A charming capital with endless beaches, hospitable people and lip smacking cuisine, Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island worth exploring. Its bounty of mountains, waterfalls, and forests, Puerto Rico is a perfect place for nature lovers and adventurists for a vacation. You will find plenty of things to do in Puerto Rico to make your vacation memorable and fulfilling. This is an awe inspiring destination brimming with the best restaurants, hotels, and bars in the world.
Explore the western beaches of Rincón, if you truly want the benefit of sunbathing or surfing. If you are fond of partying hard, then discover the thriving nightlife here. This beautiful oasis has something to offer everyone, irrespective of the budget and the taste. Just have a glance over things to do in Puerto Rico, and make a wholesome vacay.
14 Best Things To Do In Puerto Rico
Honestly, there are many answers to the question of what things to do in Puerto Rico. Scroll down to explore the things to do in Puerto Rico.
1. Scuba Diving
2. Visit Ponce – The “Jewel of the South”
3. A Tour To Monkey Island
4. Visit Old San Juan
5. Hiking In Puerto Rico’s “Dry Forest”
6. Coffee Plantation Tour
7. Watch Sea Turtles
8. Walk Around Castillo San Felipe del Morro
9. Swimming In El Charco Azul
10. Nature Walk In El Yunque Rainforest
11. Admire Architecture Of Cueva del Indio
12. Street Food Walk In Piñones
13. Climb The Beachside Cliffs At Isabela
14. Dancing Outdoors In Santurce
1. Scuba Diving
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Head over to Rincon or Vieques, you can explore the past shipwreck that is dated back to 1500. There is something more amazing than the spectacular blue waters that is what lies below the surface. If you are a certified scuba-diver, then you can definitely go to discover the treasures below the surface of the sea. Swimming across the blue waters in the middle of underwater kingdom and exploring the flora & fauna is one of the most enthralling experiences. This is one of the fun things to do in Puerto Rico that will add some adventure to your vacay.
Best scuba diving sites: Mona Island, Candy Island, Las Cuevas
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2. Visit Ponce – The “Jewel of the South”
Positioned on Puerto Rico’s southwestern coast, this city is full of museums and fabulous architectural gems. Also, Hacienda Buena Vista Museum, Tablado La Guancha and Parque de Bombas firehouse are definitely hard to miss. You can find ample places to explore within the range of an hour. Located 50 minutes from Ponce, there is this isolated Gilligan’s Island that is suggested by the Puerto Rico trip planner.
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3. A Tour To Monkey Island
Say hello to monkeys that inhabit Cayo Santiago, also known as Monkey Island. Comprising hundreds of monkeys, Cayo Santiago is located off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast. One can only find monkeys here and hence you need to wave hello from the boat or snorkel from offshore. The funny thing about this island is that monkeys roam freely around the island while it is humans who are in a cage during their visit.
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4. Visit Old San Juan
Your adventure trip to Puerto Rican is not complete until you visit Old San Juan. Historic & gorgeous, Old San Juan comprises awesome tourist attractions like Castillo San Felipe del Morro that is an iconic fort in Puerto Ricos. Located on a narrow and small island that lies on the north coast that is 35 miles away from Puerto Rico and is combined to Puerto Rico mainland along with three bridges.
Renowned for its churches like Cathedral of San Juan Bautista and San José Church that contains the tomb of Juan Ponce de León. Hence it is a main spot for international and domestic tourism. One of the sought after things to do in Puerto Rico and should absolutely be included in your travel list.
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5. Hiking In Puerto Rico’s “Dry Forest”
Overlooking the serene Guánica Bay, the Guánica State Forest is spread across 9000 acres and is ranked among one of the largest tropical forests in the world located in a dry coastal region. Located southwest corner of Puerto Rico, this forest consists of dry land that is scarcely touched by rainfall all year.
Also known as xerophytic forest, Bosque Seco or dry forest is home to hundreds of plant and bird species. You can spot diverse species of amphibians and reptiles in this area. Due to its beautiful flora & fauna and excellent climate, this Guánica dry forest has earned the label of United Nations biosphere reserve. It’s a day trip from San Juan and is well worth a place to explore.
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6. Coffee Plantation Tour
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You can find many coffee plantations in the mountains of Toro Negro. Moreover, these mountainous areas are cool and moist where the coffee is grown from the ripe beans. Exploring the coffee zone is the best way to get a taste of Puerto Rico. This is one of the free things to do in Puerto Rico and feel the picturesque scenery of Hacienda Tres Angeles i.e. a coffee plantation.
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7. Watch Sea Turtles
Positioned on the western coast of Puerto Ricos, Rincon draws many leatherback sea turtles. The views of sea turtles in Rincon will fill your heart with joy. The turtle nesting season lies within April–June and you can organize your vacation accordingly. This is one of the fun things to do in Puerto Rico, that will grab your attention.
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8. Walk Around Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Built by Spanish in the 1500s to guard San Juan, San Felipe del Morro is open from 9am to 6pm. Once you have finished exploring the fort, you can try kite-flying along with your families on the fort battlegrounds. Legendary stories will absolutely impress you and the beauty of the architecture & design will leave you awestruck. You can add this Castillo San Felipe del Morro under free things to do in Puerto Rico list.
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9. Swimming In El Charco Azul
Located in the eastern Puerto Rico, Blue lake is a favorite spot for swimming in the jungle and escaping the summer heat. El Charco Azul is easily accessible within a short distance along a jungle path. Positioned in the centre of Carite Forest, Charco Azul is located 15-20 minutes up the road from lechonerias. If you love natural swimming pools, then you should definitely visit this place. When you have a glance at the water in this pond, you will get to know why it is called blue lake. This is one of the best things to do in Puerto Rico.
