Puerto Rico is known fondly as the "Island of Enchantment," thanks in part to its colorful collection of historical and natural wonders. From spectacular beaches and tropical rainforest, to an ancient fortress and 16th-century convent, Puerto Rico surprises and delights visitors with its diversity. This diversity can be discovered throughout Puerto Rico’s distinct coastal regions.

The northwest area is known for its karst terrain, where limestone hills, sinkholes and caves are abundant. The western side of the island offers rural beaches, winter whales, surfing and the major port city of Mayagüez. In the southwest region, birdwatching is popular, as is exploring historic towns and lounging on breathtaking beaches. Lush mountains, intriguing historic cities, a dry forest and quaint rural seaside villages characterize the island’s southern region. Puerto Rico’s northeast region is dotted with marinas and golf courses, and is graced by the historic jewel of San Juan and the magnificent El Yunque National Forest.

El Yunque is among the island’s more stunning natural wonders. This 28,000-acre tropical treasure shelters The Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort & Golf Club, and is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system. Splashed with countless cascading waterfalls and home to 50 orchid varieties, 150 species of ferns and 26 varieties of animal life, El Yunque is a hiker’s and nature lover’s delight.

Explorers can also stretch their legs with a 3,650-foot climb through Toro Negro Forest, located just north of Ponce on the island’s southern coast. At the Arecibo Observatory, located about a two-hour drive west of San Juan, Mother Nature cradles a manmade wonder—the largest radio telescope in the world—resting in an enormous sinkhole. The island also hides its natural treasures underground, with one of the world’s largest river cave systems, which is explored at Río Camuy Cave Park. A guided tour of the subterranean caves formed over a million years ago is a fascinating experience for tourists.

By law, all playas, or beaches, are open to the public. There are nearly a dozen government-maintained beaches in the immediate area of San Juan alone, including one of the finest stretches of sand in the entire Caribbean at Luquillo Beach, just minutes east of the Westin’s own golden mile-long beach. Puerto Rico’s secret playground, known as Flamenco Beach, is considered one of the top 10 beaches in the world. It is located on the island of Culebra, and is also known as ?Spanish Virgin Island.?

For those who enjoy island history and culture, Puerto Rico’s highlights include the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Museum of Art), a premier venue for contemporary art; the fortress of San Felipe del Morro; San Cristobal Fort; the San Geronimo Fort; the Hotel El Convento, a resorted 16th-century convent; and Museo de Arte de Ponce, featuring a world-class collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings.

Just a short ferry ride across the bay from San Juan in Cataño, the Bacardi Rum Distillery offers 60-minute interactive tours in the morning and afternoon. Visitors are able to see the entire rum distillery process, which provides 80 percent of the rum consumed in the United States. Many of these sites also host special events.

Whether sightseeing or shopping, no visitor should miss walking the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. The breathtaking beauty and bounty of this city certainly didn’t escape the notice of Christopher Columbus. On his second voyage to the New World in 1493, Columbus named the town Puerto Rico (“rich port”) and the island San Juan (named for Saint John the Baptist); the two names were later switched. In Old San Juan, 350-year-old buildings are home to restaurants, cafes and a variety of shops. While Ashford Avenue is home to Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Mont Blanc and more, many of the pathways lead to vendors offering one-of-a-kind curios handcrafted by locals.

Puerto Rico’s vibrant blend of cultures is most evident at the island’s many folkloric festivals and colorful celebrations. All year long, these gatherings attract large, lively crowds of locals and tourists alike, all coming to enjoy the festivities, food, dance and fiery Latin music such as salsa and merengue.

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