Our Most Popular Articles

These 10 articles have been our top "most read articles" over the past week.

There are three bioluminescent bays (bio-bays) in Puerto Rico. One in the SouthWest – "La Parguera", one on Vieques – "Mosquito Bay", and the one in Fajardo – "La Laguna Grande". Out of all three, Mosquito Bay is the brightest, and La Parguera is the least bright. La Laguna Grande [...]

We took a trip to Bacardi Rum Factory to see the tour. I admit, the free drinks were also a draw for me! I have been on other sugar cane and rum tours on other islands and always enjoyed them. This was different, more of a tour about Bacardi that takes place at [...]

In the past, if you wanted to go ziplining here in Puerto Rico you had to go to the Río Abajo Forest, Toro Negro Forest or La Marquesa Forest. In March 2009, Yunke Zipline Adventure opened for business in the foothills of El Yunque National Forest close to many areas that are on most visitors’ must do list.

Whether you have just a couple of hours or a couple of days, there are plenty of things to keep you busy and entertained in the northeast part of Puerto Rico. From the rain forest to beaches to biobays, we’ve put together a list of activities sorted by the amount of time you need to do each.

This is the first of many articles on the Rain Forest.
El Yunque Rain Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Parks system. Ample rainfall (over 200 inches a year in some areas) creates a jungle-like setting – with lush foliage, waterfalls and rivers. Hike along the trails that cover [...]

Fly from tree to tree on a zip line with La Marquesa Canopy Tours, only 30 minutes from San Juan.

On 26 February 2010, the Puerto Rico Department of Health declared that we have a dengue epidemic in Puerto Rico. If you have plans to travel to Puerto Rico in the next couple weeks or months you might be concerned. But, before you get all freaked out and start canceling your trip, do a little research, understand the facts, and make an informed decision.

An economical way to get to the out-islands of Culebra and Vieques is by using the passenger ferry (La Lancha). These ferries, operated by the Port Authority Maritime Division, carry about 200-400 passengers and run during the day hours, 365 days a year.
Depending on the particular ferry they’re using the day you go, you [...]

East Island Excursions offers trips from Fajardo to Vieques so you can experience the bioluminescence in Mosquito Bay.

When you visit Puerto Rico, one of the must-do things is a trip to one of our bioluminescent bays. Whether you go to Laguna Grande in Fajardo, Mosquito Bay in Vieques, or La Parguera in Lajas, you’re sure to have an experience that you will never forget. One important thing to take into consideration is how bright the moon will be the night you want to go.

Of Interest to Cruise Ship Visitors

You'll be in port in San Juan for just one day. Maybe you're getting in early. Maybe you're getting in late. Here are some things that you can do when you only have a limited amount of time in port.

Old San Juan is a 400 year old city, that has come into the modern age with original great old buildings that blend well with the modern conveniences. You can see art all over as you walk around outside in Old San Juan. There are sculptures galore, in all sizes and styles, depicting all sorts of people and things. So explore the old city and see what wonderful art you can find!

The Cadencia Andaluza: Espectáculo de Flamenco Puertorriqueño show at the Tablao de Paulette is a traditional Flamenco music and dance show with a Puerto Rican flair. It’s an enjoyable way to spend a couple hours on a Saturday night and to experience a slice of real Puerto Rican life.

If you’re looking for some casino action, Puerto Rico has something for you from Slots, to Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Texas Hold’em and Baccarat. Casinos are located in most of the resorts and large hotels all around the island.

We get asked time and time again about things to do in Old San Juan in the evening. And you know what? There are actually lots of things to choose from! In addition to the usual ideas of walking tours or having a drink, we complied a list of live music and dance shows that you can enjoy around town.

It had been a while since we took the actual "tour" at the Bacardi Factory in Cataño. When we took it recently, we found that the movie has changed and the tour is less commercial and more informative overall. And they still give you 2 free drinks! Not bad for a free tour!

Fly from tree to tree on a zip line with La Marquesa Canopy Tours, only 30 minutes from San Juan.

Finding a restroom while visiting a strange city can be difficult. We’ve scouted out some of the public (and not so public) places you can find a restroom during your time in Old San Juan. This is one list that you’ll want to keep with you!

Traveling with kids changes everything. You need to find a place where there are things that everyone in the family can enjoy. Luckily, you are planning to visit Puerto Rico where there are many activities for every member of your family. We’ve put together this list with families and convenience in mind. All of these activities are within about a 1-hour drive of the San Juan area.

The water around Puerto Rico is deep, rich, and full of some of the world’s best big game fishing. The Puerto Rico trench runs just beyond the north shore of the island. In this deep water swim loads of big fish, such as mahi-mahi , wahoo, tuna, white marlin, and blue marlin. [...]

You can capture some of the history of Old San Juan, while moving about town like in the old days, while taking a horse and carriage tour through the Old City. The horse and carriage rides start near the Casita area, on the Bay of San Juan, just west of the cruise ship [...]

Enjoy a 1 or 2 hour horseback riding tour in the foothills of El Yunque at Hacienda Carabali in Luquillo. They have over 70 horses ready to take you through the trails that criss-cross their 600-acre property. These tours are good for beginners and less experienced riders.

Old San Juan is the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean and Puerto Rico is the Rum Capital of the World. Legends of Puerto Rico has combined these 2 into a Rum Tasting & Dinner Tour that makes a really fun, and delicious, night out!

The Flavors of San Juan Food & Culture Tour is a guided walking tour in Old San Juan. Throughout this tour, you’ll get to sample food & drinks at different restaurants, learn about the history & culture of Puerto Rico, see some of the sites in the city, and learn about some of the local arts & crafts. We thought it was an interesting & enjoyable couple of hours.

To really see Puerto Rico, you need to get out and explore. Whether you are in port for the day with a cruise ship or you’ve flown in for a couple weeks, renting a car is a great way to get around. There are loads of agencies that have all types of cars and vans, so even with a large family, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.

A baseball game in Puerto Rico is an economical and fun evening. Every winter, baseball heats up on the island. Not only do we have local players on the teams, but some of the US league players come down to keep in shape and play in their off-season. So, if you are having baseball withdrawal, catch a game while you’re here — you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re looking for an exciting way to see Old San Juan, you can get a tour of the 400-year old city from a different angle — on a Jet Ski. Aquatica offers a Jet Ski Pirate Tour that is wet and wild, and combines some history and a lot of fun. We did this a few weeks ago and it was a blast!

This is the first of many articles on the Rain Forest.
El Yunque Rain Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Parks system. Ample rainfall (over 200 inches a year in some areas) creates a jungle-like setting – with lush foliage, waterfalls and rivers. Hike along the trails that cover [...]

Take a snorkel/kayak trip with Kayaking Puerto Rico and learn all about the different ecosystems in the northeast corner of Puerto Rico, both above and below the water. They offer trips for all levels of experience, from beginner to experienced kayakers and snorkelers. It’s a great way to spend a half-day getting close to nature on your vacation.

