Planning your epic Puerto Rico trip and want to make sure you’ve added in all the stuff you actually want to do? You’ve found the ultimate list of cool PR things to do right here!
Puerto Rico is more than Old San Juan and Condado Beach…but I’ve included those, too! From hidden gems to iconic attractions to the tastiest food and the best beaches and nightlife, my list has it all.
The best part is that if you don’t plan to rent a car in Puerto Rico, you can do everything on this list with a tour from San Juan.
These are the top 26 Puerto Rico things to do:
Explore Old San Juan
Charming, otherwordly, and romantic, Old San Juan is one of the top Puerto Rico things to do that you absolutely cannot miss.
Cobbled streets and kaleidoscopic Carribean buildings? Check. Historic fortresses and inspiring old city walls from the 16th century? Oh yeah.
Here are 7 things to do in Old San Juan:
- Fortaleza Street. Roam the cobblestoned pathways, snap pics in front of the colonial buildings, souvenir shop, and see the famous canopy on Fortaleza Street. Once the ‘Umbrella Street’ of Instagram fame, the canopy on Fortaleza Street always changes. When I was there last, Fortaleza displayed the Puerto Rican flag (shown above).
- Paseo de la Princesa. Paseo de la Princesa is a boardwalk that runs the old wall of the city and beyond the Fuente Raíces (Raíces Fountain). This is one of the most beautiful walks in the world, not to be missed!
- Castillo de San Cristobal. San Cristobal is one of the biggest Spanish-built forts in the Americas.
- Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis. This hauntingly romantic cemetery by the sea is all beautiful views and notable graves.
- Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. The museum has art, live music, and festivals, what more could you want?
- Drink a Pina Colada where it was invented. Puerto Rico’s national drink needs no introduction. Born in Old San Juan, the identity of its inventor remains surrounded by myths and legends. Grab one from any bar!
- Explore. Learn the history and uncover hidden gems with a guided tour of Old San Juan.
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Catch Views at Castillo San Felipe del Morro
San Felipe del Morro is a romantic 16th-century citadel built to protect the city from enemies in the sea. Del Morro’s views of the cemetery, the raging ocean, and Old San Juan took my breath away.
Tip: Learn more with a guided walking tour of del Morro Castle.
The castle has 2 levels:
- From the upper level, catch views of the San Juan Cemetery (Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cementerio) to the East and the ocean to the West. Look out for sunbathing, Iguanas!
- On the lower level, walk beside the ocean and allow yourself to be charmed by the colony of semi-feral cats maintained by Save a Gato.
Relax on a Beach
Never come to an island without packing for a tropical beach day. These are the 5 best beaches in Puerto Rico:
- Condado Beach in San Juan. Condado is a favorite for tourists because of its location close to all the buzz of San Juan.
- Escambrón Beach in San Juan. Escambrón Beach has cool rock formations that protect it from the rough waves of the Atlantic, making it perfect for snorkeling. If you want to take underwater photos without a tour, this is the spot.
- Flamenco Beach on Culebra. Flamenco Beach is Instagram famous partially because it’s beautiful and partially because of the leftover Navy tanks covered in graffiti. This day tour to Culebra will take you to the best beaches on the island, right from San Juan.
- Luquillo Beach in Luquillo. Luquillo is a beach town just 40 minutes from San Juan, popular because it’s close to both beaches and mountains.
- Sun Bay Beach on Vieques. If you want a remote, rarely crowded beach that still has facilities like a designated swimming area with lifeguards, working bathrooms, showers, etc., then consider making the journey to Sun Bay on Vieques.
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See the Only Tropical Rainforest in the US
El Yunque (Yunque rhymes with junk) is the only rainforest in the US. The ‘Yunque was the first tropical rainforest I ever experienced, and it can be yours too!
We had no problem navigating the maps and trails without a guide, 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.
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Spend the Day on a Catamaran
Beaches and boats, on an island, you gotta have them both.
I took this catamaran day trip from Fajardo and swam in the clearest water I’ve ever experienced. You could see for literal miles underwater—incredible!
Cross a Bioluminescent Bay off Your Bucket List
One of the most famous Puerto Rico things to do that is totally unique is to visit a bioluminescent bay.
PR is famous for its 3 bioluminescent bays that glow thanks to a microorganism called a Dinoflagellate.
The Dinoflagellates radiate a blue-green color when the water around them is disturbed.
Here’s a quick breakdown of Puerto Rico’s 3 bio bays:
- Mosquito Bay on Vieques. This is the brightest of all the bio bays but also the furthest from San Juan. Take a Tour of Mosquito Bay in a kayak or small group catamaran. Tip: it’s called Mosquito Bay, so don’t leave the bug spray at home.
- Laguna Grande in Fajardo. Laguna Grande is the closest bioluminescent to San Juan, only about an hour away by car. Take a Tour of Laguna Grande.
