Puerto Rico Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Arecibo Observatory
Get starry eyed at Arecibo Observatory, site of one of the largest radar/radio telescopes in the world. Located in the unusual karst country of Puerto Rico, the 8-hectare (20-acre) dish is best seen from a small airplane flight between San Juan and Mayagüez. The Caguana Indian Ceremonial Park, south of the Arecibo Observatory, was built by Taino Indians 800 years ago.

La Fortalez
Visit La Fortaleza in San Juan, completed in 1540, and now the governor's residence - the oldest of its kind in the Western hemisphere.

Museums
San Juan hosts an array of interesting museums: Casa de los Contrafuertes houses the African Heritage Museum; Casa del Callejón is a traditional Spanish-style home that holds the Museum of Colonial Architecture and the Museum of the Puerto Rican Family; the San Juan Museum of Art and History is in a 19th-century building, and its patio often used for concerts.

Old San Juan
Plaza de San José is a pretty area of small museums and pleasant cafes. The wonderful colonial Spanish fortresses of El Morro and San Cristobal are both perched on clifftops, and the early 17th-century City Wall follows the peninsula contour, providing attractive views of Old San Juan and the sea.

Ponce
See the beautiful town of Ponce, on the southern side of the island and connected to the capital by a toll road; it is also situated near many good beaches. Visit the excellent Museum of Art in Ponce, which contains more than 1,000 paintings and 400 sculptures, ranging from ancient classical to contemporary art. Its collection of 19th-century Pre-Raphaelite paintings is considered among the best in the Americas.

San José Church
See the second-oldest church in the Western hemisphere - San José Church (in San Juan) is where Ponce de León's body was interred until the early 20th century.

Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center
Explore the Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center, an ancient Indian burial ground near Ponce. A replica of a Taino Indian village has been built here.

Top Things to Do

Diving
Go diving around the island of Mona, just off Boquerón on the southwest coast. Because this area is a nature reserve, independent divers require government permission to dive there. Desecheo Island, off the northwest coast, and Isabela are also good diving areas.

Explore caves
Roam the third-largest cave system in the world: the Camuy Caves, near Arecibo on the north coast. There are well-paved access roads, a reception area and electric trains to the entrance of the caves.

Fiestas Patronales
Attend one of Puerto Rico's Fiestas Patronales - celebrations held in each town's plaza to honor the area's patron saint. Fiestas last up to 10 days and include processions, games, food and dance. One of many recommended fiestas is San Juan Bautista Day.

Hiking
There are good trails in El Yunque forest reserve. Energetic walkers can tackle the mountains in the interior. Toro Negro, with its lush forests and marvelous vistas, is recommended, while the highest peak is Cerro de Punta. The Guanica dry forest in the southwest also has good routes. For hiking advice, contact the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico (www.fideicomiso.org).

Horse riding
Puerto Rico prides itself on its paso fino horses, a breed noted for its endurance and the comfort it affords the rider. Beach riding is particularly recommended at Luquillo in the northeast or Isabela in the northwest.

Wildlife-spotting
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System, and this 11,000-hectare (28,000-acre) rainforest and bird sanctuary is located in the Luquillo Mountains. Birdwatchers in particular will enjoy the Guanica dry forest or the Cabezas de San Juan nature reserve.

Witness Phosphorescent Bay
Microscopic marine life light up when disturbed by fish, boats or any movement at all. The phenomenon (especially vivid on moonless nights) is rarely found elsewhere. Night boat trips are available, and you can even have a nighttime snorkel in the right conditions. There are other phosphorescent bays in Vieques and Fajardo.