Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island with a difference. It has the pristine beaches, tropical climate, crystal-blue sea and coconut palms characteristic of its counterparts, but along with itsunmistakable Spanish colonial heritage, the island is today part of the United States Commonwealth, meaning it has a first world infrastructure mixed in with its traditional Latin American culture. Hamburgersare as endemic as island dishes like 'sancocho', and freeways connect shantytowns to strips of high-rise beachfront hotels. The second thing that makes Puerto Rico different to other Caribbean holidayMeccas
is that it remains largely undeveloped, except for the coastal region around its capital city, San Juan. The island is edged with some magnificent beaches featuring coral reefs, mostuncommercialized and easily reached from the capital and its large resort hotels because the island is small and compact.

Places to visit
Old San Juan
El Morro is an impressive military stronghold andis well worth a visit. It boasts six levels, 18ft thick walls and it rises a magnificent 140ft above sea level. There are several small guard boxes situated all around the fort which have become anational symbol. It is said that the El Morro fort has never been successfully penetrated, even though it suffered attacks from Sir Francis Drake, Sir George Clifford, and General Boudewin Hendricksz,among others. This amazingly strong building now stands as a reminder of how fiercely the Spaniards defended the port and country.
San Juan
La Fortaleza - The home of the governor of Puerto Rico isthe oldest existing executive mansion, not only in Puerto Rico, but in the Western Hemisphere. For over 300 years this beautiful residence has been the home of the Puerto Rican government. Even beforethat, as far back as the 1530's, La Fortaleza was built as a stronghold against pirates and Carib Tribesman. Clearly La Fortaleza oozes warmth and history and is definitely worth a visit. Some of the...