It has been almost 1 year since Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico and the people and the island are well on the way to recovery. It may still take some time, but the island will be better than ever.
The majority of the tourism attractions around the island are open and many have been open for a while now and some of the best attractions in Puerto Rico that you should not miss are listed below.
Take a Tour of Old San Juan
A tour of Old San Juan is a MUST. Whether you decide to do a self guided walking tour or an organized tour; plan your trip, so that you can at least spend a day (or more) exploring Old San Juan.
Highlights include 2 forts, the San Juan Gate, cobbled streets, a cathedral, several historical churches and chapels, open air plazas, museums and numerous bars and restaurants
Hike in a Tropical Rainforest
(Currently only a limited number of areas are open to the public in El Yunque, but more area are expected to be opening soon)
El Yunque Rainforest is the go to option especially if you are in San Juan or on the east coast of Puerto Rico. El Yunque offers walking trails for all abilities and you will even find Zip Lines on the lower levels of the forest for those seeking an adrenaline rush.
Other options include the Toro Negro Forest in the central region of the island, and for a non tropical option, you could hike in the Guanica Dry Forest on the south west coast.
Relax on the Beach and hit the Surf
At some point on your vacation you will want to just relax and catch some sun and hit the water. If you are staying in San Juan you can choose from the beaches in Condado and Isla Verde, but if you are looking for some great beaches you will have to explore a little further afield.
On the main island of Puerto Rico you should consider Luquillo Beach (note this is the Government run beach east of the Luquillo Food Kiosks and not the beach directly behind the kiosks), Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo and Playa Sucia in Cabo Roja.
For surfers you should be looking at the beaches around Rincon; home to some of the best waves in the Caribbean.
A trip over to the islands of Culebra or Vieques and you will be rewarded with amazing beaches.
On Culebra check out Flamenco Beach, Playa Brava and Zoni Beach, on Vieques check out Sun Bay Beach, Media Luna and Blue Beach.
Visit a Bioluminescent Bay (Bio Bay)
There are not many Bio Bays around the world and Puerto Rico is fortunate to have THREE of them, so if this wonder of nature is something that you would like to see; plan your trip to coincide with the correct phase of the moon.
Of the three Bio Bays in Puerto Rico, the best (for brightness) is Mosquito Bay on Vieques and for ease of access (unless you are already on Vieques) is Laguna Grande Bio Bay near Fajardo.
Most Bio Bay Tour Operators will provide transportation from San Juan at an extra charge
Take an Adventure Tour
Adventure Tours in Puerto Rico are really taking off and the island now boasts one of the longest zip lines in the world: The Beast at Toro Verde.
If you are looking for adventure tours there are numerous tour operators offering tours from basic zip lines to extreme caving, rappelling and river hiking; you can even arrange a tour to spend a few days camping on Mona Island.
Sample Some Local Puerto Rican Food
This is a no brainer; the food in Puerto Rico is amazing, with restaurants and roadside kiosks for all budgets and tastes. Lechon, Morcilla, Pasteles (during Christmas Time), road side food kiosks are just some of teh things that should be on your list to try.
Note: If you are on a budget check out a local Panaderia or roadside food stall (kiosks).
Visit Guavate
Guavate in Puerto Rico is famous for one thing; Lechon – spit roasted whole pig. You can find Lechon all around Puerto Rico but if you have the chance, head to Guavate for a true Lechon experience.
Weekends and holidays are the best time to go for the full Guavate Experience (lechon, crowds, music and dancing) or for a quieter time, visit midweek.
After a hearty plate of Lechon and Puerto Rican side dishes, you could always spend the afternoon at the nearby Carite Forest and a swim in Charco Azul.
Go Underground and Explore a Cave
Puerto Rico has some amazing cave systems that you can explore on your own or with an organized tour.
Popular caves include:
The Camuy Cave System is one of the largest in the world and you can visit part of the system at The Camuy Cave Park or if you are more adventurous take one of the caving tours offered by one of the local adventure tour companies.
Cueva Ventana near Utuado and Cueva Indio near Arecibo can be explore don your own as well as with local guides. Both are really cool and worth visiting if you are in the area.
Spend the day Snorkeling
Some of the best snorkeling can be found off the east coast of Puerto Rico and half day snorkel and sailing tours from Fajardo are extremely popular.
Tours usually take you to some of the smaller islands where you will have time to swim the reefs and enjoy some beach time.
Visit Cabo Rojo
Amazing views and awesome sunsets are just a couple of the reasons why you should visit Cabo Rojo. The area has some amazing coastline and being on the west coast makes for a perfect location to catch a sunset.
While you are there remember to visit the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse (Faro Los Morrillos de Cabo Rojo).
Bonus Tip – Rent a Car
If you are planning on visiting Puerto Rico for more than a couple of days, consider renting a car. You will be able to explore the island at your own pace, stop at places whenever you want and it will probably work out cheaper than taking an organized tour.
If you have any other suggestions for things to see and do in Puerto Rico, leave them in the comments below.
