The tourism industry has already begun to recover from the earthquake that caused substantial damage in Puerto Rico. Tourists incapable of staying away from the island prove its charm. Puerto Rico has even become a destination wedding location worth millions due to all the love it receives. It doesn’t take much to realize the destination’s greatness, but deciding which of its cities to visit requires extra thinking.

Both Rincón and San Juan have their own unique personalities that draw totally different crowds. Each city deserves some dedicated time, but the choice between the two is necessary. San Juan is located in the east while Rincón is found in the west. Visiting both would require either a plane ride or a road trip.

In this list, we’ll run through some of the pros and cons of each location to jumpstart the planning process.

10 San Juan: Visit Colonial Puerto Rico In Old San Juan

Cobblestone streets still carve their way through Puerto Rico’s colonial past in San Juan Viejo or Old San Juan. This neighborhood is a must-see for anyone who visits the city. Well-preserved buildings have been turned into modern businesses. There are restaurants serving traditional cuisine like mofongo and stores which specialize in creative souvenirs that promote Puerto Rican culture. Historic museums and tours provide context to accompany the visuals if desired.

9 Rincón: 53 Beaches To Choose From

Beach bums will get their money's worth in Rincón. There are enough locations to explore a new beach every day of vacation. Each one has its own unique characteristics like lounge chairs or huge waves. TripAdvisor photos taken by tourists reveal the beauty of some beautiful beaches in the area. Playa Corcega is a popular example, with its relaxed waters. Visitors coming during winter should head to Domes Beach for whale watching.

8 San Juan: Several Massive Historic Sites

Two of the largest historical sites in Puerto Rico are its fortresses, Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo de San Cristóbal. The price for San Felipe is $7 while San Cristóbal is two dollars cheaper, according to Discover Puerto Rico. This is perhaps because of San Felipe's prime position right next to San Juan Viejo. It’s possible to knock out several historical sites in a day without facing long travel times.

7 Rincón: Lighthouses Are The City's Biggest Architectural Attractions

Rincón hasn’t been developed to the same level as Puerto Rico's capital city San Juan. There is no stunning architecture. Some of its beaches don’t have buildings at all. What Rincón does have is a lighthouse. The Rincón lighthouse itself is nothing fancy and that’s why it’s loved. It’s a place from which Rincón's blue sea and white sands, the things that make this city shine, can be observed.

6 San Juan: It's A Port City For Puerto Rico's Islands

Vieques and Culebra can be considered Puerto Rico’s most popular islands. In part, because they’re the largest off the coast of Puerto Rico. Both are a short catamaran ride away from San Juan. Vieques is famous for its bioluminescent bay while the undisturbed reefs of Culebra are excellent for snorkeling. Smaller islands like Icacos are also destinations for certain tour companies. The reduced crowd is the biggest selling point for that island.

5 Rincón: Art Fills The City Square On Thursdays

The Rincón Art Walk begins at 7 PM after artists have set up booths downtown to display their work. Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular claims that the event was never meant for tourists. Instead, the goal is to increase domestic tourism and celebrate Puerto Rican culture. For this reason, it isn’t a typical souvenir alley. A large portion of its artists are painters. Many pieces are sized for local homes, but some are small enough to take back on a plane.

4 San Juan: The Party Continues Into The Night

Young people jump into action once the night clubs open in the evening. Booming music is their cue to get dancing. The bars are open long into the night and customary flat rooftops make for atmospheric party settings. There are very few places of this type in Rincón where the local population is small and the tourists just show up to surf. High energy entertainment past 8 PM is best found in San Juan.

Related: Adam Levine, Jennifer Lopez And 16 Stars Who Flew To Puerto Rico

3 Rincón: Puerto Rico's Best Known Surf City

The majority of people that take a vacation to Rincón come for the waves. Detailed accounts of the difficulty of each beach in Rincón make it clear that both beginners and advanced surfers have a place. Lessons are offered all over the coast, but Sandy Beach is a good place to start. Experienced surfers can take on bigger waves at Tres Palmas. People who aren’t interested in surfing can sit back and watch the show.

Related: A Travel Guide To Puerto Rico: Tourists Should Plan Their Trip Around These 10 Things

2 San Juan: Condado Is Built For Luxury

Condado is a small, wealthy part of the neighborhood Santurce. It’s filled with luxurious buildings both residential and commercial. The beautiful oceanfront can be viewed from all around the community. While buying a house here might be out of the question, it’s an amazing place to stop by on summer vacation. Condado visitors can also explore the rest of Santurce to see work from its renowned street artists plastered on the walls.

Related: Puerto Rico Vs Costa Rica: 20 Photos To Help You Decide Between These Two Vacation Destinations

1 Rincón: The Small Town Locals Are Friendly

The densely packed city of San Juan has a population of approximately 318,000 people while Rincón barely tops 10,000. That makes it easier for everyone to know everyone in Rincón. As for foreigners, Puerto Ricans in every city are known to be welcoming. Citizens in hotspots like San Juan are used to being overrun with tourists though. On the other hand, there’s plenty of room for tourists to fill in Rincón without disturbing the locals.

Next: Favorite Caribbean Destinations (And When To Avoid Them)