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Old San Juan

Discover What to Do in Puerto Rico

Whether you're spending a weekend in Puerto Rico or a week, find a complete guide to things to do in Puerto Rico including attractions, restaurants, and events. Puerto Rico offers unforgettable experiences around every corner. Explore centuries-old forts, relax on pristine beaches, hike through tropical rainforests, savor authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, celebrate colorful festivals, and uncover hidden gems across the island's 78 municipalities.

You'll find recommendations on experiences, where to stay, where to eat, annual festivals and events, seasonal activities, guided tours, and my Editor's Picks featuring some of our favorite places and experiences from around the island.

From iconic landmarks to local favorites, this guide brings together the best places to stay, eat, explore, and experience, helping you discover Puerto Rico your way.


Top Experiences

El Yunque Rainforest

Nowhere else in the United States National Forest System looks like this. El Yunque covers 28,000 acres of the Sierra de Luquillo mountains, receives up to 240 inches of rain per year, and harbors four distinct forest types within hiking distance of each other.

Old San Juan

Old San Juan

Old San Juan is one of the oldest European settlements in the Americas. Wander colorful streets lined with Spanish colonial architecture, blue cobblestones, historic plazas, shops, and cafés while exploring the iconic forts of El Morro and San Cristóbal.

Bioluminescent Bays

Puerto Rico is home to three of the world's brightest bioluminescent bays. Paddle beneath the stars as microscopic organisms illuminate the water with every movement, creating one of the island's most magical nighttime experiences.


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Featured Tours

Photo by The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort

Where to Stay in Puerto Rico

Whether you're looking for historic streets, beachfront resorts, or peaceful mountain retreats, Puerto Rico offers accommodations for every travel style. Explore the island's unique regions to find the perfect place to call home during your visit.

Historic Charm

Old San Juan
Stay inside 500-year-old colonial buildings converted into boutique hotels where colorful streets, museums, restaurants, and historic forts are all within walking distance.

Perfect for: First-time visitors, couples, history lovers

Beach Resorts

Rio Grande • Dorado • Isla Verde
Wake up just steps from the beach at Puerto Rico's most popular resort destinations. Enjoy oceanfront pools, spas, golf courses, and easy access to water activities.

Perfect for: Families, luxury travelers, honeymooners

Boutique Escapes

Rincón • Vieques • Culebra

Smaller hotels and charming inns offer a more intimate experience, beautiful sunsets, quiet beaches, and personalized hospitality.

Perfect for: Couples, solo travelers, beach lovers

Mountain Retreats

Adjuntas • Jayuya • Utuado • Maricao
Escape to Puerto Rico's cool central mountains where coffee plantations, forests, and cozy lodges provide a peaceful change of pace.

Perfect for: Nature lovers, hikers, coffee enthusiasts

Family-Friendly Resorts

Rio Grande • Palmas del Mar • Dorado
Large resorts with pools, water activities, kids' clubs, and spacious accommodations make traveling with children easy.

Perfect for: Families

Budget-Friendly Stays

Ponce • Mayagüez • Aguadilla
Comfortable hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals offer excellent value while keeping you close to local attractions and authentic Puerto Rican culture.

Perfect for: Budget travelers, road trips

Not sure where to stay?

Compare Puerto Rico's regions, discover the best neighborhoods, and browse our curated collection of hotels, resorts, boutique inns, paradores, and vacation rentals.

Find accommodations

Fruits

Taste Puerto Rico

Food is one of the best ways to experience Puerto Rico. From family-run lechoneras in the mountains and colorful beach kiosks along the coast to artisan coffee shops, historic bakeries, and chef-driven restaurants, every meal reflects the island's rich blend of Spanish, African, and Taíno influences.

Whether you're searching for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, fresh seafood, local street food, or an unforgettable fine dining experience, you'll find flavors and traditions that make every stop memorable.

Explore restaurants in Puerto Rico.

Featured Restaurants

Rincón Ibérico


Rincon Iberico

Rincón Ibérico offers a cozy, intimate dining experience in Old San Juan near El Morro. Known for its flavorful tapas and exceptional seafood paella, the restaurant pairs warm, attentive service with a charming atmosphere — a true hidden gem.

The paella is the star of the menu — generously portioned, perfectly seasoned, and rich with fresh flavors.

Follow Rincón Ibérico on Facebook
Located across El Morro, Calle Norzagaray Interior Courtyard in Old San Juan.
787-725-5936

Restuarante Raices


Raices Restaurant in Old San Juan

If you're craving real Puerto Rican comfort food in the heart of Old San Juan, Restaurante Raíces delivers. The atmosphere is colorful, welcoming, and full of island energy — the kind of place where you immediately feel like part of the celebration.

And the mofongo? Absolutely divine. Flavorful, perfectly mashed, and generously served, it's rich, savory, and everything you hope Puerto Rican food will be.

Calle Recinto Sur 315 Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico 00933

Photo by Raices Restaurant

Cafá Botánico


Cafe Botanico in Old San Juan

Tucked into the colorful streets of Old San Juan, Cafá Botánico is the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile. Bright, fresh, and full of charm, it's a cozy escape for coffee lovers and brunch seekers alike.

And the cappuccino? A work of art. Perfectly balanced, beautifully crafted, and topped with stunning latte art, it's almost too pretty to drink — almost.

200 Calle de Tetuan, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901

Find more places to dine and drink in Puerto Rico.


Annual Events & Festivals

Puerto Rico celebrates something almost every week of the year. From colorful carnivals and patron saint festivals to food fairs, coffee harvests, artisan markets, and live music, there's always a reason to join the celebration.

January

San Sebastián Festival

Four nights of live music, vejigante masks, artisan crafts, and street food take over Old San Juan's colonial streets — one of the Caribbean's largest street festivals.
Feb–Mar

Casals Festival

World-class classical music founded by Pablo Casals in 1957. International orchestras and soloists perform at San Juan's Centro de Bellas Artes for two weeks.
June 23

Noche de San Juan

At midnight on St. John's Eve, thousands walk backwards into the ocean island-wide — a tradition believed to wash away bad luck and bring good fortune.
October

Jayuya Indigenous Festival

A mountain-town celebration of Taíno heritage with artisan crafts, traditional food, music, and ceremonies honoring Puerto Rico's pre-Columbian roots.

See What's Happening on the Island


Find Your Puerto Rico Experience


Beaches & Water

Flamenco Beach
Swim, snorkel, surf, kayak, or simply relax along Puerto Rico's beaches and coastal waters.
Explore Beaches & Water →

Nature & Outdoors

Camuy Caverns
Discover rainforests, caves, wildlife reserves, waterfalls, hiking trails, and some of the island's most dramatic landscapes.
Explore Nature & Outdoors →

Culture & History

La Garita
Experience historic sites, museums, architecture, music, art, and traditions that tell Puerto Rico's story.
Explore Culture & History →

Food & Local Life

Arroz con gandules
Taste Puerto Rican cuisine, explore local communities, visit markets, and discover experiences that connect you with island life.
Explore Food & Local Experiences →

Looking for Something New?

Discover what's happening around Puerto Rico in ¡La Isla!, our monthly guide to places to visit, restaurants, hotels, events, culture, and island discoveries.

Read the Latest ¡La Isla! →

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Did You Know?

Puerto Rico has one of the highest life expectancies in the Caribbean.