Puerto Rico’s tourism industry is experiencing a major boom, with over 6.6 million passengers flying into the country in 2024, breaking previous records. For the past four years, tourism to the island has increased.
From iconic Puerto Rico beaches, such as Flamenco and La Chiva, to rainforest adventures, the island has something for every traveler.
If you’re planning your trip, our Puerto Rico travel guide will help you stay busy with fun activities, countless beaches with turquoise waters, cities to explore and festivals.
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Things to Do in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is filled with magic on every street, from the colorful buildings that make San Juan travel special to the Chocobar, where every item on the menu has, you guessed it, chocolate.
If you’re planning a few activities that don’t include adventures in the rainforest or going to one of the pristine beaches that we’ll talk about shortly, this list is a good starting point:
- Guided Snorkeling: Book tours to snorkel with the turtles. San Juan is a hotspot for guided snorkeling, where guests often receive a video of their experience.
- Ziplining: Want some adventure and excitement during your stay? Seek out ziplining. A lot of opportunities are available to zipline in the El Yunque National Forest, which is one of the must-visit destinations in Puerto Rico.
- ATV Tours: Many local businesses offer ATV tours that allow you to go off the beaten path and explore the rainforest and trails in a new, exciting way.
- Try Local Cuisine: Restaurants, such as Marmalade, offer upscale dining while Orujo Taller de Gastronomía provides innovative dishes that attract visitors from across the world.
Of course, there are plenty of rainforest adventures that you can book.
Rainforest Adventures
No Puerto Rico travel guide is complete without helping tourists explore the stunning rainforests that surround the island. El Yunque National Forest is the go-to destination and extends across eight municipalities: Rio Grande, Ceiba, Juncos and many others.
Tourists can explore almost 29,000 acres of one of the most biologically diverse rainforests in the world.
You’ll find plenty of opportunities to:
- Take guided tours around the rainforest to explore waterslides and waterfalls that you may otherwise miss.
- Swim in pristine waterfalls or kayak through the Bioluminescent Bay.
Tours with transport are available that last from 4 to 8+ hours and often feel like they’re never long enough to see everything the rainforest has to offer.
For guests with mobility issues, there are special bus tours that allow you to explore the rainforest without worrying about the terrain. Plan to spend at least half a day at El Yunque National Forest.
7 Must-See Puerto Rico Beaches
What’s the best beach in Puerto Rico? Everyone will give you a different answer. Beautiful, serene beaches dot the island, but the following are all strong contenders for the “best:”
- Tortuga Beach: Situated on the island of Culebrita, you’ll walk across white sand beaches with crystal-clear water and sea turtles. Coral reefs surround the island, which is not inhabited, so you’ll need to take a tour or boat ride to visit it.
- Flamenco Beach: Considered one of the best Caribbean beaches, you’ll find plenty of options to snorkel and walk along the soft white sand beaches here.
- Navio Beach: Crystal clear turquoise waters surround this remote location. If you go at the right time of year, it’s not uncommon to be alone on this stunning beach.
- Caracas Beach: Go where the locals spend their time. Caracas beach is perfect for a picnic or barbecue and has calm, clear waters.
- La Chiva Beach: Spanning over 1.5 miles on Vieques Island, this beach offers shallow waters and plenty of spots to relax.
- Luquillo Beach: If you prefer a more happening beach, Luquillo offers everything from coconuts to kiosks and restaurants. You won’t have the same level of privacy that you enjoy on other beaches, but you will have all of the amenities you could possibly want.
- Jobos Beach: One final beach to visit is Jobos Beach. Join locals surfing or paddleboarding in the stunning blue waters.
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Top Cities to See
San Juan is a must-visit city, and being the capital, it’s one of the largest. You’ll find colorful buildings and cobblestone roads to walk on, but there are also plenty of other cities to explore, including:
- Bayamon: A metropolitan area that is famous for its family-friendly activities and science museums. If you’re bringing kids along, Bayamon has enough entertainment to keep them busy.
- Ponce: Welcome to the second-largest city in Puerto Rico. Ponce has lovely churches and plazas to explore, along with colonial homes, fountains and winding streets to get lost on.
- Caguas: Prefer to spend your time in the mountains instead of on the beach? Caguas offers history and culture that will keep you entranced for days.
- Mayaguez: Step into Puerto Rico’s third-largest city, known for its colonial history, coastal charm and seafood. We also recommend taking the time to walk through the Plaza Colon, which is in a Spanish-style.
Cabo Rojo, Fajardo, Camuy, Vieques and Carolina are also must-visit cities filled with natural beauty just waiting for you to explore.
Puerto Rican Festivals You Can’t Miss
Rounding out our Puerto Rico travel guide are festivals that give you a glimpse into local life and culture. If you’re in Puerto Rico during these festivals, they’re worth changing your plans to experience:
- January 6: Three Kings Day is a festival dedicated to the Three Wise Men’s arrival. Parades and festivals take place across the island on this day.
- Third week of January: San Sebastián Street Festival is an outdoor festival perfect for partygoers. Eat delicious food, buy arts and crafts, listen to live music or watch circus performances.
- Last week of February: Ponce Carnival takes place at this time with bomba and plena music. Costumes, masks and the coronation of the Carnival Queen are all worth experiencing.
You’ll also want to see if you’re visiting during any of the following: Casals Festival, Saborea Puerto Rico (food festival) or Noche de San Juan.
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