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 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.
More Experiences
Featured Tours
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
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
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
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
Editor's Picks This Month
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico upholds a rich artistic tradition spanning nearly 500 years, encompassing painting, sculpture, graphics, ceramics,
folk art,
photography, and various contemporary media. As a non-profit institution, the museum actively supports this dynamic tradition through the collection, exhibition,
and interpretation of art.
Michelle M. Irrizarry
Michelle M. Irrizarry's gallery showcases original pieces in watercolor and oil, portraying an energetic, colorful, and vivid world. Her favorite
themes include flowers and scenes from Puerto Rico and Europe. This gallery is truly captivating, awe-inspiring, and remarkable!
La Casa del Libro
La Casa del Libro, originally an 18th-century house, has been transformed into a book museum housing a rare collection of early manuscripts and
books, with some dating back to the 15th century. Its collection boasts over 6000 volumes. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, excluding holidays, from
11:00 am to 4:30 pm. For additional information, call (787) 723-0354.
Vieques.com
Known as La Isla Nena, it stands out as one of the remaining Caribbean islands reminiscent of a tranquil, lush, and uncrowded past. Immerse
yourself in the natural beauty that surrounds you, with clear waters resembling a masterpiece painted by a skilled artist, showcasing harmonious shades of blue,
turquoise, and light greens.
Previous Monthly Picks
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Did You Know?
The poverty rate in Puerto Rico decreased by 1.3 percentage points, from 44.4% in 2017 to 43.1% in 2018.
Ready to Experience Puerto Rico?
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