The Best of Puerto Rico

Flamenco Beach, Culebra

Best time to travel: mid April-June
Ease of travel: Moderate
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $$

Public beach on the Caribbean island of Culebra, known for its shallow turquoise waters, white sand, swimming areas, and diving sites
It stretches for a mile around a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped bay
One of the most distinctive views of the beach include two rusting carcasses of old M4 Sherman tanks that were left behind by the United States Navy after their departure from Flamenco Beach in 1975, which was used as a weapons-testing ground by them for more than 30 years

Best time to travel: mid April-June
Ease of travel: Easy
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $

Citadel built between 16th and 18th centuries in San Juan
The fortification was designed to guard the entrance to the San Juan Bay, and defend the Spanish colonial port city of San Juan from seaborne enemies

Best time to travel: Jan-mid April, Dec
Walk difficulty: Moderate
Ease of travel: Moderate
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $

Mountain that is located fully within El Yunque National Forest, which is the only tropical rainforest under the U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction
The peak itself is not the highest in Puerto Rico, however it is the most famous peak due to its curious shape, its natural environment and history, and for its cultural importance to the Taino people
The peak is nearly always covered in thin mist and, due to its high humidity, a quick shower develops during some afternoons

Best time to travel: Jan-mid April, Dec
Ease of travel: Moderate
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $

Bay in the island of Vieques famous for its bioluminescence produced by the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense, which glows blue when agitated
This species of phytoplankton is found in bays in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and The Bahamas

Best time to travel: mid April-June
Ease of travel: Moderate
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $

Fortress in San Juan, it was built by the Spanish to protect against land-based attacks on the city of San Juan
Castillo San Cristóbal is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World
When it was finished in 1783, it covered about 27 acres of land and partly encircled the city of San Juan
Entry to the city was sealed by San Cristóbal’s double gates
After close to a hundred years of relative peace in the area, part of the fortification was demolished in 1897 to help ease the flow of traffic in and out of the walled city

Best time to travel: mid April-June
Walk difficulty: Moderate
Ease of travel: Moderate
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $

National Park Service-managed historic site which protects and interprets colonial-era forts such as Castillo San Felipe del Morro, bastions, powder houses, and three fourths of the old city wall

Best time to travel: mid April-June
Ease of travel: Easy
Cost ($-$$-$$$): $

Art museum in Santurce, a barrio of San Juan, with 18 exhibition halls, built in 1920
The museum is located in a historic building, formerly occupied by the San Juan Municipal Hospital