San Juan

San Juan's cruise ships dock directly in Old San Juan, a walled colonial district of cobblestone streets, pastel buildings, and 16th-century fortifications. El Morro, the massive fortress at the tip of the headland, took over 200 years to build and has views across the Atlantic. Castillo San Cristóbal, the other major fort, has tunnels and ramparts that are less crowded and equally worth exploring. La Fortaleza, the governor's residence, is the oldest executive mansion in the Americas. Piñones, a beachside strip east of the city, has kiosks selling alcapurrias, bacalaítos, and fresh coconut water. Mofongo, mashed plantain with garlic and pork, appears on every restaurant menu. The Bacardí Rum Factory across the bay in Cataño is reachable by a short ferry. El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system, is about an hour's drive. Calle del Cristo has handmade jewellery, rum cakes, and batik fabrics. The free trolley covers the historic centre.