Weekend & Day Trips from San Juan, Puerto Rico

Constructed in 1521, Casa Blanca was the first fortification built on the San Juan Islet, and it was also used as the private residence for Juan Ponce de Leon, Puerto Rico's first governor. The former governor's family lived here until the mid-18th century, and the building has now been converted into a museum full of artifacts from the 16th and 17th centuries. There are also some beautiful gardens to stroll through. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and if you have enough time, it can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby El Morro Fort.

Casa Blanca, 1 Calle San Sebastian Old San Juan, San Juan 00926-7354 Puerto Rico, Phone: 787-725-1454

Sprawling across a hill on the eastern edge of the San Juan Islet, Castillo de San Cristobal was built by the Spanish to protect the city from being attacked by land, and it remains the largest fortification ever built in the New World. It consists of three different levels, and visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour with the help of a brochure and the many signs dotted throughout the grounds. The site is open every day between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and admission is free for visitors under the age of 15.

Castillo de San Cristobal, 501 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico, Phone: 787-449-4049

Sitting approximately 18 miles off Puerto Rico's mainland coast, Culebra is a tiny island with a slow-as-molasses atmosphere and some truly incredible beaches. The white sand Flamenco Beach doesn't have any big hotels or casinos on it, but it's widely recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and there's usually plenty of space to lay out a towel and enjoy the views of the turquoise blue water. If you'd rather snorkel than sunbathe, you can also head to Tamarindo Beach, where you're almost guaranteed to spot a sea turtle or two. Map

Originally the home of the Spanish Navy, El Arsenal de la Marina was used to store patrol boats, but it's now been converted into a small museum. Some of the exhibits tell the story of the country's Spanish influence, but the majority of the museum is dedicated to displaying beautiful pieces of fine art. The exhibits are spread throughout three galleries, and the pieces on display are rotated constantly, so you can never be quite sure what you'll find. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, and you can enjoy some beautiful views of the water right outside the building.

El Arsenal de la Marina, Calle La Puntilla, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico, Phone: 787-724-5932

Also known as Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the El Morro Fort is a spectacular citadel set on a promontory overlooking the San Juan Bay. It's a six-level marvel of engineering that was built by the Spanish between the 16th and 18th centuries, and it's one of the country's most recognizable icons. Guided tours are available in both English and Spanish, but visitors are also welcome to explore the fort on their own. A small admission fee is charged to enter to fort itself, but if there's no charge if you simply want to come relax on the lawn and watch locals flying their kites.

El Morro Fort, 501 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico

Encompassing almost 29,000 acres, the El Yunque Rainforest is a peaceful oasis on the eastern side of Puerto Rico. It's the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. national forest system, and it's home to an incredibly diverse range of plant and animal species that can't be found anywhere else in the United States. The forest is laced with hiking trails, many of which lead to lush waterfalls and historic observation towers that provide wonderful views of the surrounding trees. Admission to the forest itself is free, but a small fee is charged to visit some of the sites. Map

Also known as the Robles Waterfall, the Gozalandia Waterfall stands almost 60 feet tall, and it's popular with both tourists and locals who want to cool off on hot summer days. The main falls can be reached by following a short walking trail from the parking lot, and if you want to get to the upper falls, it's only 1/4 mile further along the same trail. Both sections have swimming areas, and the upper falls also has a rope swing for visitors to enjoy. If you're feeling especially brave, you can also swim into the small cave behind the main falls.

Gozalandia Waterfall, Sec Lechuza, San Sebastián 00685, Puerto Rico

Located just outside the El Yunque National Forest, Luquillo Beach is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach known for its fine white sand and its calm waters. There's plenty of space to spread out towels and beach chairs, and the beach is fringed with waving palm trees that provide some much-needed shade on hot days. The water is usually calm enough for even young children to swim, but lifeguards are sometimes on duty, and lockers are available for a small fee if you want to swim without worrying about your belongings. Other amenities include outdoor showers, change rooms, and restrooms that can be used for a fee.

Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico 992, Luquillo, 00773, Puerto Rico