Planning our trip to Puerto Rico was a bit overwhelming - so many beautiful places to explore! After spending hours researching and then experiencing this tropical paradise firsthand, we've put together our favorite things to do in Puerto Rico. We tested every recommendation ourselves, so you can avoid the tourist traps and focus on the good stuff.
We've included all our insider tips on when to visit each spot, what to bring, and how to make the most of your time. From hidden beaches to must-see attractions, we've got you covered whether you're after natural wonders, cultural experiences, or just want to find the most stunning beaches.
Top Things To Do in Puerto Rico
1. Wander Through Historic Old San Juan
2. Explore the Mysterious Reserva Natural Cueva del Indio
3. Take a Refreshing Dip at Cascada Gozalandia
4. Discover Playa Sucia and Faro Los Morrillos
5. Immerse Yourself in El Yunque National Forest
6. Surf and Relax in Bohemian Rincon
7. Experience the Vibrant Crash Boat Beach
8. Marvel at Vieques and Its Bioluminescent Bays
9. Savor Local Flavors at Authentic Kioskos
10. Indulge with a Day Pass at a Luxury Resort
1. Wander Through Historic Old San Juan
Old San Juan stole our hearts with its colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. Walking through the vibrant 16th and 17th-century Spanish architecture felt like stepping back in time. We started early in the morning (7am to watch the sunrise) which helped us beat the crowds at Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal. There is a $10 entrance fee (2025 pricing) for both of these impressive fortresses, and they were definitely worth it for the history and amazing photo spots.
💡 Insider Tip: If you have an America The Beautiful National Park Pass, bring it with you since entrance will be covered at these NPS sites!
We loved exploring Calle San Sebastián and Calle Fortaleza where we found authentic local shops and delicious food. A money-saving tip we discovered: many restaurants offer great lunch specials before 3 pm, so we enjoyed authentic mofongo and fresh seafood without breaking the bank. Our perfect end to the day was watching sunset from Paseo de la Princesa promenade with breathtaking views of the bay.
We found so many hidden gems in Old San Juan, all pinned in our Puerto Rico Pinned Map!
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2. Explore the Mysterious Reserva Natural Cueva del Indio
We stumbled upon this hidden gem near Arecibo and couldn't believe how cool it was! The Reserva Natural Cueva del Indio has these dramatic limestone formations that have been shaped by the Atlantic Ocean over thousands of years. We got there early (totally worth setting an alarm for) and had the place almost to ourselves while we explored the cliffside’s viewpoints and searched for the ancient Taíno petroglyphs tucked away in the caves.
💡Note: for safety reasons the ladder down into the cave with ancient Taíno petroglyphs was removed in 2017. It is not advised to climb down into the cave. Use extreme caution when walking along the cliffside.
Just a heads-up - you'll need to be somewhat fit for this one since you'll be climbing rocky cliff-sides to various viewpoints. Definitely wear shoes with good grip and bring water since there's not much shade. It costs $10 per person (2025 pricing) to enter via the main parking lot, however, we found equally convenience roadside parking for free which we pinned to our Puerto Rico Map. If you're into photography like me, you'll go crazy for the contrast between the bright turquoise water and rugged cliffs, especially if you catch it during golden hour.
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3. Take a Refreshing Dip at Cascada Gozalandia
Cascada Gozalandia was our favorite escape from the beach heat! Tucked away in San Sebastián, this double waterfall has the clearest swimming holes and natural rock slides. We spent a whole morning here just swimming and playing in the water - definitely one of our favorite memories from the trip.
Getting there involves some narrow roads, but we've pinned the exact location on our Google map to make it easy for you. Try to get there right when it opens at 9 am to grab a parking spot and enjoy some peaceful time before the crowds show up. Water shoes saved us from slipping on the rocks, and our waterproof bag kept our phones dry. The lower falls were perfect for relaxing, while the upper falls had this rope swing that brought out our inner teenagers!
