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.

Parasailing is one of those things that, once you see someone doing it, you just want to do yourself. It is amazingly calm and quiet up there, and takes almost no effort on the part of the passenger, so just about anyone can do it. It is an activity that is available all around Puerto Rico, so you’ve come to the right place if you want to give it a try.

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.

Do you know someone who loves amusement parks or carnivals? Then La Feria – The Park will be right up their alley. This annual carnival runs from mid-November through the end of the first week of January. This family-friendly fair is full of amusement park rides and games, food and refreshments, live music and shows, holiday light displays and even a petting zoo.

MLB Winter League Baseball in Puerto Rico is starting on 08 November 2012! Get out to one of the stadiums in Carolina, Caguas, Ponce or Mayaguez and support your favorite team. The action is non-stop, and it is a great family-friendly atmosphere!

The Puerto Rico Convention Center is more than just a venue for professional gatherings. It is often a place for fun — hosting fairs, shows and exhibitions of interest to the general public. Located in the Isla Grande/Miramar neighborhood, it is a short ride from Isla Verde, Condado, and Old San Juan. It may be just the type of fun you are looking for during your visit.

Loiza is a town steeped in tradition. It has roots that combine Spanish culture and traditions with African culture, and meld them into a unique Puerto Rican experience. One of the most colorful examples of this would be the annual Saint James Festival in Loíza. It is a multi-day event that occurs around July 25, the feast day of Saint James.

Barbeque … The word alone makes your mouth start watering for some smokey delicious meats. For me, the word conjures up the mental picture of family and friends, standing around the grill, drinks in hands, cooking and enjoying a sunny day. If you’re looking for a big, backyard BBQ, the Cattleman’s Caribbean BBQ Competition is being held at the PR Convention Center on June 30 and July1.

Public transportation on the island is always a hot topic among travelers. Puerto Rico’s transportation system within the San Juan metro area is pretty good. But, unlike many other Caribbean islands, our public transportation system does not encompass the entire island. Info on the public bus system is hard to find. To counter that, we’ve put together this brief guide, and we’ve drawn our own version of the AMA bus route map, in the hopes of making travel on the island a little easier for at least a few visitors.

Food, glorious food … Drinks … Cooking technique & recipe demonstrations by famous local & international chefs … Live entertainment … All in a glorious ocean-front setting. That is what you will experience at the 5th annual Saborea Puerto Rico "A Culinary Extravaganza". It will be held April 21 & 22, 2012 at the Escambron Beach in Old San Juan. We have gone for the past couple of years, and we’ve really enjoyed ourselves. So you know we will be there again this year!

I know that when people think about music in Puerto Rico, the first thing that comes to mind is probably Salsa or Reggaeton music. But Jazz lovers won’t be left out when the visit the island, as there are quite a few places that have Jazz nights or shows.

If you are a foodie, then Puerto Rico is a place for you! Besides the multitude of award winning chefs and restaurants, there are a number of special food festivals and events held throughout the island every year. They range from local specialty-food celebrations to professional chef competitions. Make a point to attend one of these festivals, then get ready to enjoy Foodie Paradise!

If you like Jazz, Condado is the place to be on the last Sunday of every month. That’s when Heineken sponsors Ventana al JazzFest – a free, open-air jazz concert at Ventana al Mar park in Condado. Bring a chair or a blanket, and a cooler full of your favorite food/beverage, and make an evening of it!

Amazing … That about sums up my feelings about the new Museo del Nino (Children’s Museum) in Carolina. The museum is a fun, hands-on place full of interactive, passive-learning activities. It has over 100 exhibits, each with something to play on, with, in, or around. Kids of all ages are sure to find something interesting and fun to do. I know we did!

We took a cruise recently, and I did all the planning for our excursions in the various ports. For those of you coming into San Juan and trying to plan your day in port — I feel your pain. It is not easy to decide what there is to do in (or around) San Juan, and there are so many questions that need answering. Will I have enough time in port? How will I get there from the ship? Do I need a guide or can I do it on my own?