Before you go, contact the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (800/866-7827) to request that it send you free of charge its extensive tourist-information packet, which includes brochures, maps, pictures, and details on hotels, tours, and attractions. It’s a great planning tool. You can also visit its website at www.gotopuertorico.com for more information. Another great site is www.travelandsports.com.

Once you’ve arrived on the island, visit the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s information center, in Old San Juan near the cruise-ship piers in a small yellow colonial structure called La Casita (Plaza de Dársenes, Old San Juan, 787/722-5208 or 787/724-6829, fax 787/722-5208, www.gotopuertorico.com, Sat.–Wed. 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Thurs.–Fri. 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m.). It’s not only a great source for maps and promotional brochures on various tourist sites, hotels, and tours, but you can also sip on a free rum cocktail. Call 800/866-7827 to order travel information.

For information specifically on the capital city, visit the Tourism Office of San Juan (250 Calle Teután at Calle San Justo, Old San Juan, 787/721-6363, Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.–4 p.m.). It offers self-guided audio tours of Old San Juan in English and Spanish for $9.99 per person. There’s also a small selection of promotional materials for local tourist sites, hotels, and tours.

Many of the island’s towns have their own tourist offices, usually on or near the plaza and often in the alcadia (city hall) building. Unfortunately, many of them tend to be open sporadically, despite posted hours of operation.

There are also free maps and travel publications, such as Places to Go, Bienvenidos, and Qué Pasa! magazines, available at many stores, restaurants, and hotels.

For a detailed road map of the island, International Travel Maps of Canada (www.itmb.com) is your best option, but you’ll have to order online before you go. The same goes for National Geographic’s excellent illustrated map of the Caribbean National Forest, available from its website, www.nationalgeographic.com/maps.