The beautiful island of Puerto Rico was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. The island was named Puerto Rico, meaning Rich Port. The coastal port of San Juan was one of the first settlements that were established. San Juan is the oldest of the colonial cities in the Western Hemisphere. The historic district of Old San Juan is located on the northwestern peninsula of the city. Old San Juan is just several blocks in size and is bordered on either side by two military forts. El Morro is located on the westernmost tip and San Cristobal is located on the eastern side.
Despite the threat of overdevelopment from US dollars, most of the 35-by-100-mile island has managed to elude despoilment. Even in the crowded capital, it's hard to find a sullied beach, and outside the major cities nature is largely untouched - especially in the jungly, mountainous interior; on the relatively hidden beaches along the southwest coast; and on the offshore islands. In fact, the rich natural resources and wide range of hiking, birding, diving and caving opportunities make Puerto Rico as much a magnet for eco-tourists as for sun-worshippers.
No matter where you are in Puerto Rico, you're never more than a couple of hours by car from San Juan , whose colonial architecture in its old town is a must-see. More historic vestiges can be found in the southern city of Ponce .
Hikers won't want to miss El Yunque , the only tropical rainforest in the US park system, with miles of trails, and flora and fauna galore. Birdwatching is also excellent in the arid landscape of Guánica State Forest , a World Biosphere Reserve in the southwest.
Puerto Rico is also home to pretty beaches and coral reefs; for diving and snorkelling check out the beautiful offshore islets of Vieques and Culebra .
If you prefer going underground, rather than underwater, spelunkers from all over the globe are drawn to the Río Camuy Cave Park in the northwest, known as karst country - where limestone has eroded over the centuries to form sinkholes and a vast network of caves that can be explored.
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