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10. Nature Walk In El Yunque Rainforest
El Yunque Rainforest is the only tropical rainforest in the US that has both hiking spot and is also home to the endangered species named Puerto Rican parrot. Explore the beauty of the red and green plumage of parrots. Spanning over 29,000 acres, El Yunque Rainforest is the most lovely national forest featuring diverse species of plants and animals.
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11. Admire Architecture Of Cueva del Indio
Positioned right adjacent to the crashing ocean waves, Cueva del Indio is one of the ancient caves that is covered with petroglyphs. Observe the beautiful carvings on the building. You will be charged some amount to climb the wooden ladder to enter to the dept of the cave. You can combine your trip to Cueva del Indio along with Arecibo.
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12. Street Food Walk In Piñones
A short drive from San Juan, Piñones is a small town at the beachside wherein you can find lip smacking street food. This area surrounding PR-187 from Carolina to Loíza, there is a sandy road that is replete with ample chinchorros and restaurants. This is one of the magical places where you can choose anything to eat but you discover some new flavor every time.
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13. Climb The Beachside Cliffs At Isabela
Positioned within 20 minutes from the northwestern area of Puerto Rico, this Isabela features cliffs and rock formations. The cliffs by the white sand beaches look alluring and can be reached from the pit cave of Pozo de Jacinto and Guajataca railroad tunnel. Get some local advice about where to head for dinner, Restaurant El Platanal is a fabulous stop where you can eat nicely. If you are wondering what things to do in Puerto Rico, then this place is a must to include in your list.
Isabela’s is a home to many main industries as it is a coastal city that encompasses many lovely beaches offering panoramic views. Also, you can find attractions like rivers, cordillera mountains, rainforest, submarine rivers and many archaeological sites.
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14. Dancing Outdoors In Santurce
Puerto Ricans love to dance and there are ample venues wherein you can go out and dance at night. Aguardiente, Taberna Los Vázquez, Shing-A-Ling and La Terraza de Bonanza are few places wherein you can hop your feet. Honestly, you could spend your whole trip doing nothing then just exploring San Juan’s wide range of bars and tasting new drinks.
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The aforementioned things to do in Puerto Rico should be included in your bucket list to have a memorable time. Plan your international vacay to Puerto Rico right away if you pine for a tropical beach holiday. This Carribean Island is perfect for relaxation and respite. Not only it offers mesmerizing landscapes of nature but also a quest for adventure.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Things to Do in Puerto Rico
What are the most beautiful places in Puerto Rico?
There’s not one but many. Some of the beautiful places in Puerto Rico are Rio Camuy Caves, San Juan, Mosquito Bay Vieques and Playa Brava. Make sure to include these places in your itinerary for an intoxicating experience of Puerto Rico.
What is the best time to go to Puerto Rico?
Mid April to June is the ideal time to travel to Puerto Rico as the weather is pleasant and suitable for exploring most top attractions of the destination. If you plan for a family tour, then make sure to visit during these months for a comfortable and relaxing experience.
Is it safe to visit Puerto Rico during covid times?
Yes, it is safe to travel to Puerto Rico during Covid but always remember to follow the mandatory precautions like wearing a mask at public places, maintain social distance from others, sanitize your hands frequently and avoid touching unnecessarily. Follow updates imposed by the government about the lockdown and other restrictions.
What are the main attractions in Puerto Rico?
Main attractions of Puerto Rico are Old San Juan (San Juan Viejo) , El Yunque National Forest, Culebra Island (Isla Culebra), Luquillo Beach, Arecibo Radio Telescope (Observatorio de Arecibo) and Rio Camuy Caves (Parque de las Cavernas del Río Camuy).
Which are the best activities to do in Puerto Rico?
Some of the best things that one must not miss during their visit to Puerto Rico include visiting San Felipe del Morro, exploring Old San Juan, exploring el Yunque National Rainforest, Las Cavernas del Rio Camuy National Park, and Skydiving.
Which are the most offbeat places to visit in Puerto Rico?
Some of the unusual places in Puerto Rico that don't experience many visitors but are still worth exploring include Museum Cemi, Monkey Island, Military Bunkers in Vieques, Arecibo Radio Telescope, Bioluminescent Bays, and Cerro de Punta.
Which are the best places to stay in Puerto Rico?
Some of the most popular hotels to stay in Puerto Rico are Turtle Bay Inn, Royal Delonix, Club Seabourne Hotel, Puerto Valdes, Trópica Beach Hotel, Bella Surf Inn, Villa Cofresi, and Casa Grande Mountain Retreat.
How many days are required for Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is considered as one of the best destinations situated near the US and includes various amazing attractions that you can explore during your stay. If you are planning to visit Puerto Rico then it is suggested that you plan at least a 7-8 days tour to explore various exquisite attractions of this Caribbean Island.
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A keen observer, an avid reader, a complete foodie, a pet lover and a curious entrepreneur with a vision to empower women. Penning down thoughts and musings come naturally, so, what better way to make a living than do what you love the most. Sujata started off as a content writer and today spearheads a content agency with an all-women team, where each day is about exploring the strength within, overcoming challenges and aiming to scale new heights. Her idea of a holiday well spent is visiting beautiful destinations, experimenting with food and trying out adventure activities.
