Top things to do in Puerto Rico
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Congratulations, you have booked your flights to Puerto Rico. Now the next step is to figure out what to do once you are there. Here we will cover the top things to do in Puerto Rico.
Not sure what to do in Puerto Rico? š¤æ Then sign up for this incredible snorkeling tour with sea turtles š¢ and enjoy the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience.
1. Book a Full-Day Culebra Islands Catamaran Tour
āļø Rating: 4.7/5.0 (382 Reviews) Price: $175 per person Duration: 5.5-6 hours šMeeting Point: East Island Excursions, office in Puerto del Rey Marina Operator: East Island Excursions Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Looking to make the most of your time in Puerto Rico? If so then one of the best things you can do is book this Full-Day Culebra Islands Catamaran Tour.
See, this highly-rated tour departs from Puerto Del Ray Marina in Fajardo and takes you on a 55-minute journey via a high-speed catamaran to Culebra Island.
After exploring the island, you’ll then have plenty of time to relax on Flamenco Beach and Culebrita Beach during this 6-hour tour.
“Staff was honest, informative, and hard working. They were very attentive to the captain who didn’t need to speak, he did most communications with hand gestures. 1 crew member found my GoPro floating and returned it to me. Food was plentiful and delicious. Rum punches hit the spot too. I think the captain knows the weather very well as every time we got onto the boat, it would rain. When we stopped, the sun would come out. Awesome day.”
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But, the best part? Once you arrive at one of the top 10 beaches on Culebra, you’ll have free time to snorkel, swim, and devour an incredible lunch.
In fact, it’s a sumptuous feast that includes chicken salad/veggie wraps, chips, salads, fresh fruit, and so much more.
Whatever you do though, don’t forget to visit the onboard bar and indulge in PiƱa Coladas, Rum Punch, and more since all beverages are included with the price of your tour.
2. Swimming and Snorkeling Tour with Turtles
āļø Rating: 4.6/5.0 (243 Reviews) Price: $59 per person Duration: 1.5 hours šMeeting Point: Red Kiosk on Escambron Beach Park Operator: Try Scuba Diving San Juan Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Puerto Rico is to swim with sea turtles. But, where can you find them and how can you swim with them safely?
Well, luckily for your this San Juan swimming and snorkeling tour with turtles will help you can up close and personal with these gentle creatures at Escambron Marine Park.
Along the way, you’ll also see stunning coral reefs and never have to worry about safety since the area’s calm waters make this activity perfect for swimmers of all abilities.
“Luis and Jessie were excellent guides for our tour. So knowledgeable and kind. We went at the earlier time and saw everything we wanted to see. Turtles, fish, a squid. Truly an incredible experience and a highlight that I will remember forever. I hope to do it again whenever I visit PR again!”
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Plus, your expert guides will hand out top-quality snorkeling equipment and will even give you a safety briefing before teaching you how to snorkel.
So, what are you waiting for? Book this tour now and meet all of the incredible tropical fish waiting for you beneath the surface of the Caribbean Sea.
3. ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide
āļø Rating: 4.7/5.0 (368 Reviews) Price: $118 per person Duration: 2 hours šMeeting Point: Hacienda Campo Rico Operator: Campo Rico Trail Rides Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
If you’re an adrenaline junkie then one of the best things to do in Puerto Rico is to go on a one-of-a-kind ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch.
After all, your knowledgeable guide will take you on an incredible ATV adventure through the countryside of San Juan.
Therefore, you’ll love exploring the 2,200 acres of hidden jungle that lies just outside of Carolina.
But, first things first. You’ll need to meet your guide, learn how to drive an ATV, and listen to a safety briefing before you get on your own vehicle and follow your guide into the jungle.
“I turned 32, and invited my friends and family to PR for these activities. We had a blast! I became a daredevil and went as fast as I could in the mud, water, bumps .. just to get the Atv experience. I would definitely recommend this activity if you ever decide to come. The staff were friendly and very knowledgeable.”
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Once there, take in epic views of mountains, mangroves, lagoons, and limestone rock formations as your guide explains the fascinating natural history of this enchanting place.
Finally, relax at the Mojito Bar with an ice-cold drink before grabbing a souvenir or renting a GoPro to make incredible videos of your adventure.
4. Guided East Coast Jet Ski Tour to Isla Verde
āļø Rating: 4.7/5.0 (286 Reviews) Price: $217 per person Duration: 1.5 hours šMeeting Point: Cangrejos Yacht Club Operator: Ocean Pro Adventures Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
One thing you have to do in Puerto Rico is ride a jet ski as you soar through the rolling waves of the ocean.
And this Guided East Coast Jet Ski Tour to Isla Verde is expertly designed so that you have an incredible experience while staying safe in the waters of the San Jose Lagoon.
So, your exciting adventure along the beaches of Puerto Rico’s north coast begins with a short safety lesson at Cangrejos Yacht Club.
Afterward, hop on a jet ski and ride through the waves near Isla Verde as you pass mangroves, cruise beneath the Baldorioty de Castro Bridge, and eventually stop at Teodoro Moscoso Bridge,
“This activity is a must! Lots of fun! Guides were patient when we fell behind the group. I liked this more than the Atv rides. Riding jet skis is my new fave!”
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Just don’t forget to jump in the incredible turquoise-blue water off the coast of Isla Verde before admiring the sweeping views and feeling the motor of your jet ski hum to life beneath you.
5. Visit the beach
The beach was one of the main reasons I booked my trip to Puerto Rico and it did not disappoint. The water is so incredibly beautiful and if you are staying in San Juan the beach is not that far away. Want to know exactly where to go? Check out this post for a review of the best beaches in Puerto Rico.
