Puerto Rico Travelers Recommend

After the sun goes down and the stars come out, the dark bays of Puerto Rico become illuminated by tiny bioluminescent plankton: one of the most spectacular sights in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico is home to some of the few remaining bioluminescent bays on the planet. Here are some places where you can enjoy the view from a kayak.

Laguna Grande Bio Bay Near Fajardo

Located within Las Cabezas De San Juan nature reserve, mangrove-lined Laguna Grande sits on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico, and its calm waters make paddling easy. The world’s only bioluminescent lagoon shines with a blue-green light from thousands of tiny pyrodiniums bahamenses organisms as your kayak cuts through the water.

Mosquito Bay on Vieques

The island of Vieques, situated off the coast of mainland Puerto Rico, has its own bioluminescent bay, and it is considered the brightest in Puerto Rico. Though Mosquito Bay isn’t as easily accessible as Laguna Grande, the blue-green glow produced by the dinoflagellates in these waters is a worthy reward for your efforts. Nighttime tours typically involve an overnight stay on the island, and offer insight into the biology of these microorganisms and the role they play in the island’s ecosystems.

La Parguera Bio Bay in Lajas

The third of Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays is situated near the town of Lajas, making it the most accessible of the three. If you’re not into night kayaking, you can visit the bay on a guided boat trip, which often includes the opportunity to don snorkeling gear and jump in the gentle glowing water.

Best known for its cobbled colonial streets and old forts, Puerto Rico’s capital city has transformed into a major metropolis since Juan Ponce de León first landed here in 1508. The second-oldest European settlement in the Americas packs plenty of historical and cultural appeal and doubles as the gateway to the rest of this US territory in the Caribbean. Well over 3 million visitors come to Puerto Rico each year for sandy beaches, mangrove forests, colorful coral reefs, and the only tropical rain forest in the US. Here are our top picks for activities that you shouldn’t miss while on the island.

Temperatures start to soar in San Juan during the summer months, but with miles of sandy beaches to choose from, keeping cool is a breeze. Summer also marks the beginning of hurricane season and Puerto Rico’s off-season, so you won’t have to fight crowds or inflated hotel prices. Here’s how to enjoy a summer visit to San Juan.

• Take a walking tour and explore the colorful buildings and charming streets of Old San Juan.
• Cool off in the water on a snorkeling cruise to a nearby nature reserve.
• Get a taste of local flavors on a food tour.
• Keep cool with a rum cocktail after touring the Bacardi Distillery.
• Experience the natural wonder of a bioluminescent bay on a swim and snorkel tour after dark.
• Enjoy the breeze off the water on a sailing trip around the harbor.
• Siesta in the hot afternoon, then join an evening tour that takes in the local nightlife.
• Soar through the rain-forest canopy on a ziplining adventure.
• Spend the day snorkeling and sunbathing in paradise on a day trip to Culebra.
• Go off road on an ATV tour and explore the lush countryside.

San Juan is packed with both historic and cultural appeal, and it’s also surrounded by rain 

forest and beach-lined Caribbean islands, making it an excellent base for exploration. Here are our recommendations for how to spend three days in the Puerto Rican capital.

Day 1: City Sightseeing

Kick off your trip to Puerto Rico with some sightseeing in Old San Juan. Zip around the 500-year-old city on a guided Segway tour, or lace up your walking shoes and hit the cobblestones the old-fashioned way. No matter how you choose to tour, you’ll learn more about the island’s colonial history while visiting some of its most impressive sites, including the forts Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal—together a UNESCO World Heritage Site—San Juan Cathedral, and Paseo de la Princesa. Continue your explorations in the afternoon with a visit to the Museu de las Américas to learn about the indigenous cultures of the area, the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico, or the Bacardi Rum Factory. In the evening, treat your taste buds to a tasting tour of Old San Juan to sample some of the island’s best craft beers, cocktails, and local foods.

