NEW YORK (CNNfn) - For a small island, Puerto Rico sure packs in a lot of stuff to see and do.
You like beaches? You'll find plenty of them of this Caribbean Island.
You like forests? Puerto Rico has the only tropical rain forest within the U.S. National Forest System, and a total of 20 designated forest reserves.
You'll find nightclubs and fancy hotels, if that's what you're looking for, or paradores -- country inns -- and museums to expand your mind. 
Hard to believe all this activity -- along with scuba diving, horseback riding and golf -- can be crammed into an island 110 miles long and 35 miles long. But it's all there and it's waiting for you.
"There's a lot of things going on," said Matt Lombardi, who edited the Puerto Rico guide for Fodor's Travel Publications. "You can have a dozen different kinds of vacations in Puerto Rico."
Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. commonwealth, Americans don't need their passports when they visit and they won't have to exchange their money. And English is one of the official languages, along with Spanish, so communication shouldn't be a problem, especially in urban areas, though a Spanish phrasebook can be useful.
With winter coming on, the beaches and sunshine must be tempting to anyone living in colder climates. What more do you want? The island to come to you?
Columbus slept here
On Nov. 19, 1493, Christopher Columbus, making his second trip to the New World, claimed what is now Puerto Rico for Spain. The island had been known as Borinquen and was home to the Tainos, who numbered about 30,000 when Columbus arrived.
Ponce de Leon, the Fountain of Youth guy, took a break from his exploring activities long enough to become the island's first governor in 1508. Several years later, in 1521, he founded what was to become Old San Juan and for the next three centuries or so, Spain fought off attempts by the English, Dutch and French to muscle in on Puerto Rico, literally the "Rich Port."
Spain granted the island dominion status in 1897 and then handed it over to United States a year later as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens in 1917 and the island became a semiautonomous commonwealth in 1952.
"It really has a sophisticated culture," Lombardi said. "There's European influence. It has native American roots and influence from Africa and the United States."
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Rich Port
The most popular time to visit Puerto Rico is November through March, as travelers look to escape cold winter temperatures. Lombardi suggests booking hotels, airplane tickets and other reservations well in advance.
The island gets hot during the summer, so Lombardi encouraged visitors to head into the mountains to avoid the heat. 
San Juan is the epicenter of a Puerto Rican visit, as it is the site of the island's major airport and harbor. Old San Juan, the original city, is a must-see. Here you'll find excellent examples of 16th and 17th century Spanish colonial architecture. There are shops, monuments, open-air cafes and tons of atmosphere.
"This was the hub for Spain in the New World," Lombardi said.
The cliff fortress of El Morro can trace its origins back to 1539 and was expanded in later years to repel European invaders. Going to the old fort, Lombardi said, is "like visiting a castle in Europe."
Museum lovers may want to look up the Museo de las Americas and the newly opened Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, which opened its doors in July and houses more than 250 pieces of art. The 130,000 square foot facility boasts a Neo-Classical structure built in 1920.
Getting out of town
If you want to get out of the city, you can head to El Yunque, or "The Anvil," which is about 26 miles southeast of San Juan. Here you'll find 28,000 acres of verdant foliage where trees stand 100-feet high, and about 68 types of birds, including the cotorra, Puerto Rico's endangered green parrot, fly through the air.
"You can hike for a quarter of a mile and find a beautiful waterfall," Lombardi said. 
In the northwest, the 268-acre Parque de las Cavernas del Rio Camuy has a massive underground cave network and the world's third longest underground river.
In the south, there is Ponce, the island's second largest urban area. The Museo de Arte de Ponce is said to have one of the finest art collections in the Caribbean and is home of one the best collections of pre-Raphaelite paintings.
And if you get to the outer island of Vieques, be sure to see Phosphorescent Bay, where undersea dinoflagellates light up the waters at night. There are special boat or kayaking trips to this unique spot and you can jump on in and glow with the flow.
Come on down
Puerto Rico is one the cheapest destinations in the Caribbean, according to Lonely Planet, but the travel publisher warns visitors you can spend as much as you want if you're in the mood.
A budget meal ranges from about $15 to $25, while top end places go for $25 to $45. When you're looking for lodging, remember a budget hotel room goes for $40 to $75, while top-of-the-line rooms cost $150 and up.
The Puerto Rican Tourism Co. reminds consumers that there are several holiday events happening on the island. On Dec. 28, for example, the town of Hatillo will celebrate the Festival of the Masks and the holiday season ends on Jan. 6 with Three Kings Day. The Festival of San Sebastian will be marked on Jan. 20-23.
If you're near Florida or New York, a trip to Puerto Rico won't take long. It's just 2-1/2 hours by air from Miami and 3-1/2 hours from the Big Apple. If you go surfing on the Web for some travel packages, here are a few of the deals you might find:
- American Airlines has a five-night package to Puerto Rico that starts at $309. The price varies depending upon the hotel you choose and tops out at about $743. You must book by Jan. 7 for travel between now and May 1.
- If you want to see the Caribbean, several cruise ships stop in Puerto Rico. Cruise Planners lists a 7-day cruise that hits San Juan, Nassau and St. Thomas. Prices start at $499 per person, double occupancy. Airfare is not included.
Be aware that like any other place, Puerto Rico is not immune from crime. Muggings have occurred at night on even some of the swankiest beaches. Be alert and keep an eye on your valuables. 
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