Where to Visit – Puerto Rico – Top 12 Destinations

With so many beautiful destinations, it can be difficult to decide where to visit in Puerto Rico.

This is because Puerto Rico is a stunning Caribbean island, full of beauty and culture.

From its gorgeous beaches to its vibrant cities, there’s something for everyone in Puerto Rico.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an adventure-filled holiday, Puerto Rico is the perfect destination.

And with its tropical climate and sunny weather, you’re guaranteed to have a great time.

So what are you waiting for?

Pack your bags and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

Where to Visit – Puerto Rico

  • Old San Juan
  • El Yunque National Forest
  • San Juan
  • Culebra Island
  • Bioluminescent Bay
  • Ponce
  • Isla Verde
  • Condado Beach
  • Río Camuy Cave Park
  • Rincón
  • Santurce
  • Distrito T-Mobile 

Old San Juan

With its magnificent colonial architecture and commanding forts, Old San Juan’s streets transport visitors to a another time and place.

Considered one of Puerto Rico’s top tourist destinations, give this city some time on your agenda.

This 500-year-old city is a must-see for any traveler.

Its cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and magnificent fortifications are a sight to behold.

Wander around the narrow alleyways and discover the city’s hidden gems.

Marvel at the awe-inspiring architecture, steeped in the history of the island.

The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can find hundreds of restored Spanish colonial buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries,

Some of these lovely older buildings are still in use today for dining, shopping, and even lodging.

El Yunque National Forest

puerto rico el yunque

El Yunque National Forest offers a glimpse of Puerto Rico’s lush interior splendor.

The only tropical rainforest in the National US Forest System is found in the El Yunque National Forest.

It is found around the Luquillo Mountains, including Pico El Yunque.

Walking paths run through the forest, giving visitors a chance to get up up and personal with some of the 240 types of trees, hundreds of plant species, and a plethora of smaller animals.

Three-quarters of the island’s remaining virgin forest is located inside the 43 square miles of El Yunque’s forest, which has a summit that rises 3,500 feet above sea level.

One of Puerto Rico’s most well-liked natural attractions is El Yunque National Forest, which is frequently seen on tours departing from San Juan.

The Yokah Tower, Bao Grande, Bao de Oro, La Coca Falls, and Yokah Falls are among El Yunque National Forest’s principal attractions.

The first significant landmark visitors will encounter at El Yunque is La Coca Falls, which is positioned alongside the roadway and includes an 85-foot cascade into boulder formations.

The weather is substantially cooler and wetter here than it is at the shore and at lower elevations.

San Juan

where to visit puerto rico

On a little island is San Juan. San Juan is one of America’s oldest colonies, having inhabitants there about 100 years before the Mayflower landed in Massachusetts.

As a result, it perfectly combines modern sensations with ancient surrounds.

The city is surrounded by walls that are 15 feet thick.

Although the city has a long history, it also features a sophisticated network of vibrant neighborhoods with top-notch eateries, shops, galleries, and a vibrant nightlife.

It is also important to emphasize the beaches.

There are vivid seas with top-notch resorts along the shore to the city’s north.

Culebra Island

Although Culebra and Vieques are frequently compared, this little island with lovely beaches and forested hills has a distinct personality all its own.

The environment is laid-back, and the pace is leisurely.

On the island, eco tourism is very popular, and many of the tourist attractions are run by foreign nationals.

Culebra is a small Caribbean island that is about seven miles long, three miles wide, and has 23 of its own outlying islands.

It is located around 17 miles east of Puerto Rico and 12 miles west of Saint Thomas.

The coral reefs in the region are reputed to be among the greatest in the entire Caribbean.

The most well-liked and ideal beach on the island is Playa Flamenco, which has the shape of a horseshoe.

The dazzlingly white sand is flanked with palm trees, and the sea is pure and without surf, making it a fantastic area for swimming or diving.

The whole Culebra coastline as well as more than 20 offshore cays make up the well-preserved Isla de Culebra National Wildlife Refuge.

The Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which include Cayo Luis Pea, a small island to the west of Culebra, covers more than a third of the island.

Coves and the rough terrain in this area allow for some unique but difficult trekking options.

Vieques and Bioluminescent Bay

where to visit puerto rico

Vieques, which is eight miles from the Puerto Rican mainland, has developed into a well-liked beach destination.

