The action doesn’t stop when the sun goes down in Puerto Rico. In true Latin fashion, the city puts on its best clothes and gets ready to party during these cooler hours, starting with a late dinner. Evening are then followed with dancing in the many discos in San Juan or in the luxurious casino hotels.

Casino gambling is found at many Puerto Rico hotels. Most casinos open at noon and remain open until the early hours of the morning. Most have dress codes which require semi-formal attire; leave the shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops in the room for your night at the tables. This is your chance to dress up and party; with San Juan’s lively atmosphere the rule of thumb is the tighter, the shinier, the better.

You may be surprised to learn that alcohol cannot, by law, be served in Puerto Rico’s casinos. You will find bars in each hotel, but no drinks are served on the casino floor.

One of the most sophisticated casinos in San Juan, and, indeed in the Caribbean, is found at El San Juan Hotel. With a tuxedoed staff and an elegant European air, it’s a favorite for couples looking for a fine casino. Wyndham El Conquistador offers a large casino with a view of the sea (yes–windows in a casino!) The entire casino is well-lit and bright, with pale paneling, beautiful views, and an airy atmosphere. The casino at Hyatt Cerromar sports a recent expansion with a bright carnival theme, nearly 300 slots, and plenty of table games to test your luck and skill.

In recent years, Puerto Rico - and San Juan in particular - has commanded a growing reputation as the culinary hot spot of the Caribbean. World-renowned chefs at vanguard restaurants prepare dynamic Nuevo Latino cuisine - a twist on traditional criollo cooking, with an emphasis on fish, fruits, tubers and dark rum sauces or marinades with tropical ingredients. You’ll also find every manner of ethnic food in the capital, including Indian, Thai, French and even Romanian.

Criollo fare, however, is still the staple of the Puerto Rican diet. Meats are mostly served with rice and red beans (habichuelas) or tostones - medallions of mashed, fried plantains. Sofrito - a sauce made from cilantro, onions, garlic and peppers - is used to season many dishes, as is adobo, a mixture of garlic, oregano, paprika, vinegar and oil. The food is typically tasty but much of it is starchy and fried in animal fat, and pork is far more popular than fish outside of the major cities.

The system of state-sanctioned restaurants, called mesones gastronómicos, presumably ensures a standard of decency among participating restaurants (most of which serve traditional criollo food), but the quality can vary widely. For a list of these establishments, contact the Country Inns Central Information Office (tel 800/866-7827) or pick up a copy of Que Pasa?.

Budget travellers can fill up at cheap rice-and-beans joints all over the island or seek out savory criollo staples like asopao de pollo (stewed chicken) and plátanos (plantains) or lechón asado (roast pork) and mofongo (a ball of crushed, fried plantains and seasonings), sold from trailers or the backs of pickup trucks. Reposterías are also a good bet. Found in San Juan and in strip malls islandwide, they have some of the island’s best coffee, along with breakfast postres - slightly sweet pastries filled with meat or cheese; they also sell soups, tortillas, seafood salads and fresh bread. Note that in all but the best restaurants, fresh vegetables are hard to come by, but supermarkets like Pueblo usually carry a good supply.

Coffee in Puerto Rico is strong, served black or with heated milk (café con leche), and very sweet. Look out for signs for refreshing coco
frío - chilled coconuts punctured with drinking straws. While not as common, fresh-fruit drinks made from mangos, papayas and oranges (known as jugo de china) are also available. Not surprisingly, rum (ron) is the national drink, as Puerto Rico is the world’s largest producer of this sugarcane-based liquor; more than twenty brands are distilled here. The locally brewed beer is Medalla; Presidente, from the Dominican Republic, is also popular.

For the most part, tap water is safe to drink. However, it’s wise to avoid it after storms and instead stick with bottled water, which is widely available. If in doubt, ask the locals.

Amadeus Calle San Sebastian 106 . Excellent nouvelle Caribbean cuisine served until 2am to a hip crowd in a handsome, eighteenth-century brick and stone building; try the dumplings with guava sauce and arrowroot fritters or the smoked salmon and caviar pizza. Entrees US$10-26.

