With tropical jungles, white-sand beaches, and colorful history, this 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary will make you forget that you’re in the US! Puerto Rico is a part of the US, but it feels like an entirely different world with endless things to do.
Ready to get the most out of PR but not sure where to start? No worries! I’ve got all the highlights you need in this 4 day Puerto Rico Itinerary.
PS: Make sure you pack all the beach necessities!
A few quick FAQs–
- Almost everyone speaks English and Spanish.
- The currency is the dollar, and you will not need a passport as a US citizen.
- SJU is the biggest (and therefore cheapest) airport in Puerto Rico, but there are smaller airports if SJU doesn’t suit your needs.
Where to Stay in San Juan
Luxury
- If you want your 4 days in Puerto Rico itinerary to include absolute indulgence, you want the Caribe Hilton. Just 2 miles from the city center, Caribe Hilton has over 17 acres of tropical gardens on-site! The private beachfront hotel has a pool facing the ocean, a bar, and 9 restaurants.
- La Terraza de San Juan (Old San Juan) is a boutique hotel just a 9-minute walk from the beach. Decorated in 19th-century Colonial with happy pastel colors and tile floors, La Terraza is beautiful.
Budget
- La Capitana Old San Juan is conveniently located in the heart of everything. You won’t need a car and will be able to walk to all of San Juans major attractions like Del Morro and Fortaleza Street.
- Santurica Hostel and Bar is clean and compromise-free, located just a scenic 13-minute walk from Ocean Park Beach, and air-conditioned rooms that will help you recover after your walk.
Day 1 Luquillo Beach
A relaxing beach day is one of my favorite things to do after a long flight.
Luquillo is one of Puerto Rico’s most famous beaches, just 40 minutes from San Juan. If you’re a beach-y person, you can enjoy the entire day at Luquillo Beach. Bring along your favorite drinks and snacks in a beach tote bag with a detachable cooler, perfect for keeping a cold drink on hand while you spend the day sunbathing.
Otherwise, explore Las Pailas waterfalls or the town of Luquillo.
Where to Stay in Luquillo
If you prefer to stay overnight in Luquillo to get a head start at El Yunque, I recommend the adorable Luquillo Sunrise Inn. This hotel is affordable, a 20-minute drive from El Yunque and a 1-minute walk to the beach!
You Might Also Like: 26 Top Puerto Rico Things To Do
Day 2 Old San Juan
On the second day of your 4-day Puerto Rico itinerary, visit the charming city of San Juan. Founded in 1521, this is the iconic part of the city you’ve likely seen on Pinterest. Picture colorful houses, cobbled streets, statued plazas, and a distinctly Caribbean vibe- that’s Old San Juan.
What To Do in Old San Juan
El Morro Fort (Castillo San Felipe del Morro)
San Felipe del Morro is a stunning 16th-century citadel built to protect the city from enemies arriving by ship. Del Morro has views of the cemetery, the ocean, and Old San Juan.
Go deeper with a guided walking tour of El Morro Castle.
Del Morro is divided into 2 levels:
- From the upper level, you will have stunning views of the San Juan Cemetery (Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cementerio) to the east and the ocean to the west.
- On the lower level, you can walk along the ocean and enjoy the colony of super cute, semi-feral cats maintained by Save a Gato.
The Garitas (sentry boxes, pictured below) are positioned all along the upper and lower walls of the fort and make for incredibly unique photo ops and viewpoints (keep your eyes peeled for sunbathing Iguanas).
Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cementerio
Ok, even if cemeteries aren’t your thing, you gotta admit- romantic architecture against a moody ocean makes for one gorgeous sight to behold. Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cementerio is the final resting place of Ponce de Leon and other important residents.
The Bautista Cathedral houses the tomb of the famous explorer Ponce de León.
Fortaleza Street
This is the famed ‘umbrella street,” although umbrellas were removed and replaced with a Puerto Rican flag.
Fortaleza Street leads to the governor’s mansion and is closed down (and guarded!). The atmosphere is charming af- colorful colonial-era shops and residences line the street, and at dusk, you’re likely to see dancing in the street or children playing.
Catch a Sunset at El Morro
I will take time out of every single day to observe the sunset, forever inspired by El Morro.
Out of every item on this 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary, this is my absolute favorite!
How to Park in Old San Juan
So, these charming, cobblestone streets do not offer ample parking. They’re also extremely narrow- we literally had to pull in our side mirrors to get through at times.
I’d recommend this parking garage located across from El Morro- save yourself the hassle and foot the bill on this one.
