Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island with a difference. It has the pristine beaches, tropical climate, crystal-blue sea and coconut palms characteristic of its counterparts; but along with its unmistakable Spanish colonial heritage, the island today is also part of the United States Commonwealth, meaning it has a first-world infrastructure mixed in with its traditional Latin American culture. Hamburgers are as endemic as island dishes like , and freeways connect shantytowns to strips of high-rise beachfront hotels. The second thing that makes Puerto Rico different to other Caribbean holiday Meccas is that it remains largely undeveloped, except for the coastal region around its capital city, San Juan. The island is edged with some magnificent beaches that are mostly uncommercialised, and which are easily reached from the capital and its large resort hotels because the island is so small and compact.

Exploring Puerto Rico, both around its coast and throughout its interior, is a delight. Roads are excellent and there are numerous interesting attractions and unrivalled experiences, from the world's largest radio telescope to the magical experience of swimming at night amongst tiny phosphorescent creatures on the offshore island of Vieques.

Historically Puerto Rico, like many other Caribbean islands, was originally inhabited by Taino Indians until the arrival of Christopher Columbus and the instigation of Spanish rule and settlement. The island's capital and larger towns have preserved their Spanish heritage as 'old quarter' tourist attractions, full of charm and interest. Puerto Rico is a hybrid of old and new which makes it an intriguing cultural destination, rather than just another tropical island paradise.

Bioluminescent Bay

Address: Fajardo

Museo del Niño (Children's Museum)

Address: 150 Calle Cristo, Old San Juan San Juan

Admission: $5 (Adults), $7 (Children under 15) Open Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 3.30pm, Friday from 9am to 5pm, and on Weekends from 12.30pm to 5pm

Telephone: 787 722 3791

San Germán

Address: Ponce

Old San Juan

Address: San Juan

Fort San Felipe del Morro

Address: San Juan

Admission: US$3 (adults), concessions available Forts open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Telephone: 787 729 6960

La Fortaleza

Address: Fortaleza Street, Old San Juan San Juan

Admission: Free Open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

Telephone: 729 6960

Saint John the Baptist Cathedral

Address: Cristo Street San Juan

Admission: Daily tours run from 8.30am to 4pm. Regular services are held

Telephone: 787 722 0861 or 787 722 1709

La Casa Blanca

Address: San Sebastian Street, Old San Juan San Juan

Admission: US$2 (adults), US$1 (children) Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 12pm, and 1pm to 4.30pm. Guided tours (by appointment only) run from Tuesday to Friday

Telephone: 724 4102

Casa del Libro

Address: 255 Cristo Street San Juan

Admission: Free Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 4.30pm

Telephone: 723 0354

University of Puerto Rico Campus

Address: Rio Piedras San Juan

Admission: Museum open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm; and on weekends from 11am to 5pm. Gardens open daily from 6am to 6pm.

Telephone: 764 0000 ext 2452 (museum); 763 4408 (gardens)

Museo de Arte

Address: 299 De Diego Avenue, Santurce San Juan

Admission: US$6 (adults), US$3 (children) Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm (until 8pm on Wednesdays); and Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

Telephone: 977 6277

Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory

Address: Arecibo San Juan

Admission: $10 (adults); $6 (children) Open daily from 9am to 4pm in June, July, December and January. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in the remaining months

Telephone: 787 878 2612

Caribbean National Forest (El Yunque)

Address: Fajardo

Admission: Open daily from 7.30am to 6pm. El Porto Rain Forest Center: Open daily from 9am to 4.30pm

Telephone: 787 888 1880

Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve

Address: Fajardo

Admission: US$7 (adults), US$4 (children) Open Wednesday to Sunday, with reservations required. English language tours operate at 2pm.