Playita del Condado is a small, public beach located on Ashford Avenue next to the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Condado Lagoon, it has shallow, calm water, a golden sand beach, rinse showers, and beach chairs and umbrellas available for rent.

Salsa is practically the national dance of Puerto Rico. You can brush up on your moves, or learn your first basic steps, with some Salsa dancing lessons during your vacation. We’ve been going for the past couple of weeks. It’s fun!

Twice a year the restaurant community in Old San Juan pulls together for their SoFo Culinary Festival. These festivals, typically in June and October, feature lots of great food & drinks, live music, outdoor dining and artisans selling their wares. This fall the festival is being held from October 29 – November 2, 2008.

The Cataño Ferry, also called La Lancha de Cataño, is a small commuter ferry that runs between Old San Juan and Cataño. It can be used as affordable transportation, or as a quick sunset cruise.

Rocaliza’s Half-Day El Salto Adventure in the Carite rain forest crams a whole-day of hiking, waterfall climbing and ziplining into a half-day excursion. It’s perfect for cruise ship visitors or other people who don’t want to spend a full day on an adventure excursion.

For reasons that I can’t figure out, of the trails right along Road 191 in El Yunque National Forest, La Coca Trail is seemingly unknown. It is as if someone found out how beautiful it is and decided to keep it a secret! But if you invest some time and effort in hiking this trail, you will be handsomely rewarded with rivers, waterfalls and swimming pools galore!

The Le-Lo-Lai Festival is a wonderful cultural program of traditional music and dance, sponsored by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
The Festival consists of 3 different performances, showcasing different dances and music of the island and its heritage. These shows are free of cost and are amazingly high quality. They are offered [...]

There are three bioluminescent bays (bio-bays) in Puerto Rico. One in the SouthWest – "La Parguera", one on Vieques – "Mosquito Bay", and the one in Fajardo – "La Laguna Grande". Out of all three, Mosquito Bay is the brightest, and La Parguera is the least bright. La Laguna Grande [...]

Whether you have just a couple of hours or a couple of days, there are plenty of things to keep you busy and entertained in the northeast part of Puerto Rico. From the rain forest to beaches to biobays, we’ve put together a list of activities sorted by the amount of time you need to do each.

El Morro Fort, or officially Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, stands guard at the entrance to San Juan harbor as a reminder of a by-gone era when invading countries would attempt sea attacks to take this prized city and harbor. No trip to Old San Juan is complete without a visit to this UN World Heritage Site.

Puerto Rico is blessed with a natural phenomenon that is found in only a few other places on earth — it has 3 year-round bioluminescent bays. I am so excited to say that Bio Island offers an eco-friendly way to visit Laguna Grande without having to kayak or walk. They have an electric motor boat tour that is both safe for the environment and fun.

Anyone who visits Puerto Rico can’t help but notice that we have a stray dog problem. These strays, which are usually mixed breed dogs, are locally called satos. There are a number of wonderful, non-profit organizations on the island that help these animals by finding homes for them in the States. They need your help, too. Read this to find out how you can help.

There is something about Old San Juan at night that is really magical. It may be the way the lights cast shadows on the old buildings that make them come to life. It may be knowing that the buildings and cobblestone streets have seen hundreds of years of history. Getting a glimpse of [...]

Imagine all sorts of fun, outdoor activities like swimming pools, a paint ball field, skate ramps for skateboard and in-line skates, an “inflatables” park, a rope obstacle course, go carts, pony rides, mountain bike trails and food. Now put them all together in one spot and what do you get? Moisty Skate & Family Park in Cagus, that’s what.

To get around the metro area, your best bet is to take a taxi. You can hail a taxi in the street, or you can call one to come pick you up. Taxis are generally available at the airport, hotels, and major tourist attractions.
For trips anywhere in San Juan, except to/from the SJU International Airport [...]

Biking on the boardwalk in Piñones is a favorite activity of locals and tourists alike. It’s just minutes from Isla Verde, and it has bike paths go along the beach and through the mangrove forest, where the views are fantastic.

Segway Tours of Puerto Rico offers 45-minute and 2-hour tours of Old San Juan. Riding a Segway is fun, easy and a unique way to see the city and forts.

We took a trip to Bacardi Rum Factory to see the tour. I admit, the free drinks were also a draw for me! I have been on other sugar cane and rum tours on other islands and always enjoyed them. This was different, more of a tour about Bacardi that takes place at [...]

Ask anyone about what they consider a “Must See” while visiting Puerto Rico and they will most likely say Old San Juan. That is because this old historic city offers so much. There is literally something for everyone: beautiful views (great for photographers), architecture, restaurants, art, museums, shopping, history, sculptures, people-watching, music, dance, [...]

We attended another performance of the Le Lo Lai Festival and were delighted to find that they update the show from time to time. The latest installment contains Salsa, Bomba and some "country" music & dances that make for an enjoyable hour of free entertainment.

Enjoy a free Flamenco dance show while eating dinner at Barrachina Restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights in Old San Juan.

Get some exercise on vacation and take a tour of the San Juan area at the same time. Rent The Bicycle, in Old San Juan, offers bike rentals and guided bike tours in the Old San Juan, Condado and Piñones areas. They offer options that are great for cruise ship visitors, tourists and locals alike.

Must See Things for First Time Visitors

This is your first visit to Puerto Rico? There are tons of things to do here, and depending on your interests you won't be bored. Here are the top must see attractions for first-time visitors to Puerto Rico.

The Flavors of San Juan Food & Culture Tour is a guided walking tour in Old San Juan. Throughout this tour, you’ll get to sample food & drinks at different restaurants, learn about the history & culture of Puerto Rico, see some of the sites in the city, and learn about some of the local arts & crafts. We thought it was an interesting & enjoyable couple of hours.

East Island Excursions offers trips from Fajardo to Vieques so you can experience the bioluminescence in Mosquito Bay.

There are a number of snorkel boat tours that leave out of Fajardo and visit reefs and the out-islands. The boats are all very similar, follow a similar schedule, serve a similar lunch and beverages, go to the same snorkel spots, and are the same price – give or take a few [...]

Whether you have just a couple of hours or a couple of days, there are plenty of things to keep you busy and entertained in the northeast part of Puerto Rico. From the rain forest to beaches to biobays, we’ve put together a list of activities sorted by the amount of time you need to do each.

To really see Puerto Rico, you need to get out and explore. Whether you are in port for the day with a cruise ship or you’ve flown in for a couple weeks, renting a car is a great way to get around. There are loads of agencies that have all types of cars and vans, so even with a large family, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.

El Morro Fort, or officially Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, stands guard at the entrance to San Juan harbor as a reminder of a by-gone era when invading countries would attempt sea attacks to take this prized city and harbor. No trip to Old San Juan is complete without a visit to this UN World Heritage Site.

