Everyone will agree, from reggaetoneros looking for Bad Bunny’s favorite party venue to happy honeymooners drawn to luxury beach resorts. Puerto Rico lives up to its name as Encanto Island, the enchanting island. This winter, a slew of new flights to the island from Delta and other major carriers make it easier than ever to enjoy a trip to this tropical paradise without the need for a passport.
Part of the fun of visiting Puerto Rico is exploring hidden beaches, visiting small islands of white sand, and hiking to jungle waterfalls that other travelers miss. With help from locals and his PADI, Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, Dorado Beach at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, we’ve put together a list of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico, from the best surf spots to winding cave systems. created. A great place to eat local cuisine such as alcapurria and mofongo.
Related: Travel + Leisure’s Puerto Rico Tourism Guide
old san juan
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Old San Juan, the historic center of Puerto Rico’s capital, is vibrant beyond its colorful colonial architecture and Calle Fortaleza, the iconic “umbrella street.” Stroll through cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old mansions until you arrive at Castello San Felipe del Morro, a Spanish fortress located at the western edge of the historic center with stunning sea views. End your day of exploration by tasting local cuisine at one of the countless rooftop restaurants nearby or having a drink at La His Factoria, voted the best bar in the Caribbean in 2023 .
Condado
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San Juan’s oceanfront Condado neighborhood is home to luxury apartments, the city’s best restaurants, and great shopping in San Juan. Visit La Placita de Santurce, a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, where cultural events and street parties are often held, and sample Puerto Rican cuisine at local spots like La Al Capriaquema .
Condado is also home to some of our readers’ favorite Puerto Rican resorts. Among them shines the Condado Collection of hotels and resorts, including La Concha Resort, Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, and Condado Ocean Club, all located along San Juan’s most beautiful beaches.
dorado beach
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Those looking for a retreat from the energetic San Juans without having to travel far will love the pristine beaches of trendy Dorado Beach, surrounded by palm trees. Stay at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, perhaps the most exclusive resort in Puerto Rico. Known for its sanctuary-like Spa Botanico, which features a championship golf course and treehouse treatment rooms, it offers the bespoke luxury experience you’ve come to expect from a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property.
El Yunque National Forest
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The only rainforest within the U.S. National Forest System, El Yunque National Forest is one of the island’s natural gems, crisscrossed with hiking trails, endless rivers, and hidden waterfalls. El Yunque is a popular day trip from San Juan, but you can explore more than you can on a day trip, including natural swimming holes like Chalco El Hippi and the Yocaf Observation Tower, which stands over 400 feet tall and offers panoramic canopy views. There are many places. End your visit with farm-to-table Puerto Rican cuisine at nearby Bacoa Finca + Fogón.
Related: T+L Guide to Eastern Puerto Rico’s Underrated Regions
Vieques Island
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There are no traffic lights on Vieques, just pristine beaches and dreamy boutique accommodations on the largest island off mainland Puerto Rico. Vieques’ most popular tourist attraction is the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, which glows blue at night as visitors kayak through waters filled with luminescent plankton. Enjoy a day trip to the island or spend a few nights at Finca His Victoria in one of 14 unique cabins, treehouses, or guesthouses surrounded by the lush vegetation of the island’s interior.
La Parguera
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For travelers who can’t make it to Vieques to experience Puerto Rico’s most famous bioluminescent bay, head to La Parguera. Located on the island’s southwest coast, La Parguera is home to Puerto Rico’s only bioluminescent bay, where you can swim in shimmering waters, so be sure to bring your suit. Drive this experience by car, or spend the night in a small guesthouse in town, then visit the nearby Quays and spend the day snorkeling and paddleboarding among the mangrove forests.
culebra island
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The laid-back island of Culebra, off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico’s main island, may be small but packed with charm to make it a great destination. With less than 2,000 permanent residents, this island ranked on our readers’ list of favorite Caribbean islands in 2023. Culebra’s famous Flamenco Beach often appears at the top of lists of the world’s most beautiful beaches. At one end of the beach, an abandoned U.S. Navy tank covered in graffiti is both an Instagram icon and a dark monument to the island’s past use for naval gunfire and bombing exercises.
culebrita
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From Culebra, take a 15-minute water taxi to Culebrita. The island’s main attraction is its impressive beaches with incredibly clear water. Tortuga Beach is named for the large number of sea turtles that nest here each year and is considered one of the best beaches in Puerto Rico.
Kayo Ikakos
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Another white-sand fortress located off the island’s east coast, Cayo Icacos is an increasingly popular day trip destination in Puerto Rico and a must-see for beach lovers. Book a catamaran trip for an excursion from Fajardo to Cayo Cacos and spend a day enjoying the pristine beaches and shallow waters of this uninhabited island.
