Puerto Rico attractions

San Juan Bay sits in the heart of the city of San Juan, with plenty of sites, neighborhoods, and attractions along its shores. The most iconic spots are the pair of fortresses that face each other at the bay’s mouth. On the eastern side sits El Morro, and across the way, the Islas de Cabras National Park boasts the San Juan de la Cruz Fort.

Located just outside the city walls south of Old San Juan, the Paseo de la Princesa is one of the most pleasant and popular walks in the city. Dating back to 1853, the lovely pedestrian promenade is lined with trees, antique street lamps, benches, gardens, sculptures, and fountains, and offers wonderful views of San Juan Bay.

Standing guard at Old San Juan’s eastern gate is Castillo San Cristóbal. Built to protect San Juan against land attacks, the ancient Spanish fort is now part of the San Juan National Historic Site. It is the largest Spanish fortification built in the New World and offers spectacular views of the bay and nearby Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

Forested white-sand beaches and sparkling blue water make Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco) as picturesque as a Caribbean postcard. Hidden away on the island of Culebra, just off the coast of Puerto Rico, Flamenco is a hot spot for water adventures. With its colorful aquatic life, beachside bars serving up cocktails, and flamingo-filled lagoons, this strip of sand provides an ideal day trip for those looking to go beyond the bustle of San Juan.

Palomino Island (Isla Palominos) is a tiny tropical escape boasting clear Caribbean water, white-sand beaches, and a balmy breeze. With not much to do except explore the island’s coral reefs, seagrass beds, and craggy coastline, visitors come to Palomino Island—located east of Puerto Rico—for the ultimate in peace and relaxation.

Known for its soaring interiors, million-year-old stalactites and stalagmites, and namesake underground river, Rio Camuy Cave Park (Parque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río Camuy) in Puerto Rico attracts nature lovers and casual visitors alike. The 268-acre (108-hectare) complex is most famous for its cave tour, but it also offers picnic pavilions, walking trails, and a playground.

Gozalandia Falls (Las Cataratas)—a breathtaking waterfall in San Sebastian—is one of Puerto Rico’s top not-so-hidden gems thanks to its natural beauty, spectacular views, and cool waters perfect for a refreshing dip. The natural pool has a shallow area popular with younger children, as well as a partially submerged cave to swim in.

The hub of political life in Puerto Rico, the Capitol houses the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Legislative Assembly. The impressive building is reason enough for a visit, with its beautiful carved columns and dome, all designed by Puerto Rican architect Rafael Carmoega in the neoclassical revival style.

Located just north of Aguadilla on Puerto Rico's western shores, Crashboat Beach has long been a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Its warm sands are inviting, and you’ll find calm, crystalline waters that are ideal for swimming.

West of Old San Juan, this small islet was once used as a leprosy colony, and remains of the lodgings where people with leprosy were forced to live still stand on the island. Today, the island is used as a police training area and for recreation, and it offers great views out over Old San Juan.

The San Juan Cruise Port (Old San Juan Piers) is the busiest cruise ship port in the Caribbean and the gateway to Puerto Rico for those arriving by sea. Most cruise ships dock here, making it an easy base for exploring Old San Juan and beyond.

Ponce is Puerto Rico’s second most populous city and a complete change of pace from the island’s capital of San Juan. Its low-key charm speaks louder to architecture buffs than it does to party animals. Starting at the central Plaza Las Delicias, you’ll find two defining landmarks of the city: the twin-towered Our Lady of Guadalupe cathedral and the whimsical Parque de Bombas.

The perfect spot for adventurous travelers visiting Puerto Rico, Laguna del Condado is a lagoon used for a variety of watersports—including kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. This popular coastal spot between Laguna Beach and San Juan also attracts manatees (often nicknamed “sea cows”) who feast on the abundant seagrass.

On the northeasternmost tip of Puerto Rico, this nature reserve protects the island’s tropical landscape, including a bioluminescent lagoon, mangroves, pretty beaches, and a lighthouse. There's also a visitor center where you can learn about the reserve's history and natural features.

Learn about the historical and cultural development of Puerto Rico and the Americas at the Museum of the Americas (Museo de las Américas). Located on the second floor of the Cuartel de Ballajá, the museum features four permanent exhibits and a number of temporary exhibits that highlight the region’s history, sociology, anthropology, and art in a thoughtful way.

Established in 1775 by the indigenous Taino people, the city of Caguasa is located within Puerto Rico’s the largest inland mountain valley. Rich in Creole heritage, the city boasts a nice combination of shopping opportunities, nature trails such as the Route of the Creole Heart, and is a nice jumping off point to excursions to the island’s lush interior.