Puerto Rico is blessed with a natural phenomenon that is found in only a few other places on earth — it has 3 year-round bioluminescent bays. I am so excited to say that Bio Island offers an eco-friendly way to visit Laguna Grande without having to kayak or walk. They have an electric motor boat tour that is both safe for the environment and fun.

There are plenty of things to do with kids in Old San Juan. Whether you explore an ancient fort, fly a kite, feed 100s of pigeons, taste some local ice cream, or just enjoy one of the many family-friendly activities on the weekend, you’ll be sure to keep busy.

Anyone who visits Puerto Rico can’t help but notice that we have a stray dog problem. These strays, which are usually mixed breed dogs, are locally called satos. There are a number of wonderful, non-profit organizations on the island that help these animals by finding homes for them in the States. They need your help, too. Read this to find out how you can help.

The Luquillo kiosks (or kioskos) are a much loved part of Puerto Rico. This long row of humble (think almost ramshackle) buildings are right on Route 3 along the beach in Luquillo. But don’t let their appearance discourage you — stop in and you will be in for an experience that is uniquely Puerto Rican.

OK, with all this day-tripping around, you will eventually get hungry! And in your travels you’ll see countless people cooking fried food or frituras by the side of the road, at the beaches, and in little kioskos or kiosks. The food certainly smells good. But it looks a little funny. It’s all fried. And [...]

Ask anyone about what they consider a “Must See” while visiting Puerto Rico and they will most likely say Old San Juan. That is because this old historic city offers so much. There is literally something for everyone: beautiful views (great for photographers), architecture, restaurants, art, museums, shopping, history, sculptures, people-watching, music, dance, [...]

As compared to most other Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico is a big island and most of the "must see" attractions are not concentrated in one particular area. Understanding the "lay of the land" can be a daunting task for the first-time visitor.
To provide some perspective on where things are on the island, we’ve put together [...]

It’s been almost 5 years since the last time we went out on a snorkel catamaran trip. We recently had the opportunity to spend the day on the Fun Cat that sails out of Fajardo to the reefs near the island of Icacos.

This is the first of many articles on the Rain Forest.
El Yunque Rain Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Parks system. Ample rainfall (over 200 inches a year in some areas) creates a jungle-like setting – with lush foliage, waterfalls and rivers. Hike along the trails that cover [...]

With names like Domes, Steps, Spanish Wall, Pools and Indicators, Rincon boasts miles of beaches. Some of the beaches are suitable for swimming. Others have world-class surfing conditions. And most are perfect for watching the sunset. So, grab a map or a GPS unit and start looking for your perfect beach.

There are three bioluminescent bays (bio-bays) in Puerto Rico. One in the SouthWest – "La Parguera", one on Vieques – "Mosquito Bay", and the one in Fajardo – "La Laguna Grande". Out of all three, Mosquito Bay is the brightest, and La Parguera is the least bright. La Laguna Grande [...]

Fort San Cristobal is often considered the other fort in Old San Juan. For reasons that I can’t fathom, people flock to El Morro and rarely visit Fort San Cristobal. But they don’t know what they’re missing – it is a definitely worth a visit!

I go to this beach quite often (being it is the closest swimming beach to my house). It is one of my favorites too, just due to the scenery – it is a cresent of fine sand, with lots of mature palm trees for shade. And behind that, you have the [...]

Traveling with kids changes everything. You need to find a place where there are things that everyone in the family can enjoy. Luckily, you are planning to visit Puerto Rico where there are many activities for every member of your family. We’ve put together this list with families and convenience in mind. All of these activities are within about a 1-hour drive of the San Juan area.

Until recently, the only way to access any of the bioluminescent lagoons in Puerto Rico was either in a kayak or aboard a boat. But now there is another alternative! The Fideicomiso de Conservación de Puerto Rico now offers night-time walking tours of Las Cabezas Nature Reserve and Laguna Grande.

So you decided to spend some time exploring Old San Juan? You will not be disappointed! The old city is a small area, only 7 square blocks. But there is so much to do and see in that small area that you can spend days there and never see everything. Or if you [...]

A day sail aboard the Erin Go Bragh III offers an intimate option for accessing excellent snorkeling spots near the islets of Icacos, Lobos, Palominos, and Palominitos, located off the coast of Fajardo. Longer overnight trips are available to the islands of Culebra and Vieques.

Being an island, Puerto Rico has more than 300 miles of beaches, including the out-islands and cays. That’s one beach to explore and enjoy for each day of the year. There is a perfect beach for everyone – it all depends your idea of the perfect beach. Luckily, almost all the beaches in Puerto Rico are open to the general public.

Some of Our Favorite Off the Beaten Path Attractions

You've been to Puerto Rico before. You've been to the forts and the rain forest. What else is there for you to do? Lots! Here are some of our favorite things to do that are off the beaten path.

The typical visitor to Old San Juan visits the major "touristy" historical sites in the old city, including the forts (El Morro and San Cristobal), La Princesa, La Forteleza, and the Cathedral, to name a few. In fact, our 3-part walking tour will guide you past all of these places.
But there are a number of [...]

A French coffee hacienda in Puerto Rico – what a surprise! The Old Labadie House (aka the Palacete los Moreau) is located in the town of Moca, in the north-west part of Puerto Rico. This lovely, old house has been turned into a museum, and they offer great, informative tours about the house and the people who lived there. What a wonderful piece of Puerto Rican history and a local treasure. It’s really worth a visit.

Visiting Vieques is usually best done as a multi-day trip — when you have time to rent a car and explore the most remote beaches. But what do you do if your vacation schedule only allows time to spend one day on Vieques? Head on over to Vieques and spend the day at Sun Bay, one of the many beautiful beaches on the island.

The Conservation Trust of PR owns this nature reserve in Fajardo, at the north eastern-most tip of the island. Encompassing hundreds of acres, the Conservation Trust offers tours to explain the different eco-systems that are in the reserve.
On our most recent visit (we have taken the tour a number of times with [...]

In the past, if you wanted to go ziplining here in Puerto Rico you had to go to the Río Abajo Forest, Toro Negro Forest or La Marquesa Forest. In March 2009, Yunke Zipline Adventure opened for business in the foothills of El Yunque National Forest close to many areas that are on most visitors’ must do list.

Juan Diego Falls is a series of beautiful waterfalls located a short (but demanding) walk from the road. We feel that the largest of the falls is better than the more popular La Mina Falls. Especially since Juan Diego Falls is virtually undiscovered by tourists!

For reasons that I can’t figure out, of the trails right along Road 191 in El Yunque National Forest, La Coca Trail is seemingly unknown. It is as if someone found out how beautiful it is and decided to keep it a secret! But if you invest some time and effort in hiking this trail, you will be handsomely rewarded with rivers, waterfalls and swimming pools galore!

