Things to see and do in Puerto Rico

Castillo Serralles sits on a hill overlooking Ponce; the former home of rum magnate Serralles is open to the public for tours. Equally impressive is La Cruceta de la Vigia, an observatory shaped like a cross; from the top, you can see all the way to the Caribbean Sea.

Puerto Rico's capitol building is a must-see for architecture and history aficionados. The majestic marble capitol sits directly in front of the Atlantic Ocean as you enter Old San Juan. Don't just take photos outside; the interior dome features a gorgeous, colourful mosaic depicting the island's history. The Puerto Rican constitution is also on display.

Fideicomiso, Puerto Rico's nature conservancy, is dedicated to preserving properties of historical and cultural importance and opening these sites to the public for guided tours. Ranging from old sugar and coffee plantations to biodiverse nature parks, these sites are among Puerto Rico's best-kept secrets.

Though there isn't much to see here officially, this town is important because it is the birthplace of bomba y plena music and it's the cradle of Afro-Puerto Rican culture. The Maria de la Cruz Cave is an interesting peek into Puerto Rico's indigenous past; Tainos are said to have lived here. Check out the town's main church, San Patricio, and ask about the history of the black St Patrick.

Plaza de las Delicias (Plaza of the Delights), Ponce's main plaza, is one of the island's most eye-catching and lively squares. A red and black firehouse, a cathedral, fountains, and statues all beg to be photographed. King Cream, a family-owned ice-cream shop, sells unusual flavours, including maní (peanut) and parcha (passionfruit); the queue is always long, but it moves fast.

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.

See the beautiful town of Ponce, on the southern side of the island and connected to the capital by a toll road. Ponce, called ‘La Perla del Sur’ or ‘Pearl of the South’, is Puerto Rico's second largest city and its architecture, while also colonial, is quite different from the styles typical of San Juan. 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.