Once referred to as the Gibraltar of the West Indies, Castillo San Cristobal is the largest fortress ever built by the Spanish in the Western Hemisphere. Construction of this sprawling hilltop fortification took more than 150 years, and its outer walls once encircled the original city of San Juan. Though portions of the fortress walls were demolished to allow modern roadways to enter the historic walled city, the main 27-acre grounds of this Colonial-era landmark remain intact, and are now a World Heritage site.

Though impressive, the grounds of San Cristóbal see far fewer visitors than nearby Castillo San Felipe del Morro—the iconic fortress that overlooks the entrances to San Juan Harbor at the western end of Old Town. Those who do tour Castillo San Cristóbal find it well worth the visit. Now under the care of the U.S. Park Service, the grounds are rich in history, and include five massive garrisons, dungeons, powder magazines and a network of dry moats connected by a labyrinth of tunnels, all of which can be explored.

Any tours should also include a visit to the garitas—the stone century boxes that provide panoramic views of sea and city. The most famous of these is the Garita del Diablo (Sentry Box of the Devil). According to legend, guards stationed at that post would disappear, as if taken away by the devil. Of course, it’s more likely that they simply seized the opportunity to slip away from this remote watchtower and take unofficial leave at a nearby waterfront tavern.

Welcome foodies, beach bums, history buffs and adventure junkies. From big game fishing and surfing to golf and rainforest hikes Puerto Rico is an island ready for active travelers. And when it’s time for softer adventures, the focus shifts to Michelin-starred restaurants, rum tastings, classical music festivals, art galleries, museums and forts. Perhaps more than any other destination in the Caribbean, La Isla del Encanto—The Island of Enchantment has something for everyone.

1  Taste of the Tropics

Widely recognized as the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is both a hotbed of global culinary trends and a showcase for homegrown comida criolla. The local cuisine takes its queues from Africa, Spain and the New World, with traditional dishes such as mofongo, fried sweet plantains, an array of root vegetables and roasted pork. In recent years, the island has embraced the Nuevo Latino movement that introduced the world to a new wave of tropical flavors, colors and spices. Today, the menu could include anything from Asian, Italian, and Turkish to Thai, Spanish and French recipes. Not to be missed are criollo dishes like chuletas can-can and arroz con gandules.

Mofongo is a Puerto Rican favorite. Made from seasoned green plantains, it is traditionally drizzled with a broth-based sauce and served with meat or seafood. Photo: iStock

2 Salsa Clubs

Old San Juan is just the first stop on the island’s salsa circuit. While there, head to Nuyorican Café for your first lesson and move on to Santurce for weekends and join the passionate local crowd. When you are ready to roam farther afield, there are many options, as resorts and clubs all across the island host weekly salsa nights.

3 The Spanish Virgin Islands

Sitting between Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are a group of 20 small islands that have become a vacation playground for Puerto Ricans and travelers in the know. The two larger and most frequented isles of Culebra and Vieques are known for their beaches, laid back atmosphere and small town appeal. Nature lovers will enjoy turtle watching, snorkeling and hiking.

Culebra Island is known for its white sand beaches. Popular Flamenco Beach sits on the island’s northern shore within a protected bay. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock

4 Local Talent

Puerto Rico is a haven for the arts. In addition to an abundance of local talent, there is a steady influx of painters, sculptors and musicians from around the world who come to the island to find inspiration and participate in a vibrant art community that has spawned an equally lively and impressive gallery scene.

5 The Old City

Nowhere else in the Caribbean can you find an intact authentic historic region as the 16-block district of Old San Juan. Though designated as a World Heritage Site, this vibrant neighborhood is no museum piece. Visitors can stay up all night listening to jazz and salsa, dine on international cuisine and shop for exquisite jewelry, locally made masks and handcrafted furniture.

The Colonial-era buildings of Old San Juan are designated as a National Historic Landmark District, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo: iStock

6 Spanish Fortification

During the 400 years Puerto Rico spent under Spanish rule, the territory was under constant attack from the British, French and Dutch. This lead to the building of some of the most impressive fortifications in the Caribbean. The first was La Fortaleza, which was built between 1532 and 1540 to protect San Juan Harbor. Soon after its completion, the century-long task of building the massive El Morrow fortifications began. Today, this impressive network of walls, earthworks and fortified structures overlooks the entrance to the harbor, and the crashing surf of the Atlantic. From impressive to discreet, these and other Colonial-era fortifications on the island will fascinate any history buff.