What do you do once you’ve hiked on all of the official trails in El Yunque National Forest? You start looking for unofficial trails … which is exactly what we did. We found a new trail (currently under construction by the Forest Service) that leads from the north side of El Yunque down to the south side. Though it’s not for the casual hiker, it does provide some nice views and an exhilarating workout.

Experiencing new things is part of what makes traveling fun. This includes tasting local flavors of fruit and foods. To get to try local flavors, and eat ice cream at the same time, now that is a vacation!
El Rinconcito Dulce is a small, local ice cream store in Rio Grande that makes [...]

El Ultimo Brinco in Rincon is a 30-foot waterfall with a small, natural swimming pool at it’s base. The only problem is there is no easy way to get to the pool – you either have to jump or climb down the rock wall. In the afternoon, there are lots of local teens playing in the falls – they can show you the best way to get to the bottom.

Playa Escondida is the perfect beach if you’re looking for a secluded spot with calm water and decent snorkeling. But you will have to do some work to get there! It’s about a 25-minute walk through the mangrove forest from Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo.

You will see many neat things in Puerto Rico, but wild animals are not usually one of them – except if you visit Monkey Island. Monkey Island is a small island off of the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, that is home to about 1200 free-roaming Rhesus monkeys. The island is not open to tourists, but you can get an up close view of the monkeys from the water.

For the horse lovers in our audience, have we got a show for you. The Puerto Rican Equestrian Art School (Escuela Puertorriqueña del Arte Ecuestre) puts on a beautiful Paso Fino horse show on the first Friday of every month.

Guaynabo City has created a beautiful forest reserve of approximately 600 acres for the enjoyment of future Puerto Ricans and visitors to the island, called La Marquesa Forest Park (or Parque Forestal La Marquesa in Spanish). Take a couple hours to enjoy the natural beauty of this forest.

The Cemi Museum (Museo El Cemi, in Spanish) in Jayuya is a visitor center for the area and a showcase of Taino artifacts. The leaders of Jayuya wanted to preserve and educate about the Taino culture, so they opened this odd-shaped museum in 1989.

For an unobstructed view of north and east coasts, hike El Toro Trail to the highest point in El Yunque National Forest. It’s an enjoyable day of hiking, though it can be muddy and strenuous at times.

As compared to most other Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico is a big island and most of the "must see" attractions are not concentrated in one particular area. Understanding the "lay of the land" can be a daunting task for the first-time visitor.
To provide some perspective on where things are on the island, we’ve put together [...]

One of nature’s gifts to us are waterfalls. Power and beauty at the same time. Here is another easy-to-find waterfall in the central/west region of Puerto Rico. Salto Collazo is located in San Sebastian, right along a bridge on the main road as you are going east out of town. It’s impossible to miss, and oh so pretty.

The Guajataca Forest, in the karst region of Puerto Rico, has 25 miles of trails within its boundaries. Most people will only use 2 of these trails: the Interpretive Trail and the trail to the Cueva del Viento. Spend an hour or so exploring the Interpretive Trail and learn about what makes this part of the island unique.

For all you lighthouse folks, photographers, or people who want to explore some off-the-beaten-path places — the old lighthouse ruins in Aguadilla (or, as they are referred to here, Las Ruinas) are pretty cool. There is not much left of this lighthouse (only parts of 2 walls, really), but it provides a setting for some beautiful photos.

The Salinas de Cabo Rojo, or salt flats, is an active salt-mining operation in Cabo Rojo. This operation is part of the 1800-acre National Wildlife Refuge, which is a mecca for bird-watching along the many walking and biking trails. And it’s right down the road from the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse.

Puerto Rico has a long history of Indian cultures that lived here many hundreds to thousands of years ago. The most recent Indian culture, the Tainos, left many petroglyphs on rocks near rivers or in caves. The town of Jayuya has a nice example of a piedra escrita that contains many different Taino drawings.

At 4.6 miles, Trade Winds Trail is the longest single trail in El Yunque National Forest. It starts at KM 13.5 on Road 191 and climbs about 1100 feet to El Toro Peak, the highest peak in the rain forest. This hike is both challenging and enjoyable as you walk along one of the least-used trails in the forest.

Have you ever wanted to soar above the mountains and trees under your own power like a bird? You can do just that during your vacation in Puerto Rico on a Tandem Discovery Flight with Team Spirit Hang Gliding. It’s really cool!

If you want to be part of a local experience, get up early on a Friday and head to the San Sebastian Market. I guess I would call it a large flea market or farmers market, since it had a little bit of everything. The market is located on the Centro Agropecuario grounds. It has slots for over 340 tables inside the grounds and, of course, there are other people selling things outside in the parking lot.

A baseball game in Puerto Rico is an economical and fun evening. Every winter, baseball heats up on the island. Not only do we have local players on the teams, but some of the US league players come down to keep in shape and play in their off-season. So, if you are having baseball withdrawal, catch a game while you’re here — you won’t be disappointed.

Acampa offers a day-long adventure in the Toro Negro Rainforest that includes hiking, swimming, waterfall-climbing and zip lines. We recently took this trip and had a blast!

Puerto Rico is rich in history and culture. It also has a perfect climate to grow some of the prettiest flowers and plants imaginable. Caguas decided to put these things together and opened the Botanical and Cultural Garden (Jardin Botanico y Cultural) in April 2007.

Biking on the boardwalk in Piñones is a favorite activity of locals and tourists alike. It’s just minutes from Isla Verde, and it has bike paths go along the beach and through the mangrove forest, where the views are fantastic.

Gozalandia or Las Cataratas Waterfall in San Sebastian is sometimes called the secret waterfall even though it is actually on a couple of the official PR tourism maps. I guess it is not that secret after all! Actually finding the waterfall is an adventure in itself. With the help of some people on the TripAdvisor.com Puerto Rico forum who provided the initial directions, we set off to find this secret treasure!

Puerto Rico is an island with many different faces. It is both urban and country, modern and historical, laid-back and hurried, built-up and natural. If you visit Arecibo and La Cueva del Indio (Cave of the Indian), you will see it all – modern, country, nature and history – all in one day. [...]

We recently had the opportunity to re-visit the biobay in La Parguera, after having visited it for the first time 18 years ago. The health of this biobay has declined immensely, to the point of the biobay glow being hardly noticeable. But they still take people out into the biobay nightly. If nothing else, it’s a cheap nighttime boat ride.

Take a snorkel/kayak trip with Kayaking Puerto Rico and learn all about the different ecosystems in the northeast corner of Puerto Rico, both above and below the water. They offer trips for all levels of experience, from beginner to experienced kayakers and snorkelers. It’s a great way to spend a half-day getting close to nature on your vacation.

