Puerto Rico is beautiful from the beach. But some of the island’s most interesting scenery is underwater. Slip on a mask and snorkel and you may find yourself floating above coral reefs, seagrass meadows and schools of tropical fish. You might see a sea turtle quietly feeding below you. A spotted eagle ray may glide past. A barracuda might hover motionless in the distance. And around Puerto Rico’s healthier reefs, you’ll discover an entire landscape of corals, sea fans, spong

When most people picture Puerto Rico, they imagine beaches. But turn away from the coast and you’ll discover an island filled with mountains, rainforests, caves, waterfalls, canyons and surprisingly wild landscapes. You can hike through a tropical rainforest in the morning. Walk through a dry forest filled with cactus the next day. Climb into a limestone cave. Follow a trail beside Caribbean cliffs. Or disappear into Puerto Rico’s central mountains where temperatures drop, cl

Condado Lagoon Puerto Rico looks completely different from the seat of a kayak. From the water, you can paddle through mangrove tunnels, glide across a glowing bioluminescent bay, explore quiet Caribbean coves or watch the skyline of San Juan reflect across a calm lagoon. And you don’t have to be an experienced kayaker to do it. Some of Puerto Rico’s best paddling destinations are protected lagoons perfect for beginners. Others require open-water experience, good weather and

Playa Caracas Puerto Rico has no shortage of beautiful beaches. So why take a ferry or small plane to another island just to see more of them? Because Vieques doesn’t feel like the rest of Puerto Rico. Located just off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, Vieques — officially Isla de Vieques — is quieter, less developed and considerably more laid-back than San Juan. There are no high-rise resort districts. No major shopping centers. No six-lane highways. Instead, you’ll find wild hor

Just a few minutes beyond the hotels and high-rises of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico suddenly feels very different. The buildings disappear. Mangroves surround the road. The Atlantic appears through the palms. And one roadside kiosk after another begins advertising alcapurrias, bacalaítos, empanadillas, seafood and cold drinks. Welcome to Piñones. Located along PR-187 in the municipality of Loíza, Piñones is one of the easiest places near San Juan to combine Puerto Rican food, Afro

If you ask someone in San Juan where to go for a fun night out, there’s a good chance you’ll hear two words: La Placita. Located in Santurce, just minutes from Condado, La Placita de Santurce is one of San Juan’s most popular places to eat, drink, dance and experience Puerto Rican nightlife. But La Placita isn’t actually a nightclub. And it wasn’t originally created as an entertainment district. At its center is the historic Plaza del Mercado de Santurce, a traditional market

Gozalandia in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico may be famous for its beaches, but some of the island’s most memorable places to swim are nowhere near the ocean. Head into the mountains and you’ll discover waterfalls hidden in tropical forests, cool freshwater swimming holes, rivers flowing across enormous boulders and even natural rock waterslides. Known locally as charcos, ríos and saltos, these freshwater spots are where Puerto Ricans have been cooling off for generat

Baño de Oro - El Yunque Waterfalls tumbling through tropical vegetation, mountain trails disappearing into the clouds, giant ferns, rushing rivers and the unmistakable call of the coquí — El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s most extraordinary places. Located in northeastern Puerto Rico, El Yunque covers more than 28,000 acres and is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. It’s also surprisingly accessible from San Juan, making it an easy

Colorful buildings, blue cobblestone streets, enormous Spanish forts, hidden courtyards, lively plazas and spectacular views of the Atlantic — Old San Juan is one of those places where simply walking around is part of the attraction. Known locally as Viejo San Juan, this historic walled city is compact enough to explore on foot but packed with more than 500 years of history. You can visit the highlights in a few hours, but we recommend giving yourself at least one full day. B

One of the best things about visiting Puerto Rico is just how much variety you can experience on one relatively small island. Puerto Rico is approximately 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, yet you’ll find historic cities, tropical rainforest, dry coastal landscapes, coffee-covered mountains, surfing towns, caves, quiet fishing villages and hundreds of beaches. While many visitors begin their trip in San Juan, there’s much more to discover beyond the metropolitan area. Here’s