We visited Puerto Rico in 2008 for a week-long Christmas vacation. The island is stunning, rich in both history and diverse geography. One of our first excursions took us to the lush tropical rainforest and mountains on the eastern side of the island.

El Yunque National Rainforest holds a special distinction as the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. national forest system. Indigenous people once believed that El Yunque was the throne of their chief god, Yucahu—making it the Caribbean’s version of Mount Olympus. A popular myth claims that the mountains within the park help divert hurricanes away from Puerto Rico. Of course, that belief took a serious hit after Hurricane Maria.

During our visit, we hired a guide to take us on a walk through part of the park. I still remember him saying that drinking from a certain stream would grant a long life. Well, considering the grey hairs I’ve collected since then, I’d say that’s another myth debunked!

The streams, waterfalls and fauna are something to see.

It’s quite a hike but it’s worth the view, even on a cloudy day to see the Yokahu observation tower.   The wind was pretty strong up there and I felt like I was getting blown away.

The beaches are pretty nice and the natives are friendly so go have a good time.

The old fort in San Juan is a must-see. Not only is it rich in history, but it also offers breathtaking views of the city.

The tower in the first two pictures is the Plaza del Quinto Centenario sculpture, created by Puerto Rican artist Jaime Suárez. It took me a while to track down exactly what it was! The plaza sits at the highest point of Old San Juan, near the entrance to El Morro fortress.

At its center stands Tótem Telúrico, a striking 40-foot-tall totem pole made from clay sourced across the Americas. The sculpture symbolizes the deep-rooted origins of the people of the Americas, making it a powerful tribute to the region’s history and heritage.

San Juan itself looked beautiful, though I didn’t get the chance to explore its streets as much as I usually do when visiting a city.

One experience I highly recommend, though, is a nighttime bioluminescent bay tour. It’s absolutely worth it—seeing the water glow beneath you is nothing short of magical!