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Your Trip to Puerto Rico: The Complete Guide

Puerto Rico is a crown jewel of the Caribbean, a tropical island with great weather year-round and a wide assortment of fantastic attractions. Whether your visit is for a week or a month, you won’t run out of things to do, places to go, and wonders to experience. You may love the beaches the most, or the climate in general, or the deep forest ecosystems, or the mountain peaks and valleys, or the rich and diverse cultural milieu. Whatever your preferences, when you come to Puerto Rico, you’ll find endless delights to enjoy and experience.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit : The weather in Puerto Rico is ideal during the late fall, winter, and early spring. Temperatures stay warm and comfortable, and there is less rain and humidity than at other times of the year. Summer and the approximate months are sweltering and humid in Puerto Rico, and also represent the beginning of tropical storm and hurricane season . However, because summer is less busy, better deals on travel, hospitality, and recreation can often be found at that time of the year.

Language: Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico   . A fifth of its citizens speak English fluently, but visitors who speak English exclusively will seldom have difficulty being understood.

Currency: The U.S. dollar. Puerto Rico is a part of the United States.

Getting Around: Outside the capital city of San Juan, good public transportation options in Puerto Rico are limited. This means you’ll likely have to rent a car if you want to explore different parts of the island. Taxis are expensive in Puerto Rico and should only be used sparingly, although the service is dependable when you need them. Boat rides are another way to explore the area if you plan to travel along the coast. Uber is an option in the metro area (San Juan and surrounding towns), but they’re scarce the further west and south you travel.

Travel Tip: Not everyone knows it, but there is more to Puerto Rico than just the main island. Just a few miles off the southeastern shore, you can find the small islands of Culebra and Vieques , each of which has been blessed with abundant natural beauty. Formerly used by the U.S. military for various training activities, both are now autonomous and open to receiving tourists. Both small islands are accessible by ferry or a short airplane ride, and a day spent on each would truly complete your trip.

Things to Do

Puerto Rico is one of the few places in the world where you can see and experience the ocean, arid land, forest, and mountain ecosystems and geological features on the same trip. Its culture is active and vibrant, its monuments and museums have faithfully preserved its history and cultural diversity, and there are so many breathtaking beaches you could spend your entire vacation just lying in the sun and enjoying them. Fishing, swimming, snorkeling, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, zip-lining, bird watching, boating: name your favorite form of recreation, and your Puerto Rican vacation can include it.

The list of most memorable and enjoyable tourist attractions in Puerto Rico includes:

• Beaches : Puerto Rico’s most populated cities are almost all located along its contiguous coastline. Virtually all feature clean, sparkling, well-maintained beaches that are considered among the world’s most attractive. In all, Puerto Rico has more than 270 miles of coastline and more than 300 beaches,  some of which are crowded but many of which are quiet and secluded.
• National Forests: The interior region of Puerto Rico is a haven for nature enthusiasts. One of its most visited nature sanctuaries is El Yunque National Forest , the U.S. forest system's only tropical rainforest   . Toro Negro in the southeast, and the desert-like Guanica Dry Forest Reserve in the southwest corner , are two other popular destinations.
• Old San Juan : Old San Juan is the cultural and historical birthplace of Puerto Rico’s capital city. While walking its streets or strolling on its trails, you encounter an impressive array of specialized museums, many historical sites, colorful public art displays, great restaurants and clubs, amazingly well-preserved colonial architecture, and picturesque views of the sea.

Discover more things to do in Puerto Rico, including the best things to do and things to do with kids .

What to Eat and Drink

Puerto Rico does have its own distinct type of cuisine , which is known as cocina criolla , comidas criollas , or Creole cooking. It is a unique blend of Spanish, American, African, and indigenous cooking styles and ingredients, and it creates a broad menu of tasty mixtures that offers something to please the taste buds of every traveler (often at “mom and pop” restaurants and food trucks found off the beaten path). Puerto Rico is also an ideal destination for seafood lovers, as would be expected given its sea-blessed location. Some of the most delicious seafood can be found in restaurants in smaller cities and fishing villages, where fresh-caught fare is the norm.

Puerto Rico is the top rum producer in the Caribbean. Birthplace of the piña colada   , the island serves up plenty of tropical cocktails and other beverages made from local ingredients. While the coffee industry is no longer as prosperous as it once was, Puerto Rican coffee is still some of the highest quality found anywhere, and coffee shops that serve a variety of coffee drinks are standard on the island—offering tasty alternatives to Starbucks.

Find out more about the best restaurants on the island, and learn more about the best bars in San Juan .

Where to Stay

Even if you plan to explore extensively outside the city limits of San Juan, the capital city may still be the best place to stay. Puerto Rico is not a large island, and you can reach Ponce on the southern coast and Mayaguez on the west coast (the next two largest cities) in two hours or less from San Juan. Budget and luxury hotels alike are widely available in San Juan, Ponce, Mayaguez, and in smaller coastal cities like Arecibo and Ceiba, as are inexpensive Airbnb facilities, giving you a wide range of suitable options if you’d like to stay near the beach and the ocean during your time on the island.

Before you make your reservations, read more about the best places to stay in Puerto Rico , including the top hotels on the island and the top hotels in San Juan .

Getting There

Tourists coming to Puerto Rico will arrive at one of three major airports:

• Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan
• Rafael Hernández International Airport in Aguadilla
• Mercedita/Ponce International Airport in Ponce

Most tourists fly into the airport in San Juan, since this large, modern facility is designed to handle heavy two-way traffic. If you’re coming specifically to Mayaguez or other locations in western Puerto Rico, the international airport in Aguadilla could be an option, and visitors to southern Puerto Rico may be able to fly directly into Ponce. But service to these two airports is far more limited, meaning San Juan will be your likely arrival point in most instances.

Culture and Customs

It's a good idea to learn at least a little basic survival Spanish, if not more, before you arrive in Puerto Rico. If you venture outside the typical tourist areas, you'll certainly need it, since English is not commonly spoken. Puerto Ricans everywhere will appreciate your attempts to use Spanish, even if your knowledge of the language is sparse, and as long as they see you’re trying, they will usually go out of their way to help you as best they can.

Tipping waitstaff and taxi drivers is normal in Puerto Rico. You should expect to pay the same 15-20 percent range you’d pay in the continental United States. It is generally considered rude not to say “please,” “hello,” and “thank you,” in Puerto Rico, even to people you only encounter briefly or casually. If you say it to them in Spanish ( “por favor,” “hola,” and “gracias” ), your gesture will be noticed and appreciated.

Money-Saving Tips

The cost of living in Puerto Rico is somewhat higher than in the United States. Many goods must be imported to the island, accruing extra expenses that are ultimately passed on to consumers by retailers.

Consequently, you'll want to save money any way you can while you're on the island. Here are a few money-saving tips that can keep you within the confines of your budget:

• Rent from Airbnb or stay at a hostel: The prices for quality accommodations at Puerto Rican Airbnbs are surprisingly cheap. Homes, rooms, and apartments are well-maintained and generously furnished, and it usually isn’t hard to find places within walking distance of nearby beaches. Staying at a hostel is another budget-friendly possibility if you don’t mind sharing accommodations with other travelers.
• Buy your lunches or breakfasts at kioskos: Street vendors selling all types of food from carts or small stands (called kioskos) are common in Puerto Rico, especially in more populated areas. Prices at these food stands are significantly less than you’d pay in a sit-down restaurant, and the food is both diverse and tasty.
• Soak up as much free history, culture, and nature as you can: In Puerto Rico, museums, and historical sites (like the fortresses at El Morro and La Fortaleza ) are often free to enter. When they aren’t, the price of entrance is usually quite low, rarely more than $10. Walking tours won’t cost you a penny, and the historic district of Old San Juan is highly recommended for this type of activity. Popular national forests like El Yunque and Guanica Dry Forest are also free to enter and explore. The beaches, of course, are Puerto Rico’s most famous free attraction, and at many beaches, you’ll be able to park at no cost as well.
• Travel during the off-season: June to November is hurricane season in Puerto Rico, and the heat, humidity, and rainfall can be quite prodigious. But it is much easier to find deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and tours if you travel in the summer or fall . If you are at all worried about being in Puerto Rico at this time, because of the weather, you can purchase travel insurance to help alleviate your concerns.

Find out more about the best free activities in Puerto Rico , which will help you get the absolute most out of your marvelous Puerto Rican vacation.

Discover Puerto Rico. "Facts About Puerto Rico."

Discover Puerto Rico. " Best Beaches in Puerto Rico ."

United States Department of Agriculture . "El Yunque National Forest."

Discover Puerto Rico . "Culinary & Cocktails."

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The Perfect Puerto Rico Itinerary

Plan your dream Puerto Rico itinerary with this detailed guide to beautiful beaches, buzzy cities, underground caves and amazing activities.

Looking for your own little slice of paradise? Puerto Rico is a very special Caribbean island, with pristine beaches flanked with palm trees, colourful corals surrounded by kaleidoscopic shoals of fish, and lush rainforest packed with incredible wildlife.

There’s so much to see and do on this beautiful island – the only problem is that you’ll have a hard time fitting everything into your Puerto Rico itinerary!

Whether you like lounging on the beach catching some rays, or racing around on a quad bike, you’ll find plenty of fun activities in Puerto Rico. The island is also steeped in fascinating history, and boasts some excellent museums. Plus, there’s colonial architecture to explore, a vibrant music scene to enjoy and some of the best slow roast pork specialities you’ll ever taste.

However, most people come here to experience the magnificent landscape and idyllic coastline – you could say Puerto Rico is Mother Nature at her best.

So, are you looking for some Puerto Rico travel advice? Trying to decide what to put on your Puerto Rico itinerary? To help you decide, I’ve rounded up the best things to do in Puerto Rico.

9 Amazing Things to Do In Puerto Rico

1. take a stroll around old san juan.

Old San Juan is one of Puerto Rico’s finest cultural attractions, and there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than by exploring the historic centre of this picturesque district on a walking tour. The vibe today is relaxed and laid back, but this old town has a history of turmoil, which has left its mark on the historic buildings and the ravaged fortress, Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

You can hear stories of intrigue, smuggling and revolt as you explore this impressive castle by the sea – one of the most popular things to do in San Juan. It’s also an excellent place to sample some traditional Puerto Rican cuisine.

The sights, sounds and smells of Old San Juan are simply charming, making this a must on any Puerto Rico itinerary.

2. Take A Trip To The Deserted Icacos Island  

Lush, green and surrounded by pristine Caribbean waters, Cayo Icacos is a beautiful destination for a day trip. This completely deserted island just off the Fajardo coastline is surrounded by postcard-perfect shimmering turquoise waters and lush reefs, offering some of the best snorkelling in Puerto Rico.

There’s no camping permitted, and you’ll need to organise your own transport by boat, which will involve some planning. An easy way to make the trip is to book onto a tour like this one , which takes you to the island on a stylish catamaran.

A trip to Cayon Icacos is a very special addition to any Puerto Rico itinerary, and one of the best ways to experience a real taste of the Caribbean.

3. Go Scuba Diving in Paraguera

Paraguera is one of Puerto Rico’s hidden gems – a beautiful coastal town near one of the best coral reefs Puerto Rico has to offer. Get your Puerto Rico snorkelling fix at the Paraguera Wall. With colourful corals and incredible biodiversity, it’s one of the best places to observe marine life around the island.

Paraguera is also one of only three places in Puerto Rico (along with Mosquito Bay and Luaguna Grande) where you can observe bioluminescent phytoplankton. These tiny microorganisms light up when disturbed, creating incredible visual displays in the water after dark.

Seeing the glowing waters of the bioluminescent bay at night is simply unforgettable and easily one of the best things to do in Puerto Rico.

4. Visit El Yunque National Forest

The only tropical rainforest within the US National Forest Service, El Yunque is one of Puerto Rico’s most popular attractions. This enchanting forest covers 28,000 acres on the north eastern part of the island, and receives a whopping 120 inches of rain a year.

The lush, green vegetation sustains a wonderful diversity of animals, insects, and birds, including the legendary coquí frog, an important symbol of Puerto Rican culture and identity.

After a few days on the beach, El Yunque is the perfect place to cool down, as it is dotted with natural pools where you can take a refreshing swim. To get the full experience, why not book onto an El Yunque Rainforest and Waterslide Tour ? This tour is filled with unforgettable adventures in the wilderness which you’re guaranteed to want to add to your Puerto Rico itinerary.  

5. Go Horse Riding At A Private Ranch

Hiking is a popular activity in Puerto Rico, but for something different, how about seeing the sights on horseback? This fantastic tour will take you deep into the lush countryside around San Juan where you can go wildlife spotting from the back of your very own trusty steed!

It’s a lovely way to venture through the lush forests and take in the views of the towering mountains east of San Juan, all while learning more about the traditions of the island. Whether you’re an expert jockey or a complete novice, this is one of the most unique and fun things to do in San Juan.

6. Hang Out On The Beach

Puerto Rico is known for its beautiful coastline. It’s home to miles of pristine white sand beaches where you can easily spend a day (or a week!) paddling in the warm turquoise waters and topping up your tan.

If you’re looking for the best beaches for paddling and snorkelling, head to Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo. With dreamy palm trees, golden sand, and a lovely sheltered bay where you can swim in peace, it’s a great option for a beach day in Puerto Rico. Cabo Rojo is another popular option, especially for snorkelling.

Perhaps the best beach in Puerto Rico is trickier to reach! It’s located on the outlying island of Culebra, nestled in a sheltered bay with shallow water and jaw dropping scenery. It’s definitely off the beaten path, but if you go, it’s likely to be the highlight of your Puerto Rico itinerary!

7. Visit the Camuy Cave Park

One of Puerto Rico’s most popular attractions is the Camuy River Cave Park – an extensive cave network stretching for 286 acres underground. Shaped millions of years ago by the relentless course of the River Camuy, this impressive subterranean system is decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, occasionally opening up into vast caverns and sinkholes.

Step away from the lush green forests above ground and descend into a completely different world, where you’ll encounter strange wildlife and beautiful rock formations. This fabulous site should definitely be on your Puerto Rico itinerary.

8. Get Your Thrills On A Jet Ski or ATV Tour

Life in Puerto Rico is pretty relaxed and easy going, but if you’re looking for some thrills during your stay, you’ll get them on one of these brilliant tours. Finding the pace of life too slow? Hop on board an All Terrain Vehicle and enjoy a few carefree hours zipping around the fabulous Puerto Rican landscape on this popular ATV tour !

Alternatively, head out to the northern coast and tour the coastline all the way through the San Jose Lagoon to the beach of Isla Verde. I’d recommend taking a look at this awesome jet ski tour – definitely one of the most fun things to do in Puerto Rico if you’re looking for a little adventure!

Finally, if you’re still looking for that adrenaline high, head to the Toro Verde Adventure Park, where you can enjoy an epic 2.5km zip-line known as ‘the monster’. Wow, that sounds like fun!

9. Visit Cueva del Indio

Although Puerto Rico’s architecture is dominated by its Spanish colonial history, the island has a much longer cultural legacy. The Cueva del Indio is an ancient cave that contains a large number of petroglyphs made by the indigenous inhabitations of the island, prior to the period of Spanish colonisation.

Combine this fascinating spot with a trip to the ‘Taino Stonehenge’, an impressive stone circle covered in even more petroglyphs, which functions as a sacred ceremonial site for the indigenous Taino people. Peel back the layers of Puerto Rico’s rich history, and uncover a new side to this remarkable island.

Where To Stay In Puerto Rico

Villa montana beach resort.

With colonial-style décor blended with rustic touches, luxury furnishings, and some of the best views on the island, the Villa Montana Beach Resort is our pick of the resort options in Puerto Rico.

The site itself covers three miles of beautiful golden beach, and offers everything you’ll need for a blissful stay in Puerto Rico. The friendly staff can organise tours and daily activities like scuba diving or horse riding, and the dining options are varied and simply delicious!

Without doubt, Villa Montana Beach Resort is one of the best places to stay in Puerto Rico.