Las Piedras is the home of an interesting Cueva del Indio (Indian Cave) that has hundreds of petroglyphs etched into the rocks by Taíno Indians centuries ago. A visit to this site provides a glimpse into the ancient Taíno culture.

We went to Icacos for a day of quiet beach time and snorkeling. Icacos is a small island off of Fajardo. The boat ride took us only about 10 minutes from the boat launch in Las Croabas. It was a bit windy, but the trip was not bad at all – very few [...]

Rocaliza’s Half-Day El Salto Adventure in the Carite rain forest crams a whole-day of hiking, waterfall climbing and ziplining into a half-day excursion. It’s perfect for cruise ship visitors or other people who don’t want to spend a full day on an adventure excursion.

Have you ever wanted to learn to surf but never had the chance? People staying in the north-east part of the island can easily get a private surfing lesson without having to travel very far. Bob Roberts, a NSSIA-certified surfing instructor, offers lessons right in the Luquillo area. He can have you catching a wave long before your vacation is over.

If you like natural swimming pools, Charco Azul (blue pond, in English) is one of Puerto Rico’s most famous ones. Located in the middle of the Carite Forest, about 10 minutes up the road from the lechnarias in the Guavate region of Cayey, it’s the perfect spot for a picnic and swimming.

Until recently, the only way to access any of the bioluminescent lagoons in Puerto Rico was either in a kayak or aboard a boat. But now there is another alternative! The Fideicomiso de Conservación de Puerto Rico now offers night-time walking tours of Las Cabezas Nature Reserve and Laguna Grande.

A day sail aboard the Erin Go Bragh III offers an intimate option for accessing excellent snorkeling spots near the islets of Icacos, Lobos, Palominos, and Palominitos, located off the coast of Fajardo. Longer overnight trips are available to the islands of Culebra and Vieques.

Some of Our Favorite Things to do With Kids

You have the little ones in tow and can't figure out what to do that might be interesting to both you and them? Here are some things to do that will be fun for everyone in the family.

Though it feels like worlds away, Pinones is only a sort distance from the San Juan area. If you enjoy kayaking, you can rent kayaks at COPI, which is just over the bridge from Isla Verde. You can spend one, or many, hours paddling around Torrecilla Lagoon watching birds and iguanas going about their business.

Get some exercise on vacation and take a tour of the San Juan area at the same time. Rent The Bicycle, in Old San Juan, offers bike rentals and guided bike tours in the Old San Juan, Condado and Piñones areas. They offer options that are great for cruise ship visitors, tourists and locals alike.

The Guajataca Forest, in the karst region of Puerto Rico, has 25 miles of trails within its boundaries. Most people will only use 2 of these trails: the Interpretive Trail and the trail to the Cueva del Viento. Spend an hour or so exploring the Interpretive Trail and learn about what makes this part of the island unique.

For the horse lovers in our audience, have we got a show for you. The Puerto Rican Equestrian Art School (Escuela Puertorriqueña del Arte Ecuestre) puts on a beautiful Paso Fino horse show on the first Friday of every month.

The Cemi Museum (Museo El Cemi, in Spanish) in Jayuya is a visitor center for the area and a showcase of Taino artifacts. The leaders of Jayuya wanted to preserve and educate about the Taino culture, so they opened this odd-shaped museum in 1989.

If you are driving along the Ruta Panorámica in the Maricao area, and you want to check out some amazing 360° views, make a stop at La Torre de Piedra (the stone tower). Though the tower itself isn’t that tall, it sits on top of a mountain — so the views are great.

I love art. I am in awe of people that can take a blank canvas and make something so beautiful. I always wanted to do it, but I really don’t have an artistic bone in my body. Our friend, Monica Linville, is a fantastic artist, and she has recently started some workshops designed for the beginner, with fun in mind. She invited us to her studio one morning to take of the workshops … and here’s what happened.

You will see many neat things in Puerto Rico, but wild animals are not usually one of them – except if you visit Monkey Island. Monkey Island is a small island off of the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, that is home to about 1200 free-roaming Rhesus monkeys. The island is not open to tourists, but you can get an up close view of the monkeys from the water.

Imagine all sorts of fun, outdoor activities like swimming pools, a paint ball field, skate ramps for skateboard and in-line skates, an “inflatables” park, a rope obstacle course, go carts, pony rides, mountain bike trails and food. Now put them all together in one spot and what do you get? Moisty Skate & Family Park in Cagus, that’s what.

The Guajataca Forest in Isabela is in the karst region of Puerto Rico and the landscape and plant life is totally different than what we are used to seeing in the north-east of the island. The best part about this forest is exploring Cueva del Viento (Cave of the Wind).

The Luquillo kiosks (or kioskos) are a much loved part of Puerto Rico. This long row of humble (think almost ramshackle) buildings are right on Route 3 along the beach in Luquillo. But don’t let their appearance discourage you — stop in and you will be in for an experience that is uniquely Puerto Rican.

The Arecibo Lighthouse & Historical Park is a cultural theme park based on the history of Puerto Rico. Within the park, you’ll find the lighthouse, the Pirates’ Hideout cave, Taino village recreation, aquarium, mini-zoo, replica sailing ships, and kids’ playground.

If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful beaches on Vieques, you should make a quick stop at the wonderfully restored Count Mirasol Fort (or Fortin Conde de Mirasol in Spanish) high above the town of Isabel II. In addition to the view, it offers art exhibits and a nice museum of Vieques artifacts. The view alone is well worth the admission price!

Rocaliza’s Half-Day El Salto Adventure in the Carite rain forest crams a whole-day of hiking, waterfall climbing and ziplining into a half-day excursion. It’s perfect for cruise ship visitors or other people who don’t want to spend a full day on an adventure excursion.

Whether you have just a couple of hours or a couple of days, there are plenty of things to keep you busy and entertained in the northeast part of Puerto Rico. From the rain forest to beaches to biobays, we’ve put together a list of activities sorted by the amount of time you need to do each.

Puerto Rico is blessed with a natural phenomenon that is found in only a few other places on earth — it has 3 year-round bioluminescent bays. I am so excited to say that Bio Island offers an eco-friendly way to visit Laguna Grande without having to kayak or walk. They have an electric motor boat tour that is both safe for the environment and fun.

Puerto Rico has a long history of Indian cultures that lived here many hundreds to thousands of years ago. The most recent Indian culture, the Tainos, left many petroglyphs on rocks near rivers or in caves. The town of Jayuya has a nice example of a piedra escrita that contains many different Taino drawings.

Take a refreshing dip in clear rain forest water. Swim under a waterfall. It sounds like a dream. But it is actually a very popular and fun thing to do during your trip to El Yunque National Forest. The waterfall is called La Mina Falls, and it can be accessed by either [...]

Take a snorkel/kayak trip with Kayaking Puerto Rico and learn all about the different ecosystems in the northeast corner of Puerto Rico, both above and below the water. They offer trips for all levels of experience, from beginner to experienced kayakers and snorkelers. It’s a great way to spend a half-day getting close to nature on your vacation.

