Aguadilla
Home to the world-class surfing spot of Crashboat Beach, Aguadilla is often called the Garden of the Atlantic. Spectacular sunsets, scenic hiking, oceanside golfing, and white sand beaches await at this northwestern Puerto Rican town. Visitors can take in the colorful marine life while snorkeling the warm waters, frolic at Las Cascadas water park, or explore the area’s nearby historical landmarks.
Cabo Rojo
Cabo Rojo is situated on Puerto Rico’s western coast, and the area surrounding the town is famous for its natural beauty, with subtropical dry forests, sandy beaches, and dramatic limestone cliffs. The area is also known for fishing, seafood restaurants, and spectacular sunsets. A popular vacation spot among local families, Cabo Rojo is one of the less crowded tourist destinations on the island.
Fajardo
Millions of microscopic dinoflagellates create an otherworldly glow in Fajardo's Laguna Grande, one of Puerto Rico's three bioluminescent bays. Starting at dusk, kayak tours wend their way through a mangrove-lined channel and into the glittering lagoon. Fajardo is also home to the crescent-shaped Seven Seas Beach and the Puerto del Rey Marina, among the largest marinas in the Caribbean.
Guanica
Offering a tranquil, fishing-village ambience and a wealth of natural wonders, Guánica lies along the Caribbean Sea on Puerto Rico’s southern coast. Hikers and birders can explore the 10,000-acre Guánica Dry Forest, a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve just outside of town. Picture-perfect Gilligan's Island, a mile offshore and accessed by ferry, is ideal for snorkeling or lazing on the beach.
Humacao
On the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, Humacao was founded in 1722 and named after a local Indian chief. Humacao is home to Palmas del Mar, the island’s largest resort, which takes up the entire southeastern portion of the municipality. The area surrounding the city cultivates sugarcane, tobacco, and coffee. Humacao is famous for its “granitos,” a snack made from cheese and fried rice flour.
Ponce
Puerto Rico’s second largest city and busiest shipping port, Ponce’s center dates from the late 17th century. Steeped in neoclassical architecture, the city is also known as the “pearl of the south.” The Ponce Museum of Art houses the most extensive art collection in the Caribbean. An ancient nearby cemetery is perhaps the most important archaeological site in the West Indies.
Rincon
Rincon is famous for its beaches, which tend to be small, intimate, and varied in character. The first World Championships of surfing was held in Rincon in 1968, and the big waves of the northern beaches still attract surfers the world over. The calm waters of the southern beaches, by contrast, are ideal for snorkeling and diving. During the winter months, humpback whales swim offshore.
San Juan
San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico, and its cultural hub. Half of the island’s population lives in the greater metropolitan area, and most visitors enter here as well. Old San Juan, with its cobblestone streets and old colonial architecture, lies on a small island connected to the mainland by bridges; it is guarded by 16th and 17th century forts, now World Heritage sites open to the public.
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