What is there to do in Puerto rico, other than than the beach?

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WIlliam B

How much time do you have?!! Get outside San Juan and see the real PR. On the East coast near Humacao, there is the only rain forest in the USA, El Yunge...beautiful scenery, you'll love it. Take the ferry to Viegas while you are on the east coast, great trip and if you are a snorkeler or scuba diver, it's a great place. In the south, Ponce is a great city, lots of culture, good food and if you're arround during February, attend Carnival. In the central area, there are the Camuey Caverns, the Arecibo observatory made famous in the movie Contact, and some very rare landscape called Karst. These are just some of the things to see and do in PR. I would advise mixing with the locals, trying the food in the roadside kiosks and traveling in the little known central region. Beware the windy back roads where you will experience very windy steep roads but some of the best weather and scenery in the caribbean. If you are a coffee lover, pick up some of the local beans, I think PR has the worlds best coffee. If there is a cigar smoker in the family, check out Don Collins in old san juan, best cigars I have ever had. In the town of Jayua, there are several nice hacienda's to stay in that you might enjoy. Also, try as much of the fresh fruit a you can tolerate, you'll love it! If you're going to be in PR during April, drop us a line, we're here untill May 15th.

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scorpionitty

I am going to be short and quick. EXPLORE BEYOND THE SHORE! Old San Juan has more than 500 years of history, is full of museums, restaurants, and nightlife. El Yunque Rainforest is the only rainforest in the US National Parks System. Many nature and adventure activities, like the rainforest, the dry forest in Guanica, the bioluminiscent bay in Vieques, Rio Camuy Cave Park, and the Radio Telescope. For the golfer there are more than 20 championship designed golf courses throughout the island. Also there is the Bacardi Distillery, plenty of casinos, great cuisine and nightlife around the island.

There is definitely more than just beaches here in Puerto Rico.

If you get chance (and you are feeling adventurous) try to rent a car, that way you can see the sights on your terms and not on a set time frame with a group tour. Most people will know English, especially in the tourist areas, but trying your hand at speaking Spanish looks good.

If you do rent a car just bear in mind that driving is a little crazy, just keep your eyes on all your mirrors and you'll be fine.

Places to Stay.
Really depends on your budget, if you want to take a chance, try priceline.com (you can specify the star of the hotel and make a bid on the nightly rate). Or check out expedia or travelocity.

There are some great hotels overlooking the beach in the Condado abd Isla Verde areas area.

Check out tripadvisor.com and search pierto rico. Gives a list of hotels and b&b's

Places to see.
Old San Juan - easily spend a few hours walking around here. It's a little hilly so maybe jump on the free trolley bus to El Morro (the fort) and work your way back down through the city. Plenty of places to eat and drink for all budgets. Try Breakfast at La Bombonera (one of the oldest establishments in the city)

El Yunque (rainforest) plus spend the afternoon at Luquillo Beach (I know it's a beach, but a very nice one)

Check out one of the grand hotels on a weekend evening and try your hand (feet) at some latin dancing.

Ponce on the South coast for more Puerto Rican architecture

Arecibo Observatory. The James Bond movie Golden Eye and also the Jodie Foster movie Contact were filmed there.

There is also this: Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve (Tel:787-722-5882). I have not been, but I would like to (it sounds a cool place to visit). You can have an escorted tour through the reserve on an electric trolley, but you have to book in advance.

There is plenty to do here. If you are here for several days, you might even want to consider a side trip to Vieques or Culebra (as I've heard the beaches are amazing)

Try the local food stands and just enjoy everything that the island has to offer.

Food wise, everything you can imagine. In condado area for seafood try Miro's (was there a week or so back and it was superb). In Old San Juan try The Parrot Club for Caribbean style or Tantra's for Indian cuisine

Also check the online guides frommers.com, roughguide.com and visitthecoqui.wordpress.com

Enjoy

shinningstarofthecarribean

Rappeling under water Rivers,The Rain Forest,The Zoo,Ice skating,Walk Old San Juan and the Museum, Clubing,Visit Vieques and Culebra,the Cabezas de San Juan...

www.welcometoPuertorico.com

Sherrie

You can visit the old section with the fort and get historical information. You can drink, gamble, play golf and hike the rain forest, ride horses and rent a car and drive around to the other side of the Island where it is quite beautiful.
Nice place to visit.

X$$ Mr.Zero $$X

well, u can view the nature

bgirl79

You must go visit the biobay! There are 3, but we went to the one in Fajardo while visiting here - it's awesome! Take the boat tour or kayak (boat means swimming at night in the bay) and watch the water light up! Very cool.