Plaza Acuática 787-754-9800 Fax: 787-751-9009 For beach lovers and water fanatics. There are water slides, a giant wave pool, spiraling body slides, activity pool and kiddy pool. Professionally trained lifeguards, first aid and security staff are on duty. There are also gift shops, two 18-hole mini-golf courses and a large, dry play area for children. Facilities are available for birthday parties and private activities.

Luis A. Ferré Science Park Rt. 167, Ave. Comerio 787-740-6868 Wed -Fri 9-4, Sat-Sun 10-6 A science park for the whole family to enjoy

Plaza del Quinto Centenario This plaza is the cornerstone of Puerto Rico's commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the New World in 1492. Dominated by a giant stone pillar and a beautiful ground level fountain (it's not enclosed and the children get soaked, which makes it that much more enjoyable).

Museo del Niño 787-722-3791 Tues-Thurs 9-3:30 Fri. 9-5; Sat., Sun. 12:30-5 A very popular children's museum with educational exhibits. On the Plaza de Catedral.

Ponce Boardwalk This is the boardwalk on the Caribbean Sea, just across from the Ponce Yacht Club. There are lots of food kiosks in this open air venue. Free transportation to the central plaza on the Chu-Chu Train.

Río Piedras Botanical Garden 787-763-4408 Daily 8-4:30 Rt 1 at Rt 847, San Juan A major botanical garden, located in San Juan. Affiliated with the University of Puerto Rico.

Ponce Trolley Tour Ponce 787-284-4141 Free daily tour of the historic zone starting at the central plaza.

Parque de Bombas Plaza las Delicias, Ponce In the central plaza, behind the Catedral de la Guadalupe, this century-old wooden firehouse is open to the public. It is painted bright red and black. Antique fire engines on the first floor; exhibits on the second floor.

Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center Rt 503, Km 2.1, Ponce 787-840-2255 This major historical site goes back to 400AD. An impressive museum and grounds. Tues-Sun 9-4.

Isabela Trolley Calle Corchado #75, Isabela 787-782-2100 EXT 201 Call Isabela City Hall for reservations. A trolley service for visitors.

Humpback Whales Rincón Humpback whales may be seen in the winter from the observation park at the Rincón Lighthouse.

El Yunque (Caribbean Nat.Forest) Rt 191 Km 4.2, Río Grande 787-888-1810 Daily 7-6 Forest hikes, camping, visitors center, exhibits. The only rain forest in the US forest service system.

Aguadilla This is one of the world's great beach, surfing and sports beach areas. The beaches are too numerous to mention as the run they entire coastline from Rincón to the south to Isabela to the east. The surfers, windsurfers, beach scuba divers and all their support crew and admirers are great fun to watch. It is even more fun to join in. Winter is the peak surfing season.

Beaches

By Law, All Puerto Rican Playas Beaches are open to the public. The government runs 13 balnearios public beaches, which have dressing rooms, lifeguards, parking, and in some cases picnic tables, playgrounds, and camping facilities. Admission is free, parking is $2. Most balnearios are open 9-5 daily in summer and Tuesday-Sunday the rest of the year. For more information contact the Department Of Recreation and Sports 787/722-1551 Or 787/724-2500.

Isla Verde This white-sand beach has good snorkeling, with equipment and chair rentals along the beach. Close to San Juan, It's a lively and popular beach.

Parque De Tercer Milenio Third millennium park. On the Puerta de Tierra stretch at the entrance to old San Juan, the park encompasses Balneario Escambrón, a patch of honey-color beach with shade from coconut palms and a mostly gentle surf. There are showers available, and several restaurants; and the park is open daily 7-7.

Playita Condado Kids will like Playita Condado, marked Condado Public Beach on its sign. The small beach has an even surf and some shade from trees and is adjacent to the Condado Plaza Hotel off busy Avenida Ashford.

Balneario Boqueró On the southwest coast is a broad beach of hard-packed sand fringed with coconut palms. It has picnic tables, cabin rentals, a basketball court, a minimarket, and scuba-diving and snorkeling outfitters nearby.

Playa Luquillo Crescent-shaped Playa Luquillo comes complete with coconut palms, changing rooms, lockers, showers, picnic tables, tent sites, and stands that sell Puerto Rican savories and tropical cocktails. Coral reefs protect its crystal-clear lagoon from the Atlantic waters, making it an ideal place to swim. It's one of the island's largest and best-known beaches and is crowded on weekends. It also has a "mar sin barreras" (sea without barriers), ramp that allows wheelchair users water access 787/889-4329 or 787/889-5871.

Playa Flamenco This spectacularly beautiful beach is on the north shore of Culebra island. The 3-mile-long crescent has shade trees, clear, shallow water, picnic tables, and rest rooms and is popular on weekends with day-trippers from Fajardo. In winter, storms in the Atlantic often create great waves for bodysurfing.

Playa Soni This wide strand of sparkling white sand is located on the eastern end of Culebra, on a protected bay with calm waters. The views of the islets of Culebrita, Cayo Norte, and St. Thomas are stunning. Snorkeling here is popular, too. As there are no facilities and little shade, bring lots of water and an umbrella.

Vieques Nothing in Puerto Rico in recent months has generated more headlines than the 52-square-mile island of Vieques (about the size of Aruba), off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Local residents have protested the presence of the U.S. Navy here since the 1950s. The Navy has long found the island an ideal terrain for use as a bombing range. Activists charge the Navy is ignoring health and environmental hazards. A compromise has been reached, which includes the promise of $90 million in aid if residents will allow exercises with live ammunition to continue. Most of Vieques consists of long, natural, and pristine beaches of white sand. The visitor information center 787/741-5000 is in the fishing village of Esperanza