach in
San Juan or
Ricon. Most have an onsite spa, where you can indulge in tantalising treatments like massages for couples or body wraps.
Stylish colonial terraces serve up
mouth-watering mahimahi (dolphin fish) dinners
. Play 18 holes on groomed greens overlooking the sparkling blue Caribbean or enjoy a romantic swim in a
private plunge pool for two.
