Puerto Rico is the most underrated destination on earth - period. San Juan is a wonderful city to see and explore. It’s friendly, safe, surprisingly good value, and jam-packed with historical sites. The main attractions are in Old San Juan which is located not far from the main disembarkation piers. The area is an historical wonderland of Spanish colonial architecture, spread out over 7 blocks of cobble-stoned streets – the same stones that served as ballast for ships 500 hundred years ago.

Key sites are San Felipe del Maro, the largest fortification in the Caribbean and sentinel to the Spanish Armada, formerly based in the port below, and La Fortaleza, built in 1540 as the Governor’s residence (the current governor is the 170th to live there). For a more modern twist on the city don’t miss the San Sebastian street festival from 17 to 20 January when the city really comes to life.

Hungry? Head over to La Mallorquina on Calle Cruz, the most famous purveyor of Puerto Rican food in the country. The waiters may be as old as the building, but the food is excellent and truly authentic. Nearby La Barrachina claims to be the birthplace of the piña colada.

For shopping head to Cristo Street where there are abundant factory stores and idiosyncratic souvenir joints. Good news for American shoppers is that since Puerto Rico is part of the USA, purchases are duty-free, a fact that many rum-ladden passengers exploit to the full.

Got time on your hands? Go see Arecibo Observatory. Its enormous dish – the size of 12 football fields – help make this the most significant astronomical observatory in the planet. A little further afield, at 2 hours drive from San Juan, is the 260-acre Camuy Cave Park. Although still being discovered this subterranean wonderland is already deemed the largest cave network in the world.

As you get off the ship visit the La Casita tourist information centre just off Pier 1 on Calle Marina to plan your excursions. Enjoy!!

We were there last month. The tour of the Bacardi factory was VERY nice. I am not a drinker so that was not the reason we went. However, there were free drinks offered. We would do this outing again. Not to be missed