San Juan

At first glance, living in San Juan might seem comfortably familiar because of its unmistakably American veneer. But look further and you'll see four centuries of Spanish Caribbean history and culture. The melding of these influences begets a colorful, vibrant and modern city with a feel that's uniquely its own.

San Juan is accurately described as a "city of many faces." Like any urbane metroplex, the downtown area is home to a host of businesses, restaurants, shopping centers, casinos, nightclubs and arts venues.

But flip the coin, and what is measured in physical distance to be no more than a few miles, is often separated by centuries in look and feel. Take Old San Juan, for example. Occupying eight square blocks at the northwest end of the city, this neighborhood has been meticulously restored to it eighteenth-century Spanish colonial state. Its cobblestoned streets are lined with art galleries, museums, historical monuments, ornate Spanish townhouses, jewelry shops and streetside cafes. And situated on a peninsula-like jut of land, Old San Juan is surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean. That makes it a perfect docking place for cruise ships, whose passengers come on shore expecting - and finding - a party.

Explore historical landmarks like the Cristo Chapel, La Fortaleza and The Cathedral. Stroll through the San Juan Museum of Art, the Casa del Libro (features a collection of rare books), the Museum of the Sea or the Indian Museum. Participate in any number of outdoor activities (the options range from baseball and basketball to golf and horseback riding). Head to San Juan's Isla Verde, Condado or Luquillo beaches for fishing, snorkeling, diving or surfing. With this dizzying array of choices, the island's balmy days (daily highs fluctuate between 75º and 85ºF) can be as adventurous or as relaxing as you wish.