Puerto Rico is a beautiful Caribbean island with a rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes. Due to the size of the island, travelers can accomplish a lot in 3 to 5 days. Here are the top things to do in Puerto Rico:
No Brainer: Explore Old San Juan. Wander through Old San Juan’s colonial-styled cobblestone streets, and visit landmarks like El Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal. One of my favorite neighborhoods in San Juan is Santurce. Santurce is a total vibe where travelers experience local culture, good food, and good nightlife. I recommend checking out La Placita de Santurce, especially Thursday through the weekend. There is an open-air market with good restaurants and bars with live music.
Enjoy the stunning beaches of Puerto Rico. Whether on Isla Verde in Carolina, boat rides over to Vieques or Culebra, or venturing to Rincon on the West coast, travelers come specifically for the crystal-clear waters and white sands to find a perfect spot to soak up the sun.
If you enjoy hiking, look at El Yunque National Forest. Roughly a 45-minute drive from San Juan, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. El Yunque offers trails with varying degrees of difficulty, waterfalls to jump in, unique wildlife, and breathtaking views.
For more of a cultural experience, I like Loiza. A beautiful drive along the coast, Loiza is about 25-30 minutes east of San Juan. The seafood, the street food, and the pina coladas are delicious, but to manage expectations, it’s more of a local vibe rather than cosmopolitan. Also, from my research, Loiza is home to the most prominent Black population in Puerto Rico, where visitors can find tours to learn about Afro Borican history and experience.
Puerto Rico is a small island. You can see multiple parts of the island depending on your time there. On my most recent trip, I drove a little over an hour from San Juan to the southern coastal beaches of Ponce and then another hour to the west coast shores of Cabo Rojo and Rincon, where I stayed a few nights. The point is that travelers can drive around the entire island in a day.
A Taste of Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico’s culinary scene is a fusion of Spanish, African, and Native influences. Popular local dishes mofongo, arroz con gandules (rice & peas), various seafood, and lechón (roast pork) are island favorites. For me, the real party begins with the drinks. Puerto Rico is known as the birth of the Pina Colada, and you will find it served everywhere. If you’re visiting San Juan and like rum, I highly suggest visiting the Casa de Bacardi, aka the Bacardi Rum Distillery. It can be a little pricey if you are on a budget, but it was a fun time. They offer daily tasting tours, mixology classes, and beautiful scenery where visitors can hang out, grab lunch, and enjoy drinks.
Remember, Puerto Rico is a diverse destination, and there are many other activities and attractions to explore beyond those mentioned above. Be sure to embrace the island’s warm hospitality and immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage during your visit.
For any questions about Puerto Rico comment below or contact me at Nomaduncovered@gmail.com