The Museum of Art of Puerto Rico is one of the most important cultural sites in the country. The collection encompasses religious art and portraiture from the 17th century to cutting edge contemporary artworks. The enormous neoclassical building also exhibits numerous posters, carvings, and sculptures.

The Arecibo Observatory is home to the William E. Gordon telescope, a single-aperture telescope that measures more than 1,000 feet (300 meters with a 40-degree cone of visibility. Its discoveries have included the rotational rate of Mercury and evidence of neuron stars.

Also known as the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center, the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré is San Juan’s premier performance center. The center, located in downtown San Juan, hosts some of the best concerts, operas, theater, and ballet performances on the island and contains works by Puerto Rican artists.

A UNESCO-listed fort, cobblestoned old town, and a nearby rainforest make San Juan a perennial favorite with Caribbean cruisers. More than 2 million passengers travel through the port each year, with mega ships often docking at the two Pan American Pier terminals.

Set within 2,000 acres (809 hectares) of a former sugar cane plantation in Carolina, Hacienda Campo Rico draws in adventurous travelers for ziplining, archery tag, horseback riding, and ATV tours. For a more chilled-out alternative, it’s possible to go on a sightseeing trolley tour or visit the on-site Mojito Bar.

La Calle Loiza has become a destination for travelers in search of authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, local arts and crafts, and contemporary music. Visitors can wander the streets of this eclectic neighborhood and find open galleries, artisan workshops, unique food stalls, live music, and local theater. It’s the heart of San Juan’s cultural scene, offering plenty of sights and smells.

With its deep-blue swimming hole and rock formations that have been formed over millions of years, Cuevas Arenales is a cave complex attracting adventurous travelers and nature lovers alike. Often touted as one of Puerto Rico’s must-visit caves, it offers scenic hikes, hidden springs, underground cave paths, and idyllic swimming spots.

Most caves don’t come with a view, but the aptly named Window Cave (Cueva Ventana is an exception. This cave opens out onto one of the most spectacular views of the Río Grande de Arecibo valley, while the walls feature pre-Columbian petroglyphs and rock art from the island’s Taíno people.

Enjoy avant-garde films at Fine Arts Miramar in the Miramar area of San Juan. Fine Arts Cinema is known as the premier cinema in San Juan to see foreign and independent films, particularly those with artistic, cultural, and social relevance, all the while grabbing a bite to eat and a drink.

Established in 1949, the San Juan National Historic Site (Sitio Histórico Nacional de San Juan) is home to some of the city’s most famous attractions. Here, visitors can climb Castillo San Felipe del Morro, which overlooks San Juan Bay, and Castillo San Cristóbal, built to protect against land attacks. The site also encompasses most of the city walls, the San Juan Gate, and Fort San Juan de la Cruz.

If you’re looking for a unique Caribbean experience without the big hotels, head to this tiny island off the shore of Puerto Rico. Here you'll find masses of dense, emeraldine jungle, glorious beaches, and a beautiful bioluminescent bay filled with microorganisms that emit a brilliant glow when they're disturbed.

Those searching for a truly unique experience will find what they are after at the Mezzanine at St. Germain. This contemporary cocktail lounge is located in a historic colonial building in the heart of San Juan and experts craft one-of-a-kind drinks for a well-heeled crowd of locals and tourists.From gimlets to negronis, mojitos to Moscow mules, there’s something for everyone on the Mezzanine’s list of favorite spirits. Travelers can also choose from an extensive menu of tasty tapas and bar snacks to pair with strong libations, like not-too-sweet guav and brie croissants, pineapple shrimp skewers and Greek-style ceviche. A handful of microbrews, hearty sandwiches and cozy brunch options round out a menu that’s perfect for dining any time of day.

Half moon-shaped Sun Bay Beach on Vieques boasts palm-lined sands, clear turquoise waters, and plenty of room for relaxing. As one of the most accessible beaches on this Puerto Rican island—and the only one with public facilities—it’s a popular spot for day-trippers. Plus, its calm waters with gentle waves make it ideal for swimming, especially at its far eastern end.

A crescent of fine white sand stretching along Puerto Rico’s Atlantic coast and backed by tall palms, Pine Grove Beach is one of San Juan’s most idyllic beaches. The tranquil waters here make Pine Grove a perfect spot for families with small children, while novice surfers can ride the waves at its eastern end.