THINGS TO DO

With more than 500 years of history, Puerto Rico is a culture-rich island that celebrates its past. Whether you are spending the day as part of a cruise ship excursion, or flying to the island on an extended visit, here are few places and things you should discover.

Stay

In its former life, Hotel El Convento was the first Carmelite convent in the Americas, housing nuns for more than 250 years. The convent was transformed into a deluxe hotel in the 1960s, with 100 rooms opening onto a central courtyard. Today, it is the only small luxury hotel in Old San Juan and features a rooftop plunge pool with commanding views of the city. Across a small square from the hotel sits the second oldest cathedral in the Americas.

Explore

Located in the foothills of the El Yunque National Rainforest, Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park offers horseback and ATV rides. Saddle up and follow the trails that lead to the waters of the Mameyes River, where you can cool off for a swim before heading to the Carabalí Bar and Grill for a meal of seafood, chicken, fried pork or skirt steak served in edible bowls of mofongo.

Learn

Take a guided tour of the three caves at Adventura Cueva Ventana, located just over an hour’s drive west of San Juan. Learn about the island’s plants and animals, including the different bat species which live in the cave; discover centuries-old petroglyphs carved by Indigenous Taíno people; and take a selfie at one of the cave’s entrances, which is located on a limestone cliff hundreds of feet above the Rio Grande de Arecibo valley.

Discover

Loíza, a 45-minute drive east of San Juan, is Puerto Rico’s Capital of Traditions. Learn about Bomba, a dancing and music style unique to the island with more than 400 years of history. Be sure to visit the studios of local artists, like Raul Ayala, a secondgeneration carver who makes coconut masks for the community’s annual Feast of St. James carnival and parade.

Enjoy

Among Puerto Rico’s musical exports are Ricky Martin and Daddy Yankee, the latter of whom collaborated with singer Luis Fonsi on the hit song “Despacito.” Spend a night dancing at popular La Factoría or visit the La Perla district in Old San Juan, two places featured in the song’s music video. For a slightly quieter night, head to El Batey, a popular bar with walls covered in signatures and drawings.

Sightsee

Take a sunset cruise of San Juan’s harbour on a mini boat with East Island Adventure. As easy to drive as a car — all you need to rent one is a valid driver’s licence — these small vessels will afford you amazing views of the city, including the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a 16th-century fortress built by the Spanish, and La Fortaleza, a cliff-side fortification which dates from the same period.

Eat

Located along Avenida Juan Ponce de León in Santurce, a neighbourhood in San Juan, Lote 23 highlights some of the local food and drinks produced on the island. Food trucks and stalls are organized around picnic tables and large fans to keep customers warm. Be sure to try a Pernil, a pork shoulder sandwich, from Pernilería Los Proceres.