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.

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.

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.

The big holiday in Puerto Rico is Three Kings Day, celebrated on January 6. And nowhere else on the island are the Three Kings taken more seriously than in the town of Juana Diaz, referred to by some as the Bethlehem of Puerto Rico. Juana Diaz is also home to the only museum dedicated exclusively to "all things Three Kings". Stop into the Casa Museo de los Santos Reyes to learn about the Christmastime traditions of the island.

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!

What do you do when your pastime or hobby gets out of control? You open an exhibition to show off your collection! The VolkyLand of Puerto Rico is a museum dedicated to all things Volkswagon. Located in the small coffee town of Yauco, it is one of the largest private collections of Volkswagons and VW-related stuff in the world. It a must-see for the VW enthusiast in your family.

There are a number of trails inside the Guanica State Forest and Bioshpere Reserve that lead through the dry forest. There is also the Meseta Trail that leads along the southern coast in Guanica. It is a wonderful hike that offers cliff and beach views in a unique sea-side setting.

We consider the cliffs of Cabo Rojo, near the lighthouse, to be one of the most beautiful places in Puerto Rico. We have found that, as you explore the area around the lighthouse and head northwest, you will see how these rugged cliffs have been worn and sculpted by the ocean waves over time. There are all sorts of arches, little caves, and other amazing rock formations along this coastline. The photo opportunities are endless!

If you are interested in religious art and old architecture, a visit to the Convento de Porta Coeli church in the town of San German is a must. Convento de Porta Coeli, the second oldest church in the New World, was restored by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, and is now a museum called the Museo de Arte Religioso. Located in the south-west part of Puerto Rico, San German is a bit off the beaten path. But, if you’re visiting that part of the island, plan a little extra time to make a side-trip to this quaint, little town.

To make the most of the Parguera area, you need to get out on the water and visit the mangrove islands and/or the biobay. In order to do this, you obviously need to have access to a kayak or a boat of some kind. One option is to rent a little skiff. It is a fun, easy, and inexpensive way to get around to see the mangrove cays and maybe do a little snorkeling.

The mangrove cayos in La Parguera are really something to see. They are tiny specks of green in middle of the blue ocean. Most are nothing more than clumps of mangroves and broken coral. However, there is one in particular – Mata de Gata – that has the facilities that you need to make a perfect setting for a picnic. Being an island, you will need a kayak, boat or another type of watercraft out to it. But once there, you may never want to leave

The Ponce Carnival is an annual week-long celebration. There are parades with wildly decorated floats, crazy costumed people, lots of music, loads of spectators, and merriment. Similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it is derived from the old world tradition of a final celebration before the beginning of Lent. But over time, it has transformed into a week-long party! This year, the Carnaval de Ponce will be from February 6 to 12, 2013

When you hear about the Guanica area, you probably hear all about how hot and dry it is. But, actually, Guanica also boasts some great swimming beaches – like Playa Santa. This lovely beach is a free, public beach, so it is open all the time, and it is a great place to cool down and relax.

I know that when you see this cute, little church, you assume it is somewhere in Europe. But this lovely place is actually right here in Puerto Rico! The church is a replica of a church in Germany. The grounds are very beautiful, and they welcome all visitors who want to come and enjoy this peaceful place.

La Parguera offers natural beauty above and below the water. Going out in the afternoon and into the evening gives you some of the best of both worlds — clear blue water, green mangrove islands, colorful sunsets, and later, after dark, the sparkling Parguera Biobay lagoon water and thousands of stars above. We recently did a sunset snorkel and biobay tour with Paradise Scuba & Snorkeling and it was an enjoyable end to a great day.