Hotel El Convento

If you’re looking for a unique, quirky hotel in the heart of San Juan, look no further than Hotel El Convento. Built in 1646, and once the site of an important convent, the building was converted into a smart and stylish boutique hotel in the 1990s.

With colourful décor, comfortable rooms and bags of character, this is one of the most unique places to stay in Puerto Rico. It’s also perfectly located for exploring the city, within walking distance of all the major sites.

With a rooftop pool and a lovely shady courtyard, it’s also a wonderful place to take refuge on a hot day. A swim here is one of the best things to do in San Juan!

Blue Horizon Boutique Resort

Located on the island of Vieques, just off the coast of Puerto Rico, the beautiful Blue Horizon Boutique Resort is one of the most popular luxury accommodation options on the island.

The ocean views are breathtaking, and you can admire them in style as you sip a cocktail in the beautiful infinity pool at sunset. Rooms are tastefully decorated with comfort as a priority, and the local staff can organise all kinds of tours and excursions on and around the island.

It’s no wonder that this historic boutique resort is one of the most popular places to stay in Puerto Rico.

What To Pack For Puerto Rico: Useful Items

If you’re planning your trip, you should think about more than just clothing when you start packing. Here are a few items I’d recommend adding to your suitcase…

Insect repellent – There are plenty of really good insect repellents like this one . If you’re travelling with kids you might want to buy a specific children’s insect repellent too.

Bite relief – I usually take an after bite / anti-itch cream like this , that helps to soothe any bites. I also swear by this amazing Bite Away Pen , which sends a small electric shock to the itchy part of the bite. It takes a bit of getting used to at first (and sometimes hurts a tiny bit), but it does work. I’ve done a full review of the item (as it goes everywhere with me!!) so feel free to read more here . 

Travel towel – A fast-drying microfibre towel like this one will come in handy on your trip. These are great not only for when you fancy a swim, but also when you want to sit down on the ground or to wipe your sweaty face on a humid day!

Sun cream – It’s important to apply suncream throughout the day. I’d recommend finding a brand which isn’t too heavy on chemicals, or is almost totally natural, like this one made by Sun Bum . 

Sunglasses – It’s important to protect your eyes when you visit a holiday destination like this one. I’d recommend investing in some high-quality UV protected sunglasses. I’ve owned a pair of these Ray Bans for a few years now and love them!

Sun hat – You’ll definitely want a sun hat like this to protect yourself on all of those sunny days!

After sun or aloe vera – Don’t forget some soothing cream incase you do burn. I really like this one made by Ultrasun . It’s lightweight and feels lovely on your skin.

Rain jacket – Be prepared for those sporadic rain showers. As you won’t need it for warmth, I’d recommend a lightweight waterproof jacket that packs down small. Something like this would be perfect.

Umbrella – I’d also recommend an umbrella for rainy season. I’d been looking for a super compact option for ages, and finally found this one which fits in my small handbag and is nice and sturdy.

Daypack backpack – I used a small backpack for day-to-day adventures, which could fit a water bottle, camera, sun cream and bug spray. I also took a small shoulder bag to use for going for dinner in the evenings. If you’re looking for something nice and small, lightweight, water-resistant and that will fit all your essentials, I’d recommend this daypack . It’s got some very handy zip-up pockets too!

Reusable water bottle   – I always recommend packing a reusable water bottle for travel. Even if you can’t drink the tap water, it means you can top up from giant bottles or water coolers rather than buying lots of plastic bottles. Personally I’d recommend the  Chilly’s water bottles . I’ve got a few in different sizes and they are excellent quality! I also really like these bottles with straws . They’re really easy to drink from, they have a strap, never leak and hold a good volume.

Power bank – It depends how much you use your phone on holiday, but I used mine a lot during my trip, snapping photos and videos along the way. A portable battery pack is a great idea so you don’t have to worry about running out of charge at an important moment.

I have a few made by Anker and they’re great quality and have lasted for a long time. This is the one I’m using at the moment , which is really small (similar size to my phone) but stores lots of charge and has a fast charging capability. 

Plug adapter – I pack this universal travel adapter for all of my travels. It charges multiple items at once, using plugs or USB and can be used anywhere in the world. It’s one of my fave travel gadgets!

Dry bag – I’m really happy I invested in a dry bag like this . It’s made from a thick plastic and is totally waterproof. These dry bags are perfect for adventures on the water, visiting waterfalls, or if you think it’s going to rain heavily. I’d recommend a small one for your phone and camera gear, or a larger one if you want to use it as your main bag for an activity.

Waterproof phone case – Similarly, if you want to take your phone out and about in the water, I’d recommend getting a waterproof phone case. There are quite a few to choose from, but I’d recommend reading the reviews! You need this to protect your phone and be 100% watertight after all! I bought these Moko cases myself and my partner and they’ve been great. We’ve used them on several trips snorkelling and to waterfalls now, and no leaks!

I hope this guide helps you plan the perfect Puerto Rico itinerary. What’s at the top of your list?

Just a reminder, if you are flying to the States,  you will need an ESTA USA . This is an electronic visa that you can easily apply for by filling out an online form. In just a couple of hours you’ll receive your ESTA without having to visit an embassy or consulate.

Whether you’re looking for a one week or 14-day trip, I hope this post has given you plenty of ideas for things to do in Puerto Rico. Have an amazing time!

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

1 thought on “The Perfect Puerto Rico Itinerary”

I could spend a year in Puerto Rico and never run out of stuff to do. So much adventure and beauty to explore in many places!

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The perfect 6-day puerto rico itinerary.

So, you’re planning a trip to the breathtaking Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico! I’ve got a 6-day Puerto Rico itinerary that’s packed with sandy beaches, flavorful food, rich history, and lush tropical landscapes.

I love Puerto Rico! I’ve visited multiple times, especially when we lived on the East Coast because they had such great direct flights! I took a little mother-son trip to Puerto Rico and a girls trip. It’s a great destination for families and friends.

Get ready to explore the island’s vibrant culture and natural wonders. Your journey begins in the enchanting Old San Juan. Then you’ll venture into the heart of the island, discovering the wonders of El Yunque National Forest. And that’s just the beginning!

From the best beaches to the captivating beauty of El Yunque and beyond, get ready to experience the very best of Puerto Rico. Below you’ll find my Puerto Rico itinerary, packed with everything you’ll need to know.

Here’s a quick overview of my Puerto Rico Itinerary

Puerto rico itinerary day 0: arrive in puerto rico, puerto rico itinerary day 1: explore old san juan, puerto rico itinerary day 2: arecibo, isabela, & aguadilla, puerto rico itinerary day 3: el yunque national forest, puerto rico itinerary day 4: luquillo, fajardo & night kayaking.

• Puerto Rico Itinerary Day 5: Vieques

Puerto Rico Itinerary Day 6: Culebra

Save time and get this easy puerto rico itinerary.

Don’t have a lot of time to plan? Check out this incredible open-and-go Puerto Rico itinerary that will walk you through your whole trip with expert advice and pro tips!

Things to Know About Puerto Rico

Before European contact, the island was inhabited by the Taíno people. In 1493, Columbus claimed it for Spain, and it became a Spanish colony. The mix of indigenous, Spanish, and African influences laid the foundation for Puerto Rican culture.

In 1898, the US gained control of Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War. This marked the beginning of a unique relationship. As of 1917, Puerto Ricans are US citizens, but they don’t have full voting representation in Congress. The island’s political status has been a topic of debate, with many advocating for statehood or even independence.

This relationship with the US deeply influences Puerto Rican culture.

English and Spanish are both official languages, and you’ll find a fusion of American and Puerto Rican traditions. You can also see this influence in Puerto Rican food and music.

In recent years, Puerto Rico faced challenges, including the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017. The storm caused widespread destruction and highlighted issues like disaster response. The recovery process has been ongoing. There are continued efforts to rebuild communities, strengthen infrastructure, and ensure preparedness for future natural disasters.

Today, Puerto Rico is open and ready for visitors! While exploring, remember to respect the island’s history and the strength of its people. Then you’ll have an enlightening and heartwarming experience in Puerto Rico!

Travel Tips for Visiting Puerto Rico

• English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. However, you’ll have a much better experience if you know some basic Spanish phrases and can communicate with locals!
• The official currency is the US Dollar (USD), so you won’t need to exchange money if you’re coming from the States.
• Puerto Rico has a tropical climate, so pack lightweight and breathable clothing. Don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
• Stay hydrated, especially in the warm climate. It’s a good idea to drink bottled or purified water. Also, bring insect repellent for the mosquitoes!
• Tipping is customary in Puerto Rico. In restaurants, it’s customary to tip around 15-20% of the bill. Also, you should consider tipping for services like taxis and tour guides.
• Puerto Ricans are known for their warmth and friendliness. Politeness and respect are important in interactions. And it’s common to be greeted with a handshake or a kiss on the cheek.
• Public transportation is limited outside of San Juan. You might want to rent a car if you plan to explore different parts of the island. Just be prepared for traffic in urban areas. And roads can be narrow and winding in rural areas.
• While Puerto Rico is known for its stunning beaches, not all of them are suitable for swimming. Both the north coast and east coast have more swimming beaches. These areas are generally sheltered from the strong Atlantic currents and waves found on both the west coast and south coast. Only swim in designated areas and be cautious.
• Puerto Rico uses the same electric outlets as the United States, so you won’t need a converter if you’re coming from there.
• Be sure to try traditional Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo, arroz con gandules, and all the amazing seafood options! Also, explore local markets or book a food tour for the best experience.

How to Get Around Puerto Rico

When planning your Puerto Rico itinerary, how you get around will depend on a few things. First, think about what you want to do. Also, be honest about how comfortable you are with the different ways to get around!

If you want to avoid renting a car, your best bet is to stay at a resort on the north coast or in San Juan. Puerto Rico has public transportation between the capital and the surrounding towns. But buses and trains are limited outside the metropolitan area.

For exploring the rest of this beautiful island, your best bet is to rent a car! If you’re comfortable with backroads and traffic, you’ll be okay. A rental car is great because you can go at your own pace. Plus, it’s kind of the only way to see many parts of the island.

If you’re renting a car, there are two companies we prefer to use: Rental Cars and Expedia Cars. We have had no issues with them and have been able to find the best prices available.

If you don’t want to drive, you can use taxis or services like Uber and Lyft. They work well in big cities like San Juan. You can walk or rent bikes in Old San Juan. The streets here are safe for exploring and everything is within walking distance!

If you want to visit islands like Vieques or Culebra, there are ferries that will take you there. But you can’t take rental cars off the main island. Guided tours that include transportation are the best option here. You’ll also find places on both islands to rent scooters, mopeds, UTVs, and bicycles.

Where to Stay in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico isn’t very large, but you’d be surprised at how much time you need to see it all! Where you make your base will largely determine your experience. For the sake of this itinerary, we’ll start in Old San Juan.

While there are many wonderful areas to stay in Puerto Rico, you might want to consider one of these 3 popular locales:

San Juan, the capital, boasts the historic Old San Juan with its cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and famous forts. Staying here means easy access to historic sites, busy plazas, and a variety of restaurants and shops. We stayed in this hotel, which was a quick taxi ride or about a 20 minute walk to Old Town San Juan and we really loved it. Great beaches, restaurants, pools, and views.

Condado, located in San Juan, offers a more modern vibe with high-rise hotels along beautiful beaches. It’s a great choice if you want to be near the ocean, trendy bars, and upscale dining options. We stayed in a vacation rental on the beach in Condado and it was great for a lot of beach time.

Fajardo on the northeast coast is known for its luxury resorts and proximity to natural attractions like El Yunque National Forest and the Bioluminescent Bay. It’s a great base for both relaxing and exploring nature. If you’re looking for a really amazing resort in Puerto Rico, El Conquistador is my favorite !

Surfers and those seeking a more low-key vacation will discover paradise in Rincon. Renowned for its impressive waves, this coastal town is a surfer’s haven. The fantastic surf conditions make it a prime destination for riding the waves and experiencing laid-back Puerto Rican beach culture. If you want a really unique experience, you can book a container home in Rincon.

What to Do in Puerto Rico in 6 Days

This is why you’re really here: your 6-day Puerto Rico itinerary! Below you’ll see that each day is split up to explore a different region. You could easily adjust this itinerary for Puerto Rico to fit your schedule.

You’ll fly into Puerto Rico that evening so you can start your first full day fresh tomorrow! Most people fly into the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Isla Verde, San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico.

After you land, you’ll either pick up your rental car (the kiosk is right outside of the luggage claim) or grab a car service. Then you’ll head to your hotel in San Juan and check in.

Begin your Puerto Rican journey by stepping onto the charming cobblestone streets of Old San Juan! Dating back to the early 16th century, this is a wonderfully preserved historical district. As you walk through these narrow lanes, you’ll see colorful colonial buildings and stunning balconies that have witnessed the island’s evolution.

Start your Old San Juan itinerary with a classic Puerto Rican breakfast at an iconic eatery like El Meson on Calle San Jose or Café Finca Cialitos on Calle de San Francisco. Just keep in mind that if you’re here on a Sunday morning, there will be a crowd! (This is when everyone comes to the historic old town for breakfast before mass.)

Next, the highlight of your morning is Castillo San Felipe del Morro. This 16th-century fortress served as a crucial coastal defense and has quite a commanding presence on the coastline. Spend some time exploring its halls and corridors and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean.

Continue your historical exploration by visiting 17th-century Castillo San Cristobal. One of the largest forts in the Americas, it took over 150 years to complete! Your visit here will provide insight

After a meal and a rest, your exploration of Old San Juan continues with a mix of historical sights and colorful streets! Get lost in all the colors of the colonial houses that line the roads, a visual testament to Puerto Rico’s history.

Take time to appreciate the street art that decorates the iconic Calle Fortaleza and enjoy some shopping if you wish. This popular commercial street is lined with art galleries, gift shops, cafes, restaurants, and more!

A visit to the Plaza de Armas brings you to the heart of Old San Juan. This central square has been a gathering place for centuries, offering a glimpse into local life in a historic setting. Across the street, you can also visit the beautiful San Juan Cathedral, the second oldest cathedral in the Americas. Its historic site features stunning architecture that makes it a must-see.

Next, don’t miss the chance to see La Fortaleza, an important piece of Puerto Rico’s past. This historic mansion holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously used executive residence in the Western Hemisphere. While you’re here, over to Casa Blanca. Once home to the family of Ponce de León, it’s a fascinating link to the island’s colonial history.

Now you’ve spent almost an entire day immersing yourself in the island’s heritage! These streets and sites reveal the best of Puerto Rico’s past and present, making your visit a memorable experience.

Round out your day in Old San Juan with one of the best things to do in Puerto Rico, trying delicious Puerto Rican food! If you prefer being shown the best local places to eat, you can find lots of great Puerto Rico tours like  this sunset food tour .

On this one, you’ll meet your guide back in Plaza de Armas and join in on a walking tour and up to 5 stops at local eateries. While you walk, your guide will share interesting facts and historic information about Old San Juan. He’ll guide you to authentic restaurants to try a mix of modern and traditional dishes, as well as rum cocktails!

After your meal, your food tour will end with a relaxing stroll along Paseo de la Princesa, a picturesque promenade lined with trees and historic buildings. It ends at the Raices fountain, a stunning fountain backed by even more breathtaking views of the sunset over the water. What a way to round out your day in Old San Juan!

On the second day of your Puerto Rico itinerary, you’ll spend your time perusing the island’s northwestern shore! Say goodbye to Old San Juan as you begin your morning in Arecibo, which is about 50 miles or an hour west by car.

Head into Arecibo’s town center to experience authentic Puerto Rico and enjoy some good food. Stroll through its charming streets and visit local shops and authentic eateries. A hidden gem that every visitor should visit is the Centro Cultural de Arecibo (Cultural Center). It’s housed in the historic Casa Luanga in downtown Arecibo.

Then, visit Cueva del Indio nearby. This is a popular coastal cave complex near Arecibo that showcases ancient Taino petroglyphs. For a small fee, you can take guided tours to see the historic etchings and enjoy ocean views. Movie fans will recognize this site from the movie,  Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides !

Another 45-minute drive west along Puerto Rico’s northern coast and you’re in the charming coastal town of Isabela. It’s the perfect place to unwind by the water or explore interesting geological formations along the coast.

You can spend at Jobos Beach, renowned for its quality surfing conditions and laidback vibe. The best thing about Puerto Rico beaches? The waterfront restaurants and beachside kiosks! You can also enjoy music or rent chairs and surfboards, right off the beach. Or explore the rock formation next to the beach and find Pozo de Jacinto, a striking ocean cavern.

Or you can head to Guajataca Beach, where you can see the historic Guajataca Tunnel. You can explore some old Spanish structures and enjoy beautiful murals here. The beach is sandy and quiet but keep in mind that it’s pretty isolated.

There’s also Shacks Beach on the west side of Isabela, known for its AMAZING shore diving opportunities. This is another popular sandy beach with artisan shops and a few restaurants within walking distance. But the big draw here is massive coral reefs with sea turtles and other marine life waiting to be discovered!

In less than 30 minutes, you’ll be in Aguadilla, another popular beachfront town on the west coast of Puerto Rico. Start the evening off by exploring Aguadilla’s dining scene, known for fresh seafood and local flavors.

When in Aguadilla, there’s one place that you have to go, and that’s Crash Boat Beach! This beach is famous with locals and visitors alike for its sunsets and relaxed vibe. Enjoy a stroll along the pier or go snorkeling in the calm turquoise waters. You can also explore the beachside bars and food kiosks.

Begin your third day in Puerto Rico with an early start, embarking on an adventure to El Yunque National Forest! As the only tropical rainforest within the U.S. National Forest System, El Yunque promises a unique and invigorating experience.

The El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center is about an hour east of San Juan along Road 191. You can book reservations in advance or purchase them here. Arrive early to make the most of your time. From here, your morning will be well spent hiking to one of the many natural pools for a cool dip!

We did a zipline tour in El Yunque and it was a blast for both me and my son. We did this tour .

If it’s open, La Mina Falls is worth the  moderate 1.4-mile out-and-back hike ! This popular trail meanders through the lush tropical rainforest, full of jungle flowers and the occasional glimpse of local wildlife. When you reach La Mina Falls, you can enjoy a swim in the pools below the beautiful falls! (This trail is currently closed with plans to reopen soon.)

Another popular hike is the  easy .7-mile Angelito Trail  that takes you to the Rio Mameyes and the calm waters of the Las Damas pools. It’s a great way to spend the morning with a short hike through the rainforest to enjoy a swim.

Heading back to the trail, you’ll spend your afternoon in El Yunque exploring different trails and viewpoints in the forest. But first, enjoy delicious local food at a roadside food joint!

Along Road 191 you’ll find different food stands, restaurants, and gift shops where you can pick up souvenirs. Grab some fresh coconut water, hot empanadas, or the best mofongo you’ve ever had.

Back on the road, check out open trails and roadside waterfalls, like the beautiful La Coca Falls, Yokahu Tower, or Juan Diego Falls. If you’re up for another hike, the Torre Mount Britton Trail is rewarding. At the end of the  1.6-mile out-and-back trail , you can climb up into the tower for unbelievable views of the El Yunque National Forest from above!

Heading back to San Juan for the evening, tonight you’ll discover the city’s best nightlife! After freshening up at your hotel in Old San Juan, take a cab to Calle Loiza near the neighborhood of Condado.

Calle Loiza is where you’ll find every kind of restaurant you can think of, including sushi, Korean BBQ, fusion, tapas bars, traditional Puerto Rican food, and more! It’s also where to go for fun bars and cute lounges, as well as local watering holes. And along the way are fast-food joints and some nice street art.

If you prefer a quiet evening in an elevated setting where you can reflect on the beauty you experienced in El Yunque, head to the heart of San Juan’s sleek Condado neighborhood. Along Magdelena Street, you’ll have your pick of rooftop wine bars and high-end restaurants. Or enjoy the chic rooftop bar and lounge scene and fine dining options at the hotels along Condado Beach.

Morning + Afternoon

On the fourth day of your Puerto Rico itinerary, it’s all about the eastern side of the north shore! Leave San Juan before dawn to spend the day at Luquillo Beach, located about an hour away. With its soft sands framed by swaying palm trees, this beach offers the perfect way to start your day in paradise.

Arrive early to witness the sunrise. Near the shore, calm waters and gentle waves make Luquillo Beach a favorite spot for swimming and water activities. And further out, the waves provide excellent opportunities for surfing, windsurfing, jet skiing, and more!

Take advantage of the beach’s amenities, including rental equipment for water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. There is a fee for using this public beach, but it’s just a few dollars. You should also carry cash on you for use of the restrooms, which goes towards their maintenance.

You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas or bring your own! When you get hungry, explore the popular food kiosks just off the beach. Known as “kioskos,” these colorful stalls offer a variety of local dishes. The kioskos are also a big reason this beach is popular with visitors to Puerto Rico.

Luquillo Beach offers the perfect mix of palm tree-framed sand, recreational opportunities, and a happy atmosphere. It all sets the tone for a relaxing morning by the sea! Whether you’re seeking water adventures or a peaceful escape, this coastal gem promises an authentic Puerto Rican experience.

After a full day on Luquillo Beach, your next stop is Fajardo on the east coast. Arriving before sunset, you’ll take a  2-hour small group night kayaking tour of the Bioluminescent Bay . This is considered one of the best things to do in Puerto Rico! You’ll get to witness the magical phenomenon of the water glowing at night due to microscopic organisms.

Meeting your guides just south of the mangrove forest, your group will paddle through a canal and into the bioluminescent bay. Your guides will share interesting facts about the wildlife and flora that make their home in the mangrove forest of Puerto Rico.

Then, as the sun sets and everything gets dark, the enchanting bay comes to life with a blue-green glow! As microscopic organisms are agitated, like when your paddle disturbs the water, the bay lights up, creating an otherworldly display. The experience is nothing short of magical. You can even dip your hand into the water, and watch as the ripples transform with the light!

While visiting Laguna Grande, remember that the ecosystem is delicate. Eco-friendly practices are essential to preserving this natural wonder, such as using reef-safe sunscreen that could harm the organisms. (You can check out   SavetheReef.org  for a good guideline on what makes a sunscreen reef-safe and eco-friendly.)

Puerto Rico Itinerary Day 5: Vieques Island

Note: For many people planning a Puerto Rico itinerary, 4 days is more than enough time to experience everything the main island has to offer. Now you have a good feel of San Juan and the surfer towns of the east coast. You also experienced the north shore beach towns and tropical rainforest of El Yunque!

However, if you’re able to extend your trip to 6 days, these final 2 days will take you to 2 popular islands off the coast of PR- Vieques and Culebra! If you follow this itinerary, I suggest spending tonight on Vieques.

There is a wide range of accommodations right in the heart of the town of Vieques. Close to the ferry, shops, restaurants, and the beach are hotels and vacation rentals for everyone! The  Sea Gate Hotel  is a great option for both couples and groups of 6. Or book a vacation rental  like Casa Carmen  for a larger group.

Check out of your hotel and catch a ferry or short flight to Vieques, a beautiful island off the coast of Puerto Rico. To reach Vieques from the main island, you can take a short flight from the airport in San Juan or travel by ferry from Ceiba.

Keep in mind that rental cars aren’t allowed off the main island, so return yours today. Once you’re on the island, you’ll need to find a way to get around, as the island is too big to be walkable. There are places to rent UTVs, scooters, and cars. Or you’ll need to depend on local taxis.

Travel to the island of Vieques. You can get to Vieques by plane for around $60-100 or take a ferry from Ceiba for $3. But you’ll need to take a taxi or rent a car and drive to Ceiba first.

If you want to take a day trip to Vieques, you can book a snorkeling tour to the island here.

Vieques is known for its serene beaches, untouched coastline, and rugged natural attractions. This afternoon is your chance to explore the lovely and quiet beaches of Vieques!

My favorite beach on Vieques is Sun Bay Beach. You can catch a taxi from the ferry which will take about 15 minutes (they’ll most likely be at the ferry terminal and airport, or you can call Vieques Taxi:  787-741-TAXI), or public vans that say “Vieques y Sus Barrios” (Vieques and her neighborhoods).

You can take one of these vans almost anywhere for around $5. This is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. The water and were perfect. There were the perfect amount of trees to give us some shade. And you will most likely see some wild horses* hanging out on the beach.

* Note: the “wild” horses in Vieques aren’t really wild, but are owned by locals and are allowed to roam freely around the island.

On the south coast, you’ll find isolated white-sand cove beaches like Playa La Plata and Playa La Chiva. Bring your own snorkel gear or just go for a swim in the calm, blue waters. Playa Caracas is another popular white-sand beach where you’ll see a lot of wild horses!

You can also spend your afternoon at the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. Travel its diverse landscapes, from mangrove forests to salt flats, spotting native wildlife and bird species along the way.

The preserve is also home to the historic Fort Count Mirasol, a historic Spanish fort from the 1800s. You can explore the well-preserved structure, which now serves as a museum of the island’s history and cultural heritage.

After you’ve had some beach time, you can walk or taxi over to Esperanza for some lunch. There are several restaurants here along the shore and they usually take turns being open. We ate at Duffy’s and it was amazing. They had incredible fish tacos and house made hummus. Be sure to try the Canoa. I can’t even explain it and I couldn’t find it anywhere else in Puerto Rico, but it was amazing!

As evening descends upon Vieques, you can enjoy dinner in town, sampling more local food. Afterward, continue your evening outdoors.

If you’re interested in stargazing, head south to Playa Grande, where minimal light pollution provides excellent views of the night sky. Vieques is becoming a go-to for astrotourism, offering clear starlit skies because of exceptionally low light pollution in the region.

You won’t find any stargazing tours in Puerto Rico at this time, but you can find plenty of quiet places on the island to enjoy the night sky! Even heading out onto your hotel patio or relaxing at an outdoor restaurant can offer rewarding stargazing experiences on moonless nights.

Vieques is probably most famous for having one of the best bioluminescent bays in the world, Mosquito Bay. Book your bio bay tour for the evening. You may want to check your tour times and ferry/flight times. You may want to consider staying the night in Vieques. You can book the Mosquito Bay kayak tour here .

Culebra is another tiny island in Puerto Rico that is definitely worth a visit! I fell in love with this place. So much to do on such a small island.

On the final day of your Puerto Rico itinerary, you’ll check out of your hotel or vacation rental and take a ferry or a short flight to Culebra. The ferry will take you about 3 hours but will cost less. Flights are much more limited and costly, but if you can get one, they only take about 15 minutes.

I flew to both Vieques and Culebra and they are both fun and short flights. If you are scared of small planes…just know that it’s going to be a very small plane!

This small island is easy to navigate as it’s so small, but I recommend renting a car or a golf cart! We rented a golf cart, which was fine and fun, but we did get stuck in a rain storm, which was not quite as fun! If I had it to do over again, I’d probably rent a jeep.

Another stunning island known for its incredible beaches, you’ll head straight to Flamenco Beach to spend the day. This beach has often been on “best beaches. inthe world” lists.

You’ll find all kinds of things to do here. Take a leisurely swim in the calm ocean or go snorkeling to see colorful tropical fish and coral reefs. The expansive beach provides ample space for sunbathing. And you can use picnic tables under pavilions and palm trees for shade. There are little stalls as you walk into the beach where you can rent equipment.

If you’re interested in a scenic hike, the trail Flamenco Point rewards you with panoramic vistas of the coastline. Along the way, you can see the historic painted tanks of Flamenco Beach!

Bring cash for your beach day. There’s a parking fee, and you’ll need cash to use the restrooms as well. Also stock up on food and water before you head to the beach, since there’s not much out here.

Alternatively, you could book a  full-day catamaran tour  to the Culebra islands from Fajardo! This would allow you to see Culebra’s Flamenco Beach and Culebrita Beach on Culebrita without worrying about all the planning and transportation. Just meet your guide at the Puerto Del Rey Marina in Fajardo. This tour includes a buffet lunch and unlimited drinks.

Keep in mind that whether you book a tour or explore Culebra on your own, you’ll need to get transportation back to San Juan from Fajardo.

After such a rewarding last day in Puerto Rico, wrap things up with a farewell dinner back in San Juan! Reminisce about the memorable experiences from your trip while you enjoy a traditional Puerto Rican meal with ocean views before you fly home tonight. You’ll find a variety of beachfront restaurants at Isla Verde Beach and Condado Beach.

FAQ on Planning a Trip to Puerto Rico

How many days do i need in puerto rico.

To experience the highlights, plan a 5-to-7-day itinerary for Puerto Rico. You can explore San Juan, its historic sites, and beautiful beaches. Then you’ll also have time to venture into other regions like El Yunque Rainforest, Vieques, or Culebra for a well-rounded visit.

What is the best month to visit Puerto Rico?

The best months to visit Puerto Rico are from November to April. This is the region’s dry season when the weather is nicest. Peak tourist season falls between December and February. But this is when it’s the most crowded with the highest prices for accommodations. Shoulder months like November and April offer a balance of good weather and fewer crowds.

When should I avoid visiting Puerto Rico?

It’s a good idea to avoid visiting Puerto Rico during the hurricane season. It typically runs from June to November, with peak hurricane activity being in August and September. Puerto Rico has made great strides in recovery and preparedness. But it’s best to plan your visit outside of the hurricane season to ensure a more enjoyable and hassle-free experience.

Is it worth going to Puerto Rico for 3 days?

If you only have 3 days in Puerto Rico, I suggest focusing on San Juan! A 3-day Puerto Rico itinerary would give you time to experience the charm of Old San Juan and enjoy local cuisine. You can also visit historic sites like El Morro Fort and Castillo San Cristobal and relax on the city’s beautiful beaches.

Do you need a car in Puerto Rico?

In urban areas like San Juan, you can walk or use taxis, ridesharing, and public transportation. If you’re staying mainly in touristy spots, you might not need a rental car. But to explore outside of San Juan, you’ll need to rent a car. It’s the only way to visit remote beaches, rainforests, and Puerto Rico’s hidden gems outside of tours with transportation.

Wanderlust Crew

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5 Days in Puerto Rico: Awesome Itinerary for the Best, Beautiful Sights

By: Author Rob Taylor

Posted on Published: August 11, 2022  - Last updated: March 13, 2024

Puerto Rico is a fantastic destination in the Caribbean that is easy for Americans to visit. Historic streets, beautiful tropical jungles and perfect beaches make San Juan and the surrounding area perfect for a short (or long) trip. The 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary includes top picks for things to do and see, most of which you won’t even need a car for. If you want to explore beyond Old Town San Juan on your own, this itinerary includes that.

Whether your goal with visiting San Juan and the surrounding area is to be immersed in history or to explore the only tropical rainforest in the United States, this easy 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary is perfect for the best of both worlds, and you can easily add to it if you’d like to explore the south and western shores too. Please let us know if you have any questions or want to add to our Puerto Rico itinerary tips by leaving a comment or sending us a note !

Jump to 5 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary!

Where to Stay in Puerto Rico

Our 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary includes both historic San Juan and the beautiful eastern shore of the island. For the best experience, we recommend splitting your time between the two areas. Two or three nights in each place should be plenty of time to explore and relax. Puerto Rico is a great warm, winter destination for families, so if that’s your travel time, book as far in advance as you can! You’ll find hotels around Christmas and New Years are a premium price so avoid planning during that period.

Accommodations in Puerto Rico are fairly affordable, particularly in comparison with Hawaii or the Florida Keys . You can enjoy beautiful places to stay on a smaller budget, whether that be a hotel or resort, or if you find a vacation rental. One of the coolest parts of visiting Puerto Rico for five days is you have enough time to get the best of both worlds with something historic and a beach resort.

Accommodations in Puerto Rico’s East Coast Region

We love the east coast of Puerto Rico because there are so many things to do in nature, so staying on the east coast just makes sense for making the most of our time there. Fajardo is a good sized town with lots of options when it comes to accommodations. A balance of hotels/resorts and vacation rentals make it a good home base for exploring the beaches as well as the rainforest.

