With sugary white beaches, sparkling bioluminescent bays, tropical jungles, and exquisitely preserved 16th-century architecture, Puerto Rico manages to pack a lot of beauty into one small island. While you could easily spend your vacation just admiring the island’s splendor, there are many things to do in Puerto Rico, making it a great destination for active travelers. Here you can wander along cobblestoned streets; snorkel in warm, crystalline waters; sample locally distilled rum; and take a sunset cruise through the waters of the Caribbean Sea, all on the same day.
The best time to visit Puerto Rico is from January to April, when you can generally count on warm temperatures with relatively little rainfall. If you go in summer, expect hot, muggy weather and vacationing crowds from the United States mainland. There’s also an increased risk of hurricanes from June to November, especially in the later part of the season into fall (September is the riskiest month).
There are plenty of different ways to get around Puerto Rico, from renting a car to relying on public transportation or taking tours with transportation. You can use rideshare apps in and around San Juan, but those aren’t as reliable in less populated parts of the island. Públicos, a type of shared taxi van, are also popular and run on routes throughout the island. The easiest way to get to Vieques and Culebra is by ferry.
Visitors and residents rub shoulders at the popular, long-running Café Manolín in Old San Juan. This diner-style spot offers tasty, unpretentious Puerto Rican specialties from morning through midafternoon. It’s a great spot to try mofongo, a popular local dish made of mashed plantain, or sometimes cassava. Finish it all up with a cup of local coffee from freshly ground beans.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone AST (UTC -4) | Country Code +1-787,+1-939 | Language(s) English | Attractions 49 | Tours 820 | Reviews 101,871 |
A territory of the US, the island of Puerto Rico is known for its beautiful beaches, colorful colonial architecture and historic sites in Old San Juan, and a diverse landscape of rugged mountains, lush rainforests, caves, and bioluminescent bays. It’s also the birthplace of the piña colada and has a rich cultural, dining, and music scene.
...MoreOld San Juan is the number one attraction in Puerto Rico. It’s home to colorful colonial architecture, blue cobblestone streets, historic cathedrals, and the UNESCO-listed San Juan National Historic Site, which includes the San Cristobal and El Morro forts, most of the old city walls. It also boasts a festive dining and music scene.
...MoreThere are lots of things to do in Puerto Rico, spanning a range of different interests. Cultural activities include exploring Old San Juan, food and rum tasting, and dancing to salsa and bachata. Water activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, sport fishing, sailing, and kayaking the bioluminescent bays. Land-based activities include golf, horseback riding, jungle trekking, waterfall hiking, caving, and ziplining.
...MoreFor culture, history, food, and music, head to San Juan or Ponce. For beaches, relaxation, and water activities, there are many options, including Vieques, Culebra, and Rincon. Head to the central mountains for caverns and coffee plantations. For nature and active adventures, visit El Yunque National Forest, the Rio Camuy caves, and the bioluminescent bays.
...MoreAcross the island, there are a range of things to do in Puerto Rico, depending on your interests. For culture and history, don’t miss Old San Juan’s historic sites, museums, food, and music. Nature and adventure lovers will want to experience the rainforest and waterfalls of El Yunque, bioluminescent bays, and beaches in Rincon or Vieques. Foodies should be sure to taste local food and drink, such as mofongo and piña coladas.
...MorePuerto Rico has been a US territory since 1898. Puerto Ricans are US citizens who can move freely around the US and are subject to its legal system, but do not have voting representation in Congress and cannot vote for US presidents. Puerto Rico has its own government, though the US’s control board can overrule it.
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