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.

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.

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

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.

Añasco, a town just south-east of Rincon, is along the west coast of Puerto Rico and has beaches and forests to explore. We didn’t have a lots of time to spend in this area, but we did visit two points of interest. Unfortunately, I was left saddened by the state of disrepair of the places we visited.

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.

If you are driving along the Ruta Panorámica in the Maricao area, and you may 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.

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 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.

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.