Day 3 Catamaran Tour from Fajardo
This is hands down the clearest water I’ve seen in my entire life! I mean, you could see for literal miles. Fajardo Beach is an absolute gem, and I can’t say enough good things about it.
We took this cruise for $113 per person. The price included:
- A catamaran ride to deserted Icacos island
- Unlimited Pina Coladas
- Lunch (the vegetarian option was phenomenal)
- Snorkel Gear, floaties, and paddle boards for use at no extra charge
The crew members were knowledgeable, fun, and attentive.
You’ll want to bring a quality underwater camera to capture epic photos while snorkeling and swimming. If you can’t splurge on a camera, you can still take amazing photos with your smartphone using a waterproof phone case!
Culebra is another deserted island off Fajardo, also popular to snorkel and tour.
Bioluminescent Bay tour
Puerto Rico is famous for its 3 Bioluminescent bays, AKA Bio bays.
Bioluminescence is caused by microorganisms called Dinoflagellates. The Dinoflagellates glow a blue-green color whenever they are disturbed- every little movement in the water causes the dinoflagellates to light up in the water around you.
Reality check-
Photographing a bio bay is virtually impossible.
Mainly because it isn’t the water lighting up, but the dinoflagellates in the water. These guys light up for a brief instant and then go dark, making the overall effect extremely difficult to capture on film without using long exposure techniques.
The images that the tour companies show are photoshopped.
That being said, the actual in-person experience is magical. It just doesn’t translate to electronic devices well.
Want to Swim in a Bio Bay? Read This
La Parguera is the only one of the 3 bays you can swim in. This bay also has the least number of dinoflagellates and is, therefore, the least glow-y.
Breakdown of the 3 Bio Bays
Mosquito Bay in Vieques
This is the brightest of the 3 bays and the furthest from San Juan. To get there, you’ll have to take the ferry from Ceiba, which doesn’t run at night.
This means that most people end up spending a night on the island of Vieques. Also, it’s called Mosquito Bay for a reason, so don’t leave the spray at home.
Take a Tour of Mosquito Bay in a kayak or small group catamaran.
Laguna Grande in Fajardo
Laguna Grande is the closest to San Juan, an hour’s drive away. This is the most visited bio bay because of how close it is to San Juan.
La Parguera in Lajas
La Parguera is the only bay that allows motorboats and the only bay that allows swimming and, consequently, is the least bright of the 3 bays.
Tips for Visiting any Bio Bay
- Map where the moon is on her lunar cycle. Tours do not run during a full moon, as the light makes the Dinoflagellates less visible.
- Call ahead to see how bright the bio bay is forecasted to be on the day of your tour. Most tour companies will give you a better sense of how the bay is looking.
- Request the latest available time slot, or just ask if you can go at a time when the bay is likely to be empty.
- You’ve got options. Not all bio bay tours are created equal. Some are shorter, some involve booking an entire boat, while others are glass-bottom kayak tours. Prices vary quite a bit.
Day 4 El Yunque Rainforest
This was my first ever rainforest experience, and it did not disappoint! El Yunque (Yunque rhymes with junk) is the only rainforest in the U.S.
We had no problem navigating the maps and trails without a tour, but if you don’t have a rental car, tours will pick you up from San Juan. I like this tour which includes swimming, shopping, and waterfalls.
The 3 Waterfalls of El Yunque
La Coca Falls
This fall is not swimmable, because the rocks are so slippery.
La Coca Falls is the easiest to see because it’s close to the park’s entrance. Because of its unique rock surface that appears smooth, La Coca Falls is a favorite spot to snap pics.
For parking, the side of the road is fine- there’s no designated area.
Juan Diego Creek
Juan Diego Creek is actually a set of cascades that line the river. The short trail leads to natural pools that are lovely to swim and relax in, though remember the area is popular.
La Mina Falls
La Mina is the most popular fall in the El Yunque Rainforest. The natural swimming pool below the falls is around 65°F (18°C).
- Opening Hours: El Yunque is open every day except for holidays. Since the park closes before dark, it’s best to start your adventure early.
- Fees: A fee of $2 ticket per vehicle is required.
- Parking: Park on the side of the road for most hiking trails and waterfalls. Be aware of the “No Parking” signs; rangers check often, and they do fine.
- What to Bring: Spending a day exploring the waterfalls means you will get wet! So keep your items in a dry pack to ensure your gadgets and spare clothes stay untouched by the water and mist.
- Note: Post-hurricane Irma and Maria, some of the trails remain closed. Check USDA El Yunque Rainforest for updates before visiting.
You Might Also Like: Guide to El Yunque National Forest
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