Title: Explore U.S. National Parks of the Caribbean
Headings: Explore U.S. National Parks of the Caribbean
Explore U.S. National Parks of the Caribbean
Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, U.S.V.I.
El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
San Juan National Historic Site, Puerto Rico
Christiansted National Historic Site, St. Croix
Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix, U.S.V.I.
Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve, St. Croix
Dry Tortugas National Park, Key West, Fla.
Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico

Content: 03 of 08
San Juan National Historic Site, Puerto Rico
Ricardo Mangual/Flickr/CC by 2.0
This national park (and World Heritage Site) in Old San Juan preserves the remarkable fortifications built by the Spanish to protect their prized Puerto Rico port from attack by the British, French and other Caribbean rivals. The park includes the most iconic buildings in this ancient walled city (including the walls themselves), such as the Castillo San Felipe del Morro ("El Morro"), Castillo San Cristobal, the San Juan Gate and, across San Juan Bay, the Fort San Juan de la Cruz. 04 of 08
Christiansted National Historic Site, St. Croix
National Park Service
There are few places left where you can legitimately feel like you've stepped back in the past a few centuries, but this historic park in the capital of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one. Preserving a cluster of 18th- and 19th-century buildings on the Christiansted waterfront, the park speaks to a time where this was a key Danish trading post in the Caribbean. The park includes five key structures: Fort Christiansvaern (1738), the Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse (1749), the Steeple Building (1753), the Danish Custom House (1844), and the Scale House (1856). Continue to 5 of 8 below. 05 of 08
Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix, U.S.V.I.
National Park Service
Just offshore of St. Croix is one of the Caribbean's best protected and healthiest coral reefs, which visitors can explore via snorkel tours that also include a stop on Buck Island itself for some beach time, picnicking, and perhaps a hike to the peak for a panoramic view of St. Croix and the Caribbean Sea. 06 of 08
Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve, St. Croix
NOAA
Infrequently visited and only marginally accessible, the Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve on St. Croix includes the remains of the oldest European fort in North America and the spot where Christopher Columbus had one of his many fatal encounters with local native tribes. The best way to visit Salt River Bay is via a kayak tour, which can be arranged with local outfitters.