Puerto Rico is a reliable favorite for travelers looking to enjoy the sun, beaches, and culture of this beautiful destination. Though there is a wide array of diversions for visitors on the island, these are the 10 best places to visit in Puerto Rico for a variety of activities, special moments, and unique attractions. Read on for the top spot to see a whale, the best place to glow in the dark, the best beach to sunbathe, and more.
As you can imagine, there are plenty of contenders for the best beach from all over Puerto Rico. Playa Tortuga topsthis list for a few reasons (and it's not just because it's incredibly photogenic.) You can only get here by water taxi from Culebra (itself pretty remote) to Culebrita or by private boat. There is only one humanmade structure on the island, and that too an unoccupied one: the tiny Culebrtita lighthouse. You may share this beach with just a handful of visitors. Playa Tortuga is a beautiful crescent of sand where the water is protected from the fury of the tides by the encircling arms of the island.
Visiting this rainforest allows guests the opportunity to observe Puerto Rico as it must have existed thousands of years ago. Except for a network of trails and precious few structures, the El Yunque National Rainforest has remained untouched for millennia. If you want to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the island's interior, this is where you want to be. Lush vegetation, birdsong, the musical chirp of the coqui frog... these were the first inhabitants of Puerto Rico, and they remain to this day.
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Raíces Fountain, Old San Juan
Address
101-103 Paseo de la Princesa, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
There are few places as romantic in Puerto Rico as Old San Juan and in Old San Juan, few places as lovely as the Raíces Fountain at the end of Paseo La Princesa. If you want a special moment with your loved one, take them on a stroll down the pedestrian-only Paseo right before sunset. Along the way are sidewalk vendors and maybe even live music, with the ancient city walls rising above on your right. In the distance, you'll see the beautiful fountain, its lights coming on as the sun sets, and behind it the calm bay of San Juan. Try to get here in time to watch the sunset, which dazzles on the water. Even at night, this is a special place to collect that kiss or ask that ever-important question: What do you feel like eating?
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Camuy River Cave Park, Quebrada
Address
Carr. 129 K. 18.9, Quebrada, Camuy00627, Puerto Rico
While El Yunque is a special place, it doesn't present the wonder of the Camuy Caves, an incredible network of subterranean caves. Several tour companies offer tours to Camuy, which range from sightseeing to spelunking. But however you choose to see them, the caves are worth the trip if you want to be amazed by nature.
Close by Camuy in Arecibo (many tour companies combine the experience) is another spectacular sight, this one courtesy of science. The Arecibo Telescope is the world's largest single-dish radio telescope. It's a breathtaking construction that covers around 20 acres. Visits to the observatory are organized daily by tour companies, and it is truly a work of scientific splendor. (This may look familiar to some of you as a filming location for the James Bond film"Goldeneye.")
There's nothing quite like it. A swim in one of Puerto Rico's biobays is a thrilling experience where you glow in the dark, thanks to organisms in the water that react to you, as well as just about everything else. They're harmless to you (and you to them), and they make swimming at night a fantastic, shimmering fantasy. The best biobay (or bioluminescent bay, if you want to get technical) is in Vieques, which is home to Mosquito Bay, which is the brightest in the world. But there are others at La Parguera, in the south of the island, and at Fajardo, in the east. Of these two, Fajardo is the better choice. A reliable guide to this bay is Yokahú Kayak Trips.
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Rincón Lighthouse, Rincon
Address
9P6H+QMV, PR-4413, Aguada, Rincón00677, Puerto Rico
It's not a widely known fact, but from Puerto Rico's western coast, you can spot migrating humpback whales in the winter from Rincón. The best time to go isin February, but they've been seen from December to March. You can see them from land at the Rincón Lighthouse, also known as El Faro de Punta Higuero.
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El Morro Fort, Old San Juan
Address
501 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
When you've been around for more than four hundred years, you tend to collect a few ghosts, and Old San Juan has its share. Just ask your guide when you take theSan Juan Nights tour. But if you want to do a little solo spook-searching, head to El Morro at night (also known as Castillo San Felipe del Morro), where, legend says, the ghost of a white lady can often be seen.
If you want to visit somewhere that locals fo to have fun, then look no further than Piñones, which offers bars and eateries where people love to hang out right by the beach. You can also have a similar local experience by driving from San Juan along Route 3 until you come to a long line of roadside eateries, usually packed with people. Eating at both places is a very authentic experience.
