Never ending beaches and fantastic weather are often what people think of when it comes to Puerto Rico vacations. But if you delve deep enough you'll see the island offers so much more; many are surprised to find the array of different activities that this compact island offers. Though Puerto Rico is practically a part of the US, it still has retained a truly Spanish feel to it. The warm acceptance you receive gives you a feeling of being in Europe, and most folks are extraordinarily welcoming.

Puerto Rico receives more than 6 million visitors every year, and some of them are so enchanted by the place, they just stay in their resort hotels or hang out by the beaches. For the more adventurous and curious tourists , there are options galore! An exploration further inland presents a completely different picture. If you are someone who loves exploring forests, you can visit the El Yunque National Forrest, an incredible rain forest just over 40 kms north of the Capital city of San Juan.

The forest covers 28,000 acres of land and encompasses more than 200 different species of trees, as well as many unusual and endangered animals, birds, and reptiles within its huge boundaries. It is a protected area, and it is completely forbidden to destroy or kill anything found within it. The rainforest enjoys a subtropical climate and remains wet, as one would expect. But the good news is that the downpours last only for a few moments, and you can find a shelter for yourself under the huge, leafy, timeless trees.

Accommodation is not a problem near the reserve, and you can experience the thrill of camping outdoors in certain areas. You will also find hotels and hostels with rooms that offer unique breathtaking scenery, unparalleled in the entire world. A shoe-string budget traveler could also find himself different options like cabins. If you want to go back to the lap of Nature, there is nothing more appropriate that this unique rainforest.

For the hiker in you, there are hiking and training facilities, which are suited for all experience levels. There are some grueling hikes which will take you up to the higher points three, and others that pass by the amazing waterfalls at lower levels.

The place offers another experience you might not want to miss while you are there; it is the bioluminescent bay at Fajardo. It's best experienced on a moonless night; the lagoon at "bio bay" has over 500,000 per gallon of bioluminescent plankton, which emit an eerie glow when triggered by movement.

Take a kayak trip through the lagoon to experience the amazing sight of the plankton- an experience that will remain etched in your memory all your life. Activities like guided snorkeling and different tours throughout the reserve are also available.

An incredible island, diverse in its varieties, Puerto Rico is a spectacular island. Besides the gorgeous and inviting beaches, there are various activities that you can immerse yourself in. It provides the experience of a lifetime and packs an element of pleasant surprise in everything that you do. Though there are many hotels available there, it is better to make reservations before you go on your beach vacations in Puerto Rico, Once you reach the island, you would be swirled up in a whirlpool of activities, and find yourself immensely enjoying the experiences.