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4. Discover Playa Sucia and Faro Los Morrillos
Don't let the name fool you - Playa Sucia (which weirdly means "dirty beach") is actually one of the most gorgeous beaches we've ever seen! It sits on the southwestern tip of the island with this perfect horseshoe shape and super calm, clear water. We paired it with a visit to the historic Faro Los Morrillos lighthouse and had the perfect relaxation afternoon after all our hiking adventures.
💡Note: It is a bit of a hike from the parking to get back to the beach, we have outlined the entire trail/mileage from our route in our curated map here.
The lighthouse sits on these dramatic 200-foot cliffs with jaw-dropping views of the Caribbean. We couldn't stop taking photos! Definitely try to visit on a weekday to avoid local crowds, and pack a picnic lunch, since there aren't any food vendors nearby. The hike to the lighthouse isn't too tough, and if you visit in winter, you might even spot some whales! We also explored the natural stone arch and nearby salt flats where you may get lucky and see flamingos just hanging out!
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5. Immerse Yourself in El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque blew us away! As the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, it's packed with gorgeous trails and wildlife. We spent a full day exploring paths ranging from easy walks to more challenging climbs.
Our best advice is to arrive right when it opens at 8AM since parking is super limited. The good news is that reservations are no longer required for entry as of Aug 2023, and entry is completely free. Check out “Seasons & Booking” to see if the reservation system has been re-established. If you want the best chance at finding parking at popular spots like Mt Britton and Juan Diego falls, try visiting on a weekday.
Mt Britton was definitely our favorite trail - the views from the tower at the top were absolutely worth the climb. We could see all the way to the ocean on one side and deep into the rainforest on the other. Don't miss Torre Yokahú either, which offers similar stunning views with short walk from the car.
We loved cooling off in Juan Diego falls after our hikes. The water was so refreshing, and we even found a little hidden path that led us to the more secluded upper falls where we enjoyed swimming with half the crowds. Just wear shoes that can get wet since the rocks can be slippery.
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After spending our morning in El Yunque, we headed to Luquillo Beach for some relaxation. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful beaches we experienced in Puerto Rico, with calm waters perfect for swimming after all that hiking. The row of kioskos nearby make for a convenient lunch spot, although, we didn’t find them as impressive as kioskos we experienced on the west side.
6. Surf and Relax in Bohemian Rincon
Don't miss Dome Beach for its excellent surfing waves and relaxed atmosphere. Grab a craft beer and delicious food at Rincon Beer Company, where the outdoor seating area offers perfect people-watching. For sunset views, head to happy hour at Ola Sunset Cafe for their famous passion fruit mojitos. Round out your visit with snorkeling at Steps Beach, where you'll find crystal clear waters and colorful fish right off the shore.
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7. Experience the Vibrant Crash Boat Beach
Crash Boat Beach was such a fun surprise! This former military pier in Aguadilla has transformed into this vibrant beach with crystal-clear waters. We highly recommend bringing your own snorkel gear to check out the colorful tropical fish that swim right around the pier—it's a fantastic way to enjoy underwater sightseeing without spending money on an expensive boat tour.
The weekend vibe here was awesome with local food vendors, random music performances, and these fearless locals doing impressive jumps off the pier. If you're looking for a calmer experience, go on a weekday evening like we did. Bring cash for the seafood empanadas and fresh coconut water - so good! The parking lot fills up fast, so get there early or be prepared to use the overflow lot that's a short walk away.
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8. Marvel at Vieques and Its Bioluminescent Bays
We hopped on a ferry to Vieques and wow - what a magical little island! Mosquito Bay blew our minds as the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. Our nighttime kayak tour was honestly one of the coolest things we've ever done. Every time we dipped our paddles in, the water lit up with this incredible blue-green glow. Photos just don't do it justice - you have to see it to believe it.
