I LOVED Puerto Rico and I also have many clients that feel the same! Puerto Rico is very diverse – offering tons of nature-oriented activities like hiking the El Yunque rainforests, to offering fun, stylish experiences in the city of Ol San Juan.
Puerto Rico offers social scenes in the Old City of San Juan and has tons of nightlife options for your next getaway!
PUERTO RICO HIGHLIGHTS:
Old San Juan City (Cobblestone roads, Boutiques, Restaurants, & Nightlife)
I definitely recommend spending time walking the streets of Old San Juan. There are many unique restaurant options and boutique shopping experiences for you to enjoy throughout your entire stay! And the atmosphere is so much fun – It’s like the historical New Orleans style with a Caribbean feel. I spent a lot of time on Calle De Cristo and surrounding streets when visiting Old San Juan.
El Yunque National Rainforest
This National Rainforest is a MUST see when visiting Puerto Rico! I recommend dedicating one day to see and hike the Rainforest. It is so beautiful! and nice to take in some of the natural beauty this island has to offer. The journey can be a combination of driving and hiking depending on your activity level. Along the way – you will discover waterfalls, flora, and fauna.
To see the waterfall above, you can drive about half way into El Yunque Rainforest and stop to take a picture… This one is very easy to get to.
For this waterfall above, you will do a some hiking to get to it, but it is definitely worth it! Take some time to cool off and enjoy the scenery before heading back down.
Bioluminescent Bay
There are only a few destinations in the Caribbean to experience bioluminescence so this is a great opportunity to experience the Bioluminescent marine activity – which is caused by a single-celled microorganisms called dinoflagellates. There are 3 locations in Puerto Rico to witness this beautiful scenery:
- La Parguera Bay – This is the best option if you are looking for convenience and experience. La Parguera Bay is the only location that allows swimming – and who wouldn’t want to capture this awesomeness? La Parguera Bay is also a convenient 2-hour drive from Old San Juan. If you don’t have a car, you can schedule this tour from Old San Juan including hotel pick-up: La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Tour from San Juan
- Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay located on the island of Vieques – Known as the most bioluminescence location in the WORLD! The distance from Old San Juan to Vieques will take about 3 hours including a ferry ride each way. So it may be best to plan this excursion in advance. The island of Vieques is located off the east coast of Puerto Rico and the distance between is about 1 hour.
- Laguna Grande, Fajardo – This is the easiest of all 3 locations. Laguna Grande is only 1 hours from the city of Old San Juan and only 30 minutes from El Yunque National Forest. Check out this awesome, convenient, and low cost tour: Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayaking Tour in Laguna Grande Fajardo
Piñones Beach (Agriculture, Marine Life, and Locals)
Piñones Beach is going to be a different beach than what your hotel is located on or near by. This is the locals spot offering lots of agriculture, sea shells, sea fans, and marine life. Not many tourists know about this beach, but it was one of my favorite spots, because I love marine life and shell searching. They also have some authentic food huts nearby to try some local food too!
Fort San Felipe
I recommend a visit to the Castillo San Felipe del Morro located in Old San Juan also known as Fort San Felipe del Morro or Morro Castle, is a 16th-century citadel located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. And on the weekends, people will bring their kites out and enjoy the day. Its really nice to relax out here with the breeze from the ocean.
Suggested Hotels:
Casablanca Hotel (Family Friendly, Stylish, Budget, Located within the City, May need to use stairs)
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino (Family Friendly, Beachfront, near Old San Juan)
Intercontinental Hotel (Family Friendly, Luxury, Lively, Beachfront on Isla Verde, short drive to Old San Juan)
