San Juan, capital city of Puerto Rico

San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico

San Juan sizzles. The Puerto Rican capital has a pulsating energy with exotic sight and surreal sounds resonating throughout the city, the oldest under the jurisdiction of the United States. Salsa stanzas echo throughout the streets while the Atlantic roars and colonial artifacts delight. The capricious capital is made of many distinct neighborhoods, including the gambler's paradise of Condado, the ritzy and tranquil Ocean Park, gritty but gallery-filled Santurce, swanky Isla Verde and the incomparably charming Old City, marked by candy-colored relics of the Spanish colonial era.

Old San Juan truly has something for everyone: stunning architecture, memorable views, historical sites, plazas perfect for people-watching, impressive museums, world-class restaurants and plenty of bars and nightclubs for salsa dancing the night away. The best way to explore the seven-square block neighborhood is on foot, but the free trolley service takes visitors to the most popular sites.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, San Juan

The highlight of Old San Juan is El Morro, a six-level fort that juts aggressively over the Atlantic. It is the New World's oldest Spanish fort, and the 15-foot thick stone walls date back to 1539. Once a rest stop for soldiers, explorers and pioneers, the fort is one of the city's biggest tourist draws today. Be sure to stop at the fascinating Inscription Rock, where bygone wayfarers left behind signatures, messages and petroglyphs in the sandstone.

The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista stands just a short walk from El Morro. Originally a wooden structure built in the 1520s, the church was destroyed by a hurricane and rebuilt in 1540. The rebuilding included many improvements, such as dramatic Gothic vaulted ceilings and a graceful circular staircase. The marble tomb on the north side holds the remains of Ponce de Leon, and the dome's trompe l'oeil work is positively breathtaking.

Water sports are another big draw in San Juan, where white sand beaches meet excellent waves over the warm crystalline water. Take an aqua adventure off the coast to swim, scuba and snorkel with some of the world's most remarkable marine life, including teeming reefs alive with butterflyfish, turtles, starfish, puffers, angelfish and more.

Spend the rest of your time in San Juan hanging out with locals at the Plaza San Jose, learning about mid-16th century life at the Casa Blanca museum, flying a kite in the sea breeze, discovering Puerto Rico's African heritage at the Museum of African Roots, shopping for designer fashions on Cristo Street, feeding the birds at Pigeon Park and sampling rum at the Casa Don Q.

The weekend effectively starts on Thursday, and there seems to be some sort of celebration throughout the city each weekend. To fit in with the crowds, dress up a bit, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Women head out to the nightclubs in their best dresses and highest heels, and even the men dress with flair. Many locals spend the nights dancing to live music at San Juan's many upscale hotels, many of which also have casinos. In Old San Juan, the hottest clubs are on the Calle Fortaleza, where salsa music blares from pool-hall jukeboxes and mellow jazz bands serenade crowds at top-flight lounges. You'll see lots of young and beautiful people hanging out in Plaza San Jose, and more bohemians and professionals in Santurce, the downtown area. Both crowds tend to stay out late on the pedestrian streets, and you will want to stay out with them to enjoy every minute of your San Juan experience.