There are plenty of things to do with kids in Old San Juan. Whether you explore an ancient fort, fly a kite, feed 100s of pigeons, taste some local ice cream, or just enjoy one of the many family-friendly activities on the weekend, you’ll be sure to keep busy.

What could be more refreshing than taking a swim in a crystal clear river on a hot day? If you are in El Yunque and want to do some swimming, you need to try Angelito Trail. The trail leads to Las Damas pool in the Mameyes River.

If you are in Ponce and like antiques, gardens, hand-crafted furniture and stunning views, then a visit to the Serralles Castle (Castillo Serralles) is a "must do". Located on the hill above the City of Ponce, Serralles Castle was the "summer home" of the Serralles family. The Serralles made their [...]

Biking on the boardwalk in Piñones is a favorite activity of locals and tourists alike. It’s just minutes from Isla Verde, and it has bike paths go along the beach and through the mangrove forest, where the views are fantastic.

If you are a nature lover, an avid photographer or anyone who just wants to make a nice pit stop on the way on your way out west, head to Quebradillas. This little town is on the north coast boasts some beautiful beaches, an old sugarcane train tunnel, and endless photo opportunities.

If you’re looking for an exciting way to see Old San Juan, you can get a tour of the 400-year old city from a different angle — on a Jet Ski. Aquatica offers a Jet Ski Pirate Tour that is wet and wild, and combines some history and a lot of fun. We did this a few weeks ago and it was a blast!

El Vigia Cross (La Cruceta del Vigi­a ) is a 100-foot tall cross-shaped observation tower, located on top of Vigia Hill in Ponce. It is directly behind the Serralles Castle museum.
The Cross is a 10-story vertical tower that has a glass elevator. It takes you up to the [...]

If you like a little excitement while on your vacation, you should take a trip to Hacienda Carabali. This 600 acre facility, located in the foothills of the El Yunque National Forest, offers a wide range of activities. They have horseback riding, ATV, mountain bikes and go carts to get your [...]

Gilligan’s Island is a tiny island about a mile off the coast of Guánica. You can get to the island by kayak or ferry. It has some decent snorkeling, picnic pavilions and lots of privacy … at least during low season. I’d guess it gets pretty crazy on a July weekend!

Have you ever wanted to soar above the mountains and trees under your own power like a bird? You can do just that during your vacation in Puerto Rico on a Tandem Discovery Flight with Team Spirit Hang Gliding. It’s really cool!

The Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center is a window into the history of Puerto Rico. At this site, archaeologists have uncovered ball fields, burial sites and ceremonial plazas associated with the pre-Taino and Taino Indian cultures. You can spend an afternoon visiting and learning about one of the most important archaeological sites in the Caribbean.

Enjoy a 1 or 2 hour horseback riding tour in the foothills of El Yunque at Hacienda Carabali in Luquillo. They have over 70 horses ready to take you through the trails that criss-cross their 600-acre property. These tours are good for beginners and less experienced riders.

Las Piedras is the home of an interesting Cueva del Indio (Indian Cave) that has hundreds of petroglyphs etched into the rocks by Taíno Indians centuries ago. A visit to this site provides a glimpse into the ancient Taíno culture.

Puerto Rico has many great "selling points" to attractive visitors to our shores — beaches, forests, adventure, history, food, music and friendly locals. Being an inexpensive vacation destination is not one of the island’s strong points. However, don’t be discouraged. With some careful planning, you can have a fun-filled vacation and still remain within your budget.

We attended another performance of the Le Lo Lai Festival and were delighted to find that they update the show from time to time. The latest installment contains Salsa, Bomba and some "country" music & dances that make for an enjoyable hour of free entertainment.

It’s been almost 5 years since the last time we went out on a snorkel catamaran trip. We recently had the opportunity to spend the day on the Fun Cat that sails out of Fajardo to the reefs near the island of Icacos.

Fort San Cristobal is often considered the other fort in Old San Juan. For reasons that I can’t fathom, people flock to El Morro and rarely visit Fort San Cristobal. But they don’t know what they’re missing – it is a definitely worth a visit!

For reasons that I can’t figure out, of the trails right along Road 191 in El Yunque National Forest, La Coca Trail is seemingly unknown. It is as if someone found out how beautiful it is and decided to keep it a secret! But if you invest some time and effort in hiking this trail, you will be handsomely rewarded with rivers, waterfalls and swimming pools galore!

With names like Domes, Steps, Spanish Wall, Pools and Indicators, Rincon boasts miles of beaches. Some of the beaches are suitable for swimming. Others have world-class surfing conditions. And most are perfect for watching the sunset. So, grab a map or a GPS unit and start looking for your perfect beach.

A French coffee hacienda in Puerto Rico – what a surprise! The Old Labadie House (aka the Palacete los Moreau) is located in the town of Moca, in the north-west part of Puerto Rico. This lovely, old house has been turned into a museum, and they offer great, informative tours about the house and the people who lived there. What a wonderful piece of Puerto Rican history and a local treasure. It’s really worth a visit.

Tropical Trail Rides ATV Tours at Hacienda Campo Rico is located just a few minutes from San Juan, and yet it feels like a world away. Hacienda Campo Rico is a 2,200 acre "ranch" so the ATVs have loads of trails. They go through fields and forests, up and down hills and through mud puddles. And then you get to explore a cave filled with bats and more. It is a ton of fun!

Some Ideas for Visitors on a Budget

The current economic situation is on everyone's mind these days. But the economy is no reason to think that you have to cancel your plans to travel. There are many things that you can do in Puerto Rico for free, or almost for free. Here's a list of some of our favorites.

So you decided to spend some time exploring Old San Juan? You will not be disappointed! The old city is a small area, only 7 square blocks. But there is so much to do and see in that small area that you can spend days there and never see everything. Or if you [...]

An economical way to get to the out-islands of Culebra and Vieques is by using the passenger ferry (La Lancha). These ferries, operated by the Port Authority Maritime Division, carry about 200-400 passengers and run during the day hours, 365 days a year.
Depending on the particular ferry they’re using the day you go, you [...]

Whether you have just a couple of hours or a couple of days, there are plenty of things to keep you busy and entertained in the northeast part of Puerto Rico. From the rain forest to beaches to biobays, we’ve put together a list of activities sorted by the amount of time you need to do each.

Located on top of 200-foot limestone cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse marks the south-west tip of Puerto Rico. Though the lighthouse is interesting, the big attractions are the dramatic views of the ocean and cliffs.

With names like Domes, Steps, Spanish Wall, Pools and Indicators, Rincon boasts miles of beaches. Some of the beaches are suitable for swimming. Others have world-class surfing conditions. And most are perfect for watching the sunset. So, grab a map or a GPS unit and start looking for your perfect beach.

The Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center is a window into the history of Puerto Rico. At this site, archaeologists have uncovered ball fields, burial sites and ceremonial plazas associated with the pre-Taino and Taino Indian cultures. You can spend an afternoon visiting and learning about one of the most important archaeological sites in the Caribbean.

Until recently, the only way to access any of the bioluminescent lagoons in Puerto Rico was either in a kayak or aboard a boat. But now there is another alternative! The Fideicomiso de Conservación de Puerto Rico now offers night-time walking tours of Las Cabezas Nature Reserve and Laguna Grande.

The Carite Forest is located just up the road from the Guavate area in Cayey. The forest encompasses over 6000 acres and is maintained by the Departmento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales as a recreation area. The forest has some nice picnic and camping areas, some great natural swimming pools and waterfalls.

If you like natural swimming pools, Charco Azul (blue pond, in English) is one of Puerto Rico’s most famous ones. Located in the middle of the Carite Forest, about 10 minutes up the road from the lechnarias in the Guavate region of Cayey, it’s the perfect spot for a picnic and swimming.

The Guajataca Forest, in the karst region of Puerto Rico, has 25 miles of trails within its boundaries. Most people will only use 2 of these trails: the Interpretive Trail and the trail to the Cueva del Viento. Spend an hour or so exploring the Interpretive Trail and learn about what makes this part of the island unique.

This is the first of many articles on the Rain Forest.
El Yunque Rain Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Parks system. Ample rainfall (over 200 inches a year in some areas) creates a jungle-like setting – with lush foliage, waterfalls and rivers. Hike along the trails that cover [...]

The Luquillo kiosks (or kioskos) are a much loved part of Puerto Rico. This long row of humble (think almost ramshackle) buildings are right on Route 3 along the beach in Luquillo. But don’t let their appearance discourage you — stop in and you will be in for an experience that is uniquely Puerto Rican.

With all the talk of the economy and the recession, it’s always helpful to find a way to save some money on vacation. Order the 2010 Puerto Rico Entertainment Book and you’ll be able to find 50% off and 2-for-1 discounts at lots of restaurants, attractions and services across the island.

My favorite Puerto Rican dish is Arroz con Habichuelas, or rice and beans. The beans are actually a stew, with potatoes, squash, other veggies, some ham and, of course, beans. Everyone here makes Habichuelas, so it was only a matter of time that I was able to find a good recipe. I got this recipe from a local woman and it’s really easy and delicious. Give it a try and enjoy!

The El Yunque National Forest is a large, lush and interesting place to visit. It easy to see the beauty, but to really know about the rain forest, an educational guided tour is great. The Federal Forest Rangers offer “Rent-a-Ranger” or “Forest Adventure Tours”, that are hour-long educational walks designed to teach [...]

Playa Escondida is the perfect beach if you’re looking for a secluded spot with calm water and decent snorkeling. But you will have to do some work to get there! It’s about a 25-minute walk through the mangrove forest from Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo.

Get some exercise on vacation and take a tour of the San Juan area at the same time. Rent The Bicycle, in Old San Juan, offers bike rentals and guided bike tours in the Old San Juan, Condado and Piñones areas. They offer options that are great for cruise ship visitors, tourists and locals alike.

One of nature’s gifts to us are waterfalls. Power and beauty at the same time. Here is another easy-to-find waterfall in the central/west region of Puerto Rico. Salto Collazo is located in San Sebastian, right along a bridge on the main road as you are going east out of town. It’s impossible to miss, and oh so pretty.

Biking on the boardwalk in Piñones is a favorite activity of locals and tourists alike. It’s just minutes from Isla Verde, and it has bike paths go along the beach and through the mangrove forest, where the views are fantastic.

El Portal Rain Forest Center is the main visitor center in El Yunque National Forest. It features an elevated walkway through the tree tops, educational displays, a short interpretive walking trail, a deli/restaurant and a small gift shop. Though completely optional, the Forest Center is an informative stop for first-time visitors to El Yunque.

Gilligan’s Island is a tiny island about a mile off the coast of Guánica. You can get to the island by kayak or ferry. It has some decent snorkeling, picnic pavilions and lots of privacy … at least during low season. I’d guess it gets pretty crazy on a July weekend!

We recently had the opportunity to re-visit the biobay in La Parguera, after having visited it for the first time 18 years ago. The health of this biobay has declined immensely, to the point of the biobay glow being hardly noticeable. But they still take people out into the biobay nightly. If nothing else, it’s a cheap nighttime boat ride.

The Guajataca Forest in Isabela is in the karst region of Puerto Rico and the landscape and plant life is totally different than what we are used to seeing in the north-east of the island. The best part about this forest is exploring Cueva del Viento (Cave of the Wind).

If you want to be part of a local experience, get up early on a Friday and head to the San Sebastian Market. I guess I would call it a large flea market or farmers market, since it had a little bit of everything. The market is located on the Centro Agropecuario grounds. It has slots for over 340 tables inside the grounds and, of course, there are other people selling things outside in the parking lot.

We were at the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse a couple weeks ago and the panoramic views were simply magnificent. I was surprised to see one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen in Puerto Rico. We asked the lighthouse ranger about the beach and, he said lovingly, “Oh – the jacuzzi? That is La Playuela”.

Currently, the main entrance to this reserve is closed due to construction/refurbishment. However, the reserve is still open and you can get in easily and legally through the beach entrance. We expect the nature reserve main entrance and renovation to be completed in in the few months. Kayaks are still available for [...]

What is vacation for if not to try different things and experience something new? If you are the adventurous type, Rocaliza offers an excursion along El Salto river in the Carite rain forest that includes hiking, rappelling & ziplines.

People always want to know where they can find good snorkeling on the island. We found a cute secluded beach that offers decent snorkeling, just a short 25-minute walk from Seven Seas Balneario in Fajardo, called Playa Colora.

With 16 lighthouses to visit and explore, Puerto Rico is a dream location for lighthouse enthusiasts. Some of our lighthouses are very old and very beautiful. The Rincon lighthouse isn’t particularly either of those. However, it is a great place to watch surfers, the sunset, and dolphins and whales.

You might think that all beaches in Puerto Rico are the same. If you do, then you couldn’t be more wrong. Every beach has something different that makes it special, so you will want to visit a few different beaches during your time on the island. If you are looking for a nice light [...]

I enjoy visiting Ponce because it is an old city that has a lot to offer. But the city of Ponce is spread out over a large area, so walking around the city to see everything can be overwhelming for a first-time visitor. Luckily, Ponce offers a trolley tour that takes you around the city [...]

El Ultimo Brinco in Rincon is a 30-foot waterfall with a small, natural swimming pool at it’s base. The only problem is there is no easy way to get to the pool – you either have to jump or climb down the rock wall. In the afternoon, there are lots of local teens playing in the falls – they can show you the best way to get to the bottom.