However, from a beach perspective, we didnāt stray too far from the resort we stayed at La Concha Renaissance Hotel as the beach was beautiful. If you wanted to spend much time in the water though, this beach is prone to ripcurrents and I would suggest walking down the beach a bit before getting into the water.
Pro tip: I stayed at the La Concha Renaissance Hotel on hotel points. To find out how to do this yourself, take a look at this post.
6. Tour Old San Juan
Old San Juan is both beautiful and vibrant. If you are visiting, touring the old city is definitely one of the top things to do in Puerto Rico. There are restaurants, pretty buildings, and old forts. One of the most interesting things we did when visiting Old San Juan was eating at the Chocobar Cortes. This restaurant has all sorts of menu items with chocolate included in them! I even got a chocolate grilled cheese and a soup with white chocolate and pumpkin. It was delicious.
For a walking map of some beautiful photography spots in Old San Juan, check out this post.
Here are some of the pictures that I took from around Old San Juan.
7. Go Ziplining
Ziplining is something that I did not get the chance to do while I was in Puerto Rico but I plan to go next time that I visit. This would likely be a perfect add on to your visit to the rainforest as I saw a few turnoffs for ziplining tours en route to our rainforest hike. If the idea of ziplining excites you, Puerto Rico is a great location.
8. Visit a bioluminescent bay
As I was making my trip preparations, so many people told me that one of the top things in Puerto Rico was visiting the bioluminescent bay. There are three in Puerto Rico out of 5 total in the world. We visited Mosquito Bay.
While I donāt have any pictures from this portion of the trip (the pictures online are likely fake), it was still really cool. As you paddled your kayak you saw a beautiful, glittery purple-ish color. While on the tour, I learned that they are protists, not algae, in addition to all of the reasons behind why the bio bay is thriving in Puerto Rico.
As I stayed in San Juan on a resort, the only downside to doing this tour is that it took a very long time. We left around 3pm and returned around midnight. The transportation involved was shuttle -> boat -> shuttle -> shuttle -> bio bay (and then reverse). If there are children involved, it might be a bit much for them. I would consider doing a different bioluminescent bay or traveling to Viajes at your leisure and then getting the tour from there.
9. Go to the rainforest
Visiting El Yunque National Forest was my absolute favorite part of my trip making it one of the top things to do for me. If you have never hiked in a rainforest before, check out my rainforest hiking tips here.
Even if you donāt want to hike in the rainforest, there are plenty of places to stop and explore. There are even waterfalls right off the road that donāt even require you to leave your car. You will need to rent a car to visit the rainforest as Uber is only really available in the San Juan area.
10. La Placita de Santurce
This awesome local farmer’s market is held on the weekends and is brimming over with cool food stalls, quaint bars, and delicious restaurants.
Nestled in a historic building, the market offers a delightful escape from the chaos of the city. However, the highlight of your visit will be sipping on a rum cocktail as you wander through the market and see what it is on offer. Just be prepared for crowds since this place gets packed.
Afterward, grab a meal at a wide array of awesome restaurants like Jungle Bird, Santaella, and Mai Pen Rai. They are amazing eateries that serve incredible local cuisine you won’t soon forget.
11. Cueva Ventana
Nestled high atop a limestone cliff in the picturesque town of Arecibo is Cueva Ventana or “window cave.” It’s a beautiful place that is about an hour’s drive from San Juan. Stop by to enjoy an incredible hike and beautiful views of Puerto Rico’s vibrant natural landscapes.
For an even better experience, visit on a weekday. This way you can enjoy a 90-minute guided and admission for just $19.00. Just know that the terrain will be challenging for anyone with mobility issues.
12. Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Located inside a former hospital, this incredible museum can be found in Santurce. It was fully restored in 1995 and is now home to an array of works from Puerto Rican artists who were active anywhere between the 17th century and the modern day.
In total, the permanent collection houses an impressive 1,000 pieces of art that include sculptures, paintings, and more. There are also several rotating exhibitions on display, with themes that center around the current political climate in Puerto Rico.
13. Toro Verde Eco Adventure Park
Enjoy awe-inspiring views of the central corridorās stunning mountains at Toro Verde Eco Adventure Park. After all, this incredible place is home to a fantastic zipline that extends across 2.5 kilometers of land. Therefore, it is easily one of the longest ziplines in the Americas.
This park also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest cable bike circuit on the planet. So, stop by and try ziplining, jumping, and biking through the air with the greatest of ease. It’s one of the best things to do in Puerto Rico for any adrenaline junkies out there, with well-trained experts on hand to ensure you have the safest experience possible.
Not sure what to do in Puerto Rico? š¤æ Then sign up for this incredible snorkeling tour with sea turtles š¢ and enjoy the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Top things to do in Puerto Rico
Hopefully this list of 9 top things to do in Puerto Rico will help with your trip planning. Are you headed to Puerto Rico? Check out these articles to help get ready for your trip!
La Concha Renaissance Puerto Rico Hotel Review
Top Questions when visiting Puerto Rico
Let’s Stay in Touch…
Andrea Cannon is a pharmacist, triathlete, gratitude practicer, and avid traveler. For both business and pleasure, she has taken more than 250 flights yearly for the past 3 years. In addition to being a travel hacking enthusiast, Andrea enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband (Austin) and dog (Dex). You can connect with her via her blog www.beaUTAHfulworld.com or on Instagram @andreafcannon .
2 thoughts on “Top things to do in Puerto Rico”
Duuuudddeee I want to go to PR now and kayak the bioluminescent bays. Great tips! Thanks!
Yesss it was really cool!