Day 2: Aquatic Adventures

No visit to Puerto Rico (or the Caribbean, for that matter) would be complete without spending some time in the water. Choose your level of adventure today. Cruise aboard a high-speed catamaran to the island of Culebra for a day of swimming or sunbathing on the white-sand beaches; head to Vieques Island for some of the region’s best snorkeling; catch a wave during a surf lesson at La Pared Beach in nearby Luquillo; learn to scuba dive or Snuba; or charter a boat for a day of deep-sea fishing for blue marlin, dorado, wahoo, sailfish, or tuna. Back on dry land, sign up for an evening salsa lesson before hitting the town for a night of dancing.

Day 3: Into the Jungle

Puerto Rico holds the distinction of being home to the only tropical rain forest in the United States, El Yunque National Forest. There’s plenty to do within the park, from jungle trekking and ziplining through the canopy to waterfall rappelling or kayaking, depending on your interest. Alternatively, spend the day exploring two of Puerto Rico’s natural wonders in one tour. Start with a waterfall hike in El Yunque, with time for a cooling swim at the base of the waterfall. After lunch, continue your adventure to the mangrove channels of Laguna Grande, one of the island’s bioluminescent bays. Once the sun goes down, grab a paddle and head out onto the water, where tiny, harmless plankton illuminate the water to create an otherworldly scene.

Spring is possibly the best time to visit San Juan: The weather is warm and sunny, hurricane season has passed, and the winter crowds have gone home. If you are visiting between March and May, here are a few ways to make the most of it.

• Get a taste of local food culture on a food tour around Old San Juan.
• Embrace the warm spring weather by going hiking in El Yunque rain forest.
• Paddle through the glowing waters of a bioluminescent bay on a kayaking tour.
• Tour the Bacardi distillery and learn how to make classic cocktails at Casa Bacardi.
• Descend into a million-year-old cavern on a tour to Camuy cave.
• Soak up the sun on a white-sand beach lapped by turquoise waters on a day trip to Culebra.
• Catch some waves and hone your skills with a surfing lesson.
• Explore marine life in clear waters on a snorkeling, Scuba, or Snuba tour.
• Take advantage of the colors and light of spring and secure memorable images in a photography workshop.
• Sail into the sunset on a cruise around San Juan.

The lively Puerto Rican capital of San Juan has plenty to keep the whole family occupied. Activities range from outdoor adventures and food tours to art and music workshops. Here’s how to make the most of your San Juan vacation with young explorers in tow.

• Explore the underwater world off the coast of San Juan during a beginner-friendly snorkeling or SNUBA experience.
• Sample different Puerto Rican foods during a walking-and-food tour of San Juan.
• Explore the city and its surrounds by Segway, bike, car, or ATV on a private tour that can be tailored to the needs of your family.
• Make the most of San Juan’s nearby nature: kayak to bioluminescent bays, zipline through the jungle, go caving, or hike through El Yunque Rainforest.
• Let the little ones get creative during a painting class or Afro-Percussion drum workshop.
• Older kids and adults alike can enjoy a competitive game of Archery Tag at a ranch in the San Juan countryside.

San Juan’s sunny weather lures lots of northern-hemisphere travelers during the winter months. Though peak tourist season brings crowds, it’s the ideal time for outdoor exploration and adventure. Here are a few ways to experience San Juan in winter.

• Unpeel the layers of history in the colorful buildings and charming streets of Old San Juan on a walking tour.
• Go hiking in El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest system.
• Discover one of San Juan’s hidden waterfalls on a hiking adventure.
• Tour the distillery and learn how to make classic rum cocktails at Casa Bacardi.
• Embrace the outdoors on a rafting, caving, and hiking adventure.
• Soak up the sun on a day trip to the island of Culebra.
• Improve your wave-catching skills with a surfing lesson.
• Soar over the rain-forest canopy on a ziplining tour.
• Kayak through glowing water on a bioluminescent bay tour.
• Sail into the sunset on a cocktail cruise aboard a luxe catamaran.

Although fall in San Juan includes the tail end of hurricane season, it can be a great time to visit. You’ll avoid the humidity of summer and the crowds of winter while still enjoying sunny weather and warm temperatures. If you are visiting San Juan between September and November, here are some suggestions for what to do.

