Top places to visit in Puerto Rico, outside of San Juan

Vieques Island is a unique experience for those with the time and interest in visiting.  The island lies 8 miles east of the Puerto Rico mainland. It is mostly undeveloped, as it was occupied by the U.S. Navy until 2003, an area that is now a national wildlife refuge.It's numerous beaches are among the top in the Caribbean with white sand and azure-colored clear crystal waters. Two top sights on the island are the horses roaming free, and the two Bioluminescent bays one of which is Puerto Mosquito where one can experience one of the eight wonders of the world - when the microscopic organism is agitated it glows in the water.  It is possible to visit the bay by kayak, electric boat or a fisherman's boat, as long as the rules are observed The island has hotels, Inns, and guesthouses that fits every budget, restaurants in different areas, and activites including colonial era ruins, abandoned naval facilities and an abundance of nature.  Rincon is in the northwest part of Puerto Rico, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.  It is a popular spot for surfing from October to April when there are some of the best surfing waves.  In the winter 'whale watching' is a popular sport and for non-surfers the calm waters on the Caribbean side is great for swimming, paddle boarding, or just relaxing on the beach and watching the sun set over the Caribbean sea.Accommodations range from vacation rentals, hotels, villa-style apartments and guest houses, and can be found everywhere.  There are also many restaurants and lots of activities.  Visit the website for more information (link El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Forest System. and is famous for it's biodiversity.  Here one can see giant tree ferns, tropical birds, the rare Puerto Rican Parrot, 15 species of 'Coqui' - tree frogs, go hiking on the 24 miles of hiking trails,and  get views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean sea. At the El Portal Rain Center there is a walkway 60-feet above the ground, that gives a view of the top of the trees and the walkway, at the base, which winds among them.  There are also exhibits about the plants, animals and the rain forest.  It is possible to visit El Yunque on a day trip, and for those who wish to spend more time, while there are no accommodations in the rain forest, they are places to stay overnight or longer in the surrounding area.View the list »
San Juan Puerto Rico, Skyline

International Travel newsletter

Puerto Rico is not a very large island, but then few of the Caribbean Islands are large. Just a little bigger than the size of Connecticut, the island pulsates with life, whether to the beat of Salsa music or reggaeton, there is always something going on. That is trueR in the capital San Juan, than in the areas outside the city.

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Visitors to San Juan find it easier to think of the city, according to it's districts. There is the old city, which was where the development began, and where the Cruise ship port is located. It is popular mostly with visitors from the many cruise ships that call on the island.

Then there is modern San Juan, which begins just outside the old town, this is where most of the tourists to the island stay, and where one will find many residential areas.

1. In the El Condado district, referred to as the glamourous district, there are luxury hotels, top rated restaurants, casinos and upscale boutiques. Blended in with all of this is a residential area with turn-of-the century mansions.

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2. In The Isla Verde District there are many hotels as well as exciting night life. It also has many high-rise apartments and many of the cities beaches can be found here.

3. The Ocean Park District is located between Condado and the Isla Verde beaches. It is a quiet tree-lined residential neighborhood where small bed and breakfast Inns blend with single family homes.

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  • El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US National Forest System. and is famous for it's biodiversity.  Here one can see giant tree ferns, tropical birds, the rare Puerto Rican Parrot, 15 species of 'Coqui' - tree frogs, go hiking on the 24 miles of hiking trails,and  get views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean sea. At the El Portal Rain Center there is a walkway 60-feet above the ground, that gives a view of the top of the trees and the walkway, at the base, which winds among them.  There are also exhibits about the plants, animals and the rain forest.  It is possible to visit El Yunque on a day trip, and for those who wish to spend more time, while there are no accommodations in the rain forest, they are places to stay overnight or longer in the surrounding area.
  • Rincon is in the northwest part of Puerto Rico, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.  It is a popular spot for surfing from October to April when there are some of the best surfing waves.  In the winter 'whale watching' is a popular sport and for non-surfers the calm waters on the Caribbean side is great for swimming, paddle boarding, or just relaxing on the beach and watching the sun set over the Caribbean sea.Accommodations range from vacation rentals, hotels, villa-style apartments and guest houses, and can be found everywhere.  There are also many restaurants and lots of activities.  Visit the website for more information (link 
  • Vieques Island is a unique experience for those with the time and interest in visiting.  The island lies 8 miles east of the Puerto Rico mainland. It is mostly undeveloped, as it was occupied by the U.S. Navy until 2003, an area that is now a national wildlife refuge.It's numerous beaches are among the top in the Caribbean with white sand and azure-colored clear crystal waters. Two top sights on the island are the horses roaming free, and the two Bioluminescent bays one of which is Puerto Mosquito where one can experience one of the eight wonders of the world - when the microscopic organism is agitated it glows in the water.  It is possible to visit the bay by kayak, electric boat or a fisherman's boat, as long as the rules are observed The island has hotels, Inns, and guesthouses that fits every budget, restaurants in different areas, and activites including colonial era ruins, abandoned naval facilities and an abundance of nature.  
View the list

, Anaheim International Travel Examiner

Mona lives in Orange County and knows all the places that would be of interest to visitors as well as residents of Orange County to enjoy a vacation or week-end getaway. Places that appeal both to adults and children, to the adventurous, beach lover, boater, fisherman, golfer, actually all...

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