For those who are limited to five days in Puerto Rico or fewer, the east coast is an easy option for getting time on the island AWAY from the city of San Juan. You’ll love the vibe, activities and warm waters.

Check out hotels and vacation rentals on Puerto Rico’s east coast below!

Where to Stay on the Coast of Puerto Rico: El Conquistador Resort

Our first pick for where to stay in Puerto Rico is El Conquistador Resort on the east coast of the island . Located in the town of Fajardo, El Conquistador is a large, beautiful property with hotel rooms looking out across the Caribbean. Hurricane Maria all but destroyed the resort, but after several years of rebuilding and refreshing, it’s open again.  

Book the El Conquistador Resort here!

We enjoyed countless moments of wow and relaxation, including time on El Conquistador’s private island, Isla Palomino, with snorkeling and kayaking in the Caribbean, an afternoon at Coqui waterpark directly on-property, pool time, beach combing and great food and drinks.  

Oh, and a spa day with a stellar hot stone signature massage. And you can’t forget walking the beautiful grounds looking for wildlife. I had a six foot iguana walking below my balcony.  Love it here!

Where to stay in San Juan, Puerto Rico

The city of San Juan, Puerto Rico is amazing. Such a beautiful place and it’s surrounded by water. We can recommend two neighborhoods for where to stay in San Juan: directly in Old San Juan and then Condado. Old San Juan is incredible to explore on foot and is where you’ll find the city wall and forts. Condado is across the lagoon and is where you’ll find cutting edge restaurants and, if it’s your thing, nightclubs and stuff.

Condado is also where you’ll find more of the major travel brands, which is important if you’re looking to find a place to stay in Puerto Rico using points for travel . If you’re staying in the Condado area, you’ll have beaches, nightlife (actual clubs) and a very different vibe from Old Town San Juan. Condado feels very similar to South Beach in Miami.

Staying at the Condado Plaza in San Juan

The public spaces of the Condado Plaza Hilton are so cool, and so are the rooms. Built in the sixties and renovated after Hurricane Maria to reflect how awesome and chic the 60s were in the Caribbean, the Hilton Condado Plaza is a fun place to stay. You’ll love it!

The view from our room was awesome too as we looked out across the Atlantic Ocean, over the pools and eastward at Castillo Geronimo (an abandoned fort).  The staff was attentive and the mofongo and sofrito at the cafe in the lobby are killer.  A great home-base for exploring San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Hilton Condado Plaza is just far enough from the historic Old Town that you get to see more of the city, but not so far away that it’s inconvenient.

Book the Hilton Condado Plaza Hotel here!

We’d happily book another stay at the Hilton Condado Plaza, equally for the quality of the hotel stay and its location. Also, if you want to bike into Old Town from here, you can rent bicycles for cheap!

Old Town San Juan Stay: Hotel El Convento

To make the most of your 5 days in Puerto Rico, staying in Old Town San Juan really makes the itinerary more fun. Each morning you can wake up in the historic core, stroll for a coffee and be immersed in the colorful neighborhood. Hotel El Convento is a beautiful historic building with lovely rooms and is directly in the heart of the historic core of Old San Juan.

Something that sets Hotel El Convento apart from other hotels in Old Town San Juan is the rooftop pool. Yes, not only does it actually have a swimming pool, but it’s on the roof. Oh, and the hotel used to be a convent attached to the neighboring church, making it an even more cool place to stay for your Puerto Rico trip.

Book Hotel El Convento here!

5 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary – Travel Plan

Time to see all the cool, fun things to do in Puerto Rico! This 5 day plan starts on the east coast and is all about the unique nature you’ll find. After a few days of exploring, hiking and swimming in the Caribbean, we head to historic San Juan, Puerto Rico for delicious food, biking and enjoying one of the most beautiful National Parks in the United States!

Because San Juan and the surrounding areas have so many unique places to explore, our 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary is set up with two big activities each day. You can easily fill the time between these with swimming, relaxing at the beach or hotel, or exploring on foot. Also, if you need to turn this into a 7 day itinerary, it’s very easy to add more sites or relaxation days.

Day 1: East Coast Outdoors

For your first day, our 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary takes you right to the beach. The island is truly beautiful everywhere, but the beaches are such a highlight it’s best to start here. We’ll finish out the day with a wonderfully unique activity: bioluminescent kayaking!

Snorkeling on the East Coast, Puerto Rico

Do you ever go snorkeling and then pop immediately out of the water because you realize that there is a school of stingrays right below you?  Or do you track a large fish with your eyes and then discover that it’s a reef shark once you look underwater?  Or how about do you ever dive down to bring up a huge conch shell only to find that it’s inhabited by the biggest hermit crab you’ve ever seen?  Yeah, that was my first, second and third experience snorkeling in Puerto Rico.

There are plenty of public beaches (Playa Publica) between San Juan and the east coast towns, so pull off wherever for a relaxing beach time. Be aware that there are strong currents on the north shore of Puerto Rico, so swim with caution.

Staying at the El Conquistador in Fajardo, we actually had access to a private island that was amazing, Islas Palimino y Palominita.  Really beautiful places to snorkel, and the smalled of the two islands was actually “that same god-forsaken island” that Jack Sparrow was left to die on in Pirates of the Caribbean.  So cool!

While you can always stay on the main island of Puerto Rico, there are some smaller, dreamy islands just off the east coast: Culebra and Vieques. Reach both islands via ferry out of the town of Celba. Since it’s not a short trip, we’d recommend adding a few days to your Puerto Rico itinerary to include either of these.

Bio-luminescent Kayaking on Bio Bay

We go kayaking a lot and this topped it all.  The bummer about bio-luminescent kayaking is that you can’t really get pictures of the experience or even begin to capture its magic unless you have a very special camera or a very steady hand with a Night Sight enabled phone.  

Paddling through mangrove tunnels in the pitch black and then dangling your feet in the water as it lights up was just beautiful and totally unforgettable. We do a lot of bioluminescent kayaking in Florida but this is very different, particularly because of the mangrove tunnels, which might actually be my favorite part. Because the goal is seeing bioluminescent, it’s very dark unlike night kayaking in Key West (which is awesome too!).

You’ll want to use bug spray before arriving, as calm water and warm weather are mosquitoes’ favorite environment.

The experience of bioluminescent kayaking is incredible though and you’ll be so glad you did it!

Not staying on the east coast bust still want to do bioluminescent kayaking in Puerto Rico? Here are three places you can experience this unique wonder of nature in PR:

• Bio Bay – Fajardo, east coast
• Mosquito Bay – Vieques, east coast detached island – several tours available
• La Parguera – Boqueron / Ponce, south western coast

Day 2: Hiking and Sightseeing in El Yunque

Day 2 of our 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary is really fun! Today we explore the tropical rainforest of El Yunque and finish the day with relaxing. Hiking and swimming in the jungle may wear you out a little, but you’ll recover just fine for the next day’s activities.

When you’re done in the El Yunque National Forest, head back to your hotel/resort or the beach to unwind from the day.

Exploring El Yunque National Forest

After renting a jeep during some free time, we headed away from El Conquistador and up into the mountains.  El Yunque National Forest is so beautiful to explore.  Stop into the Visitors Center for a quick lesson in the rainforest and a stroll through the canopy on an elevated walkway.

There are several waterfalls along your drive to stop at and enjoy. You may not be able to park directly at the viewpoints or trailheads, but you can park safely off the road for most points of interest.

For the best El Yunque experience, hike through the rainforest to La Mina Falls. It’s a fairly easy trail and it’s absolutely beautiful. There’s nothing like jumping into the splash pool of a waterfall in a tropical rainforest.

If you don’t feel confident driving on the mountain jungle roads of El Yunque, consider booking a guided tour of El Yunque National Forest . Better safe than sorry and it’ll still be incredible.

• El Portal Visitors Center and canopy walk
• Yokahu Tower – view point and photo opp
• La Coca Falls – viewing and short trails
• La Mina Falls – hiking through the rainforest, waterfalls and swimming in tropical splash pools

Resort Time and Beach Sunset

Something we love about visiting tropical destinations like Puerto Rico is getting to have lots of beach and pool time. Even though day 1 of our 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary was all about the beach, there’s no shame in adding it to day 2 as well.

If you’re leaving the rainforest late, try to make it to the beach for sunset. Playa Escondida at the northeast corner of the island faces west, so makes for a beautiful sunset.

Another option is to just head back to your hotel or resort to enjoy pool or spa time. It’s rare that we get to have a spa day when traveling with kids, but when we can make it happen we do. Enjoy a nice dinner afterwards and get ready to head to San Juan tomorrow.

Day 3: Biking San Juan, Puerto Rico

Biking is a great way to explore a new city. For day 3 of our 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary we’re biking around town and enjoying the beautiful city from end to end. San Juan is actually the best city I’ve ever biked in as it has lots of designated, clearly marked bike paths both alongside and apart from traffic. We enjoy biking in Seattle and our hometown of Saint Augustine , but San Juan takes the cake.

Starting at Condado Beach, rent bikes and make your way west, going with the flow of traffic until you’re on the parkside bike paths. Make stops at San Cristobal and El Morro before riding through the Paseo de la Princesa and along the harbor docks. As you cross back over to the lagoon side, visit the MADMi museum and Jaime Benitez Lagoon Park before you return your bikes.

This can be an all day activity or as little as two hours. Enjoy the stops along the way and find delicious snacks. It’s easy to add beach time or SUP on the lagoon if you like.

End your day with dinner in the Condado

Visiting San Juan National Historic Site and Forts

Whether you do it as part of your biking route or if you visit in the afternoon, San Juan National Historic Site is amazing. We live in Saint Augustine where we have the Castillo de San Marcos , Fort Matanzas and Fort Frederica all close by, but El Morro and San Cristobal are way more amazing.

El Morro, the westernmost fortress, is a bit similar to Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park , in that it has tunnels, a lighthouse, and gorgeous tropical waters crashing into the base of its stone walls. El Morro is grand and very much the Instagram-worthy fort, but Castillo de San Cristobal is much more spooky and fascinating, with walls and narrow paths to climb.

The entire area is remarkable and by far one of the coolest places I’ve ever been.

Day 4: Guided Tours in San Juan

After spending several days exploring Puerto Rico on your own, today’s the day to get a different view of San Juan, both from the water and with a guide. Depending on what you’ve already done or added to your Puerto Rico itinerary, there are several good tour options for the afternoon (or all day) to help you get a different perspective.

Kayaking on Laguna Condado in San Juan

Begin day 4 of our 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary with kayaking on the Condado Lagoon. A shallow lagoon full of wildlife, it’s located between the hotel district of Condado, the government center, and Old Town.

Kayaking on Laguna Condado is one of the best things to do in the morning in San Juan, as it’s not too hot yet and the sunlight is still low, making for better photos. Either take a tour from Jaime Benitez park or rent your own kayak from one of the many vendors in the Condado neighborhood.

Book night kayaking on the lagoon here!

Top Tour Recommendations for San Juan, Puerto Rico

I love doing guided walking tours, and our kids are really patient and open to them too, so visiting San Juan is a great time to book one. By now you’ve seen a good portion of Old San Juan, but did you research the history or find out anything about current life in the city? That’s why booking a guided walking tour is a great idea.

Top Pick for a Guided Walking Tour of San Juan

And if you’re into ghosts or the paranormal, and old city like San Juan, Puerto Rico is perfect for you. Ghost tours are a popular nighttime activity and a great way to get the darker side of the city’s history. Their availability changes often, so if a ghost tour isn’t available online when you visit, check in-person for one. Book a walking tour here!

Another option for a guided tour is going just out of the main city towards Guaynabo or over to Loiza (African town) . For visitors that haven’t gotten enough snorkeling yet, a guided snorkeling tour to the reef is a fun choice too. Book a snorkeling tour here!

Day 5: Relaxing Around Old San Juan

For your final day in Puerto Rico, plan on just relaxing, whether for you that means walking through Old San Juan and drinking coffee at a sidewalk cafe or visiting museums you didn’t get to already. Most visitors take afternoon or evening flights out of San Juan, so you may too and will have nearly a full day to do whatever you like.

We recommend walking or taking a cab/Uber wherever you want to go IN the city, as you won’t want to go too far if you’re traveling back home on this day.

Adding onto your 5 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary

If you are lucky enough to have more time on you trip, add a few days on the south shore in the city of Ponce or on the West Coast in Mayaguez. Puerto Rico is a very interesting, beautiful island and exploring beyond the main tourist areas is a great idea.

We mentioned above that you can add a trip to Culebra or Vieques to your Puerto Rico itinerary. If you do, allot at least two nights / 3 days in your extra destination. The wildlife and black sand beaches you’ll find are worth your time.

As you get farther from San Juan, know that Spanish will become the primary language. In San Juan and on much of the eastern shore of Puerto Rico, most people speak English as their first or second language, so it’s very easy to get by if you don’t speak Spanish. As you go further away though, be prepared to use your Spanish and be extra courteous with the people who are being patient with you and your lack of good Spanish speaking skills.

I’m so excited for you to do our 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary! If you have any questions about visiting Puerto Rico or need help researching additional activities or where to stay, always feel free to leave a comment or send us a note . We’re happy to help!

Tuesday 7th of February 2023

What is approximately the cost without airfare per person for the 5 day trip?

Thursday 9th of February 2023

For hotels only, I would budget $170 USD per night, up to $280 USD per night. Rental car costs are very similar to mainland USA costs (not Hawaii costs). Meals can be done for as little at $25/person/day, but it's nice to have a few higher end dining experiences in Old Town, so I would budget $50+ per person per day for meals. I hope that's helpful!

Monday 15th of November 2021

We are looking to book a 5-day trip in San Juan but are looking for more reasonable prices than the Condado Hilton Plaza. Do you know anymore reasonable prices for hotels in the $100-$150 range? Or perhaps it's better to look for an Airbnb?

Friday 5th of November 2021

hi am trying to figure a 5 day trip around Christmas and your blog definitely helped. Would you please share how you worked out travel from one spot to another. Rent a car?

Monday 8th of November 2021

Yes, we did rent a car at one point, but depending on where you're staying, it may not be needed. The easiest thing to do is to use resort transportation if you're staying someplace that has an airport shuttle, and if you're on the coast, has a shuttle to points of interest. Renting a car is not complicated or stressful in PR, which is nice. I recommend it over learning the public transportation system.

Two Sisters Abroad

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Planning an Epic Trip to Puerto Rico: Step-by-Step Guide

So you’ve decided on Puerto Rico for your next trip, excellent choice! Puerto Rico is an incredible island with so many amazing areas to explore. You can truly tailor your Puerto Rico itinerary to fit any kind of trip you’d like to have. Puerto Rico isn’t a one-size-fits-all destination, it has so much to offer. Relaxing beaches? Check. Delicious food? Check. Adventurous, adrenaline inducing experiences? Check and check. Now that you’ve decided on your destination, let’s get right into this guide for planning an incredible trip to Puerto Rico!

Planning a Trip to Puerto Rico

1:  choose your dates wisely.

The first step when planning a Puerto Rico trip is to decide on the time of year you’d like to visit. The best months, in terms of weather, to visit PR are December-April. This is when you’ll get the most mild weather and the least amount of rain. 

However, since this is the high season, expect flights and accommodations to be more expensive. If you’d like to potentially save some money on your trip, consider visiting in the summer or fall. 

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that June-September is hurricane season. This doesn’t mean there will 100% be a hurricane or bad weather on your trip, but the chances are much higher. 

I’ve traveled to PR during many seasons and my favorite time of year to visit is around January/February. The weather is great, the island isn’t too busy and it’s always wonderful to escape a Vermont winter. 

My least favorite time of year to visit is the height of the summer, August, for example. Although it’s still beautiful, the high heat and humidity aren’t my favorite.

