by Holle Abee

Created on: January 22, 2008

Luquillo, Puerto Rico, located on the northeast coast, is all about celebrating natural beauty in the glorious Caribbean sunshine. Called "La Capital del Sol" (capital of the sun), the area enjoys year 'round perfect weather, with lots of sunny days.

Founded in 1797, Luquillo retains much of her "small town" appeal, even though she's less than 30 miles from the busy San Juan LMM International Airport. The area is surrounded by rain forest, green hills, and distant mountain peaks shrouded in mist.

Luquillo is famous for spectacular beaches. In fact, the area is often referred to as the Puerto Rican Riviera. The crescent of golden sand is flanked by sparkling turquise waters, and most are very calm, protected by offshore reefs. The more poplular beaches are filled with music, surfing competitions, and all kinds of festivals.

Luquillo Beach is a mile of fine sand, lined with coconut palms. Visitors will find colorful stands selling ice cream, bathing suits, and delicious local foods. Public restrooms, showers, and lifeguards are on site, and there's a large paved parking lot. The beach is also handicapped-accessible, so everyone can enjoy fun in the sun.

Another great beach in Luquillo is Monserrate, a favorite hangout for locals. Camping is allowed on the beach, and like Luquillo Beach, it's accessible to the disabled. Playa Azul is the place to snorkel and view the varied underwater life.

La Pared Beach offers great surfing, but if you're willing to do a little hiking, go to La Selva, where you'll find a secluded rural shore with rough waves, great for "hanging ten." Just be sure to bring along some snacks and drinks. You won't find restaurants or food vendors, only green pastures and cattle.

If scuba diving is your passion, you won't be disappointed. Local stores rent and even reapair gear. Or take a party catamaran to the Palominos Islands for some world-class diving, or visit Icacos Island for stunning underwater sightseeing via a native-built wooden sailboat.

Take a tour boat to the pristine islands of Vieques and Culebra for a snorkel adventure for $75, including all your gear and lunch. Or rent your own power boat for a self-guided tour of the area.

A must-see while in Luquillo is one of the bioluminescent bays, where millions of phosphorescent microorganisms perform a nightly light show in the dark waters. Take a comfortable cruise from the village of Isabel Segundo, where you'll watch the sun sink behind the mountains, enjoy some fabulous local cuisine, then

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