There's no better way to see the full pageantry of Puerto Rican culture than at the Ponce Carnival. The carnival takes place in February, right before Ash Wednesday, just like the Carnival in Rio and Mardi Gras. But this is a purely Puerto Rican tradition that has been celebrated for more than a century and stars a folkloric costumed demon called The Vejigante. If you want to see the island at its brightest, most vibrant, and most festive, come and join the hordes of revelers for this special event.
1. Castillo San Felipe del Morro. El Morro was initially fortified in 1539 and completed in 1589. Rising 140 feet above the sea, its 18-foot-thick wall proved a formidable defense.
1. Castillo San Felipe del Morro. El Morro was initially fortified in 1539 and completed in 1589. Rising 140 feet above the sea, its 18-foot-thick wall proved a formidable defense.
San Juan: the best area to stay in Puerto Rico for your first visit. If you only have time to visit one place in Puerto Rico, choose San Juan. Puerto Rico's capital offers everything you could want in a Caribbean metropolis, plus amazing beaches and an incredibly rich architectural scene.
San Juan, Capital City of Puerto Rico. San Juan is the most popular tourist destination in Puerto Rico, offering visitors impressive landmarks and attractive beaches. The capital city has three tourist districts, each with its own vibe and unique reasons to stay.
Whether you're a first-timer or a repeat visitor, five days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Puerto Rico. Because of the island's compact size, you can visit almost everywhere in this itinerary as a day trip from San Juan.
San Juan is the largest city in Puerto Rico, and it is home to some of the most visited tourist attractions in the island such as Old San Juan and the San Juan National Historic Site.
Home to some of the best beaches on the Island, the west region is the undisputed surfing capital of Puerto Rico – and the Caribbean – and features the best sunsets on the Island. The feel on the west side is different from the hustle and bustle of the San Juan metropolitan area.
Most travelers choose to visit San Juan, which is an excellent choice. Puerto Rico's biggest city is bustling, beautiful, and full of incredible things to do.
If you're staying close to San Juan, then transportation might be relatively simple. You'll have access to a variety of options. In many instances, guests won't need a car (taxis and Uber are convenient options in town) unless they want to extend their visit beyond the city for an adventure.
Puerto Rico has the largest shopping center in the Caribbean, Plaza Las Américas, and the most extensive rum factory globally, Casa Bacardí. Although Puerto Rico is an American territory, it competes as an individual country in Miss Universe's contests and the Olympics.
El Morro, a UNESCO site and a true testament to the beautiful history of Puerto Rico, is the most recognized landmark in the Island and a must-see if you are short on time during your visit and trying to choose must-see attractions.
Spanning 500 years of history, Old San Juan is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic and treasured places in Puerto Rico. Wander the cobblestone streets to soak up the unique architecture and colorful streets.
Regis Bahia Beach Resort and the Waldorf Astoria El Conquistador Resort and Las Casitas along Puerto Rico's magnificent Eastern coast offer every activity under the sun, from golf to snorkeling to windsurfing. These resorts boast world-class spas, sparkling pools and relaxing beaches.
December through March, considered winter, or dry season, in Puerto Rico, are the most pleasant months. December brings just under five inches (119.38mm) of rain, dropping to three inches (76mm) in January and even less in February and March.
The average daily budget for a trip to Puerto Rico can vary widely depending on your travel style and preferences. However, a reasonable estimate is around $100 to $150 per day, which includes accommodations, food, transportation, and activities.
Porta del Sol - West Region. Is home to some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico, the West Region is the undisputed surfing capital of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean - and features the best sunsets on the island.
The hotels in San Juan and the east coast are the most popular among off-Island visitors to Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, the south and west regions of the Island are more often frequented by locals and tend to be busier during summer months, which is the high season for Puerto Ricans traveling around the Island.
The vibrancy of Puerto Rican culture comes alive in its dishes, a celebration of flavors that visitors have the opportunity to indulge in. Some of the favorites are mofongo, tostones, pasteles, arroz con gandules, tembleque, and coquito.
While you're here, pop into some of the street's many shops and restaurants, like Barrachina, which is known as one of the birthplaces of the piña colada. Teatro Tapia is the oldest free-standing theater in Puerto Rico, and is still in use today.
Porta del Sol - West Region. Is home to some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico, the West Region is the undisputed surfing capital of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean - and features the best sunsets on the island.
Dorado Beach. Dorado Beach: Where Luxury Meets Nature Nestled along the northern coast, Dorado Beach is a haven for those seeking a perfect blend of exclusivity and natural beauty. ...
Old San Juan. ...
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Puerto Rico Real Estate: Your Gateway to Luxury Living.
Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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