Puerto Rico is a Caribbean jewel, a vibrant island that offers an unforgettable holiday for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re seeking a high-octane adventure, a deep cultural dive, a feast of gourmet local fare, or simply a relaxing day on a perfect beach, Puerto Rico has it all. This dynamic island is a playground of possibilities.
Here are some of the best things to see and do in Puerto Rico.
Explore San Juan
Puerto Rico’s capital city is as cosmopolitan as they come, with an added, unmistakable island flair. It’s a modern metropolis bustling with great dining, art galleries, lively bars, and world-class shopping. But it also stands as one of the oldest settlements in the Americas, with a deep history you can feel on every street. Don’t miss the city’s oldest assets in historic Old San Juan, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, you’ll discover treasures like Fort San Cristobal, a fortress built to protect the city; Castillo San Felipe del Morro, which dates back to 1539; and El Capitolio, an impressive building constructed in the Neoclassical style. San Juan also offers several museums, including the Puerto Rico Museum of Art, which showcases local artists. Finally, San Juan is home to several stretches of gorgeous urban beaches like those of Condado, Isla Verde, and Ocean Park.
Go to the beach
You can’t talk about Puerto Rico without discussing its gorgeous beaches. With 500 km of coastline, it’s easy to see why this island nation has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, if not the world. Whether you prefer a wild, untamed stretch of sand or want to people-watch on the urban beaches of San Juan, you will find a Puerto Rican beach that fits your preferences.
Eat and drink!
Puerto Rican cuisine is a vibrant melting pot of African, Spanish, and native Taino culinary cultures, with an unmistakable influence from the United States. The result is a unique and delicious local food culture that visitors must experience.
Eat
- Try local dishes: Indulge in classics like mofongo, lechon, and tostones.
- Enjoy street food: Head to Miramar Food Truck Park or La Placita de Santurce, a farmers market by day and a lively street food hub by night. The Luquillo Kiosks, a collection of 60 family-owned stands near Luquillo Beach, are also great for tasting authentic food.
- Hit La Ruta del Lechón: Drive to Guavate and explore the “pork highway,” a stretch of road lined with vendors serving whole, slow-roasted pork.
Drink
- Sip on a cocktail: The island’s cocktail culture thrives, from upscale San Juan bars to more modest beachside establishments.
- Try the national drink: Piña Colada is a Puerto Rican creation and the national drink. Be sure to indulge in a few during your visit.
Visit Casa Bacardi rum factory
Bacardi Rum is the world’s top-selling rum. Located in Cataño, a town across the San Juan Bay, the Bacardi distillery holds the title of the world’s largest premium rum distillery. Bacardi’s founder, Don Facundo Bacardí Massó, invented white rum in 1862, and the current Cataño distillery has been running since 1958. Take a tour of the modern facilities to learn how distillers make rum, or practice your mixology skills with a bartending class. You can even bottle your own Special Reserve double-aged rum in a custom-engraved, red-wax-sealed bottle.
El Yunque National Rainforest
El Yunque National Rainforest is the only tropical rainforest in the United States. Hike through the forest and cool off in one of its many ponds, lagoons, or waterfalls. El Yunque is also the perfect spot for birdwatching or learning about its 240 endemic plant species. Camping facilities and rustic accommodations are also available in the park.
Kayak in bioluminescent bays
The world has only five bioluminescent bays, and Puerto Rico has three of them: Mosquito Bay (Vieques), Laguna Grande (Fajardo), and La Parguera (Lajas). Bioluminescence occurs when a large concentration of microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates are stimulated by movement, causing them to glow in the dark. While in Puerto Rico, you can take a kayak tour of these bays. The movement of your kayak lights up the waters, creating a surreal and unforgettable experience.
Go island hopping
Puerto Rico’s main island is remarkable, but its smaller surrounding islands are just as pretty and interesting. Vieques and Culebra, two islands located east of the mainland, have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. You can reach them via an affordable ferry that makes several crossings a day. Desecheo Island is a great spot for snorkeling or scuba diving due to its extensive network of underwater caves. Guilligan Island makes for a great day trip, with water so warm and shallow it feels like a giant swimming pool among the mangroves. You can also take a boat from Ponce to Caja de Muertos, a beautiful island off the coast that is a protected bird-nesting area and a favorite among sea turtles.
Explore Ponce
Ponce is located on the south shore of Puerto Rico and is only about a 90-minute car ride from San Juan. The island’s second-largest city is known for its cultural life, earning it the nickname “museum city.” There are many cultural activities to explore in Ponce, such as the iconic red and black Parque de Bombas, the country’s first fire station, now a museum; the Museo de Arte de Ponce, which features local and international artists; and the grand mansion of Castillo Serrallés. Ponce also offers many dining options. Stroll along Paseo Tablado La Guancha to catch the sunset and taste some local dishes from the street vendors.
Play scientist at the Arecibo Observatory
If you enjoy going off the beaten path and visiting unusual structures, then head to the Arecibo Observatory. It is the world’s biggest single-dish radio telescope. You can tour the visitor center with interactive exhibits to learn more about astronomy and how the radio telescope operates. Even if science isn’t your thing, a visit to the observatory is worth it for the sheer grandeur of the monument.
Visit a coffee plantation
Coffee is one of Puerto Rico’s main exports and has been a big part of the local culture for 150 years. Coffee plantations, or haciendas, are spread throughout the island’s mountains. You might be able to book a tour through your hotel, but you can also drive there. It’s a bit of a trek, but so worth it if you’re a coffee lover. You can witness the entire process from planting to harvesting, processing, and roasting. Keep in mind that harvest season runs from October through December.
You can also learn more about Puerto Rican coffee by visiting the Museo del Café in Ciales.
Dive and snorkel
If you’ve never gone scuba diving or snorkeling, it’s time to try. Puerto Rico has excellent diving sites that are among the best in the world. You can swim or dive in some of the clearest waters and admire gorgeous coral reefs. Frolic with stingrays, turtles, and many other sea creatures.
Visit the Guánica Dry Forest
Located on the south shore of the island, the Guánica Dry Forest is a United Nations International Biosphere Reserve and home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, many of which are unfortunately endangered. It is also home to 130 species of birds, many of which are endemic. There are several trails throughout the forest; one of the most popular leads to historic Fort Caprón, where you can get a breathtaking view of Guánica Bay and its surroundings.