• Soak up the atmosphere in the charming streets of Old San Juan on a walking tour.
• Embark on a hiking tour of El Yunque, the United States’ only tropical rain forest.
• Visit a bioluminescent bay and paddle through glowing water on a kayaking tour.
• Soar through the rain-forest canopy on a ziplining adventure.
• Spend the day snorkeling and sunbathing in paradise on a day trip to Culebra.
• Tour the Bacardi Distillery and enjoy a glass of rum at the source.
• Explore life underwater on a snorkeling tour.
• Maximize your time with a combination tour to both Rio Camuy Cave Park and Arecibo Observatory.
• Learn some new moves in a salsa dancing class.
• Head just out of the city to Hacienda Campo Rico, a former sugar-cane plantation surrounded by rain forest and mangroves.

With two days to spend in the Puerto Rican capital, you’ll be able to tour the colonial old city, explore otherworldly bioluminescent bays, and head farther afield to experience Puerto Rico’s rain forests. Here are some suggestions for how to spend your 48 hours in San Juan.

Day 1: Classic San Juan

**Morning:**Start your day early with an orientation of the city. Whether you opt for a walking, biking, or Segway tour, you’ll get to see the cobbled streets of Old San Juan, St. John’s Cathedral, Ponce de León Square, and fortifications that make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some tours include a visit to the Museo de las Américas or the Santurce arts district.

**Afternoon:**This afternoon, get a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery producing one of the world’s most famous rum brands, Bacardi. Sip a rum cocktail while touring the Casa Bacardi facilities to learn more about the company’s history and distillation, fermentation, and bottling processes. Pick up a bottle or two to take home with you.

**Night:**Puerto Rico is home to beautiful examples of a rare natural phenomenon: bioluminescent bays. Head out late afternoon to visit La Parguera for an evening cruising, snorkeling, or kayaking in the bay. After dark, the water will begin to glow as tiny plankton called dinoflagellates light up. It’s a magical experience you can have in few other places on the planet.

Day 2: Caribbean Paradise

**Morning:**This morning, get an early start for a visit to the only tropical rain forest in the United States, El Yunque National Forest. While most tours to the area last an entire day, it’s possible to make a morning visit to see some of the trails, waterfalls, and 240 species of plants and animals that live in this habitat.

**Afternoon:**If you opted for a half-day visit to El Yunque (or if you’d rather stick to the coast), spend the rest of your day snorkeling, sailing, Snubaing, or stand-up paddleboarding in the warm Caribbean waters just off the coast of San Juan.

**Night:**For your last night in Puerto Rico, kick back and relax aboard a leisurely sunset sail through Old San Juan Harbor. Opt for an old-fashioned schooner or modern catamaran as you glide pas El Morro Fortress, La Fortaleza, and Paseo la Princesa, all illuminated as day fades to night.

Atmospheric San Juan is the second-oldest European settlement in the Americas—a grid of charming colonial streets and a base for exploring the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico. With only a day to spend in the city, you’ll still have time to enjoy both its history and natural beauty. Here are some tips to make the most of your time.

Morning: Old San Juan

Start your day by exploring one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial cities in the world during a sightseeing tour of Old San Juan. Duck into the Museo de las Américas to learn more about Puerto Rican history, walk the cobbled streets past colonial buildings, and tour the defensive structures that make up the San Juan National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opt for a more conventional walking tour, or zip around the 500-year-old city on a guided Segway tour.

Afternoon: Outdoor Adventure

While you could easily spend an entire day within the San Juan city limits, it would be a shame to leave without taking some time to bask in the warm Caribbean waters. Take the afternoon to snorkel or Snuba in the waters just off the coast of San Juan. To explore the water from the surface, opt for some surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, or offshore fishing instead. Lessons and tours are often beginner-friendly, so you don’t need any special experience to try something new.

