Puerto Rico is surrounded by the continental shelf on three sides, has warm water, visibility up to 50 feet in places and brightly colored fish and coral reef seldom seen in other areas. According to Frommer's "Travel Guide to Puerto Rico," two of the most rewarding scuba diving spots are Fajardo and Mona Island.
Winter often provides the best time to go big game fishing in the water surrounding Puerto Rico. Fish species include white and blue marlin, Allison tuna and mackerel. Many big game fish are easily located within 20 minutes of the island.
Every January for the last 50 years, the San Sebastian Street Festival has showcased the best Puerto Rican artisans, cooks, dancers and musicians in the Old San Juan district. Much like Brazil's famous Carnival, this free all day/all night festival attracts thousands of locals and tourists alike for food, fun and music.
The food of Puerto Rico is a spicy blend of African, Spanish and American cooking. Exotic ingredients such as nispero (otherwise known as the tropical loquat fruit) and yuca (the cassava root vegetable) work in harmony to create unique dishes such as lechón asado (boiled pig).
Located about 41 miles west of Puerto Rico, this seven-mile long island is often compared to the Galapagos Islands of South America. There are no human inhabitants but a variety of rare animals and fish, including the Mona iguana, which grows to more than 4 feet long.
Located just 8 miles away from Puerto Rico, the island of Vieques features attractions such as the Bio Bay, which according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. Millions of glowing microorganisms thrive in the Bio Bay. At night, these creatures cause unearthly glows of flashing lights that shimmer around everything that swims in the surrounding waters.
Many of the world's most talented baseball players are Puerto Rican, including Willie Collazo of the New York Mets. Watch rising stars during baseball season, which takes place November through January. San Juan has a total of six stadiums, the most of any city on the island, followed by Carolina and Bayamon.
Founded in 1957, the MAP houses a significant collection of Western art including French, Spanish, Flemish, Italian and Puerto Rican artists dating from the high Middle Ages to the 19th century. Located in the city of Hato Rey, the MAP is open daily and charges a small admission fee.
As home to world famous golfer Chi Chi Rodriquez, Puerto Rico is a golfer's paradise with over 22 different courses for every level of player. Nearly every course is open to the public and all offer lessons, pro shops and clubhouses. Some of the most popular courses are in the towns of Dorado Del Mar, Coco Beach and Coamo.
Puerto Rico's 272 miles of coastline offers a variety of beach settings. Guajataca Beach, located on the northwest side of the island near the town of Quebradillas, is famous for surfing and shell collecting. Condado Beach is a calm, white sandy beach located 10 minutes from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. For a more exotic setting, head to the southwest coast to Guánica, a United Nations Biosphere Reserve known for its rare animals and plant species.