7 Adventures Await

From coral reefs and surf zones to rainforests and mountain heights, Puerto Rico’s wild places are an ideal setting for a wide range of outdoor adventures. The highlands are criss-crossed by hiking trails, and riddled with caves and fast-flowing streams. Adventurers can fly through the lush jungle harnessed in on a zip line, rappel down a canyon wall or explore an underground river. Closer to the coast, outfitters offer everything from horseback tours and kayak trips to scuba diving and big game fishing.

Cueva Ventana, aka Window Cave, takes its name from the cavern’s entrance that frames dramatic views of the Arecibo river valley. Photo: iStock

8 Away From the Crowds

Once visitors move outside the urban hustle of San Juan and the surrounding metro area, they will discover another side of the island, where life moves slowly and in tune with Puerto Rican traditions. To discover this other side of the island, simply follow the Ruta Panoramic, a 165-mile stretch of scenic highway that follows the spine of the Central Cordillera, winding through high ridges and switchbacks leading to scenic viewpoints.

9 Surf Central

Puerto Rico came on the wave riding radar in 1968 when Rincón hosted an international surfing contest. In the years since, the island has become an essential stop for anyone heading to the Caribbean for a surfing safari. Winter months bring large swells to the north coast, attracting both locals and visiting riders to famous breaks such as Maria’s at Rincón and Shacks at Isabela.

Winter swells draw surfers to Puerto Rico’s western coast, where sites such as Rincón’s Domes Beach boast some of the best waves in the Caribbean. Photo: iStock

10 A Reason to Party

Puerto Rican love a good party and nowhere else in the Caribbean is there more celebrations, whether it’s a familiar gathering or an island-wide festival. The streets of Old San Juan are packed with revelers from around the island for the San Sebastian Street Festival in January and city-wide celebrations of Carnival take place in Ponce and Loiza.

Forty miles to the west of Puerto Rico lies wild Mona Island. Remote and now designated as a biological reserve, the island sees few visitors, as there are no facilities. Sometimes called the “Galapagos of the Caribbean,” Mona attracts bird watchers, nature lovers and spelunkers.

For those who come to explore the caves that riddle the island’s limestone substrate, the crown jewel is the Lirio Cave complex. Once mined for valuable deposits of guano, which are used in the making of fertilizer and gunpowder, the cave now lures the adventurous with miles of subterranean passages, expansive chambers and spectacular formations. One of the cave’s most dramatic features is the entrance, which opens to a sea cliff to frame spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea.

To discover the wild side of Puerto Rico, hop a ferry or take a short flight to the island of Vieques. Lying just seven miles east of the resort town of Fajardo, this quiet and sparsely populated member of the Spanish Virgin Islands is a world apart.

Much of the island falls within the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, with forests and green valleys where horses roam wild and coqui frogs fill the nights with sounds. Island roads twist and turn through groves of tamarind and mango trees as they lead to pristine beaches and secluded coves.

With more than 50 miles of undeveloped coastline to choose from, it’s easy to find a stretch of sand that sees few human footprints, especially for those who are willing to walk beyond the roadway’s end.

Come evening, island sunsets can be quite spectacular, as the day’s final light is transformed to dramatic shades of orange and red as it is refracted by the clouds that often shroud the highlands of Puerto Rico to the west.

On Puerto Rico’s far southwestern tip, 100 miles and a world away from the bustle of San Juan, a mile-long spit of land juts into the Caribbean. This is Cabo Rojo, the red cape, so named for the rust-colored cliffs that rise from the surf. Barren and starkly beautiful, the cape is uninhabited and untouched by civilization, save for Los Morrillos Lighthouse. This landmark structure, which once guided sailors away from the rocks, now attracts day- trippers, who come both for the view and to swim at an adjacent beach.

From the lighthouse, trails lead westward along the cliffs to a cove that overlooks a natural rock bridge. A mere three feet wide, this rock spine tempts the adventurous to inch their way out to the connected spire, while the more prudent are content to take in the view from the safety of the bluff. After admiring this natural wonder and snapping a few photos, hikers can continue to explore the surrounding cliffs, which are riddled with small caves, and home to thousands of sea birds.