Nestled within the 16th century ramparts of El Morro Castle, circled on three sides by the lashing waters of the Atlantic, the sinuous streets of Old San Juan fold in on themselves, cocooned from the rest of the world.
Just off the fortified peninsula, skyscrapers, shopping malls and casinos line-up on the mainland. A bit further on, the ivory beaches of Isla Verde with their accompanying luxury hotels complete the final stage of the three-tiered development of San Juan; from Spanish port, to US commercial centre, to playground for international sun-seekers. In short, San Juan has got it all.
Puerto Rico effortlessly combines modern luxuries with the earthiness of the tropics. El Yunque Reserve, symbolic of this union, is the only tropical rainforest designated as a US National Park. Easy trails lead through verdant wilderness, traversing the 1,066 metre El Yunque peak.
More down-to-earth pleasures await visitors to Vieques island, whose Navio Beach was suitably isolated and panoramic enough for it to feature as a location for the final scenes of the 60s classic 'Lord of The Flies'. And if you've never swum in the unearthly glow of phosphorescence, then a whole new experience awaits you in Mosquito Bay, to the north of the island.
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