Butterfly People Café Calle Fortaleza 152 . Inexpensive quiches, salads and sandwiches with a tropical twist, and fresh fruit juices; walls covered with framed butterflies.

Café Bohemio Hotel El Convento, Calle de Cristo 100. Cheap way to experience El Convento - seventeenth-century nunnery turned five-star hotel. Good spinach and ricotta crepes or ceviche in tequila sauce. Live music Tuesday through Friday after 9.30pm. Entrees US$9.50-14.50

Café Mallorca Calle San Francisco 400. People line up at this eatery for its famous pastries and hot chocolate; also on offer is good café con leche, fruit salads, pancakes and eggs for breakfast, and criollo staples for lunch and dinner. You can eat well for US$5-10. Closes at 7pm.

Café Zaguán Calle Tetuan 359 . Cosy, attractive expat hangout, with indoor and outdoor seating, offering tasty ceviche, soups and wraps, and excellent pulled pork quesadillas with papaya salsa. Open until midnight Tues-Sat. Entrees US$15-32.

Dragonfly Calle Fortaleza 364. Spinoff of the Parrot Club (same owner), offering Nuevo Latino with an Asian twist. Wonderful halibut ceviche with ginger, coconut milk and scallions, and Moo-shoo Mongolian beef wraps. Live music Tues, Thurs & Sat until midnight. Entrees US$12-25.

La Bombonera Calle San Francisco 259 . Century-old institution for morning pastries, excellent coffee, sandwiches and criollo classics like rice with squid or marinated roast pork and fried plantains. Open daily 7.30am-8pm.

La Fonda del Jibarito Calle Sol 280 . This reasonable bistro-style restaurant is as popular with local bohemians as with tourists, and the lamb stew and goat fricassee are excellent.

La Mallorquina Calle San Justo 207. Expensive for criollo fare, but the atmosphere fits the bill. Established in 1848 and run by the Rojos family for about a hundred years, it is reputedly San Juan’s oldest restaurant. Try the garlic soup and lobster asopao.

Parrot Club Calle Fortaleza 363. This requisite Old San Juan experience is pure Nuevo Latino, and the inspiration for many other restaurants. A chic crowd dines on impeccable dishes, while listening to mellow live Latin jazz. The house special: rare tuna broiled with dark rum and orange essence with yucca and cassava mash. Entrees US$18-29.

Yukiyú Calle Recinto Sur 311 . Chef Igarashi’s sushi is reputed to be Puerto Rico’s best. Pricey cooked dishes - seared on a teppanyaki grill - are also plentiful and very good.

Shoppers from the Caribbean and beyond are drawn to metropolitan San Juan, Plaza Las Americas in Hato Rey is the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean, containing 190 stores, including J.C. Penney’s, Sears, Macy’s, and dozens of smaller stores for clothing, gifts, electronics, cosmetics, etc. (787) 767-1525. Other commercial centers: Plaza Carolina in Carolina, Río Hondo in Levittown, Plaza del Carmen in Caguas and Mayagüez Mall in Mayagüez, Plaza de Aguadilla in Aguadilla, and Plaza del Caribe in Ponce.

In almost all cities there are regional commercial centers. Retail stores like: Sears, Wal-Mart, Kmart and JCPenny anchor shopping centers and malls alongside locally owned shops and island chain stores.

Do not forget that Puerto Rico is a large producer of rum, with many different types ranging from light rums for mixing with soft drinks to dark brandy-type rums. Hand made cigars can still be found in Old San Juan and Puerta de Tierra. A wide variety of imported goods from all over the world are available. Local artesanías include wooden carvings, musical instruments, lace, ceramics, hammocks, masks and basket-work.

Cathedral Cavern

Part of a cave system carved by the world’s second longest underground river, this cave contains ancient petroglyphs left behind by the Taíno Indians, with stylized drawings of everything from spaceships and stars to plants and animals. Dramatic shafts of sunlight illuminate a cathedral-like collection of stalactites and flowstone, and a bat colony inhabits the upper layers of the cave. Adventurous visitors can also make arrangements to go rappelling to depths of 80 to 125 feet.

