The island of Puerto Rico packs a tremendous amount of diversification into its relative small land mass, making it a perfect holiday destination for folks looking for more than just a Caribbean beach getaway.
In order to help promote the whole island of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Government and Puerto Rico Tourism Company divided the island into regions; with each region offering something different.
So grab a rental car and let’s discover the regions of Puerto Rico
Metro San Juan
Not technically a region, but an area that most visitors to Puerto Rico will spend some time in. From the ancient walled city of Old San Juan to the bustling vibrant atmosphere of Condado and Isla Verde, the San Juan Metro area has plenty to offer the most discerning of visitors.
San Juan Metro Area Highlights Include:
- Old San Juan and its magnificent fortifications and cobbled stone streets
- Beach side Resort Hotels in Condado and Isla Verde
- Casinos
- Fine dining
- Nightlife
- Shopping including the largest mall in the Caribbean; Plaza Las America
- Amazing local street food in Pinones
Restaurants to check out:
- Café Puerto Rico, Old San Juan
- Casa Lola, Condado
- Jose Enrique, Santurce
- La Casita Blanca
Also, take a look at more things to do in the San Juan Metro Area
East Coast (Porta Antillas)
Porta Antillas covers the eastern area of Puerto Rico including the towns of:Caguas, San Lorenzo, Juncos, Las Piedras, Gurabo, Humacao, Naguabo, Ceiba, Yabucoa, Maunabo, LoÃza, Canovanas, RÃo Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, and the popular islands of Vieques and Culebra.
Home to El Yunque Rainforest, Porta Antillas is one of the most popular areas on the island. Its close proximity to San Juan, especially with the recently completed Route 66 toll road, means you can pack several destinations into a daytrip.
Porta AntillasHighlights Include:
- El YUnque Rainforest
- Luquillo Beach and the Luquillo Food Kiosks
- Bahia St Regis Resort
- Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve
- Laguna Grande Bio Bay in Fajardo
- Culebra Island and Flamenco Beach
- Vieques Island and Mosquito BioBay
- Monkey Island
- Great Snorkeling: Various tour operators offer day sails and snorkeling trips along the east coast of Puerto Rico
Restaurants to check out:
- La Estacion, Fajardo
- El Varadero Seaside Grill, Fajardo
- Zaco’s Tacos, Culebra
- Heather’s, Culebra
- Sol Food, Vieques
- Next Course, Vieques
Also, take a look at more things to do in Porta Antillas
South Coast (Porto Caribe)
The Porta Caribe region takes in both coastal and inland towns giving the region multitude of options for visitors including: beaches, forests, lakes and mountains.
The region covers the coastal towns of Ponce, Guayanilla, , Santa Isabel, Salinas, Arroyo and Patillas, as well as the insland areas of Yauco, Penuelas, Adjuntas, Jayuya, Villalba, Juana DÃaz, Coamo.
With such diversity in geography, there is plenty to see and do in Porta Caribe.
Porta Caribe Highlights include:
- Ponce, Puerto Rico’s second largest city and also known as the Pearl of the South
- Numerous museums in Ponce and surrounding towns
- Castillo Serrallés
- Hacienda Buena Vista, one of the best preserved coffee plantations in Puerto Rico
- Tibes Ceremonial Center
Restaurants to check out:
- El balcon de Capitan, Salinas
- Puerta Del Sol, Salinas
- Café Cafe Cocina Criolla Espresso Bar, Ponce
Also, take a look at more things to do in Porta Caribe
West Coast (Porta Del Sol)
Porta Del Sol is the surfing meca of Puerto Rico with the region stretching from Isabela on the north west coast to Guanica on the south. In between you will find, Rincon, Cabo Rojo, Mayaguez, Aguadilla, San German, Aguada and more.
Porta Del Sol is the laid back side of the island, so if you are looking for something a little quieter then this might just be for you.
Porta Del Sol Highlights Include:
- Great surfing & great beaches
- Rincon Lighthouse
- Whale spotting (in season)
- Bahia Sucia a picturesque crescent beach
- Guanica Dry Forest
- San German
- Mona Island
- Desecheo Island
- Great Scuba Diving: Several tour operators offer scuba diving tours around the west coast of Puerto Rico, where you will find some of the best dive sights.
Restaurants to check out:
- Brisas del Mar, Guanica
- La Marea Eat & Drink, Boqueron
- Vaiven Tasca en el Mar, Cabo Rojo
- Casa Islena Restaurant, Rincon
- El Carey Cafe & Beach Shop, Isabela
Also, take a look at more things to do in Porta Del Sol
North Coast (Porta Atlantico)
The north coast region offers a mixture of great beaches, natural beauty, cave and river systems, a 5 Star Luxury Resort and the largest Radio Telescope in the World.
Porta Atlantico covers the north coast of Puerto Rico taking in the towns of Dorado, Vega Baja, Vega Alta, Toa Alta, ManatÃ, Barceloneta, Arecibo, Hatillo and Camuy.
Porta Atlantico Highlights Include:
- Ritz Carlton Reserve
- Beaches
- Arecibo Observatory
- Barceloneta Outlets
- Camuy Cave System
- Hatillo ‘s Mask Festival
Restaurants to check out:
- Gustitos Criollos, Arecibo
- Salpicon Restaurant, Arecibo
- Grappa, Dorado
- Mi Casa by Jose Andres,Dorado
Also, take a look at more things to do in Porta Atlantico
Central Region (Porta Cordillera)
If you are looking for nature reserves, lakes, coffee plantations and more, then Porta Cordillera should be on your list.
The region covers the towns of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, Cayey, ComerÃo, Aibonito, Naranjito, Barranquitas, Corozal, Orocovis, Morovis, Ciales, Jayuya, Florida, Utuado, Adjuntas and Lares.
Highlights include:
- Guavate home of the Ruta de Lechon
- Lares, known island wide for HeladerÃa de Lares an ice cream shop serving bizarre and regular flavors
- San Cristobal Canyon
- Orocovis and Toro Verde, home to the BEAST Zip Line
- Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center
- Sections of the Ruta Panoramica
- Coffee Plantations
Restaurants to check out:
Casa Bavaria, Morovis
La Colina 360, Morovis
El Cunao, Cayey
Restaurante Rancho Marina, Utuado on Lago Dos Bocas
Also, take a look at more things to do in Porta Cordillera
So as you can see, plenty to see and do all around the island….
What’s your favorite region and why? Why not share in the comments below
