Puerto Rico Vacation
From LoveToKnow Travel
Old San Juan
Exploring Old San Juan is an essential part of any Puerto Rico vacation. This historic coastal neighborhood was settled originally by the Spanish colonists in 1521 and became a major garrison and port city during Spain’s dominance of the Caribbean. Today, the area is a charming mix of narrow streets and lanes, ornate and formal Spanish colonial architecture, and interesting art galleries and boutiques in all price ranges. One of the most popular attractions in the seven-square block area is the Catedral de San Juan, begun in 1540, and graced with beautiful stained glass windows. The cathedral is also the final resting place of the explorer, Ponce de Leon.
A short stroll from Old San Juan is the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, known popularly as “El Morro.” Located on a promontory jutting out into San Juan Harbor, this fort was built in 1540 as a major defense for Spain’s conquest of the Caribbean. The massive fort was added on to continually for over 200 years, and today visitors can explore its labyrinths of dungeons, turrets, barracks, and fortified walls.
Condado: a Puerto Rico Vacation Paradise
Just down the road from Old San Juan is Condado Beach, a wide stretch of white sand, first discovered as a beach resort back in the 1920s. Today, this area is lined with high-rise resort hotels and condos and is filled with activity. Watersports abound here and visitors can try windsurfing, para-sailing (with a view of historic Old San Juan), snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing, among other activities. This is San Juan’s center for nightlife, casino gambling, and excellent restaurants and the nightly party lasts until the early hours of the morning.
Ponce
Ponce, on Puerto Rico’s south coast, is the country’s second largest city, is ideal for travelers looking for a historic rather than a beach-related Puerto Rico vacation. This handsome city has more than 1000 restored buildings, including Spanish Colonial homes with intricate iron balconies and 1930s vintage Art Deco edifices. The area is filled with charming green spaces and sparkling sea views. It is also home to the Museo de Arte de Ponce, a museum filled with excellent examples of European and Latin American art.
El Yunque
Twenty-five miles east of San Juan lies one of the best attractions in the Caribbean and a must-see on any Puerto Rico vacation. The Caribbean National Forest, better known as “El Yunque,” is the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest Service. Preserved as such by President Theodore Roosevelt, this 28,000 park includes over 240 tree species, countless waterfalls, wild orchids, and the ever-present Puerto Rican coqui, or tree frog. Visitors can hike, climb, or relax with a picnic or a good book. A large visitors’ center tells the story of the forest and hosts a revolving schedule of exhibits and displays.
Dorado
About 40 minutes west of San Juan lies Dorado, a luxury beach resort built around one of the best beaches on the island. It’s a great spot for a relaxed beach or golf-based Puerto Rico vacation. The star resort here is the Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort, originally built by Laurance Rockefeller in the 1950s as a retreat for presidents and Hollywood stars. Many of the accommodations at this sprawling 1000-acre resort sit directly on the beach and offer one-of-a-kind sea views. The two 18-hole championship golf courses here, carved out of the jungle and designed by golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., are some of the best in the Caribbean.
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