Rio Camuy Cave
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Escape the heat of the Caribbean sun at Rio Camuy Cave Park in northwestern Puerto Rico. These limestone caves were carved out over centuries by the huge underground river Rio Camuy. Geologists have identified at least 220 caves and 27 miles of natural tunnels, but much of the area remains unexplored. Reservations are required, so please be sure to make a reservation in advance with a registered travel agency.
Palomino Island
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“Forget the Maldives, I’ll stay in Palomino,” Bad Bunny murmurs in his hit song “El Apagon.” Although there are no overwater bungalows here, Palomino Island’s white sand beaches and crystal clear waters certainly merit comparisons to the atolls of the Maldives. This 100-acre uninhabited island off the east coast of mainland Puerto Rico is only a short ferry ride away and is exclusive to guests of El Conquistador Resort.
Rincon
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The town of Rincon, on the island’s west coast, reigns as one of the best surfing destinations in the Caribbean. Numerous beaches offer waves for surfers of all levels, but Domes Beach is home to the huge swells that host international surfing competitions each year. The best time to visit Puerto Rico in search of waves is from October to February, but even if you prefer to stay on the coast, Rincon has plenty to offer year-round.
Desecho Island
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Puerto Rico is home to many impressive dive sites, but few are as famous as the uninhabited Desecheo Island, located just off the island’s west coast. Visitors can explore what his PADI deems some of the best underwater clarity in all of Puerto Rico, including an intricate cave system that offers memorable swim-throughs and a dive site so colorful that it’s known as “Candyland.” There’s a lot to see and do while having fun.
Aguadilla
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Surfers and travelers looking for the best beaches on the island will love Aguadilla, located on the island’s west coast. Aguadilla’s Crash Boat Beach is one of the most famous beaches on the island, offering an enchanting combination of white sand, water sports, and a party atmosphere with beach bars and food trucks serving tropical cocktails and local cuisine throughout the day. It’s a beach. The beach offers perfect clarity for snorkeling, but be careful when entering the water. On the north side of the beach is Gas Chambers, one of Puerto Rico’s most famous surfing breaks.
mayaguez
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Many travelers bypass Mayaguez, the largest city on Puerto Rico’s west coast, and head directly to the area’s smaller beach towns. However, Mayaguez makes a convenient base for exploring the best of the west side of the island. A charming historic center and booming gourmet scene definitely don’t hurt. Mayaguez is also known as the “City of Pure Water” due to its proximity to some of Puerto Rico’s best diving spots, such as Desecheo Island and Mona Island.
isabella
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Isabela is Puerto Rico’s ultimate laid-back beach town, boasting a coastline that attracts everyone from backpackers and surfers to San Juan’s elite looking for a weekend getaway. Rent a bike and visit Paseo Lineal de Isabela and follow the coastline to visit Isabela’s most beautiful beaches. This 7.5-mile route along the ocean is perfect for a morning jog or watching the sunset. Or head inland to Guajataca State Forest for lush forest trails, hidden caves, and camping.
Ponce
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Although Puerto Rico’s second-largest city is often overlooked by travelers, the “Pearl of the South” has historical charm and cultural weight that makes it worth the trip. Explore the city’s historic squares and numerous museums, or escape to the countryside to visit the Hacienda Buena his vista, the countless coffee plantations that once brought Ponce both wealth and fame. What do you think.
Casa Bacardi
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No trip to the Caribbean is complete without sampling some of the best local rum. Puerto Rico is home to several different distilleries, but Casa Bacardi, located just across from Old San Juan, is the island’s top destination for visitors wanting to learn about the Caribbean’s most famous drink. While the impressive visitor center and panoramic views of the city make for a great tasting and touring experience, the real star of the show is the unparalleled rum selection.
Related: 5 Best Tours in Puerto Rico
manatee
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Just 45 minutes west of San Juan, the coastal town of Manatí feels a world away from the big city. Come here to enjoy beautiful, uncrowded beaches such as Mar Chiquita’s half-moon-shaped crystal bay and Los Tubos Beach, known for its pipes perfect for surfing.
Luquillo
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Puerto Rico’s Capital del Sol (Capital of the Sun) is home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Luquillo Beach and Balneario Monserrate are the most popular playas in the area due to their size and extensive public beach facilities, but Luquillo has several beaches. After a day exploring the nearby El Yunque National Forest, head to Luquillo. You can also use the town as a base to explore lesser-visited areas of the rainforest.
