Things to See in Puerto Rico

Make sure you stop by the ranger station to pick up some maps before exploring this marvellous park. You can take a half-hour hike to a beach through three different kinds of forests, tramping the coast until you find a secluded cove for sunning yourself, before hiking back to your car by a different trail.

The Iglesia de San José is the second-oldest church in the Americas. Established in 1523 by Dominicans, this church with its vaulted Gothic ceilings still bears the coat of arms of conquistador Juan Ponce de León (his family worshipped here), a striking carving of the Crucifixion and ornate processional floats.

Tourist authorities are fond of promoting this reserve as the only tropical forest in the US national park system. The Taínos believed the god of happiness hung out on El Yunque, and you'll understand why when you hike through this magnificent rainforest. On a clear day you can even bag an eyeful of the Virgin Islands.

The Plaza Las Delicias or 'Plaza of Delights' is the quintessential Spanish-colonial plaza. In the daytime the square is filled with strolling shoppers, children playing and groups of elderly men enjoying a quiet game of dominoes under shade trees. A string of pretty cafes and eateries circle the park.

Tucked away in the gorgeous backroads of northwestern Puerto Rico is the largest single-dish radio telescope in the world - an impressive 1000ft (305m) in diameter and covering about 20 acres (8ha). The observatory is recognised as one of the world's most important research facilities.