Besides the bio bay, we found these gorgeous, nearly empty beaches like Sun Bay Beach and Black Sand Beach. We had whole stretches of pristine shoreline completely to ourselves! Definitely rent a Jeep - the unpaved roads are bumpy but lead to the best hidden spots (many pinned in our Puerto Rico map, like the local-recommended best place to snorkel on the island!).
We stayed two nights and wished we'd planned for more to really soak up the laid-back island vibe. One tip: book your bio bay tour way ahead of time. They fill up fast, especially during new moon when the glowing effect is strongest.
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9. Savor Local Flavors at Authentic Kioskos
We hit the jackpot when we discovered the local kioskos (food kiosks)! These casual spots served up the most authentic Puerto Rican food at prices that didn't break our budget.
Our trick was to follow the locals - if we saw a line of Puerto Ricans waiting, we knew we'd found the good stuff. We couldn't get enough of the mofongo (fried plantains with garlic and pork cracklins), alcapurrias (these crispy fritters stuffed with seasoned meat), bacalaítos (thin, crispy codfish fritters), and juicy pinchos (grilled meat skewers). Most places only took cash, so we made sure to hit an ATM beforehand. The whole vibe was super relaxed, with some kiosks blasting music and locals dancing on weekends. We've marked all our favorite spots on our Puerto Rico Google map.
10. Indulge with a Day Pass at a Luxury Resort
We splurged a bit and stayed at Wyndham Palmas del Mar using a credit card sign-on bonus offer, which was totally worth it. The resort was gorgeous with multiple pools and easy beach access.
If you don't have points or a special offer, we'd still recommend checking out ResortPass, which lets you enjoy the luxury amenities for a day without the overnight price tag. This was something we wished we'd known about earlier in our travels!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Puerto Rico
Do I need a passport to visit Puerto Rico?
No, U.S. citizens do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico as it's a U.S. territory. Travelers from other countries will need the same documentation required to enter the United States mainland.
What's the best time of year to visit Puerto Rico?
Mid-December to mid-April offers the best weather, with lower humidity and minimal rainfall. However, this is also peak tourist season. We visited in January and never felt like our trip was compromised by heavy crowds.
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Is it safe to drink the tap water in Puerto Rico?
Yes, the tap water is generally safe to drink throughout Puerto Rico as it's regulated by the same U.S. standards as the mainland. However, in very remote areas, bottled water might be preferable. To error on the side of caution, we just bought gallon jugs of water from the grocery store when we arrived and drank from those throughout our stay.
What language is spoken in Puerto Rico?
Spanish is the predominant language, but English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas and San Juan. Learning a few basic Spanish phrases will enhance your experience and is appreciated by locals.
Do I need to rent a car in Puerto Rico?
While not absolutely necessary if you're staying in San Juan, we found renting a car essential for exploring the island's many natural attractions. Uber is limited outside major urban areas, and many of Puerto Rico's best experiences are in remote locations.
Is Puerto Rico expensive?
Puerto Rico can be experienced on various budgets. We found food and accommodations comparable to U.S. mainland prices, while activities ranged from free (beaches, hiking) to moderate. Eating at local kioskos instead of tourist restaurants saved us considerable money.
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Your Puerto Rican Adventure Awaits
Puerto Rico stole our hearts with its perfect mix of natural beauty, colorful history, and lively culture. The island gave us all the authentic experiences we were craving without having to travel too far from familiar comforts. We found ourselves constantly in awe - from wandering the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to paddling through the magical glowing waters of Mosquito Bay.
We've tested every recommendation in this guide ourselves, so you can explore this tropical paradise with confidence and not miss any of the island's hidden gems. Just remember to treat the natural environment with care, support the local businesses (their passion is contagious!), and embrace the relaxed "island time" that makes Puerto Rico so special.
Ready to plan your own Puerto Rican adventure? We've put together detailed itineraries, packing lists, and insider tips in our travel resources section. And if you want to follow along with our latest discoveries, check out our Instagram where we share real-time updates and secret spots from all our travels!
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