2: Consider How Much Time You Want to Spend on the Island

If you’re traveling from the East Coast of the US, you can get to PR in about 3.5-4 hours. This means you can easily visit Puerto Rico for a long weekend or just a few days. However, if you can, I definitely recommend staying longer and exploring more of the island. 

If you’re only planning to spend a few days in Puerto Rico, I recommend staying in San Juan. That’s where you’ll fly into and there is more than enough to do to fill a few days. Old San Juan, specifically, is my favorite part of San Juan and you can easily spend a full day or two exploring this beautiful neighborhood. 

Check out my posts all about how to spend 48 hours in Old San Juan and the best things to do in Old San Juan for an itinerary and tons of recommendations. 

If you have more time to spend in Puerto Rico, say a week or ten days, then I highly recommend taking a road trip around the island and checking out the amazing beaches, charming towns and beautiful views. Check out my 7 day road trip around Puerto Rico post for a full itinerary and guide!

3: Plan Your Transportation

If you’re planning to stay in the San Juan area on your trip to Puerto Rico, I don’t recommend a rental car – especially if your trip is short. Ubers are affordable and readily available and most neighborhoods, like Old San Juan and Condado, are very walkable. 

If you’re planning on taking a day trip to El Yunque rainforest from San Juan, which I highly recommend you do, there are many guided tours available that provide transportation and an expert guide. 

If you’re planning to leave San Juan during your trip, and especially if you’re road tripping around the island, then a rental car is 100% necessary. 

4: Understand the Wifi and Electricity Situation

You will find good wifi in many parts of Puerto Rico. However, don’t count on every business and hotel to have great wifi. I’ve stayed in quite a few hotels and AirBnbs that have wifi, but it’s quite slow. I’ve also stayed at properties that have amazing wifi. 

If you’re planning to work from home, check with the hotel or AirBnb first to see how strong the wifi signal is. 

Power outages 

Power outages are common in Puerto Rico. The electrical grid is outdated and is actually the worst in the US. For many Puerto Ricans, blackouts are a part of everyday life – something that is difficult and at times dangerous to live with. 

Most hotels and businesses have generators for when these blackouts take place, but it’s important to be aware that these outages can happen.

5: Decide on the Type of Accommodations You Want to Stay In

Puerto Rico is one of those destinations that really has it all. There are luxury beachfront resorts, quaint AirBnbs, eco-stays, budget stays and many more. I like to stay in a mix of property types when I travel, but I definitely gravitate towards boutique hotels. 

You’ll also find options at a variety of price points, from affordable hostels to luxury resorts. San Juan definitely has the highest concentration of hotels and guest properties, but you’ll find great options all over the island. 

Many people visit PR for the beaches and if a beach vacation is your vibe, check out these awesome properties: 

• Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Dorado) 
• The Horned Dorset (Rincon) 
• Condado Vanderbilt Hotel (Condado, San Juan)

If you’re interested in an eco-stay , check these out: 

• El Yunque Rainforest Inn (near el Yunque)
• Casa Grande Mountain Retreat – Adults Only (Utuado) 
• 4 Casitas (Cabo Rojo)
• Hacienda el Jibarito (San Sebastian) 

Lastly, if boutique hotels are your thing, here are a few of my favorites: 

• Dreamcatcher (Ocean Park, San Juan) 
• O:live Boutique Hotel (Condado, San Juan) 
• Hotel el Convento (Old San Juan) 
• Boutique Hotel Belgica (Ponce)
• Check out my Instagram reel of the beautiful pool area.

6: Book Unique Tours and Activities

When visiting Puerto Rico there are so many fun and unique activities to partake in. You can swim in a bioluminescent bay in La Parguera, visit the only tropical forest in the United States , explore a 500 year old fort and so much more. 

There’s really something for everyone, but a few of my top favorite experiences include: 

In San Juan:  

• Explore the infamous La Perla neighborhood in Old San Juan with an expert guide.
• San Juan Guided Snorkel Tour
• Such a fun way to try delicious Puerto Rican cuisine,.
• Guided LED Night Kayak Excursion in Condado Lagoon

Day Trips:  

• Another great El Yunque hiking and swimming option .
• Journey to one of the other islands in PR – it’s known for its beautiful beaches.
• This tour is about 2 hours, so it’s a great morning or afternoon activity.

7: Get Packing!

Puerto Rico consistently has temperatures in the 80s-90s with high humidity, so pack for warm weather. If you’re staying in a hotel, you may want a sweater for the air conditioned lobby, but besides that you likely won’t need one. 

One thing to keep in mind when visiting Puerto Rico is that during the warmest, most humid months, re-wearing clothes isn’t always possible. I always try to pack in just a carry-on, and I’ve made the mistake more than once of planning to re-wear outfits on my trips to PR without having access to a washing machine. 

Trust me when I say that when it’s that hot and humid and you’re outside all day, you likely won’t want to be re-wearing many of your outfits. 

For shoes, I recommend sandals as well as sneakers, especially if you’re planning on doing any hiking or adventurous activities (like ATV riding). 

Other items to pack for Puerto Rico:

• A portable charger  
• Wrinkle release spray (this stuff is amazing) 
• Teva type sandals (great for getting wet)
• Lots of sunscreen  
• Lightweight long sleeve shirt

FAQ: Planning a Trip to Puerto Rico

• If you’re from the US you do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico. Travelers visiting the island from other countries will need a passport. 
• English and Spanish are both official languages in Puerto Rico. However, Spanish is more common and is spoken at home by the vast majority of Puerto Ricans. 
• Most people working in the tourism industry speak English, but don’t be surprised if some don’t.
• Puerto Rico uses the US dollar. 
• Yes, the tipping culture is similar to the rest of the US. For example, tipping 18-20% in restaurants is common. 
• Yes, your US cell plan will work in Puerto Rico with no additional charges. The strength of your cell signal may vary, but I’ve had good luck all over the island with AT&T.

So there you have it, all of the steps for planning a trip to Puerto Rico! If you have any questions about planning your Puerto Rico trip, please let me know in the comments.

Also check out my other Puerto Rico guides for itineraries, restaurant recommendations and more!

• Epic 48 Hours in Old San Juan: The Best Things to Do and See
• The 16 Best Things To Do in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Ultimate 7 Day Road Trip Around Puerto Rico

If you found this post helpful, please share it on social media. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad for more Puerto Rico photos and mini-guides.

This guide to planning a trip to Puerto Rico includes affiliate links! Read our disclosure  here .

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The ULTIMATE 4 Day Itinerary in Puerto Rico

November 16, 2022

If you are headed to Puerto Rico for the first time and need help planning your trip, this guide is exactly what you need. Here, we’ll cover the essentials and logistics of how to plan an EPIC 4 day itinerary for Puerto Rico!

Is it Worth Visiting Puerto Rico?

The simple answer to this is yes. Puerto Rico is an island abundant in history, diverse landscapes, beautiful nature, vibrant culture, and amazing food.

There is simply something here for every type of traveler to enjoy. And for Americans, the fact that it’s so easy to travel to from the US, it should be a no brainer to add it to your bucket list.

Plus, as one of the safer destinations in the Caribbean, travelers can enjoy all there is to love about traveling in this region without some of the safety concerns that usually come with it.

Is 4 Days Enough in Puerto Rico?

It’s hard to give a definitive answer to whether 4 days in Puerto Rico is enough.

The truth is, you could easily spend way more than 4 days in Puerto Rico and still not see it all. This island has a lot to offer, especially given the wide range of natural landscapes present here, from rainforests, to heavenly beaches, to caves, waterfalls – the list goes on.

However, for most of us, a 4 day trip makes the perfect first bite into what Puerto Rico is all about. This 4 day itinerary in Puerto Rico will highlight the best of the best, and most bucket-list worthy destinations in Puerto Rico.

Of course, a subsequent trip here can definitely dive into the other amazing parts of Puerto Rico. But 4 days is definitely still enough to have an amazing trip.

Have Less that 4 days in Puerto Rico? Read: How to Spend 2 Days in San Juan

When to Go to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a clearly defined dry season and rain season. The dry season is defined as running from December to March, while the rain season runs from April to as late as November.

Puerto Rico in December

December is generally the busiest time in Puerto Rico due to holiday travel, with this time seeing the highest prices for hotel bookings. You’ll also have a harder time booking tours and gaining entry into certain parks, such as El Yunque Rainforest.

You do have the best temperatures and chance of sunny days in this time of year, but I’d opt to visit a month or so later, just to avoid the crowds.

Puerto Rico in January – April

The best time of year to visit Puerto Rico is likely in spring. This is right after the holiday season, but still during dry season. This will ensure maximum sunny beach days, more comfortable temperatures and bearable numbers of tourists.

It’s still considered high season, so you’ll need to book hotels in advance to ensure getting a room you prefer. Tours and entry into some sites should also be booked ahead of time.

Puerto Rico in May – November

This is considered the low season in Puerto Rico. A visit in this time period usually means less crowds, lower prices on hotels, and some tour companies becoming less operational.

It can still be a great time of year to visit, especially in the earlier months in this time frame. You have some chance of rain, but it’s still very likely to have days of sunshine. Plus most tours and attractions are still open and ready for visitors.

Puerto Rico Hurricane Season

Puerto Rico’s hurricane season runs from August to October. Since this is peak low season, it offers the best deals for travelers. Still, I don’t really advise planning a trip in this time.

The risk of your trip being disrupted by a hurricane are greatly higher, presenting safety issues for the travelers themselves. But the real issue is that if a hurricane does hit, it’s really unfair to locals if hurricane relief supplies will need to be shared with tourists at this time.

I visited Puerto Rico in September in 2021, and had nothing but sunny skies. However, exactly one year later, Puerto Rico was slammed by a hurricane that left most of the island without power or water for weeks.

Plan your trip responsibly, and try to visit outside of this time.

Getting To Puerto Rico

Most people will get to Puerto Rico by flying from somewhere within the US. There are direct flights from most major hubs on the east coast, midwest and southern states now.

For Canadians, you have direct flights from Toronto and Montreal. For the rest of us, we will need to have a stopover somewhere along the way.

Things to Know Before You Go

Puerto Rico is a unique destination as it’s an official U.S territory, but still in some ways it’s own thing. Here are a few details you should know before planning 4 days in Puerto Rico.

Americans Don’t Need a Passport

If you are an American citizen, you won’t need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico. This makes it a great tropical getaway for Americans, especially considering 50% of us still don’t have a passport.

You’ll just need an up-to-date drivers license or state issued ID to present on check in and arrival. If you plan to travel onwards, such as to another Caribbean island or to Mexico, you will need your passport.

Real ID Act in 2023

There is a new regulation to be set in stone by 2023, known as the Real ID Act .

Essentially, depending on the state your ID was issued in, you may or may NOT be allowed to travel to Puerto Rico without a passport. You’ll need to verify whether the state your ID was issues in is complaint with this act or not.

If in doubt, just bring your passport for good measure.

The Currency is USD

Another reason Puerto Rico is such a convenient destination for Americans or those coming from the US, is that they use the same currency.

US dollars are the official currency used in Puerto Rico. Moreover, I’d say that card payments are nearly as widely accepted as in the States.

You should still bring some cash for tipping, street food stalls, and those few places that may still pefer cash payments.

Use Uber for Getting Around

In the city of San Juan, opt to use Uber to get around if you won’t have your own car or for when you plan to drink.

I did a cross-comparison of Uber and taxi prices while in San Juan, and Uber was always a fraction of the price of taxis offered to tourists.

Plus, it’s more convenient, and you won’t need to use cash.

No Wifi at the Airport

There is no wifi at the San Juan Airport. If you need any documents or information in order to get to your hotel, have it preloaded or saved on your phone prior to take off to ensure a smooth arrival.

COVID Test Required

Puerto Rico still currently requires COVID vaccinations or a negative COVID PCR test for travelers coming from outside of the US.

If you are vaccinated, you can present your vaccination card. Otherwise, you’ll need to present a PCR test result from no earlier than 6 days before arrival.

For more info on Puerto Rico COVID requirements, click here .

Getting Around Puerto Rico

The best and most convenient way to get around is by renting your own vehicle. You can easily rent a car from San Juan Airport, ready for pick up on arrival. You can also choose to  ship your own car to Puerto Rico for longer stays. 

There are many rental companies to choose from, and I’d advise doing your own up-to-date research to choose the best on for you.

We rented from Alamo and can report a positive experience. We split the car rental price between 5 people, so it was economical and affordable.

Can you Do Puerto Rico Without a Rental Car?

For a 4 day itinerary in Puerto Rico, you actually can get by without renting a car. Since many travelers opt to take tours in Puerto Rico, these almost always include a free transfer from San Juan to your destination.

So, you could totally just base yourself in San Juan, take tours to reach other places in your itinerary, and take Uber to get around the city itself.

We did not use our rental car very much in Puerto Rico, apart from getting to and from the airport, and a half-day trip to Camuy Caves. You can’t drive in Old San Juan, so there isn’t a huge need for a car in the city at all.

Cost to Rent a Car

The average daily price for renting our car was $196 USD. This did not include gas nor parking in San Juan.

Since we split this between 5 people, it was worth it, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that car rentals in Puerto Rico are pricey.

Decide where you’d like to go, whether you prefer to join tours or do self-guided trips, and weigh out for yourself if renting a car is worth it.

Puerto Rico by Public Transportation

With only 4 days in Puerto Rico, I do not recommend trying to get around using public transportation. While public transportation is available, the island is perhaps a lot bigger than you think.

You don’t want to waste your short trip in transit half the time, so opt to rent a car or book tours with transfers included.

What to Pack

No matter what time of year you visit Puerto Rico, two things will remain certain: It will be hot, and it could rain at any time.

If you are visiting in the summer months, expect scorching heat and very high humidity. For those lucky to be visiting closer to winter or in spring, the temperatures will be more favorable, but still hot and sticky.

If you aren’t used to this weather, I’d definitely advise loose, breathable clothing. I saw people there in jeans and almost got a second hand heatstroke.

Here is what I’d personally recommend packing for 4 days in Puerto Rico:

4 Days in Puerto Rico Packing List

• 3 – 4 loose fitting tops (you will potentially change more frequently here due to the weather)
• one work out outfit (will be handy when walking in the rainforest)
• 2 flowy dresses (instagram ready)
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 1 pair of loose linen pants or a maxi skirt
• one wide hat (to block the sun)
• MOSQUITO SPRAY
• sunscreen SPF 50 or higher
• a beachbag tote
• beach sandals
• comfy sneakers (a lot of Old San Juan is cobbled streets)
• a small backack (for going into El Yunque)
• your camera
• one lightweight scarf (can double up as a beach coverup)
• waterproof/ sweat proof make up
• A good deodorant

Where to Stay

For this 4 day itinerary in Puerto Rico, it could be practical to base yourself in San Juan for the majority of the trip.

This is especially true if you won’t be renting a car, and will be taking guided tours to the points of interest around the island as most day tours start and end in San Juan.

I’d definitely opt to stay in Old San Juan, simply for the vibes. But you also have a ton of options for bars and restaurants to unwind in after a long day of sightseeing.

Best Hotels in San Juan

Decanter Hotel : Located smack dab in the center of Old San Juan, this hotel is walking distance from most sights in San Juan, plus a huge number of restaurants and bars. This hotel is ideal for groups, as they offer conjoined rooms and kitchen with their rooms. No special amenities such as pool or rooftop.

El Colonial : This is likely the best place to stay in San Juan. Located in the old town, this hotel offers the best in location , style and comfort. The rooms are simple, yet tasteful in decor, and there is a fabulous rooftop terrace and bar onsite.

Palacio Provencial : This hotel offers a mix of colonial and modern architectural styles, together creating a beautiful aesthetic. It offers possibly the best rooftop pool deck in Old San Juan, and other amenities such as hot tub and a gym.

4 Day Itinerary in Puerto Rico

This 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary covers sites mostly on the Eastern side of the island. While that won’t show you all of Puerto Rico, and all it has to offer (you can’t see it all in 4 days anyway!) it includes the most impressive aspects of what Puerto Rico has to offer, including a UNESCO heritage site, the only rainforest in the US, Puerto Rico’s top rated beach, and the #1 bioluminescent bay in the world!

