Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is the Caribbean's most accessible destination for American travelers -- a US territory where no passport is needed, US dollars are the currency, and your cell phone plan works just like on the mainland. Old San Juan's cobblestone streets, pastel colonial buildings, and 500-year-old fortresses make it one of the most historically rich islands in the Caribbean.

For points travelers, Puerto Rico is a paradise of options. Every major hotel loyalty program has a presence. The combination of moderate cash rates and reasonable points costs makes Puerto Rico a solid value play, especially given the zero-hassle US entry requirements.

Beyond San Juan, Puerto Rico offers bioluminescent bays that glow electric blue at night, El Yunque National Rainforest, world-class surfing in Rincon, and a food scene that fuses Spanish, African, and Taino influences into something utterly unique.