This magnificent mansion is the home and office of the governor of Puerto Rico and the governor's family. It has been in continuous use since it was built in 1540. The structure is also known as the Palacio de Santa Catalina (Saint Catalina’s Palace) as it integrates a chapel in keeping with the highly Catholic culture.

Dozens of giant tortoises roam the premises of Rancho Primicias on the island of Santa Cruz, and visitors are welcome to explore and get up close and personal with them. These tame giants can weigh over 400 kg, grow to be 1.8 metres long, and live to be well over 100 years old.

The Arecibo Observatory was the world's largest radar radio telescope for over 60 years, until in 2016 a larger one was constructed in China. It was operated by the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center of Cornell University for many years, and today makes for a great visit for science enthusiasts.

Take a 1-hour journey to Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, and step into his surreal masterpiece — the Dalí Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist himself. Constructed to replace an old theatre that burnt down during the Spanish Civil War, the building is a work of surrealist art, topped with giant eggs and crowned by a geodesic dome. Inside, it holds the world’s largest collection of Dalí’s works, from early impressionist pieces like Port Alguer (1924) to later marvels like Galatea of the Spheres (1952). Don’t miss the Mae West room, an upside-down bathtub fixed to the ceiling, or the glittering jewellery collection. The artist himself is buried in a crypt below the stage, adding a layer of solemnity to the whimsy. Book tickets online to avoid long queues, and allow at least half a day to fully absorb the labyrinthine galleries, optical illusions, and the sheer audacity of Dalí’s vision.