Here is the perfect 4 day itinerary in Puerto Rico!

Day 1: Old San Juan & Surroundings

Start your first day in Puerto Rico by exploring the capital city of San Juan. Ideally, you’ll stay in Old San Juan, which is by far the most convenient and scenic area to base yourself.

Here, you’ll be close enough to walk to most of the must-see places in San Juan.

Calle de la Fortaleza

Get your bearings for Old San Juan by first walking down the main street of Calle de la Forteleza. This street runs through the length of the entire historic district of San Juan.

You’ll find the characteristically colorful old buildings that line both sides of the street, giving the entire street a whimsical and vibrant appearance. Admire the old architecture and snap away those instagram photos, while maybe stopping into one of the many cafes or restaurants for breakfast.

La Fortaleza

Walk down the length of Calle de la Fortaleza until you hit La Fortaleza. This is the historic and current residence of the governor of Puerto Rico. Visits aren’t permitted, but you can admire the building from the outside.

Sometimes, the street just in front of La Fortaleza will be decorated seasonally. At one point, it became insta-famous for the umbrellas that hung across the top of the buildings.

In 2021, the umbrellas were sadly already gone, but there was a different decoration installed.

Paseo de la Princesa

This is known as one of the most beautiful walking areas in Old San Juan. There is a famous fountain here that is popular with tourists, as well as streets that are beautifully lined with trees.

Puerta de San Juan

Puerta de San Juan is the historic gateway into San Juan, and today leads the way into the walking path around the cities outer walls.

Walk the Paseo del Morro

The Paseo del Morro is a boardwalk walking path that covers the outer parameters of San Juan’s historic outer wall.

The walk will take you along the edge of the sea, to the fortress of Castillo San Felipe de Morro, walking alongside the historic outer wall of San Juan. On the other side, it’ll take you alongside the bay of San Juan.

Historic Park of San Juan

You’ll come to a large park overlooking the sea. At the end of the park, you’ll come to Castillo San Felipe de Morro . This historic fortress was built by the Spanish as a means of protection for San Juan from would-be invaders.

Today, it is a UNESCO site, and well worth a visit to learn of the history and admire the views.

Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzi

At the other end of the Historic Park of San Juan, you’ll come to the Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzi . In my opinion, this may be one of the most scenic cemeteries in the world.

Set alongside the sea, it’s now the resting place of several prominent figures in Puerto Rican history.

Visit La Perla on a Tour

La Perla is a famous shanty town located on the oceanside just below Old San Juan. What was once a rough neighborhood riddles with crime, it has now become a place of interest largely due to its feature in the Despacito music video.

Here you can admire the colorful buildings and vibrant murals, while walking along the sea. You can get a feel for another side of Puerto Rico. You can visit on your own, but for safety, it’s advisable to go with a tour.

Old San Juan Nightlife

End your first day in Puerto Rico by indulging in the many offerings in terms of bars, restaurants and lounges in Old San Juan.

For food, you have many options from more low-key Puerto Rican cuisine, to swankier tapas bars, and fine dining restaurants. I personally loved having small bites and cocktails at T•tuan , a restaurant located in a courtyard of fairy lights and live music.

If you are seriously hungry, opt to check out Deavadura or El Jibarito for authentic Puerto Rican eats in a humble, no frills setting.

La Factoria

When the time comes for a drink, there is simply one place you cannot miss out on: La Factoria . What was named among the top 50 bars of the world several years over, a visit here is quite literally a rite of passage during your 4 days in Puerto Rico.

La Factoria is actual a group of 7 bars, with a single hole in the wall, unmarked entrance. You could easily spend a night hopping from one bar to another, as each other a unique vibe and drink menu.

Visit a Cigar Lounge

If you’re up for something unique, you may opt to visit a cigar lounge while in San Juan. While Puerto Rico is not as famous of a cigar producer as the some of the neighboring island nations, they do produce their own high quality brands here.

Whether or not you’re a fan, you can still learn about different types of cigars, how they are made, and maybe even test one out yourself at Monte Cristo Cigar Lounge .

Here, the staff are knowledgeable and happy to give you a little tour of their cigar room.

If one day in San Juan isn’t enough for you, here is a 2 day guide to San Juan Puerto Rico , including all the sites in Old San Juan and beyond.

Day 2: El Yunque National Forest

Your second day of your 4 day itinerary in Puerto Rico will take you to the only tropical rainforest in the U.S.

El Yunque National Rainforest is one of the most biologically diverse forests in the U.S national forest system. While only 28,000 acres in total area, making it one of the smallest of the national forests, it packs a lot to see and do into a small area.

Getting to El Yunque

You have one of two options: either join a guided tour with provided transfer, or drive your own rental car to El Yunque Forest. The one that is best for you will depend on your preferences.

If you’d like someone else to take care of all the logistics such as reserving a spot in El Yunque (more on that later), and taking you from one hotspot to the next, a tour is a good idea.

El Yunque by Tour

Some good tour companies into El Yunque Rainforest are El Yunque Tours and Island Journeys . Both provide pick up in San Juan and will take care of booking a reservation into the park itself. You’ll also have a knoweldgeable guide to give background information during your visit, plus take you to all the best spots.

El Yunque Without a Guide

You technically do not need a guide to visit El Yunque. You may also appreciate the idea of exploring the rainforest on your own terms, or just want to save a bit of cash, in which case you may come by renting a car.

It’s doable to self-drive yourself to El Yunque, and through the park itself. The only thing you need to consider, is that you’ll be responsible for getting your own tickets into El Yunque, which can be a hassle in and of itself.

Getting Tickets to El Yunque Rainforest

If you won’t book a tour with a guide, you’ll need to get your tickets to El Yunque Rainforest prior to your visit.

In order to ensure your entry into El Yunque on your desired date, I’d recommend booking ahead of your trip. You can reserve and purchase an entry ticket up to one month before your visit on the recreation.gov website or by clicking here .

You’ll need to buy just one ticket per vehicle, and the person who’s name is on the ticket must be present in the vehicle upon entering the park.

A the time of writing, a ticket is $8 USD per vehicle.

Last Minute Tickets to El Yunque Rainforest

For those who want to be more spontaneous or just forgot to book ahead of time, you can try your luck at grabbing last minute tickets the day before your visit.

A few tickets are released every day at 8 am and 11 am local time, for entry the following day. You have a good enough chance at grabbing a ticket, especially outside of peak season and if you set an alarm a couple minutes ahead to ensure you login on time.

However, with only a 4 day itinerary in Puerto Rico, I wouldn’t leave anything up to chance. Book ahead of time if you can, to avoid any disappointment.

Things to Do in El Yunque

Although El Yunque is one of the smallest forests in the national forest system, it packs in a vast array of diverse landscapes, vegetation and wildlife into a small area. Plan to start early and spend most of the day here to make the most of your visit.

Pro-tip: Do NOT forget the mosquito spray. Doing so may just result in swollen, baseball sized bug bites!

La Mina Falls

La Mina Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the El Yunque Rainforest. The waterfall itself is a 35 foot tall free flowing wall of water, that flows into a pool popular for swimming. It’s one of the most visited spots in the park, so prepare for crowds!

Juan Diego Falls

Juan Diego Falls is actually a set of waterfalls, that is quite a bit less visited than Mina Falls. The lower falls are relatively easy to get to from the road, while the upper falls requires a bit more effort to reach by hiking. The reward for reaching the upper falls is a 40 foot, relatively unvisited waterfall surrounded by lush greenery.

Spot the Wildlife

This would definitely be easier with a guided tour, but given the abundance of life in El Yunque rainforest, you just may get lucky even on your own.

El Yunque is home to a wide range of exotic species of reptiles, amphibians, and birds. With persistence, you may spot some coqui hopping around, an indigenous Puerto Rican frog species. If you’re lucky you may also spot some boas, the colorful Puerto Rican parrot, or some unique reptiles.

There are many hiking trails to choose from for enjoying the scenic beauty in El Yunque. The easiest trail is the Caimitillo Trail , which is only a little over half a mile long and mostly flat. Although short, it still gives you a good taste of the natural beauty of this region. It’s also a great trail for birdwatching.

Another easy trail is the El Angelito Trail . This hike also takes just over 20 minutes one way, and ends in a great swimming area along the Mameyes River.

For those seeking a view from above, try out the Mount Britton Trail . This trail will take you up into the cloud forest and onto the mountain, eventually leading up to the El Yunque Peak. From up here, you have one of the best views of the entire El Yunque rainforest and even the ocean from afar.

Day 3: Culebra Island & Puerto Rico’s Best Beach

For day 3 of your 4 day itinerary in Puerto Rico, you’ll be heading to Culebra Island to visit Puerto Rico’s top rated beach.

You can either reach Culebra by booking a tour that departs from San Juan, or by driving to the ferry terminal in Cieba and taking the ferry. For those that want to drive and have a car, you may actually head towards the ferry port straight after El Yunque Rainforest the day before.

If you choose to take the ferry, you may opt to take the last ferry onto Culebra Island at the end of day 2, and spend the night on the island. This way, you’ll have the beach to yourself in the morning before the day trippers roll through.

Be warned that the ferry has a track record of being not fully reliable, and that for the most part, ferries won’t allow you to bring your car. You should plan to leave your rental car behind, and parking is available at the port for $5.

Taking the Ferry to Culebra Island

The ferry to Culebra departs from the ferry terminal in Ceiba, in the western part of the main island. The ferry schedule will vary depending on time of year, so check here for the schedule.

Typically, the last ferry to Culebra leaves some time in the late afternoon, and starts as early as 6 am in the morning. The ferry only takes 45 minutes to reach Culebra.

You can book tickets ahead of time online, but it’s also possible to book a ticket on the spot.

Taking a Tour to Culebra Island

In many ways, joining a tour to get to Culebra Island makes the most sense. It’s convenient, and they often bundle in activities that you may otherwise pay for separately anyway, such as kayaking and snorkeling excursions.

With only 4 days in Puerto Rico, I might even say this is the better option, just to save yourself any hassle and time.

About Flamenco Beach

The main draw of visiting Culebra is to spend a day at the world-famous Flamenco Beach.

Flamenco Beach hasn’t just been rated the best beach in Puerto Rico, but often pops up in the ranks among the best beaches in the world.

Historically, this beach was occupied by the U.S Navy for bomb testing and target practice. One of the most photographed aspects of the beach are the tanks that still sit arrested in decay on the beach itself.

This beach is ideal for truly all types of beach goers. The sand is ultra-soft and pure, while the waters are the most strikingly clear blue color, with virtually no waves.

Things to do at Flamenco Beach

Go snorkeling.

Flamenco Beach is also home to some of the best snorkeling locations in Puerto Rico. If you don’t have your own gear, opt to join a snorkeling tour. Many of these will take you to the best snorkeling spots in and around Flamenco Beach by boat and provide gear.

See the Beach Tank s

The American Navy officially un-occupied Culebra in 1975, but in their haste, left behind a lot of equipment. As a result, there are a handful of American tanks that still litter Flamenco beach, disturbing its otherwise paradisiac appearance.

Today, the tanks make cool subjects for photography, where they sit rusted and covered in graffiti.

Boat Tour to Isla Culebrita

Boating is a popular activity at Flamenco Beach and Culebra Island as a whole. You can take a boat tour or public water taxi and head to the uninhabited island of Culebrita. This tiny island is home to some quiet, yet beautiful beaches of it’s own, plus a ton of unspoiled, raw nature.

Go Kayaking

Kayaking is another activity on offer for those who don’t fancy sunbathing as a beach activity. You can rent a kayak at Tamarindo Beach and kayak to and from Flamenco Beach. Another option is to book a tour with Aquafari , which will take you on a half-day kayaking and snorkeling excursion in and around Flamenco Beach.

Visit the Mangrove Forest

These are located a bit further, on the other side of Culebra, on the southeastern shores. But i you’re keen to explore something different, you can definitely squeeze in a visit to the newly restored Puerto de Manglar Red Mangrove Forests. Here you can see how this unique ecosystems thrives and provides a home to some endangered animals.

Enjoy a Beautiful Sunset

Sunsets on Culebra are known to be a colorful event. While you can get a decent sunset on Flamenco Beach, you may opt to head to Tamarindo beach on the western shores for the absolute best sunset views.

Where to Stay on Culebra Island

Whether or not you stay on Culebra island is up to you. If you booked your visit to and from Culebra as a tour from San Juan, you will likely only visit as a day trip since the catamaran leaves in the afternoon to take you back to San Juan.

But if you came by car, there is definitely value in staying on the island over night, even if just to have it to yourself once the day-trippers leave. If you would like to spend the night in Culebra, here are some good options:

Aleli Cottages : Homely apartment stay on the western shores of Culebra. Most cottages offer beach westward facing views from the terrace, meaning perfect sunset views. Includes kitchen and an onsite garden, ideal for families.

Oceania Villas : These villas offer stunning views of Playa de Cascajo and Datiles Beach from the spacious wrap around balcony. It’s ideal for group travelers, with access to onsite barbecue facilities, a pool and garden.

Day 4: Mosquito Bay for Bioluminescent Beach

For day 4 of your 4 days in Puerto Rico, you’ll head to possibly the most unique destination of the trip.

On your last day, you’ll want to travel to Vieques, another small island off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. You can reach Vieques one of two ways: by ferry or by flying in from San Juan.

If you’ve already taken the ferry to Culebra from Cieba on day 3, then taking the ferry to Vieques will make more sense since the ferry departs from Ceiba as well.

If you are based in San Juan, you should opt to fly.

Visiting Mosquito Bay

Bioluminescent beaches are a rarity to come by in the world, so Puerto Rico is unique in the fact that it is spoiled by a total of 3 bioluminescent bays.

While each of them are amazing in their own way, Mosquito Bay is the one regarded as the world’s absolute best bioluminescent bay. It’s also the hardest one to reach of the three in Puerto Rico, but it’s a bucket-list experience not to be missed.

Sure, you’d be able to see bioluminescent algae at any of the 3 bioluminescent bays, but they are dramatically more dense at Mosquito Bay. It really is a once in a lifetime experience to witness the beach twinkling brighter than the night sky itself!

Kayaking Tours of Mosquito Bay

Most people will opt to join a kayaking tour of Mosquito Bay. Tours generally meet up in the late afternoon, and allow you to kayak in the bay when darkness falls.

There are many different tour operators offering kayaking tours of Mosquito Bay, I’d advise booking ahead if possible.

Other Things to do in Vieques

Seeing the bioluminescent algae in real life makes the trip to Vieques entirely worthwhile, but if you have more time in Vieques you can check out some of the following places.

Playa Negra

Vieques is home to many unspoiled, beautiful beaches that are less frequented by tourists. One of the most memorable would be Playa Negra which translates to “Black Beach”. Here you can walk on black volcanic sand, that is often times mixed in with golden sand, creating interesting contrast and designs in the surf.

Scuba Diving

For certified divers, Vieques makes an excellent place to venture off into the undersea world. The visibility around Vieques is amongst the best, making it ideal for exploring the colorful reef and abundant marine life here. It’s not uncommon to spot eagle rays, sea turtles, manatees and even barracudas here.

Hiking Trails in Vieques

Vieques is a somewhat more rugged island in Puerto Rico, and you’ll often do some hiking to reach the best beaches. Playa Grande Sugar Mill Ruins is another great hiking trail that leads you to the ruins of the historic mills, while offering stunning views of the sea along the way.

Alternative 4 Days in Puerto Rico Itinerary Ideas

With the destinations mentioned, you are bound for an action packed 4 day itinerary in Puerto Rico. However, if you find yourself with some free time, or want additional ideas for places to visit, below are some worthy mentions.

Camuy Caves

The Camuy Caves are the third largest cave system in the world. They are located on the northwestern side of the island, about an hour and a half away from San Juan.

The Camuy Caves can be visited as a half day trip, perhaps before you fly to Vieques on day 4 of this itinerary. While the entire cave itself is very impressive, and surrounded by beautiful nature, I would not recommend it for those who are afraid of spiders.

