If your idea of a tropical vacation includes "getting away from it all," yet enjoying the amenities of luxurious accommodations, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico is the place for you!

Located in the Northern Coastal Valley, Rio Grande is a verdant land of rolling hills, large lakes, miles of beautiful beaches, and blue mountains rising in the distance to the south. Rio Grande is only 30 minutes away from San Juan's LMM International Airport, yet it seems a world away from the bustling noise and hectic pace of the city.

On a visit to Rio Grande, you'll find yourself surrounded by fruit trees, gorgeous ornamental plants, sugar cane plantations, fields of vegetables, grazing cattle, and posh resorts - it's the best of both worlds.

The beaches in the area include Coco Beach and Las Picuas, both pristine sandy beaches lined with coconut palms. The waters are calm, turquoise blue, and they're a perfect 85 degrees for much of the year.

The resorts and hotels house a wide variety of restaurants, casual bars, trendy lounges, and exciting nightclubs. You'll find other eateries in the area, serving American foods, steaks, fresh seafood, and wonderful local dishes. Also, there are several casinos in the area to supply some awesome gaming action.

You'll find many interesting places to visit near Rio Grande. Drive just 10 miles to Fajardo, where you can take a boat excursion for snorkeling on the reefs or to visit the stunning islands of Vieques and Culebra, or even the Virgin Islands.

El Yunque Rain Forest is only 10 minutes away. You'll marvel at the 28,000 acres, home to 240 species of trees, wild orchids, giant ferns, and colorful tropical birds. You can swim in a cascading waterfall amid lush tropical vegetation, hike the trails through the forest, or climb to the top of the summit for a panoramic view of the area.

Also nearby are championship golf, kayaking, sailing, horseback riding, and cycling. Try your luck reeling in a huge marlin, sailfish, or tuna, or fish one of the nearby fresh water lakes for big largemouth bass, sunfish, and tilapia.

Rio Grande is truly an amazing location, and of course, like the rest of Puerto Rico, U.S. citizens need no passport to visit. The people of the region are warm and friendly, and the area is safe for tourists. Even the air here is clean, crisp, and sweet. Rio Grande offers the best of natural beauty, plush accommodations, and exciting activities, all in a laid-back, sophisticated atmosphere.

This snippet of Puerto Rican bliss was brought to you by Holle Abee

There is nothing like experiencing an actual rain forest up close and personal.  Stay in a Fajardo condo, Vieques villa, or anywhere near Old San Juan to be close to El Yunque.  (And then you can go back to work with pictures of you all soggy and green from the forest!).