The Best of Puerto Rico

San Juan greets travellers with the double face of a Caribbean capital: on one side the colonial maze of Viejo San Juan, on the other the urban beaches and high-rises facing the Atlantic. The historic core, enclosed by mighty Spanish walls, is a sequence of cobbled lanes, pastel houses and shaded squares. The scene is dominated by El Morro, the sixteenth-century fortress guarding the bay’s entrance, alongside Castillo San Cristóbal: both tell of centuries of Atlantic history. Strolling about, you come upon the Catedral de San Juan Bautista, the Paseo de la Princesa along the ramparts and Calle del Cristo with its shops and cafés. Beyond the old town, the Condado and Isla Verde districts line up hotels, restaurants and broad golden beaches, while the lagoon and city parks offer green pauses. Puerto Rican cuisine — mofongo, lechón, codfish fritters — accompanies evenings alive with salsa and reggaeton. From San Juan, excursions reach the El Yunque rainforest and the beaches of the eastern coast.

Rincón, located on the western coast of Puerto Rico, is known for its spectacular ocean beaches and breathtaking sunsets. A paradise for surfers, it has globally renowned bays with incredible waves, such as Domes Beach, while others, like Steps and Sandy Beach, are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing in the sun. The nearby Rincón Lighthouse offers a stunning panoramic view of the ocean. On your way to or from San Juan, don't miss a stop inland at the Río Camuy Cave Park, a vast cave system carved by the third-largest underground river in the world, and along the coast at the Túnel de Guajataca, a historic railroad tunnel that opens to a beautiful bay with turquoise waters.

Ponce, nicknamed “the Pearl of the South”, spreads along Puerto Rico’s southern coast and is the island’s second city in historical and cultural importance. Its centre preserves elegant neoclassical and creole buildings, with the famous Parque de Bombas, the old red-and-black firehouse, and the cathedral facing the main square. Museums, markets and a living musical tradition animate city life, while the coast offers beaches and offshore islets. Ponce holds the historic, refined soul of southern Puerto Rico.

Humacao sits on Puerto Rico’s south-eastern coast, facing the Caribbean Sea and surrounded by green landscapes and nature reserves. The area is prized for its beaches, marinas and resorts opening toward the calm eastern waters, as well as the nearby Humacao reserve, a haven of birds and mangroves. It is a departure point for boat trips to the smaller islands, Vieques and Culebra, and the crystalline waters offshore. Humacao blends nature, sea and quiet in a discreet corner of the island.

Rio Grande stretches along Puerto Rico’s north-eastern coast, at the foot of the green mountains that hold the El Yunque rainforest. It is the ideal base for exploring the only tropical forest in the U.S. forest system, with trails among waterfalls, giant ferns and the song of the coquí. Along the shore, resorts and broad Atlantic-swept beaches line up, while the interior invites trekking and nature excursions. Its closeness to San Juan makes it a convenient destination for those seeking both sea and greenery. Rio Grande blends beach relaxation and forest adventure in a lush corner of the Caribbean.