Old San Juan

Narrow cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, centuries-old fortresses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, fascinating museums and art galleries, handcrafts on the corners-and everything bathed by a tropical breeze… these are some of the characteristics of legendary Old San Juan. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing, grab your camera, and get ready to marvel at the perfect marriage of the past and the present via a walking tour or the free trolley.

San Felipe Fort “El Morro”

El Morro, officially known as Fuerte San Felipe del Morro, sits atop a high promontory overlooking the entrance to San Juan Bay, and during the past two centuries has survived countless attached from English, Dutch and American ships. Visit dungeons and hidden passages, stroll through the lawns where soldiers once marched, and gaze over the fort’s 60-foot walls.

Gaming

Those who love to try their luck at casinos will find plenty of them in Puerto Rico. Every day, at almost any hour, the floors are bursting with the energy and hectic movement of tourists and residents alike. The excitement is almost palpable, as players pull for another, whether at the blackjack table or the roulette wheel. Glittering lights, tall ceilings, the inimitable sounds and sights, and the suspense and anticipation make a trip to a casino well worth a visit.

Arecibo Radio Telescope

In the northwest mountains of Puerto Rico, you’ll fine the Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory, the largest of its kind and one of the most important research facilities on earth. In its modern Visitors’ Center you will see how this colossal structure is used to study radio emissions from distant galaxies, quasars, pulsars and many other cosmic sources. The exhibits are interactive and contain valuable information on astronomy and atmospheric science.

Land Activities

Golf

The beauty and variety of Puerto Rico’s golf courses has many considering the island the golf capital of the Caribbean. There are currently more than a dozen world-class courses, with more on the way. All of the courses share the island’s year-round summer weather, tempered by the cool, gentle breezes of the trade winds. The brilliant tropical sky above your head provides a contrast to glimpses of sparkling white sand beaches backed by the blue Atlantic Ocean or the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

Surfing

Surfers travel the world in search for the perfect wave - and many consider western Puerto Rico in the winter as the place and season that they are most likely to find it. The Atlantic coastline from the tip of the island in Rincón north to Punta Borinquen is the place to find some of the best surf east of the Hawaiian Islands. There are plenty of surf shops where you can rent equipment and get advice on the best beach for you.

Horseback Riding

Puerto Ricans have always had a special love of horses. The gentle tradition of breeding and showing Paso Fino horses has been maintained for generations and important horse shows are held each year. You can go horseback riding along a beautiful beach, follow a trail through a tropical rain forest or amble through a coffee plantation high in the mountains. A half dozen ranches offer rentals and guided tours for beginners.

Water Activities

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

The waters off Puerto Rico’s shores offer great diving. The underwater visibility averages 60 to 75 feet, and offshore it is easily 100 feet or more! While experienced divers might prefer boat diving, there are countless sites - especially on the northeast coast near Aguadilla and Isabela - for world class shore diving. And the shallow reefs near San Juan, Dorado, Mayagüez and Humacao are perfect for snorkeling.

Tanama River Tours

The Tanama River offers a journey like no other. It begins along a beautiful trail that borders the largest radar/radio telescope in the world, nestled in a primeval forest. Next, slide-descend for 800 feet to the cool waters of the Tanamá River, then body raft down the river through caves and canyon. And finally, emerge from Ventana (Window) Cave, to be dazzled by the beauty of some of the most striking valleys in Puerto Rico. Not an adventure for the faint or heart!

The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), east of downtown San Juan, is one of the easiest and cheapest destinations to reach in the Caribbean.

