Nicknamed as the ‘Island of Enchantment’, Puerto Rico is a popular vacation getaway amongst surfers and sun-lovers. But, this lovely country can offer more than just stunning and captivating beaches. In fact, it also features a vibrant cultural life, reflected not only by its European historical background but also the island’s African influences and indigenous origins.

Adventure travelers are now discovering the natural beauty of Puerto Rico’s rugged mountains and its untouched rain forest. Luxurious hotel resorts and lavish ocean-side golf courses that abound the area are well-embraced by vacationers who do not have a problem splurging. However, the island, which is an unincorporated US territory, paints more than just a lovely postcard. The Old World elegance exuded by Puerto Rico is a direct result of 400 years of Spanish heritage.

Despite the fact that Puerto Rico is one of the world’s most densely populated places, with a total population of around 3.9 million, natural beauty surrounds the island, from untouched mangrove lagoons, protected coves, hidden caves, and scenic mountain streams. These natural wonders offer the perfect backdrop for those who want to immerse themselves in the tropic’s sensual pleasures.

The El Yunque Caribbean National Forest, which is an hour-drive from San Juan, is known to be one of the island’s  top attractions. It contains a virgin, semi-tropical forest — the most ecologically diverse and also the smallest — which is the only of its kind in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico features one of the world’s largest underground river cave systems, which is best explored through the Las Cavernas del Rio Camuy Park. The park draws a big crowd every year, most of which are school kids. The natural opening of the cavern is well-preserved. Visitors can enter it from an artificial opening to its right. You will be zipped down the Cueva Clara’s mouth and as you descend you will enjoy a mind-boggling and stunning view of a virgin forest along with a great display of passion fruits, red ginger, African tulips, ferns, begonias, and delicate orchids. Further down the cavern await more magnificent sights, which include the 170-foot room surrounded by stalagmites and stalactites, and the subterranean waterfall that runs through the cave.

Meanwhile, the Central Mountain region of Puerto Rico offers the most dramatic and scenic views of the island. This is where ferns, streams, high mountain peaks and majestic canyons can be seen. The petroglyphs and ancient ruins of the indigenous Taino culture still prevail throughout the area.

Puerto Rico is indeed more than just a beach haven. However, if you are in the island mainly to see its spectacular beaches, then you will never be disappointed since the island does not come short in that aspect. In fact, a wealth of water activities, such as surfing, kayaking, sailing and fishing, can be enjoyed here.

What’s clear is that life in Puerto Rico is very vivid so you should be prepared as your senses are awakened by the enchanting and dazzling beauty of an island where the sun brightly shines and tropical breeze fills the air. Without a doubt, Puerto Rico is definitely an undiscovered adventurer’s vacation paradise.