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.

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.

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.

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.

We recently took some time to explore the Capital District of Old San Juan. In addition to the Capital Building, there are a number of memorial plazas and sculptures, including a Holocaust Memorial, Fallen Soldier Memorial, Monument to Police killed in the line of duty, and quite a few more. We’ve driven through this area many times over the years without even knowing these things were there. Boy, were we surprised by all that we found!

The Cuartel del Ballaja is now decked out in lights – the outside glows with different colored lights, luring you in to see the real show … a 3D projection mapping film called Puerto Rico, La Isla del Encanto. The film is projected onto the walls of the courtyard, creating an amazing show of light and sound.

Culebra is a small island off the east coast of PR, that offers some great water-based activities. There are some even smaller, less-visited islands surrounding Culebra that are just begging to be explored. But, to get to those, you need a boat. Captain Bill Penfield offers charters to all areas around the waters of Cuelbra on his Pez Vela sailboat. It is a great way to spend a day!

It is no secret that people in Puerto Rico know how to party, especially around the Christmas holidays. Announce that there will be a parade, music, dancing, libations, food – then add in local artisan crafts for sale – and it all adds up to one crazy celebration! That describes the San Sebastian Street Festival, or Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian, which will be held in 2013 from January 17th to 20th.

Vieques is most popular for its bright biobay, and for its many lovely, unspoiled beaches. But there are other less-visited sites that are interesting. The ruins of the Central Playa Grande Sugar Mill is one of those sites.

When I was looking for non-beach things to do during a recent trip to Vieques, I came across the Puerto Ferro Lighthouse ruins. Commissioned in 1896, and abandoned in 1926, these ruins are perched atop dramatic cliffs, offering a spectacular view of beaches and the southern coast of Vieques.

As you may know, I enjoy looking at ruins. So the ruins of the Ermita Espinar church in Aguada was on my list to see. But, as we explored the area looking for ruins in a field, we couldn’t find it. As it turns out, these ruins have been enclosed inside of a new church. It was a very neat thing to see, and I am so happy they have been able to rebuild this parish while preserving the past.

We love visiting Old San Juan – it is so colorful and interesting. One could spend ages there and never run out of things to do, see, photograph, and learn. Some of the most unique and interesting things are often overlooked. From the body of a Saint to a replica of the Liberty Bell, here is a list of some not-so-usual things that you can find in Old San Juan.

We explore at lot of places in Puerto Rico, and I love it when we find something unusual that is relatively unknown. A recent find for us was Ojo de Buey along the coast in Dorado. This natural rock formation resembles the head of on ox, and it held special meaning for the pre-Taino inhabitants of the area. You may want to do a little exploring and check it out for yourself!

Old San Juan is one of my favorite places in Puerto Rico. The history, the architecture, and the photo opportunities all make it a must-visit place. You can walk around in the city and see what there is to see. But for a whole different perspective, how about sitting back and relaxing while taking in the views of the old city from the sea? We recently took a trip in the San Juan Bay with Sailing Dreams, and it was one of the most relaxing hours I have ever spent in Old San Juan.

In April 1797, the British attacked San Juan and were defeated by the local militia. Each year, in April, a reenactment is held at the San Juan National Historic Site complete with living history volunteers in uniform, encampments, canon firings, and military drills. This year, the reenactment will be held April 29 to May 1, 2011. Stop by El Morro or Fort San Cristobal and check it out!