Night: Taste of San Juan

All that activity has probably worked up an appetite, so reward yourself (and your taste buds) with a walking food tour through Old San Juan this evening. Learn about the island’s food culture as you sample artisan beers, rum cocktails, and typical Puerto Rican foods—think plantain and sofrito (a savory sauce made with peppers)—from local restaurants and cafés. You’ll also get the chance to admire the city’s colonial architecture illuminated at night. For something a bit more low-key, top off your day with a romantic sunset sail instead.

San Juan may seem like it enjoys year-round sunshine, but the April-November rainy season increases the likelihood of downpours in Puerto Rico’s capital. Don’t let wet weather ruin your vacation though—here’s how to ride out the rain in San Juan.

• See the sights of San Juan without getting wet on a driving tour of the city.
• Stop by some of San Juan’s top art museums, such as Fundación Casa Cortés and the Puerto Rico Art Museum (Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico), or create some artwork of your own during a painting workshop.
• You can still stay dry while whetting your whistle: join a bar hop, craft cocktails during a mixology class, or take a Casa Bacardi tour.
• Practice your moves during a salsa dancing class or learn to play the drums during a music workshop.
• Escape the rain and relax tired muscles during an ocean-view yoga lesson.
• Sample the best of Puerto Rican cuisine—and whip up some dishes for yourself—during a hands-on cooking class.

Heavily influenced by its Spanish, African, and indigenous Taino roots, Puerto Rican cuisine is a flavorful mix of all three, using ingredients found on the island. From classic mofongo to roasted pork, here are some of San Juan’s must-try dishes.

Mofongo

A classic Puerto Rican staple, mofongo is made from green plantains, which are fried, then mashed and seasoned generously with garlic and salt, and often stuffed with chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetables. Find mofongo just about everywhere, from food trucks to high-end restaurants.

Arroz con Gandules

Considered Puerto Rico’s national dish, arroz con gandules is made from white rice, cooked with pigeon peas, olives, capers, and sofrito, a cooking base made from aromatic ingredients that gives the dish its zesty flavor. Sometimes chorizo or pork is added to make the dish more substantial.

Lechón

For celebrations and family gatherings, the dish of choice is lechón, suckling pig seasoned with herbs and spices and then roasted until the outside is crispy and the inside juicy and full of flavor. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion, though, and some of the best lechón can be found at roadside stalls.

Alcapurrias

A popular fast food, alcapurrias are deep-fried stuffed fritters. The outside is typically made from green plantains and yucca, while the stuffing is usually ground beef of pork. Find them at street stands or along the beach.

Asopao

Asopao is a blend of rice and soup that’s similar to gumbo and can include chicken, seafood, or pork, alongside pigeon peas, olives, tomatoes, and a flavorful broth. Used to combat everything from a cold to a hangover, it’s Puerto Rican comfort food at its best. You can find it at most restaurants.

Tostones

Often served as an appetizer or a side dish, tostones are made from thinly sliced plantains, which are coated in batter and fried, flattened, then fried again, Enjoy them dipped in mayo, ketchup, or mayo-ketchup, a blend of both with other spices.

The Taino people, a tribe indigenous to the Caribbean and present upon Columbus’ arrival, were known for their early construction of ceremonial ballparks, development of a universal language, and creation of a complex religious cosmology. From ancient history to modern Puerto Rican culture, here’s how to experience Taino culture on the island.

• Explore El Yunque National Forest, the rain-forest dwelling place of the deity Yúcahu in Taino mythology. 

• Sample Puerto Rican foods made from ingredients like yucca root, guanabana, squash, papaya, yams, and corn—all staples of the Taino diet.

• Visit the Cemi Museum (Museo el Cemi) in Jayuya to peruse the collection of Taino art and religious artifacts.

• Just outside of Ponce, tour the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center (Centro Ceremonial Indigena), one of the largest archaeological sites in Puerto Rico, believed to be last inhabited by the Taino.

• Take a day trip to the Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Park (Parque Ceremonial Indigena de Caguana), an important Taino archaeological site with more than 20 petroglyphs, in Utuado.