Telephone: 722 5882 (weekday reservations), 860 2560 (weekend reservations)

Parque de Bombas Fire Station

Address: Plaza Las Delicias Ponce

Admission: Open daily from 9.30am to 6pm (closed on Tuesdays)

Telephone: 284 4141, extension 342

Ponce Art Museum

Address: 2325 Avenue Las Americas Ponce

Admission: US$5 (adults), US$2.50 (children under 12). Open daily from 10am to 6pm (closed on Tuesdays)

Telephone: (787) 848-0505

Coffin Island

Address: Ponce

Museum of Puerto Rico Music

Address: 50 Isabel Street Ponce

Admission: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 5.30pm

Telephone: 787 844 9722

Museo Castillo Serralles

Address: 17 El Vigia Ponce

Admission: US$12.30 (adults), US$4 (children under 16). Concessions are available Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 5.30pm

Telephone: 259 1774

Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center

Address: Ponce

Admission: US$2 (adults) Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm

Telephone: 787 840 2255

Culebra and Vieques

Address: Fajardo

Telephone: 863-0705 (for current departures to Culebra and Vieques)

Luis Muñoz Rivera Park

Address: Between aves. Muñoz Rivera and Ponce de León San Juan

Admission: Free Open daily

Telephone: 787 721 6133

Camuy River Cave Park

Address: Arecibo San Juan

Admission: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 4pm. Last tour departs at 3.30pm

Telephone: (787) 898 3100

Casa Bacardi Visitor Centre

Address: Bay View Industrial Park San Juan

Admission: Free admission Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm (last tour at 4.30pm); and on Sundays from 10am to 5pm (last tour at 3.45pm)

Isla Verde

Address: San Juan

Dr Juan A Rivero Zoo

Address: Mayaguez Ponce

Admission: $6 (Adults), $4 (Children 11-17), $2 (Children 5-10) Open Wednesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 5pm

Golf

Scuba Diving in Puerto Rico

Cruising in San Juan

Blu Guayaba

Address: 6475 Isla Verde Avenue San Juan

Food Type: Local

Aguaviva

Address: 364 Calle Fortaleza San Juan

Food Type: Seafood

Aguaviva's cool, turquoise décor is very laid-back, in stark contrast to its chaotic atmosphere. The stained-glass (jellyfish) replicas are intriguing, best contemplated over oysters and a stiff drink from the bar. An open kitchen serves delectable cuisine including a marlin and garlic (appetiser), and a seafood tower made up of fried oysters, coco-flavoured shrimp and fried octopus. The grilled mahi-mahi with smoky shrimp, salsa and yucca is also fantastic, as is the paella with seafood and pork sausage. Reservations required.

Augusto's Cuisine

Address: 801 Ponce de León Ave San Juan

Food Type: French

This elegant and glamorous restaurant flaunts its European flair in a portentous grey and green dining room within the Hotel Excelsior, Miramar. Fresh ingredients are used to create indulgent offerings such as creamy corn and oyster soup, an exquisite lobster risotto or medallions of veal with foie gras and Madeira sauce. The wine list is also outstanding.

Dragonfly

Address: 364 Calle Fortaleza San Juan

Food Type: International

Dragonfly's décor is reminiscent of an old San Francisco bordello with beaded curtains, fringed lamps and gilded mirrors. Their trademark drink is the 'Dragon Punch', often accompanied by live Latin jazz performances. The plantain chips, (pork rinds) and spicy crab cakes are easily followed by delicious red snapper or grouper, while the pumpkin and bean selection is quite formidable. For those with bigger appetites, the barbecued lamb shank is a must! Reservations required.

Parrot Club

Address: 363 Calle Fortaleza San Juan

Food Type: Caribbean

The Parrot Club is found in a stately 1902 building and occasionally hosts local dignitaries in its ambient dining hall. The courtyard tables are accompanied by live music among potted ferns, orchids and palms. This bistro and bar blends Puerto Rican cuisine with Spanish, African and Taíno flavours. Halibut, salmon and mahi-mahi form part of the (appetiser) menu and the criolla-style flank steak is superb for a main course, as is the tuna with rum and orange-essence sauce. A favoured drink is their trademark 'Parrot Passion'. Closed for two weeks in September.