Jaunted

With Spanish and English as official languages, the island is easy to navigate and doesn't pose major language barriers. As with any destination, we suggest to brush up on your speaking skills; it's just the polite thing to do.

The capital San Juan has a lot to offer visitors, from architecture, food and drink and beaches to good ol' shopping. The city is divided up into an old section, Old San Juan, known to locals as San Juan Vieja, and a newer area filled with resorts and high-end shopping, the Condado. San Juan Vieja is full of blue cobblestone streets, street vendors in the square, and little treasure for churches and restaurants.

The primary attraction is Castillo de San Cristobal, the Spanish fort built to ward off British pirates in the 17th century. Since it is run by the US Parks Service, the nominal fee is worth it and guided tours by park rangers mean you'll not miiss a bit of history. Not only is this a walk back into time, it is a great way to get a workout in a unique setting.

After a tiring tour of the giant fort, El Convento is the place to cool off with an icy drink and a few plates of tapas. Originally a convent in the 17th century, the boutique hotel and restaurant will transport you to another world in another time.

For an out-of-town excursion, El Yunque will suit for a rainforest or coffee plantation tour. Just about an hour outside San Juan, it is the only tropical rain forest in the US Park System. For a diver paradise, Ponce is the place. Located on the south coast, the area boasts 'The Wall' an underwater delight.

When planning a trip, ensure you consider that the island is subject to a beating in hurricane season. If you do run into a rainy spell of weather, there's always Casa Bacardi, the famous rum distillery located across the bay!

[Photo: Rayme Gorniak for Jaunted]