- La Parguera in Lajas. This is the only bio bay that allows swimming. Take a Tour of La Parguera.
Tour Casa Bacardi
Visiting Casa Bacardi is one of the top Puerto Rico things to do for obvious reasons. Learn about the rum’s history and become a rum maestro with a guided tasting tour. If you’ve ever had a fun night of Bacardi, a Bacardi Party if you will, make time for this tour!
Eat and Drink Local
In case you didn’t know, Caribbean food is incredible, and Puerto Rico has some of the best.
Each island does things a bit differently, so if you’re wondering what food Purto Rico is known for, get ready to screenshot:
What food is Puerto Rico known for?
- Mofongo: Fried green plantains, chicharrones (crispy pork skin), and fresh garlic.
- Pasteles: A tamal made with a masa of plantain and yuca instead of corn, like traditional tamales.
- Arroz con gandules: Rice, pigeon peas, sofrito, and pork cooked in the same pot.
The best way to experience PR food culture is with a small group guided tour that includes authentic food and drink samples and stops.
What drink is Puerto Rico known for?
One of my favorite drinks EVER, wherever I am, the pina colada, was invented in San Juan, Puerto Rico!
Visit Ponce De Leon’s Burial Site
Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista is beautiful in its own right, but most people visit for a grave- The body of Ponce de Leon sleeps forever at this 1540 medieval cathedral.
Flamenco Beach Abandoned Tank
There are tons of life-changing beaches in PR. But only one has two abandoned US Navy tanks.
Why is there a tank on Flamenco Beach? Flamenco Beach was used as a weapons-testing ground for the US Navy for 30 years before being abandoned in 1975.
Note: Today, the tank is mostly submerged in the water. You can still snap pics, just make sure you’re in your bathing suit!
Las Salinas: the Cabo Rojo Salt Flats
On the Southwest corner of the island, in the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, are famously pink salt flats known as Las Salinas.
The water is beautiful shades of pastel pink (occasionally, it’s reddish brown or cloudy white), making for unique photos.
Why are the salt flats in Puerto Rico pink? The pink color of the Cabo Rojos salt flats is thanks to a combination of algae called Dunaliella Salina, bacteria, and salt water.
How do you get to the pink salt flats in Puerto Rico? Most people will never get to Cabos Rojos because it’s about a 3-hour drive from San Juan. If you’re not renting a car, you can take this day tour of Puerto Rico’s West side.
Cueva del Indio
Said to have the most Taino petroglyphs on the coast, Cueva del Indio is an impressive cave cradled by dramatic cliffs hanging over the Atlantic Ocean. The views are, unsurprisingly, stunning.
Lots of movies were filmed at Cueva del Indio:
- Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
- Runner, Runner
- Treasure Island
- Perfect Getaway
The easiest way to see the caves is a day tour from San Juan.
Day Trip to Colorful Ponce
On the island’s Southern coast is the second biggest city in Puerto Rico, Ponce, known for its colorful history and blend of Spanish, African, and Indian cultures.
If you love old buildings (you know I do!) Ponce is paradise. The city’s oldest parts, made up of whimsical churches and dreamy colonials from the 17th century, have been declared a national treasure.
What to do in Ponce:
- Castillo Serralles is a beautiful mansion with lovely views of downtown Ponce.
- This guided walking tour of Ponce takes you to all the best spots, including Parque de Bombas, the Centro Cultural Carmen Sola de Pereira de Ponce, the Ponce History Museum, and the Cathedral of our Lady of Guadalupe.
FAQ: Puerto Rico Things to Do
What activities do people do in Puerto Rico?
Beaching, exploring San Felipe del Morro, snapping pics in charming Old San Juan, and bioluminescent bays are common activities people do in Puerto Rico.
Things to do in Puerto Rico at night?
There are so many things to do in Puerto Rico at night! Here are just a few:
- Sunset at the charming Paseo De La Princesa. Located in Old San Juan, Paseo De La Princesa (Promenade of the Princess) is a 19th-century boardwalk, the perfect place for a sunset stroll. Walk by the 400-year-old walls, street vendors, street artists, and fellow sunset lovers.
- Nightlife. Choose from trendy hotel nightclubs (like Caribe Hilton, who swears they invented the pina colada) and laid-back beach bars. If you want a dancing/classic club experience, hit up Isla Verde.
- Bioluminescent bay. Those famous glowing bays you’ve heard about can only be experienced at night.
- Teatro La Perla in Ponce. This is the second oldest theatre in Puerto Rico. Teatro La Perla is a great place to see live productions of music and opera after dark.
What is the #1 attraction in Puerto Rico?
El Castillo San Felipe del Morro is the #1 attraction in Puerto Rico. With a rich history, amazing views, and a central location in San Juan, it’s easy to see why it’s so loved.
