Puerto Rico is a colorful, easy-to-reach vacation destination full of history and sandy beaches. You don't need a U.S. passport to go which I find fantastic!
I like to visit from December to April for dry, sunny weather and cooler temperatures. You should be aware that hurricane season runs from June to November To get there, I fly to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) near San Juan.
Some of my favorite places to stay are Condado Vanderbilt Hotel in San Juan, Hix Island House in Vieques and Rincon Beach Resort on the west coast.
Best Things to Do in Puerto Rico
1. Walk Through Centuries of History at San Juan’s Iconic Forts
Rating: ★★★★★
Get start at San Juan’s Iconic Forts which Spanish engineers built to protect San Juan from attacks.
Take a trip into the past at Castillo San Felipe del Morro with its 60-foot tall walls and old cannons.
Check out Castillo Can Cristobal at the eastern gate of the walled city. I was interested to learn that it's the biggest fort the Spanish built in the New World.
The fort and its sentry boxes are very well preserved and are fun to explore. Don’t miss seeing Devil’s Sentry Box, from which, as legends say, soldiers used to disappear mysteriously.
2. Hike to Waterfalls in El Yunque Rain Forest
Visit El Yunque Rain Forest, home to a lush, dense jungle rich in tropical species.
Hike to waterfalls and admire Taino Indians petroglyphs.
If you want to spend the night, you'll have to stay at the edge of the rainforest since there are no accommodations in it.
3. Plan Unforgettable Island Adventures with Puerto Rico Tour Desk
Go on a tour with Puerto Rico Tour Desk which has well trained guides and interesting tours available.
Go on a fishing tour. Or head to Bio Bay to explore the caves.
If you are interested in history, the tour of Old San Juan is the one to choose.
For an adventure, there are several zip lining tours over the jungle canopy, handgliding, or hiking through the jungle.
4. Admire Masterpieces at Museo de Arte de Ponce
Visit Museo de Arte de Ponce, one the biggest art museum in the Caribbean.
Browse 4,500 artworks in 14 galleries, mostly focusing on European art.
I really enjoyed the gardens.
Admire Roy Lichtenstein’s 28-foot-high aluminum sculpture Brushstokes in Flight in the front yard, considered "the largest public artwork in Latin America.”
5. Escape to Pristine Beaches on Culebrita Island
Head to Culebrita Island (Culebra), a small island accessible by boat from Culebra.
Explore six magnificent sandy beaches on the one kilometer long uninhabited coral island.
Look out for turtles on Playa Tortuga which famous as a breading and feeding ground for turtles.
On the east side of the island are large tidal pools that you can use as "bathtubs."
There is a great reef for snorkeling.
You can also see the oldest lighthouse in the Caribbean on Culebrita.
6. Flamenco Beach (Culebra), Puerto Rico
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Relax on Flamenco Beach on the island of Culebra which offers shallow blue waters and powder fine white sand.
Bring your snorkeling gear, explore under water in the horse-shoe-shaped bay.
There are lifeguards on duty, as well as small concession stands with beach chairs, umbrellas and snacks.
You can easily access the beach from the town of Dewey where the ferry lands.
If you want to spend a night here, there is a well-organized campground at the entrance to the beach.
7. Explore with Kayaking Puerto Rico
There is so much to see in Puerto Rico on land and on the water, and you can easily miss some very special places unless you have exceptionally good guides to show you around.
If you like to spend time on the water and enjoy kayaking, let Kayaking Puerto Rico take you to the pearls of the country such as Seven Seas Bay, which is located on the secluded Northeast corner of the Island.
There is also a protected, spectacular snorkeling area with abundant marine life or the bio-luminescent Laguna Grande.
You can combine kayaking and snorkeling with their Aquafari Culebra trip, or can have fun on land and water by hiking through El Yunque Rainforest and kayaking in Fajardo’s Bio Bay.
They provide you with all equipment, instructions and light refreshment.
8. Visit the Magical Bioluminescent Bay
One of the most romantic spots in the magnificent Puerto Rican Caribbean waters is Puerto Mosquito Bio Bay, hidden on Vieques Island where the mysterious green light called bioluminescence created by micro-organisms will mesmerize you.
The Bioluminescent Bay is a very special environment with unique conditions necessary for the tiny animals to thrive.
There are many tours available that let you visit. If you are like me, you will find this experience the most unique in Puerto Rico.
Plan Your Trip