To really see Puerto Rico, you need to get out and explore. Whether you are in port for the day with a cruise ship or you’ve flown in for a couple weeks, renting a car is a great way to get around. There are loads of agencies that have all types of cars and vans, so even with a large family, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.

The Cabo Rojo area, in the south-west part of Puerto Rico, offers many opportunities for nature and beach-lovers. Combate Beach and Balneario Boquerón are two of the beaches in the area that provide the backdrop for a great day at the beach.

It had been a while since we took the actual "tour" at the Bacardi Factory in Cataño. When we took it recently, we found that the movie has changed and the tour is less commercial and more informative overall. And they still give you 2 free drinks! Not bad for a free tour!

Being an island, Puerto Rico has more than 300 miles of beaches, including the out-islands and cays. That’s one beach to explore and enjoy for each day of the year. There is a perfect beach for everyone – it all depends your idea of the perfect beach. Luckily, almost all the beaches in Puerto Rico are open to the general public.

Guánica encompasses a large area with lots of shoreline — which, in turn, means lots of beaches. However, most of the area beaches are not protected coves, so you have to be careful of the water conditions. On a recent visit to the area, we stopped in to see a few of the beaches and, while we didn’t find any hidden gems, we did find some that might appeal to the outdoor enthusiast.

If you are a sun worshiper, a beach lover or snorkel fanatic, no trip to Puerto Rico would be complete without a trip to Culebra. It can be done as a day trip or stay for longer (there are a few hundred hotel rooms and vacation rentals available).
Culebra is an island 20 miles [...]

For a quick and tasty stop, go to Casa Don Q in Old San Juan. Don Q brand is the rum preferred by Puerto Ricans – stop in and taste for yourself, and see why!
Casa Don Q is a small “museum” that has information about rum making and the history of the Don [...]

Anyone who visits Puerto Rico can’t help but notice that we have a stray dog problem. These strays, which are usually mixed breed dogs, are locally called satos. There are a number of wonderful, non-profit organizations on the island that help these animals by finding homes for them in the States. They need your help, too. Read this to find out how you can help.

Some Ideas for More Adventurous Visitors

Are you daring? Do you like to live on the edge? Here are some activities that are sure to get your adreline pumping! We've personally done each of these. They're all exciting, safe and, most importantly, fun!

Rocaliza’s Half-Day El Salto Adventure in the Carite rain forest crams a whole-day of hiking, waterfall climbing and ziplining into a half-day excursion. It’s perfect for cruise ship visitors or other people who don’t want to spend a full day on an adventure excursion.

Tropical Trail Rides ATV Tours at Hacienda Campo Rico is located just a few minutes from San Juan, and yet it feels like a world away. Hacienda Campo Rico is a 2,200 acre "ranch" so the ATVs have loads of trails. They go through fields and forests, up and down hills and through mud puddles. And then you get to explore a cave filled with bats and more. It is a ton of fun!

If you’re looking for an exciting way to see Old San Juan, you can get a tour of the 400-year old city from a different angle — on a Jet Ski. Aquatica offers a Jet Ski Pirate Tour that is wet and wild, and combines some history and a lot of fun. We did this a few weeks ago and it was a blast!

Acampa offers a day-long adventure in the Toro Negro Rainforest that includes hiking, swimming, waterfall-climbing and zip lines. We recently took this trip and had a blast!

During a recent trip to the south-west part of the island, we found some diving that I would highly recommend. That region is home to "the Wall" and the diving was great! We went wall diving at La Parguera with West Divers, and I would recommend other divers do the same.

Whether you have just a couple of hours or a couple of days, there are plenty of things to keep you busy and entertained in the northeast part of Puerto Rico. From the rain forest to beaches to biobays, we’ve put together a list of activities sorted by the amount of time you need to do each.

Some really nice SCUBA diving and snorkeling in Puerto Rico is in the Luis Pena Reserve on Culebra. We recently went diving with Taz from Aquatic Adventures and had some great dives. An added bonus is that he is able to work around the Fajardo ferry schedule, making this an easy day-trip to do for people staying on the "big island".

Imagine all sorts of fun, outdoor activities like swimming pools, a paint ball field, skate ramps for skateboard and in-line skates, an “inflatables” park, a rope obstacle course, go carts, pony rides, mountain bike trails and food. Now put them all together in one spot and what do you get? Moisty Skate & Family Park in Cagus, that’s what.

If you like a little excitement while on your vacation, you should take a trip to Hacienda Carabali. This 600 acre facility, located in the foothills of the El Yunque National Forest, offers a wide range of activities. They have horseback riding, ATV, mountain bikes and go carts to get your [...]

There are a number of small islands and cays off the coast of Fajardo with beautiful white-sand beaches, fringed by reefs with abundant marine life. Imagine spending a half-day piloting a mini-boat to these beaches and snorkeling in the open ocean. You can do just that on the new Island Hop & Snorkel Guided Mini Boat Tour offered by Kayaking Puerto Rico.

Have you ever wanted to soar above the mountains and trees under your own power like a bird? You can do just that during your vacation in Puerto Rico on a Tandem Discovery Flight with Team Spirit Hang Gliding. It’s really cool!

With names like Domes, Steps, Spanish Wall, Pools and Indicators, Rincon boasts miles of beaches. Some of the beaches are suitable for swimming. Others have world-class surfing conditions. And most are perfect for watching the sunset. So, grab a map or a GPS unit and start looking for your perfect beach.

Fly from tree to tree on a zip line with La Marquesa Canopy Tours, only 30 minutes from San Juan.

A few years ago, Scuba Diving Magazine readers voted Puerto Rico as one of the Top 20 Overall Dive Destinations in the Caribbean. I have done a number of dives here over the past few years and I had yet to encounter a Top 20 -type dive. We were heading out west and I hoped to find one of those WOW dives at Desecheo Island. I was not disappointed.

What is vacation for if not to try different things and experience something new? If you are the adventurous type, Rocaliza offers an excursion along El Salto river in the Carite rain forest that includes hiking, rappelling & ziplines.

In the past, if you wanted to go ziplining here in Puerto Rico you had to go to the Río Abajo Forest, Toro Negro Forest or La Marquesa Forest. In March 2009, Yunke Zipline Adventure opened for business in the foothills of El Yunque National Forest close to many areas that are on most visitors’ must do list.

Have you ever wanted to learn to surf but never had the chance? People staying in the north-east part of the island can easily get a private surfing lesson without having to travel very far. Bob Roberts, a NSSIA-certified surfing instructor, offers lessons right in the Luquillo area. He can have you catching a wave long before your vacation is over.

The Carite Forest is located just up the road from the Guavate area in Cayey. The forest encompasses over 6000 acres and is maintained by the Departmento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales as a recreation area. The forest has some nice picnic and camping areas, some great natural swimming pools and waterfalls.