Here you can find upscale restaurants, boutique hotels, shops, and galleries.

After the American Army left the island in 2003, Vieques shifted its emphasis to tourism.

Beautiful beaches are now supported by a top-notch tourism infrastructure that draws visitors from across the world and Puerto Rico who take the time to get there.

Large hotels and condo towers are not present.

Vieques is the largest of the Spanish Virgin Islands at 21 miles long

In Mosquito Bay, also called Bioluminescent Bay, the island is renowned for a rare phenomena where a lot of phosphorescent dinoflagellates light up movement in the water at night.

To witness this natural beauty, go on a cruise on a boat, canoe, or kayak around a bioluminescent bay after dark.

Although this phenomenon happens everywhere in Puerto Rico, this is the greatest location to see it.

Flying or taking a ferry from Fajardo will get you to Vieques.

Ponce

The ancient city center of Ponce is a joy, with 17th-century architecture and wide plazas.

This is despite the fact that it is a major city and is typically not on the normal tourist route through Puerto Rico.

Visitors should start at the Plaza Las Delicias, which has cafés and park benches for handy people-watching.

Here you can find the Old Ponce Fire Station, the City Hall, and the contemporary Cathedral (Catedral Nuestra Seora de la Guadalupe).

These are some of the most interesting sites in the area.

Additionally, Ponce is home to many top-notch institutions, including the Ponce Museum of Art.

Isla Verde

where to visit puerto rico

Isla Verde is the ideal destination for all-inclusive travelers looking for a great resort and beach close to a major airport.

This location has everything a stressed-out, beach-loving traveler might desire, with the exception of Puerto Rican culture.

Isla Verde is a comfortable tropical getaway with tranquil waves, a white-sand beach, and resorts in the background.

Condado Beach

Condado is home to opulent resorts, hotels, big-box retailers, fine dining restaurants, and beach views.

No matter the vantage position, sunsets on the Atlantic Ocean are always beautiful.

In addition to several activities including yoga classes, paddleboarding, surfing, and more, this town has upscale boutiques.

For families and lone visitors alike, Condado also offers aqua fitness courses, Zumba, leisure spaces, playgrounds, large parks, and much more.

Río Camuy Cave Park

where to visit puerto rico

With a surface area of 108 ha, this cave park is one of the world’s largest cave systems (268 acres).

The Ro Camuy, the third-largest underground river in the world, carved out the limestone caves and rivers.

You can take a trolley bus from here into the 61-meter-deep (200-foot) cave.

Many of the caves have stalactites, stalagmites, and flowing rivers.

Despite the fact that the cave system wasn’t uncovered until 1958, there is proof that its original inhabitants in Puerto Rico discovered it.

Rincón

puerto rico rincon

The town of Rincón, which is located further west on the island, is well known for its popular surfing scene.

Although surfing is the main draw in this area, and there are plenty of locations to visit, like Marias, Tres Palmas, and Dome, to mention a few.

In addition to surfing, there are a variety of other things you may try, like paddleboarding, horseback riding along the beach, and snorkeling.

If you prefer to stay out of the water, you can take pleasure in visiting the neighborhood farmer’s market.

Here you can buy fresh produce and take in the weekend festivities that the locals take part in.

Santurce

One of the major art districts in the Caribbean has formed in San Juan’s largest and most populated neighborhood.

Santurce is a lively, colorful city, especially around Calle Cerra where magnificent murals cover the majority of the structures.

Santurce is now the location of the hippest art galleries, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants on the island.

There are many options for places to go out on the town, and the scene is very popular with both locals and visitors.

Visit La Placita or La Esquina Watusi, where revelers rush out onto the streets for unplanned open-air block parties that frequently include a lot of dancing.

Distrito T-Mobile 

where to visit puerto rico

San Juan’s new entertainment district, the T-Mobile District, is dubbed as the Caribbean Time’s Square.

It contains more than a dozen restaurants, an urban adventure park, cutting-edge technology, and a variety of entertainment venues.

Start your tour with the Popular Plaza, where flashing lights point the way to the other locations and serve as the stage for live performances.

Puerto Rican players and the local beer are highlighted in the sports bar Arena Medalla with magnificent works of art and neon lighting.

With a beer in hand, enjoy a game on one of the numerous gigantic TVs, reserve a private karaoke room, or sit down at a foosball, pool, or arcade-style table.