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Puerto Rico✨ 10 best things to do in Puerto Rico

Things to do in Puerto Rico

1. Wander Old San JuanStroll blue cobblestone streets lined with pastel colonial houses, plazas and cafés.
2. Explore El MorroClimb the ramparts of a sixteenth-century Spanish fortress overlooking the Atlantic.
3. Hike in El YunqueWalk to waterfalls in the only tropical rainforest in the US national forest system.
4. Kayak a bioluminescent bayPaddle at night through water that glows with every stroke at Mosquito Bay or Laguna Grande.
5. Relax on Flamenco BeachTake a ferry or small plane to Culebra for one of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches.
6. Dance salsa in San JuanJoin locals on the dance floor for live salsa and bomba in the old city.
7. Taste mofongo and lechónEat garlicky mashed plantain and roast pork from the famous lechoneras of Guavate.
8. Tour a coffee haciendaVisit the cool central mountains to learn about the island's coffee-growing heritage.
9. Explore Río Camuy CavesDiscover one of the largest cave systems in the world, carved by an underground river.
10. Surf in RincónCatch winter waves on the west coast and watch the sunset from the surf town's beaches.

Puerto Rico🗺️ Where to visit in Puerto Rico

Where to go in Puerto Rico

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  Old San JuanSan Juan · colonial historyA UNESCO-listed historic district of forts, plazas and colourful streets.
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  El Yunque National ForestNortheast · rainforestLush mountains, waterfalls and the chirping coquí frog.
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  ViequesIsland · beaches & bio bayWild beaches, roaming horses and Mosquito Bay, one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world.
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  CulebraIsland · beachesA laid-back island famous for Flamenco Beach and excellent snorkelling.
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  RincónWest coast · surfingA relaxed surf town with sunsets and seasonal whale watching.
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  PonceSouth coast · cultureThe 'Pearl of the South', with an art museum, a colourful firehouse and grand plazas.
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  Cabo RojoSouthwest · cliffs & salt flatsDramatic limestone cliffs, a historic lighthouse and pink-tinged salt flats.
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  FajardoEast coast · boats & bio bayThe jumping-off point for Laguna Grande and catamaran trips to offshore islands.

Puerto Rico🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Puerto Rico

Best time to visit Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is warm and tropical year-round, with highs around 28-32°C on the coast. The central mountains are cooler and wetter, while the southwest is the driest part of the island.

Typical daytime highs and rain in San Juan (approximate averages).

Puerto Rico🎉 Festivals & events in Puerto Rico

• January
  Fiestas de la Calle San SebastiánOld San Juan's huge street festival of music, dancing and parades closes the long holiday season.
• February
  Ponce CarnivalA famous carnival with vejigante masked characters and colourful parades.
• July
  Loíza Festival of Santiago ApóstolA celebration of Afro-Puerto Rican heritage with bomba music and vejigante masks.
• Usually February–March
  Casals FestivalA classical music festival in San Juan founded in honour of cellist Pablo Casals, whose mother was Puerto Rican.
• November–January
  Christmas seasonOne of the world's longest Christmas seasons, with parrandas (musical carolling) and Three Kings' Day on 6 January.

Puerto Rico🧭 Puerto Rico itinerary ideas

How many days in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico🎒 Backpacking Puerto Rico – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $60–90 a day

• Public transport is limited outside San Juan, so renting a car is often the most practical way to explore the island.
• In San Juan, the city buses and the Tren Urbano are cheap, and ride-hailing apps are widely used.
• Ferries from Ceiba to Vieques and Culebra are inexpensive but busy, so arrive early or book in advance.
• Eat at local kioskos (beach shacks) and lechoneras for cheap, delicious food.
• Hostels and guesthouses can be found in Old San Juan, Condado and Rincón.

Puerto Rico🛡️ Safety & money in Puerto Rico

Emergency: 911 police, fire & ambulance

Puerto Rico🛬 Getting to Puerto Rico

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan is the main gateway, with flights from the United States, Latin America and Europe. San Juan is also a major cruise port, and ferries and small planes link to Vieques and Culebra.

✈️ Cheap flights to Puerto Rico: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Puerto Rico💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Puerto Rico

• Puerto Rico has three of the world's few bioluminescent bays.
• El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System.
• The tiny coquí frog, named after its call, is a beloved national symbol.
• Puerto Ricans are US citizens but cannot vote in US presidential elections while living on the island.
• The piña colada is widely credited as being invented in San Juan.

Puerto Rico❓ Puerto Rico travel FAQ

Puerto Rico travel questions