Hotels draw a lively mix of tourists and locals, particularly in the San Juan area. Casinos are smaller and more discreet than the flashy gaming parlors of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Alcohol is not allowed within casinos, but bars are usually just outside the gaming areas. Most casinos also have dress codes. Several hotels have long-running musical shows, which range in content from flamenco to contemporary American music.

Puerto Rico also draws a diverse lot of big-name entertainers. Billy Joel, Madonna, Ray Charles, Sting and Luciano Pavorotti gave performances here recently. The Centro de Bellas Artes, on Ponce de León Avenue in downtown Santurce, is home to symphonic, dance, operatic, theatrical and popular music productions. (For information on events, call 725-7334.) Various theatrical and musical productions are also held at the Tapia Theatre in Old San Juan and on the University of Puerto Rico campus. Large concerts take place at the Hiram Bithom Stadium and Roberto Clemente Coliseum, across from Plaza Las Américas on Roosevelt Avenue. Behind the athletic facilities in the Muñoz Marín Park is a more intimate ampitheater, where jazz and other concerts are held.

San Juan is filled with nightclubs and bars that have live entertainment. At Carolina's Carrousel Salón de Actividades (762-4295), there's something happening nearly every night.

A few nights a week, jazz is performed at different establishments in Old San Juan, Isla Verde and Condado, as well as in other areas. Live rock and roll and reggae music can also be heard frequently at Island nightspots, such as the Hard Rock Café in Old San Juan, and at the Reef Bar & Grill in Piñones. For lively local music, try the bars along Calle San Sebastián in Old San Juan. Discotheques include Asylum in Santurce, Egipto in Condado and Laser's in Old San Juan (check under Bars, Discotheques, Restaurants).