The flight from New York to San Juan, Puerto Rico, takes 3.5 hours; from Miami to San Juan it’s 1.5 hours. Nonstop flights from London to Antigua and Barbados and from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Martin are about 7 hours. Once you’ve arrived in the Caribbean, hops between the islands range from 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Our Airline Partners Serving Puerto Rico:

US Airlines

Delta Airlines

American Airlines

Because Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth, U.S. citizens coming from mainland destinations do not need any documents to enter Puerto Rico. It is the same as crossing from Georgia into Florida. They do not need to carry proof of citizenship or to produce documents. However, because of new airport security measures, it is necessary to produce a government-issued photo ID (federal, state, or local) to board a plane; this is most often a driver’s license.Be sure to carry plenty of documentation. You might need to show a government-issued photo ID (federal, state, or local) at various airport checkpoints. Be sure that your ID is up-to-date: an expired driver’s license or passport, for example, might keep you from boarding a plane.

For Canadians, proof of citizenship is required to land in Puerto Rico. This could be in the form of a province-issued birth certificate or a Canadian identification card. A valid passport is preferred but not required. In addition, some form of photo ID, usually a driver’s license, is also required.

Visitors from other countries need a valid passport to land in Puerto Rico. For those from countries requiring a visa to enter the U.S., the same visa is necessary to enter Puerto Rico, unless these nationals are coming directly from the U.S. mainland and have already cleared U.S. Immigration and Customs there.

Traveling with Pets

Before taking a flight with your animal, have your veterinarian examine your pet to ensure that it is healthy enough to make the trip. Airlines and State health officials generally require health certificates for all animals transported by air. You will be required to: 1) Outfit your pet with a sturdy collar and two identification tags. The tags should have both your permanent address and telephone number and an address and telephone number where you can be reached while traveling. 2) Rabies quarantine certificate from veterinary doctor stating that pet has had a rabies shot.

Negril offers some of the best and most challenging underwater life for scuba divers of any resort in Jamaica. There are no really deep walls prevalent along the North Coast, but the offshore reefs here teem with marine life. Many of them are shallow, making them ideal for neophytes who want to break into the sport. Even in front of Seven Mile Beach are undercuts and caverns, attracting the diver or snorkeler.

The most famous dive site is “The Throne Room�, with a depth ranging from 12 to 21m (40-70 ft.). The site enables divers to enter at one end and ascend into the open air at the other. The orange elephant ear sponges that flourish here are the largest we’ve ever seen in Jamaica.

The Sands Reef Club, named after a nearby hotel, has a depth range of 12 to 24m (40-80 ft.). This shallow reef drops off to a sandy shelf, and is noted for its purplish sea fans and its gorgonians and coral heads. There is much to see here, from black durgeons to tube sponges, from squirrelfish to goatfish.

With a depth of 12 to 21m (40-70 ft.), “The Caves� indeed consists of sea caverns-one large, the other small. There is a linking tunnel between the two. Black coral and sponges grow in profusion along with gorgonians. There is a sea kingdom of other residents, too, including sea cucumbers and stingrays.

Long a favorite with divers, Kingfish Point, with depths of around 27m (90 ft.), lures the most experienced divers because of its depths. The marine life here is the most varied of the dive sites, including both the elephant ear and the yellow tube sponge, the hogfish and the damselfish, along with both brain and star coral and marigold-colored crinoids. The huge boulders of star coral are among the most dramatic along the coast, along with deepwater sea fans and sea plumes.

White Witch of Rose Hall Golf Course

(Montego Bay; ): This is the newest Jamaican golf course and one of the most spectacular, set on 80 hectares (200 acres) of lush greenery.

Wyndham Rose Hall Golf & Beach Resort

(Montego Bay; ): This has been called one of the top courses in the world. It’s a challenging seaside and mountain course. The 14th hole passes a waterfall.

Tryall Club Jamaica

(Montego Bay; ): Jamaica’s finest course, this is the site of the annual Johnnie Walker World Championship. Wind direction can change suddenly, making the course even harder.

Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club

(Montego Bay; ): A top island course, Half Moon features well-manicured and interestingly shaped greens, but it’s not as challenging as the one at Tryall.

Sandals Golf & Country Club

(Ocho Rios; ): This course is known for panoramic vistas, rolling terrain, and lush vegetation. Sandals guests play for free.