Fountain of Youth searcher and first governor, Ponce de Leon, founded Old San Juan. Traces of the Old World - cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies, 17th-century Spanish architecture, an old cathedral, a fortress - still linger here.

Puerto Rico is a blend of urban and natural delights. It boasts El Yunque, the only US tropical rainforest outside Hawaii. Balneario de Luquillo is the quintessential beach but there are sandy shores to suit everyone from sunbathers to surfers. In the evening the island sizzles with the gyrating sounds of reggaetón and Salsa music. San Juan is a popular port of embarkation for Caribbean cruise holidays.

Besides the beaches, the island's major attraction is Old San Juan. The US National Landmark is located within walking distance of the port. Over 400 renovated buildings house shops and cafes, close to parks and monuments. The apex of the isle's natural beauty, on the eastern side, is the sprawling El Yunque with its 240 tree species, rushing cascades and colourful birds. A stay in Puerto Rico is not complete without a day at the beach alongside its azure waters.

Highlights
• Bosque Estatal de Guánica
• Casa Blanca
• Catedral de San Juan
• Fuerte San Felipe del Morro
• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
• Parque de las Cavernas del Rio Camuy
• Vieques

Puerto Rico Tourism Company
La Casita Plaza Dársenas, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Tel: +1 787 722 1709.
Website: www.gotopuertorico.com

Though San Juan has a wide range of shops, they aren't duty-free. So, forget the electronic, jewellery, china and crystal bargains. Concentrate on the artwork and crafts like santos (carved religious figures), mundillo (homemade lace), vejigantes (masks worn during Carnival), guayaberas (men's shirts) and hand-rolled cigars. Though there are several malls, San Juan is the shopping hub.

The island's cuisine runs the gamut from upscale gourmet and ethnic Thai and Italian to pure Puerto Rican - typically beans, rice and mofungo (fried, chopped plantains) served with meat, seafood or pork.

This is the tropics so the weather is naturally hot and humid. The rainy and hurricane seasons run from late May to early November.

Puerto Rico

GMT - 4.

US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents.

Spanish and English.

Located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Leeward Islands.

3,958,128.

Self-governing US Commonwealth Territory (incorporated). Gained internal autonomy in 1951.

Roman Catholic 85%, Christian denominations and Jews 15%.

Casual dress is acceptable, but shorts are not in formal hotel dining rooms or casinos. Both Spanish and American conventions apply. 

Tipping:
Restaurants include a 15% service charge but often an addition 5%-10% is left as an additional tip. If bill is paid by credit card, be sure to draw a line through the tip portion. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip. Bellmen receive about US$1 per bag and the maid receives US$2 or more per night if service is good.