Featured Market: Puerto Rico

Wherever you go in Puerto Rico, you can smell the sea. Half the size of New Jersey, this U.S. Commonwealth consists of 272 miles of Atlantic and Caribbean coastline. Puerto Rico is a mix of beaches lined with palm trees, hills, rain forests, mountains (including the breathtaking Cordillera) and the occasional dry desert. There's ample opportunity for outdoor activities, with El Yunque, the 28,000 acre Caribbean National Forest being a popular destination, as it is less than an hour's drive from San Juan, the capital.

Bars, shops and restaurants are abundant in larger cities. Architecture ranges from fortresses, cobblestone streets and 16th century Spanish buildings -- including some of the oldest surviving places of worship in the Western Hemisphere -- to ultramodern designs. Some of the lesser-populated areas, such as the offshore islands, are perfect for day trips, swimming, hiking and picnicking.

Fast Facts:

• Dorado Beach, Cerromar Beach and Palmas del Mar are the chief centers for golf, tennis and beach life.
• Founded in 1692, Ponce is Puerto Rico's second-largest city and has received much attention because of its inner-city restoration.
• This city is home to the island's premier art gallery.
• San German and Ponce are home to some of the finest colonial architecture in the Caribbean.