The capital city of Puerto Rico, San Juan is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean and a third of all Puerto Ricans live here. Nearly every visitor to the island arrives at San Juan, many on cruise liners. The port is the largest home-based cruise port in the world, hosting 28 vessels and with more being added to the list each year.

San Juan is divided into three distinct districts: Old San Juan, the historic walled city; the beach and resort area; and the outlying suburbs. Tourists are concerned mainly with Old San Juan, the site of most restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and the beaches. The old city is linked to the new by the largely residential Puerta de Tierra area, and a series of modern highways leading to the Condado beach front, which is reminiscent of Florida's Miami Beach with its high-rise hotels and apartment blocks.

It is not only tourism that keeps the financial mills grinding in San Juan. The city is an important centre for petroleum and sugar refining, brewing and distilling, and the manufacturing of cement, pharmaceuticals, metal products and tobacco products. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle there are numerous attractions in San Juan to amuse, entertain and interest the many tourists, and the city is a perfect base for exploring the rest of what this small Caribbean island has to offer.

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

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

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

San Sebastian Street Festival

Where: The streets of San Sebastian,San Juan

When: 14 - 18 January 2012

Casals Festival

Where: Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré,San Juan

When: 25 February - 17 March 2012

Heineken Jazzfest

Where: Tito Puente Amphitheater,San Juan

When: June 2012 TBA

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.