This cave is where I saw the biggest (I didn’t really see it, I had my eyes closed the whole time) spider of my life right next to my face, in a narrow passageway deep inside the cave, with no way out. If you are crazy, google Puerto Rican Scorpian Spider to get an idea of what I mean.

Laguna Grande

This is the second best of the 3 bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico. It’s the most popular amongst tourists because it is far easier to reach than Mosquito Bay.

The bioluminescent algae here is not nearly as dense nor as bright as in Mosquito Bay, therefore not as visually impressive. But if you want a faster option to have more time for sipping mojitos, this makes a good second option since you can easily drive there from San Juan.

You can reach Laguna Grande by driving to Fajardo, from which you can join a kayaking tour to see the bioluminescent algae.

San Juan Area

With only a 4 day itinerary in Puerto Rico, you may not have that much extra time to allocate in San Juan. But if you have some free time (maybe before your departure), there is a lot more to discover outside of Old San Juan.

For example, try heading to La Placita Market in the afternoons to try some food, and stay for the evenings when it becomes a nightlife hotspot. Here, you’ll find an abundance of bars, restaurants and even clubs, where you can let loose and maybe mingle with some locals.

See more: A Guide to How to Spending 2 Days in San Juan

Safety in Puerto Rico

For the typical traveler, Puerto Rico is a largely safe destination. If you are basing yourself in Old San Juan, you can rest easy knowing this is one of the safest areas in the city, and country, and there is a ton of police present to reassure you of that.

Travelers who will join guided tours, visit the touristic sites during the day, while taking normal precautions, will probably be fine.

If you will rent a car and do a self-guided trip, you’ll also be fine. Certain precautions should be made such as remembering to leave no valuables or visible items in your car. And of course, always make sure you have GPS to avoid getting lost, especially at night.

There are some areas that are known to be rougher than others, but those aren’t typically where tourists go. If in doubt, ask your hotel receptionist the day before about where you plan to go.

If traveling alone, try to avoid walking around alone late at night, a precaution that is advisable in almost any destination.

Solo Travel in Puerto Rico

I spend the tail end of my 4 days in Puerto Rico alone, and I can report a good experience in Puerto Rico for solo travelers.

If you make the effort, it is easy to meet locals, as I found Puerto Rican people to be very open and friendly. It also helps that many people in the city speak English.

San Juan is great for solo travelers, even first time solo travelers. For visiting further destinations in Puerto Rico, it may be slightly more enjoyable to go with someone, since most of us don’t consider going to the beach or hiking to be a solo activity.

However, if you are comfortable being alone and are experienced traveling solo, then there is no reason why Puerto Rico can’t be a great solo travel destination.

Puerto Rico Travel Tips

How should I prepare for a trip to Puerto Rico?

There isn’t a whole lot you need to prepare for to travel to Puerto Rico aside from choosing a good time of year to go. For Americans, since Puerto Rico is a U.S territory, you’ll have access to a lot of the conveniences you’d find in the states. You’ll find

Is it best to bring cash or card to Puerto Rico?

When I visited in 2021 cards were already widely accepted. It’s still best to bring a bit of cash, maybe for tipping, some side-street food stalls, and in case of emergency.

What is the #1 attraction in Puerto Rico?

Since the entry point into Puerto Rico is via San Juan Airport, I’d say most people will spend time in San Juan. But there is good reason to. You have a good mix of things for tourists to enjoy, such as activities for cultural and historical immersion, as well as options for leisure, dining, relaxing, nightlife, and shopping.

What food is Puerto Rico best known for?

There is a LOT of great food to try for the first time in Puerto Rico that would require it’s own article. But if you were to aim to try just one thing, it’ll probably be mofongo. It’s on the menu in most places as a side dish and sometimes as part of the main. Also, did you know pina colada was invented in San Juan? Try it from its source at Barrachina in San Juan.

How much should I budget for a trip to Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is probably a more affordable travel destination that most major U.S cities. You can easily budget for $150 – $200 a day while here, depending on how much you’ll spend on tours and your hotel. Food is reasonably priced, with the most high end options not surpassing normal dining prices in a U.S city.

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A beginner's guide to visiting Puerto Rico: Everything you need to eat, see and do

Puerto Rico is beloved by travelers around the world, and for good reason.

From bioluminescent bays, pristine Caribbean beaches and lush forests to historic streetscapes, a vibrant local food scene and fascinating cultural attractions, each region of Puerto Rico offers visitors a distinct experience.

And there's simply never a bad time to visit. Better yet, you can often find cheap nonstop flights to both San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) and Aguadilla's Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) on the stunning northwest coast. If you're traveling from the U.S., you don't even need a passport or have to change your money.

It's a perfect tropical weekend getaway from the Eastern Seaboard; you can board an early morning flight and enjoy lunch and a pina colada with your toes in the sand.

In short: Paradise awaits.

Where to eat and drink in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a wonderful destination for foodies. Along the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, you'll find gourmet cuisine served in elegant, historic townhomes rubbing shoulders with atmospheric hole-in-the-walls that serve traditional fare.

Following Hurricane Maria, restaurants became ever keener to support local agriculture and celebrate food that is grown entirely on the island. The result is farm-fresh, hyper-seasonal cuisine infused with Creole, Taino and Spanish influences.

The much-loved national dish is mofongo — deep-fried mashed plantains served with a side of seafood or meat and chicken broth soup. Among the best places to try it are Santaella in San Juan and Mi Casita in Pinones.

Lechon — a whole pig roasted over a fire for at least four hours — is another hearty mainstay of traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. Around an hour's drive south of San Juan, dozens of lechoneras dot the famed Ruta de Lechon, or "Pork Highway," where trays of succulent, tender pork are served at communal tables, usually accompanied by copious cold beer and live music.

If you want to graze on authentic local delicacies beachside, head for Luquillo (near El Yunque National Forest), where more than 60 kiosks ranging from rustic beach bars to full-service restaurants serve authentic Creole cooking as well as Latin American signature cuisine.

A colorful pit spot while exploring San Juan's trendy Santurce district, Alcapurria Quema is a no-frills Santurce locale that's one of the best places to try Puerto Rico's ubiquitous local snack, alcapurrias: deep-fried fritters made from plantains (or grated yucca) stuffed with flavorful beef, pork or fish.

Fine dining in Puerto Rico

If you want to splurge, San Juan has plenty of upscale dining venues.

Located inside the elegant Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, 1919 is widely hailed as the best fine dining restaurant in Puerto Rico. Helmed by Juan José Cuevas, who worked at the Michelin-starred Blue Hill in New York, menu highlights include scallops with organic mushrooms, kale and sunchoke, as well as robalo (snook) with pistachio, local white beans and dill. For an unforgettable dining experience, opt for the chef's menu ($199) accompanied by sommelier-selected wine pairings. Make a reservation, dress the part and enjoy every moment. It's one of the island's most expensive restaurants, but worth it.

Vianda 's stylish midcentury modern-style bar and sleek, moody dining room draw well-dressed locals with its innovative mixology and farm-to-table cuisine. Vianda means "root vegetable," and the small, seasonal menu riffs on Puerto Rico's rich culinary heritage while showcasing the island's incredible bounty of tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs. Start the evening with a Corazon de Melon ($15) cocktail, made with tequila, watermelon, cucumber, mint and rosemary, followed by a signature entree such as the Mar y Tierra, a rich medley of cod loin, crispy pork belly, mussels, sofrito butter and white beans ($44).

Most epicureans will have heard of Marmalade , the internationally renowned restaurant credited with putting Puerto Rico on the foodie map. It remains one of the best gourmet dining experiences on the island. Iowa native chef Peter Schintler deftly blends indigenous and international ingredients to produce a truly memorable five-course prix fixe menu ($135 per person). It changes frequently, but menu classics include local organic rabbit with black olive garganelli and grilled ahi tuna with peanut-miso broth.

Chef José Santaella 's namesake restaurant is a lively, fun place to dine on nouvelle Puerto Rican cuisine with family and friends. The edgy industrial decor (it used to be a hardware store) contrasts with the menu's vibrant "tropical creole" gastronomy. Arrive early for cocktail hour and try a Lady Bullet (Woodford Reserve bourbon, fig marmalade, lavender syrup, orange bitters and lime juice; $16) and stay for the duration, grazing on delectable small plates, including wagyu sliders ($26), grilled Spanish octopus ($32) and escargot ($18).

What to see and do in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a ton of sightseeing you'll want to add to your itinerary, too.

El Yunque National Forest is just 45 minutes from San Juan and is the only tropical rainforest on U.S. soil. It's famous for its incredible hiking, an abundance of waterfalls and endemic wildlife.

There are just five bioluminescent bays in the world, and Puerto Rico is home to three: Bahia Mosquito, Laguna Grande and La Parguera. To access Puerto Rico's bio bays via kayak or paddleboard, you'll need to paddle through dark mangrove channels — signing up with a tour operator is definitely the way to go. Most companies operate two tours each night, at sunset and 9 p.m.

The protected wildlife reserve of Bahia Mosquito is located on Vieques, an island municipality a short flight from San Juan. Famed for its picture-perfect crescents of sand, boutique hotels and crystalline waters, Vieques is the quintessential Caribbean idyll. Boasting the highest concentration of phosphorescent dinoflagellates (plankton that make the water sparkle with just the touch of a hand), Mosquito Bay is the brightest of the world's five bio bays.

For travelers with limited time, Laguna Grande is the most accessible bio bay in Puerto Rico, less than an hour's drive from San Juan on the northeast coast. What sets Laguna Grande apart is that the bay is actually a lagoon nestled within an area of spectacular natural beauty.

Puerto Rico is replete with gorgeous, sandy beaches. Near Luquillo, La Pared is an often deserted stretch of almost golden sand. The beach town of Naguabo, in the southeast corner of the island, is also incredibly quiet, and palm trees frame the soft, sandy beach and turquoise water.

Ponce is Puerto Rico's second-largest city. Located on the island's southern coast, it's chock-full of history. Be sure to check out Plaza Las Delicias, which has a cathedral as well as an old firehouse (Parque de Bombas) that's now a museum.

Museo de la Musica Puertoriquena has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Here, you'll find traces of Taino, Spanish and African influences. You'll also learn about Puerto Rico's musical history, which you can now hear throughout other parts of the Caribbean, the mainland and around the world.

Where to stay in Puerto Rico

Hyatt regency grand reserve puerto rico.

Fresh from a multimillion-dollar face-lift, this 579-key beach resort reopened in 2019 as the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve.

Rooms (starting at 520 square feet), suites and villas are contemporary and inviting, with simple wooden furnishings, marble floors, a white-on-white color palette and furnished terraces and patios. Bathrooms feature rainfall showers with separate tubs and Pharmacopia toiletries.

Beyond the hotel's natural assets — a beautiful white-sand beach and 72 acres of flamboyant tropical vegetation — amenities include a lagoon-style pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a luxurious spa, two Tom Kite-designed 18-hole championship golf courses and several upscale restaurants serving everything from Pacific Rim cuisine and sushi at Nori Asian to prime cuts of beef and seafood at Prime 787, a contemporary American steakhouse.

The hotel can arrange a number of activities nearby, including horseback riding, an all-terrain-vehicle excursion at nearby Carabali Rainforest Adventure Park and hikes through El Yunque National Forest.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve start at $300 or 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort

The rambling 255-key Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort is the only Hilton hotel outside of the San Juan area.

While rooms are rather spartan and generic, they have an inviting beachy vibe with a green-and-white color palette, light wood furnishings, tiled floors and balconies with ocean views (in most rooms). Comfort-enhancing modern touches include coffee makers, minifridges and flat-screen televisions.

At this amenity-rich, family-friendly resort, there's plenty to keep adults and children entertained, including two expansive pools, a 27-hole championship golf course, a miniature golf course, tennis courts, a playground and a splash park. It's also home to one of the largest casinos in Puerto Rico and four restaurants: El Bohio, La Cava, La Terraza and Sancho's Sushi Bar.

While it isn't the splashiest Hilton property in Puerto Rico, it's a great base for exploring Puerto Rico's southwest coast.

Rates at the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort start at $230 or 50,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort

Located between El Yunque National Forest and Espiritu Santo River State Preserve, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort places guests within striking distance of two of Puerto Rico's top attractions.

Designed by Puerto Rican fashion designer Nono Maldonado, the spacious (and completely refurbished) accommodations channel a breezy Caribbean aesthetic with a serene white-and-cream color palette, abstract artworks and sleek, modern furnishings.

However, it's the luxe details and exquisite service that really set this property apart. There's the cozy pillow-top bed dressed with a cashmere throw, the marble spa-style bathroom with a centerpiece deep soaking tub that's stocked with luxe Frette bathrobes, and, of course, the St. Regis' private butler service.

A surfeit of amenities include a beautifully landscaped swimming pool, a lavish spa, a Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf course and three acclaimed restaurants.

Rates at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort start at $695 or 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Puerto Rico's most exclusive resort, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve , combines unbridled luxury and impeccable attention to detail with a sustainable ethos. Built by the Rockefeller family in the 1950s, it remains a magnet for tycoons, celebrities and, these days, cryptocurrency investors.

Nestled on a glorious 2-mile beach amid a riot of mature tropical vegetation, beautifully appointed rooms and suites are equipped with every creature comfort imaginable and assigned their own private butler. Standard rooms are huge (they start at 1,000 square feet), while deluxe suites also feature private plunge pools.

The resort's amenities are, as you'd expect, exceptional. There are two gorgeous pools fronted by swaying palms, three Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed golf courses and one of Puerto Rico's finest restaurants: Coa, a culinary homage to the region's Taino roots. A roster of family-friendly activities includes the signature Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program.

Rates at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve start at $1,995 or 170,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Related: Puerto Rican renaissance: A review of Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

The details

Getting there.

If you're interested in visiting Puerto Rico, flights are plentiful. There are more than 120 nonstop flights between the island and major mainland U.S. cities, according to Discover Puerto Rico . That means you can fly nonstop between the island and cities like New York, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago. Most of the nonstop routes are to San Juan.

While the cheapest available flights to Puerto Rico typically range from $300 to $600, you can pick up deals with both legacy carriers as well as low-cost carriers such as Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines .

Of course, a cheap deal isn't the only way to get to the island.

You can easily use points and miles to get you from major cities to Puerto Rico. American Airlines , for example, offers off-peak MileSAAver awards from 17,000 miles one-way in economy or 59,000 in business class.

With United Airlines , expect to spend between 20,000 and 65,000 miles for a one-way ticket from cities like Newark and Chicago.

But perhaps the best way to use points to visit Puerto Rico is through JetBlue .

On JetBlue, you have several destinations beyond San Juan to consider. For instance, you could fly round-trip from New York to Aguadilla for just $274 or 23,000 TrueBlue points in August this year, or to Ponce for $386 or 31,000 TrueBlue points round-trip.

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to JetBlue at a 1:1 ratio, but this might not be the best use of your Chase points .

JetBlue is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards as well, but TPG doesn't recommend transferring Amex points to JetBlue because of the limited value you'll get. Additionally, points transfer at a weak 250:200 transfer ratio.

You can also transfer Citi ThankYou Rewards to JetBlue, though the transfer ratio isn't great — either 1:0.8 or 1:0.5, depending on which Citi card you have.

Do you need a passport to go to Puerto Rico?

Nope! Puerto Rico is an unincorporated U.S. territory, so you don't need a passport or a visa to visit if you're a U.S. citizen. Just bring your state ID and you'll be good to go.

Getting around

Ride-hailing Uber is the only ride-hailing app that made its way to Puerto Rico and survived the pandemic. The mobile app is equally as effective as it is on the mainland and is very popular with locals for its competitive rates (compared to local taxis), efficiency and reliability.

Taxis Within San Juan, taxis are frequent, reliable and comfortable; look for white cabs labeled Taxi Turistico. Designated taxi stands are located at key tourist points in San Juan (including cruise ship piers, major hotels, Plaza de Armas and Plaza Colon). Taxis operate a fixed-rate system according to specified zones, but they can be pricey. Once you leave the metro area, it becomes increasingly expensive to travel between towns.

