Old San Juan is the island’s most scenic tourist area, with cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture. It is where cruise ships dock and most guests visit on their first trip to Puerto Rico. It is also seven square blocks. The greater San Juan metro area consists of 10 expansive neighborhoods. The area outside of Old San Juan isn’t very walkable, so renting a car or utilizing ride shares is recommended. If you want to stay beachfront, Isla Verde and Condado are better choices than Old San Juan.

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and San Juan is the major tourist hub. Most people there will speak English, certainly anyone in the hospitality industry. That said, it never hurts to learn a few key words in Spanish, like “thank you” (gracias) and “good morning” (buenos dias). If you're coming from the U.S., you don’t need to exchange any currency since Puerto Rico uses the U.S. dollar, you don’t need a passport, you don’t need a converter, and you can use your U.S. phone plan without roaming. Expect to tip like you would in the U.S., leaving 20% for meals and tips for service people in general.

Unlike the nearby Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico does not have all-inclusive resorts. Some room packages at select hotels or retreat facilities might have meals and drinks included, but it’s not standard, packages may not include alcohol, and are usually an additional fee. You can find resorts with restaurants and other facilities on site, just be prepared to pay for add-ons, from the mini bar to equipment rentals. If drinks are what you’re looking for, Puerto Rico is considered the rum capital of the world. Check out Puerto Rico’s rum trail, including distilleries like the Bacardi Factory and Ron del Barrilito.

Do you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain? You’ll find both in San Juan. The island has a large rainforest and tropical climate so it rains (and clears up quickly) practically every day. San Juan is the birthplace of the piña colada, with two places claiming they invented the popular frozen cocktail—Barrachina Restaurant and the Caribe Hilton. The best way to get to the bottom of this decades-long debate is to taste and evaluate both versions for yourself.

Puerto Rico is in the Caribbean, so the weather is warm and inviting year-round. Hurricane season is from June to November, with August and September seeing the most activity, but even then, hurricanes don’t occur every year and can be predicted with good accuracy. San Juan hotels are equipped to handle any blackouts. You can find affordable deals and rates in the off-season. Plus, these months include sea turtle nesting season, sunflower and wildflower season, and harvest season for regional favorites like quenepas and breadfruit.