Adriana & Katie
Things To Do
Puerto Rico Day Trips
This is the best website for finding everything there is to do in Puerto Rico. Whether you are looking for beaches, museums, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, etc. you will find it here.
Map of Cool Regions
There are so many natural wonders and beautiful areas outside of San Juan to visit that we had to make a map with some of our favourite regions.
Viejo San Juan
Old San Juan is home to the San Juan National Historic Site, with buildings dating from the 16th century, including the San Felipe del Morro and San Cristóbal fortresses and the old city walls. Brightly colored houses line cobbled streets and shady plazas, alongside cool cocktail bars and renowned Caribbean fusion restaurants. This city is on a hill – so you will be walking uphill and downhill throughout your visit. Also, many of the streets are cobblestone, and the sidewalks are uneven, so wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. Bring water, or plan to stop often to make sure that you stay hydrated.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
The most well known landmark in PR. If you like old fortresses, we also recommend visiting Castillo San Cristobal.
Escambron Beach
El Escambron is described by many as a nice family-friendly beach. It has a small crescent of clean sand and usually calm waters, thanks to the coral reef a short distance from the beach. It also is lined with trees, which provide lots of shade when you feel you have had enough sun. There are lifeguards on duty during the day (8:30am – 5:00pm). It is the closest beach to Old San Juan and you can walk along the shore and find more little fortresses along the way.
El Yunque National Forest
The classic. It's hard to ignore the chance to visit the only rainforest in the US while visiting Puerto Rico. El Yunque is less than an hour's drive away from San Juan. You can hike through its trails, take a dip in some waterfalls, or go to any of the nearby beaches or food joints.
Charcos
Charcos, Spanish for swimming holes, are found all over the mountainous center of Puerto Rico and are often accompanied by beautiful waterfalls. The only rule is, don't get in a charco if it's a rainy day to avoid being caught in a flash flood. If you're looking for one to visit, our favorite is Charco el Hippie in the town of Naguabo.
Beaches
If you're excited to visit Puerto Rico so you can lay on a beach and get tanned, the classic San Juan beaches like Condado, Ocean Park, and Isla Verde will do the job. But if you want to find the best beaches in Puerto Rico, rent a car and take a day trip. Here are our favorites so far: Playa Buyé - Cabo Rojo Playa Sucia - Cabo Rojo Playa El Combate - Cabo Rojo Playa Tamarindo - Guánica Cayo Caracoles y Cayo Mata La Gata - Lajas Cayo Icacos - Fajardo Playa Punta Borinquen - Aguadilla La Poza de las Mujeres and La Cueva de las Golondrinas - Manatí
Vieques and Culebra
Did you know that Puerto Rico is actually an archipelago? These 2 tiny islands to the east of Puerto Rico can be reached via ferry and hold some of the most beautiful beaches we've ever seen, along with crazy good snorkeling and kayaking. The stuff of travel instagram dreams.
Bioluminescent Bays
Puerto Rico is home to 3 bioluminescent bays... and there are only 5 in the world. Visiting a bio bay is a really special experience, especially when there is little to no moonlight. Tours are conducted at night, on kayaks, by experienced local guides. We recommend, in the following order, Bahia Mosquito in Vieques, Laguna Grande in Fajardo, and La Parguera in Lajas.