If you plan to stay in neighborhoods like Old San Juan, you probably won't need a car, Uber or taxi since the area is pretty walkable.

If you're a public transportation geek like me, make sure the Tren Urbano is on your radar. It's an 11-mile rapid transit system that serves San Juan, Guaynabo and Bayamon. The trip between Bayamon and San Juan is just 30 minutes, and the one-line train system has 16 stops; it passes through the University of Puerto Rico as well as the Santa Rosa shopping mall. It's very affordable, too: A regular fare is just $1.50 and if you're between the ages of 60 and 74, just 75 cents. Better yet, if you're 6 years of age or younger, or 75 or older, it's free.

Renting a car in Puerto Rico is pretty straightforward with all the major rental companies to consider, including Avis, Enterprise and Hertz, each of which is located at the airport.

The best times to visit Puerto Rico

The majority of hurricanes in Puerto Rico typically occur between August and October, while hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, according to the U.S. National Weather Service . Notably, Hurricane Maria made landfall on Sept. 20, 2017.

Many people I spoke with on the island said, "Summertime is all the time" in Puerto Rico, with temperatures hovering in the 80s daily. If you're trying to avoid the infamous daily Caribbean rains, you'll want to plan to visit between January and March, as precipitation is low .

If you want to avoid the hordes of people traveling during spring break but still want to visit before hurricane season kicks in, the spring is the best time to score flight and hotel deals. As an added bonus, you'll have the beach all to yourself.

Bottom line

Puerto Rico has come a long way since Hurricane Maria in 2017 and Fiona in 2022. Let it be known that the island is open for travelers — and eager for the business. From beach resorts to landmarks, excellent food and great hospitality, there's something for everyone who makes the short flight down to visit.

Related reading:

• The best hotels in Puerto Rico
• 8 reasons to visit Puerto Rico in 2023
• Best points hotels in the Caribbean
• Start booking your summer trips now — here's why
• The 26 best Marriott hotels in the world

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2 replies to this topic

I agree with the comment above regarding efficiency. It all depends on your personal preferences. My suggestion would be to put together an itinerary with the activities that you want to do. Then share, and we’ll help you make the most out of your time in PR.

Otherwise, there is a parking lot at the ferry. Just make sure that you don’t leave anything in the car that can be seen from the outside (to prevent break ins).

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The ultimate travel guide to beautiful Puerto Rico

Posted: July 25, 2023 | Last updated: July 25, 2023

Puerto Rico is a stunning Caribbean island known for its mountainous landscapes, idyllic beaches, lush rainforest, and rich culture. The tropical US territory has a complex and fascinating history, many remnants of which can be visited on the island. From the historic castillos of San Juan to the abundant nature of El Yunque National Forest and the surfer's paradise in Rincón, it truly has something for everyone. 

Click on to discover some of the amazing places Puerto Rico has to offer, so you can plan your next trip. 

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La Cueva del Indio

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Castillo San Felipe del Morro

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Castillo de San Cristobal

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El Yunque National Forest

Old San Juan

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Flamenco Beach

Puerto Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay

This bay is inhabited by millions of tiny marine organisms called dinoflagellates that light up when touched. Their luminosity transforms the bay into something straight out of a fairytale. The bay went completely dark following the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017, but its water is now glowing again. 

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Jobos Beach

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The Cabo Rojo Lighthouse

Isla Desecheo

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Playa Mar Chiquita

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Rio Camuy Caves

Dos Bocas Lake

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Guanica’s sunflower farm

If you want to have a true Puerto Rican gastronomical experience, take a trip to Guavate in Puerto Rico’s mountainous region. Known as the Ruta del Lechón (Suckling Pig Route), the area is every pork lover’s dream come true.

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Cayo Santiago (Monkey Island)

Get in a boat and head out to this island overrun by rhesus monkeys, which were brought to the island for scientific research.

Cueva Ventana

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Mona Island

Located on Puerto Rico’s western coast, the island is dubbed the Galapagos of the Caribbean for its natural beauty and wildlife. The island is also a great spot for diving.

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36 Hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico

By Luisita Lopez Torregrosa April 4, 2024

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By Luisita Lopez Torregrosa Photographs by Scott McIntyre

Luisita Lopez Torregrosa was born in Puerto Rico and has written a memoir recalling her childhood on the island.

There’s new optimism in this Caribbean capital. Tourists are coming in record numbers, and the city is recovering the energy it lost after the devastation of hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017; the emigration of tens of thousands to the mainland; a bankrupt economy; and the pandemic. In Old San Juan, the 500-year-old colonial enclave of pastel-colored architecture and ancient forts, and beyond, eclectic restaurants, experimental art and celebrated gritty bars like La Factoría are firing up the Puerto Rican spirit. Calle Cerra, a street in the former working-class barrio of Santurce, is now the epicenter of the island’s public art movement, featuring giant murals alongside a lively nightlife scene where you can join in on the chinchorreo, a local term for bar hopping and street dancing.

Recommendations

• Galería Botello , housed in a 350-year-old mansion in Old San Juan, shows paintings, prints, ceramics and a collection of Puerto Rican santos, hand-carved wooden figures, by the Galician artist Ángel Botello.
• Cocina al Fondo , with a James Beard Award-winning chef, reconstructs Puerto Rican cuisine, but remains loyal to the traditions of the island.
• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico has the island’s most important collection of paintings, sculptures and carvings by Puerto Rican and Caribbean artists.
• Calle Cerra is the street that is the epicenter of Puerto Rican urban public art and a hot nightlife destination. It is also the site of the annual street art festival Santurce Es Ley (Santurce Is Law) in May.
• Paseo de la Princesa is a bayside promenade in Old San Juan with fountains and sculptures like Fuente Raices (Roots Fountain), which represents the ancestral roots of Puerto Rican identity: Spanish, African and Taino.
• Castillo San Felipe del Morro , one of the largest fortifications built by Spain in the Caribbean, has six levels of barracks, dungeons and storerooms. Kite-flying on the fort’s lawn is free.
• Parque del Indio , off Ashford Avenue in the Condado neighborhood, is a refuge from the crowds with a pristine beach, kitesurfing and games of pickleball and volleyball.
• Marmalade , arguably the best restaurant in San Juan, is reinventing local dishes, injecting Japanese, French and Moroccan accents.
• Bodegas Compostela is a classic Spanish restaurant with outstanding wines, lamb chops, crisp suckling pig and chocolate soufflé.
• Primitivo , an intimate tapas bar, specializes in nigiri and crudo appetizers and specialty cocktails like silky Negronis.
• Pio Pio , a chic wine bar across Plaza de Armas in Old San Juan, offers quiet sophistication, luxurious bites and special wines and cocktails.
• La Casita Blanca , a local favorite, is rooted in traditional Puerto Rican dishes served in a homey and friendly atmosphere.
• La Factoría is a popular nightspot in Old San Juan that houses six bars connected by dark passageways.
• Botánico is a bar and restaurant with Central American dishes and an open-air dance floor.
• Esquina Watusi is an iconic dive bar that often hosts the crazy chinchorreo, a street dancing-and-drinking scene.
• Puerto Rican Art and Crafts stocks acrylic paintings, ceramics and vejigantes, folkloric masks that resemble the faces of colorful demons.
• Avenida Ashford , in Condado, is San Juan’s shopping and tourist gold coast, from Cartier to boutiques like Wild Side , in the hotel Condado Vanderbilt, where you may find exclusive handmade gold and silver jewelry by the local artist María Blondet.
• Calle Loiza , in Santurce, is lined with shops carrying locally made accessories, bags and clothing. Don’t miss the free sidewalk used-book library.
• The Condado Vanderbilt sweeps you in with an open view of the ocean from its opulent pink marble Art Deco lobby. Opened in 1919, the hotel was renovated and reopened in 2014. It is still San Juan’s premier hotel. Rooms in April start at $651.
• O :LV Fifty-Five , a design marvel with a black-and-white marble Art Deco lobby, features a romantic rooftop with a plunge pool and soaring views of the Condado Lagoon and the skylines of Condado and Miramar. Adults only. Rooms start at $449.
• El Convento , a bright yellow Spanish colonial landmark in Old San Juan, has a serene courtyard and beautiful 17th-century arched doorways and beamed ceilings. Rooms start at $278.
• For short-term rentals , search in the neighborhoods of Old San Juan, Condado, Santurce and Miramar.
• Old San Juan, Condado, Miramar and Santurce are clustered within 15 minutes of one another by car, depending on traffic. Taxis prefer cash. Many won’t take credit cards. The car ride from Old San Juan to Santurce runs $18 to $25. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and rental cars are easily available. Public transportation is subpar .

Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Old San Juan is easily walkable. Start at the Paseo de la Princesa , a promenade with fountains and sculptures that runs along San Juan Bay and the city’s fortress walls. It goes by La Fortaleza , the 16th-century governor’s mansion, and comes close to the Catedral de San Juan Bautista , where it is said the bones of Juan Ponce de León, the Spanish conquistador who became Puerto Rico’s first governor, are buried. The stroll ends on Punta del Morro, a waterfront path that culminates at the bottom of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro , also known as El Morro, a 16th-century fortress. It still has some original cannons facing the Atlantic. Entry, $10; two-and-a-half-hour tours , $49. Or just relax on the expansive green lawn where kite-flying is popular.

From El Morro, descend the single-file sidewalks on Calle del Cristo, with its galleries, bars and outdoor cafes. Take a brief break inside El Convento hotel’s serene courtyard, or on a tree-shaded bench at the intersecting Calle Caleta. Continue down Cristo to Galería Botello , a free museum in a 350-year-old house dedicated to Ángel Botello, the Galician artist who came to San Juan in the 1950s and was known as the “Caribbean Gauguin” for his paintings of Haitian women. Botello prints run $50 to $125, and his santos, carved wooden figures, sell for $500 to $3,000. Nearby, the Puerto Rican Art and Crafts stocks acrylic paintings, ceramics and vejigantes, folkloric masks that resemble the faces of colorful demons, sporting horns. Masks from $15 to $44.

Across Plaza de Armas, the chic wine bar Pio Pio , a secluded space that declares its name with a Barbie-pink sign over the bar, has luxury plates like lobster rolls with sturgeon caviar ($32), unusual wines (including Llopart Corpinnat Rose, an organic sparkling rose from Catalunya, Spain, $14 a glass), and cocktails like a vodka martini that hits the spot with a dash of orange bitters ($17).

By this time, the celebrated bar La Factoría , inside a century-old building, already has a line down the sidewalk. It’s worth waiting to enjoy the signature Lavender Mule (ginger tea, vodka, lavender and citrus; $12.80) in the bar’s standing-room-only scruffy main room or one of its smaller drinking dens, reached via dark passageways. Then stroll downhill to Marmalade , whose pale rooms of arches and alcoves evoke Moorish Andalusia. The ahi tuna tartare, seasoned with harissa (North African chile paste), and the bite-size pieces of paella served like sushi rolls are memorable. Leave room for the Choco-L8, eight flavors of local organic chocolate with hazelnut accents. Five courses (each course has eight to 10 choices), $135. Wine pairings, $79 per person. Reservations recommended.

People dance to salsa music at La Factoría.

The sun deck at the Condado Vanderbilt hotel

Enjoy an espresso ($1.50) with a fresh mallorca pastry (a spiral sweet bun; $3.50) at Sobao , an indoor-outdoor cafe at the AC Hotel by Marriott, then walk along Avenida Ashford until you reach a small park called Ventanas al Mar (Windows to the Sea), which has a path that leads to the beach. It is packed, mainly with hotel guests, but anyone may rent a chair for $5 and an umbrella for $10. (All beaches in Puerto Rico are public, even those claimed by hotels.) In the lobby of the Condado Vanderbilt hotel next door check out Wild Side , a boutique that carries fine beachwear and sculptural jewelry in gold and silver by the Puerto Rican artist María Blondet .

The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico , in a neo-Classical building in Santurce, a center of the arts and nightlife, exhibits the major works of artists from different generations, periods and media (entry, $12). Absorb the haunting self-portrait “Azabache,” by the Puerto Rican painter Arnaldo Roche Rabell. Walk to another hall to find “No Crying in the Barber Shop,” a room-size installation depicting a Bronx barbershop, by the Puerto Rican artist Pepon Osorio, exploring the Latino culture’s machismo. Before leaving the museum, visit the quiet sculpture garden and stop by La Tienda, the museum shop, which stocks locally made works like the brightly colored tiles depicting a still life of red flowers, by Susana López Castells ($40).

Bodegas Compostela , in the Condado neighborhood, is a fixture among San Juan’s high-end restaurants, with a classic, understated dining room favored for family gatherings, birthdays and business lunches. Start with the Galician-style octopus, cooked with olive oil, paprika and potatoes ($23.95), and follow it with the roast suckling pig, with crackling skin and juicy meat ($74.95), and a rich chocolate soufflé ($15.95) for dessert. If all that seems too much, order the fresh and light lobster salad ($42.95). Compostela is also known for its fine wines. Try Attis, an albariño from Spain, $51.95 a bottle. Reservations recommended.

Calle Cerra , not long ago a street of rundown buildings and abandoned shops, is now a hotbed of nightlife and the center of the island’s urban art movement. Stroll to take in the street art, much of it exploring political and social issues. An imposing mural painted on a water tower shows a boy carrying a glacier on his back while the ice melts around him. A building-wide mural of three skeletons sinking in the sea symbolizes colonialism and slavery. At the end of one block, a pinkish high-rise, covered from ground to roof with graffiti, murals, swirls and scrawls, looks abandoned. People live in it. At the top of the strip, take a break at Café con Cé with an iced latte ($4.50) and a vegan pastry ($4).

Dine in the open patio at Cocina al Fondo , a restaurant in Santurce, whose chef, Natalia Vallejo, last year became the first Puerto Rican to win a 2023 James Beard Award for Best Chef: South. Try traditional favorites like pastelillos de calabaza (pumpkin fritters, $15) and jarrete de cerdo al caldero (ham hock with rice and beans and ripe plantain; $42), familiar dishes made with a local, farm-to-table ethos. Reservations recommended.

After dinner at Cocina al Fondo, wander back to Calle Cerra, which draws bar-hoppers to its cocktail clubs and salons until the wee hours. Young crowds gather at Botánico , where a giant mural of a face overlooks an open-air dance floor. Farther down the street, where chickens roam free and an old church stands on a corner, are several more bars, including Machete , Graziani and Galeria , and the crazy chinchorreo — what locals call the street dancing-and-drinking scene — is often centered on Esquina Watusi , an iconic dive bar. After the hubbub of Cerra, walk or take a taxi to the secluded tapas bar Primitivo , in the Miramar neighborhood nearby. Sample the nigiri, a slice of tuna set over a tiny alcapurria fritter, a Puerto Rican favorite ($14), and sip a silky Negroni ($15).

People walk down a street in Old San Juan, the colonial enclave of pastel-colored architecture and ancient forts.

A beach near Parque del Indio

Parque del Indio , in Condado, is a refuge, a neighborhood beach park on Avenida Ashford in Condado at Calle C.F. Krug. It’s a favorite of children, dog walkers, pickleball and volleyball players. Rent a chair ($5) and an umbrella ($10) and watch the waves, read a book, or take a long walk on a beach that goes on for miles, along seafront homes, informal grills and beachside guesthouses.

Everyone in San Juan knows La Casita Blanca , one of the city’s most popular home-style restaurants. It is so popular that it won’t take reservations. Guests wait chatting in line on the sidewalk along the restaurant, which is in a modest white house with a facade draped in flowers, on a busy corner of the densely congested Santurce, where traffic is bumper to bumper. Every day the restaurant posts 10 to 12 dishes on a blackboard. The biftec encebollado (well-done filet cooked with onions, $18.95) is a favorite. Another standby, mofongo (mashed plantains, $5.95) and the arepas con bacalao (cod fritters, $12.95) seem unchanged over the decades. And the friendly staff waves goodbye with smiles and hugs, like family.

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Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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