Do you love coffee? Do you want to learn (and taste) the differences between specialty and commercial grade coffee blends? Are you interested in the history of coffee production in Puerto Rico? If you answered Yes to a least one of these questions, then you should check out this Coffee Cupping tour offered in Old San Juan.

Cayo Matias is a small mangrove island off the south east of Puerto Rico, near Salinas, that is a popular local hang out. On weekends and holidays, there is a small ferry that you can take over to the island where you can be part of a very local island experience.

We had our first Bushwacker drinks while on Culebra, and every time we go there, this is our drink of choice. It is kinda like a Mudslide, but with a hint of coconut. We did our research and came up with a recipe that is delicious and easy to make at home. You just need to provide your own white sand beach and deep blue water. Enjoy!

If you like to dance, and you find yourself in Old San Juan on a weekend night, La Rumba Party Cruise is floating nightclub that is different from the other clubs. They offer 2 hours on the water in San Juan Bay, with a DJ, 2 dance floors, and bar service. In addition to the party, you get some great views of Old San Juan from the water at night.

Julio Enrique Monagas Park in Bayamon offers both a unique nature respite for families, and amazing adventure opportunities. It is a great place for bird watching, walking trails, picnics and playground fun, without having to go too far from San Juan. For the more active person, it also has bike (MTB) trails and lots of karst (limestone) rock walls, perfect for rock climbing.

We managed to snorkel, hike, explore white sand beaches, hunt sea glass and shells, play in the water and relax all in one day on a recent trip in Culebra when we kayaked over to Cayo Luis Pena. This little island is rarely visited, but it really is worth the effort to experience this beautiful nature reserve.

For more than 275 years, the haciendas throughout the cool mountain regions of Puerto Rico have been growing coffee. It was once one of the largest crops in production on the island. The Museum of Coffee in Ciales is a place where you can explore some of the history of coffee, and to experience some of the best coffee available in Puerto Rico today.

The Spanish settlers made Puerto Rico their home more than 500 years ago, and you can see the archaeological evidence of their first settlement at the Caparra Ruins Museum and Historic Park in the town of Guaynabo. It is a small but important spot that has been set aside for its historical significance.

What do you do when you get tired of lying on a beach on Vieques? You go for a hike! There aren’t that many places for hiking on the island, but Cayo de Tierra, at the western end of Playa Sun Bay, offers a challenging uphill walk that has some great views at the top.

If you are someone who just loves spending lazy days lying on a beautiful beach, or if (like us) you need more activity including beach-combing, snorkeling, hiking, and great photo ops … then the out-island of Culebra is for you. It offers the best of both worlds! Here is a sample itinerary that you can use for planning a quick getaway to Culebra.

While we don’t get out to the west coast of Puerto Rico very often, when we do, we make a point to toast the sunset with a Pirate Special. This amazing concoction of rum and coconut is devilishly delicious. Though we don’t have the exact recipe, we’ve come up with one that tastes pretty good to us!

I love exploring the karst region of Puerto Rico. The landscape is ruggedly beautiful, the caves hold many secrets from the past, and there is a great diversity of plants and animals. Tierra del Encantos Eco Tours offers a hiking adventure that allows you to get up close and personal with nature in the area.

I really love visiting the small out-islands around Puerto Rico. They are so pretty – just spits of white sand and palm trees surrounded by clear blue water. But with a name like Isla Ratones (Rat Island), this one kind of scared me. But then I finally got to go, and it’s a cute little island. It’s a nice place to visit for a couple hours (or a day) if you are in the area.

Did you know that Vieques has been a favorite stop for travelers to the Caribbean for thousands of years? Seriously … there is archaeological evidence. The skeletal remains of a 4000 year old man, El Hombre de Puerto Ferro, were found on Vieques in 1991, surrounded by large boulders.

When you think of Puerto Rico, wine might not be your first thought for a local beverage – but it should be. Yet another great example of the island’s diversity is the Bodegas Andreu Solé vineyard and winery in Guánica. The coastal Guánica region has just the right weather conditions for growing grapes, and the winery is serving up some really nice local wines and liqueurs, and live music, in a beautiful waterfront setting.