Nestled within Cabo Rojo and hugging the coast of the Bahía de Boquerón lies the cozy, laid-back village of Boquerón. Its gorgeous crescent-shaped coastline shelters one of Puerto Rico's finest beaches, a pretty marina and a ribbon of fantastic dive sites. Visitors can indulge at the village's lavish balneario (resort) for easy access to the beachfront or check out the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife refuge, where native birds live among the tree canopy.
Puerto Rico's second largest city, Ponce is called many things. Founded in 1692, it was named after Ponce de Leon's great grandson and now holds the titles of “Pearl of the South,” “Cradle of Liberty,” “Museum City” and “Ciudad Señorial,” which peg it as elegant, noble, fascinating and stately. By any name, this tropical beauty offers much to boast about. Neoclassical colonial architecture abounds. Museo de Arte de Ponce, Castillo Serrallés and Museo Casa Armstrong are excellent museums.
Stunning beaches, cerulean seas, colorful coral reefs and the Caribbean’s largest wildlife preserve: incredible tropical nature is the essence of Vieques, a small island less than 10 miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico. For decades most of the island was controlled by the U.S. Navy, whose former holdings – some 70 percent of the land – became the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge after the military withdrew in 2003.
San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is an intriguing blend of the old and the new. Founded in 1521, the city was a key port in the Spanish colonial empire, as evidenced by El Morro, the huge fortress that guards the harbor. Behind thick stone walls, Old San Juan retains its original character of blue cobblestone streets, elegant plazas and brightly colored heritage architecture. This lively center is the city’s – and island’s – cultural hub for museums, music, dining and more.
