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.
Open exclusively to guests of the El Conquistador Resort, Palomino Island (also known as Isla Palominos) is a small island off of Puerto Rico’s eastern coast owned by the luxury property. Characterized by crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches outfitted with cabanas, water sports, and a bar and grill, the pristine private island offers guests a high-end beach experience.
Bioluminescent Bay (Mosquito Bay) is one of Puerto Rico’s three bioluminescent bays, but this bay shines by far the brightest—it’s even hailed as the best place to witness the phenomenon in the world. Located on the island of Vieques, the coastal spot is a popular destination for nighttime boat tours as the water is illuminated by microorganisms that glow when touched. You just have to dive in and watch the underwater light show unfold.
With its vast sandy shoreline hemmed in by natural palm forests, mangroves, and sand dunes, Piñones is the local antidote to Puerto Rico’s luxury tourist resorts. Set amid a protected wilderness just a half-hour from San Juan, locals come here to relax on the beach and enjoy chinchorreo—the local tradition of hopping between roadside vendors to sample street food and listen to music.
One of Arecibo’s most popular destinations, Cueva del Indio draws travelers to its beautiful caves high above the Puerto Rican countryside. The hike there is rigorous and involves navigating rocky ledges, but the amazing views—along with the chance to see ancient pre-Columbian rock paintings and carvings—make the effort worthwhile.
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.
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 Catedral Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and the whimsical Parque de Bombas.
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.
Gozalandia Falls (Las Cataratas)—known for its picturesque waterfalls and freshwater swimming holes in the San Sebastián area of Puerto Rico—is one of the island’s top not-so-hidden gems thanks to its natural beauty, spectacular views, and cool waters perfect for a refreshing dip. The natural pool features a shallow area popular with younger children, a partially submerged cave for swimming, and steep jungle trails.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Located in Carolina, close to San Juan, Playa Isla Verde boasts golden-sand shores, tall palm trees, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Because of its proximity to the airport and cruise port, this beach is popular among visitors. It’s divided into three main beaches: Pine Grove, where locals surf; El Alambique, also known as Hobie Beach; and the Balneario de Carolina.
This uninhabited coral island off the coast of Culebra, another of Puerto Rico's islands, exudes Caribbean paradise vibes with crystal clear waters and powder-like sandy beaches. Culebrita is part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge and is home to the Culebrita Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the Caribbean. Travelers head to Culebrita to escape the Puerto Rico mainland.
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.
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.
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.
Found along the northeastern coast of Culebra, a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico, Playa Zoni (Zoni Beach) boasts the region's familiar white sands and clear waters. Since it’s less crowded than popular Flamenco Beach, visitors come here for a more peaceful setting. It's ideal for sunbathing or enjoying activities like beach volleyball, soccer, or tennis.
At this expansive covered market, expect an authentic Puerto Rican bazaar where you’ll find everything from fresh tropical fruits to shoes and apparel. Just outside the market is a popular plaza whose side streets are lined with cafes offering budget-friendly local fare.
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.
Mercado Santurce is a great place to get a feel for San Juan's culinary scene. Here you can see vendors hawking everything from fruits and veggies to hand-held bites and other prepared foods, and see where many of the city's restaurants source their produce. In the evenings, the surrounding Placita de Santurce comes to life with street-food vendors and crowds.
