Travel Guides

Things to do in Puerto Rico: Best outdoor adventures and hidden gems

Discover the best of Puerto Rico, from Vieques' bioluminescent bays and Old San Juan's historic legacy to the incredible food scene of Pork Highway and La Placita.

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean getaway — and while its beautiful white sand beaches take the spotlight, there’s a lot more to the archipelago.

You’ve got historic landmarks, the only tropical rainforest in the United States, and some of the best street food you’ll find.

If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico this 2025 and need some inspiration, we’ve got you covered.

Here are the top things to do in Puerto Rico, along with plenty of insider tips and recommendations so you can plan your best vacation.

In this article

Explore Puerto Rico’s stunning beaches

Puerto Rico has over 300 beaches, mostly untouched by commercialism, and you need to check out at least a few when you’re there.

We suggest starting with these four, especially if you’re traveling with family — they’ve got the best views and facilities.

Flamenco Beach

Flamenco Beach on the remote Culebra island is a rare one, mostly untouched by mass tourism. It’s a great place for snorkeling and we suggest joining a guided tour to uncover the best snorkeling spots.

When there, make sure to check out the abandoned Navy tanks. They’re a throwback to the time when the US Navy used Culebra as a gunnery range.

It’s got pretty much all basic facilities, including accessible bathrooms, rental chairs and umbrellas, and outdoor showers. Parking is available but at an extra cost.

You’ll also find plenty of food kiosks where you can grab a quick snack. You can try Puerto Rican street food like alcapurrias (fried plantain stuffed with ground beef) and surrullos (fries made with cornflour and cheddar cheese).

How to get there: Take the ferry from Ceiba to Culebra. The beach is 2.8 miles (4.5km) from the terminal — a 15-minute drive or a 40-minute walk.

An old navy tank in Flamenco Beach, Culebra; Source: Pexels

Playa Buyé

Another must-do in Puerto Rico is visiting Playa Buyé in Cabo Rajo. This beautiful beach comes with a roped-off area for swimming, making it a favorite among families.

It’s also a great place for both kayaking and snorkeling. However, there’s no lifeguard on duty so young children should always be supervised.

Playa Buyé’s facilities include gazebos for rent, an open-air restaurant, and rental umbrellas and chairs. Showers and changing rooms are available but you’ll be charged a fee.

If you want to make a night out of your visit, you can book a cabaña at the Buyé Beach Resort — though small it has all of the basics.

How to get there: You can either fly to Eugenio María de Hostos Airport (MAZ) in Mayagüez and then drive to the beach (45 minutes) or take a car from San Juan to Cabo Rojo which takes around three hours depending on the traffic.

Playa Sucia

One of the cleanest beaches in the region, Playa Sucia is ironically named ‘dirty beach.’ This is located in Cabo Rajo (within the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge).

The Los Morrillos Lighthouse is just a short walk from the beach and gives you incredible views of the surrounding area.

It’s an undeveloped beach so don’t expect any activities or facilities, except parking. It’s quite secluded — no oceanfront businesses at all which means you’ll need to bring your own food.

Playa Sucia is the place to be if you want to completely cut off from the chaos of the external world and recharge.

How to get there: Drive about 40 minutes south from downtown Cabo Rojo to the end of the Morrillos Peninsula. Then, follow the dirt road to the parking area near the Los Morrillos Lighthouse.

Luquillo Beach

Also called Balneario La Monserrate, this is a popular beach in Luquillo, Puerto Rico. It’s also one of Puerto Rico’s Blue Flag beaches — meaning it’s both environmentally sustainable and accessible.

In fact, it’s one of the few beaches with wheelchair accessibility, and you can even pick up a waterproof wheelchair at Mar Sin Barreras (Sea Without Barriers).

Other facilities include accessible showers and restrooms, gazebos for rent, and over 100 food stalls. And while you can’t surf, you can spend your time jet skiing or kayaking. There’s a roped-off swimming area so you’re not pulled in by the strong currents.

How to get there: It’s a 30-minute drive (about 25 miles) from San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU).

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Visit the top attractions in Puerto Rico

The island boasts a rich history dating back to the Spanish colonial era, and its numerous historic sites are among the most popular Puerto Rico tourist attractions. If you’re in the mood for sightseeing, here’s where to start.

Old San Juan

One of the top things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is to visit Old San Juan — a historic area known for its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, historic fortresses, churches, and old city walls. Some popular landmarks are:

San Felipe del Morro (El Morro): An iconic 16th-century fortress guarding San Juan Harbor.
San Cristóbal: A 17th-century fortress built to protect San Juan from land attacks.
Cuartel de Ballajá: Home to the Museo de las Américas.

You can either explore these on foot or book a golf cart. And when there, make sure to check out Barrachina — it’s the birthplace of the Piña Colada.

Operating hours and costs vary for each landmark. However, you only need to pay for El Morro or San Cristóbal. The other is free to enter.

Calle del Cristo, Old San Juan; Source: Unsplash

El Yunque National Forest

Previously known as the Caribbean National Forest, this is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System and covers around 29,000 acres.

It’s great for hiking, ziplining, and wildlife watching. You can also find several waterfalls, like La Mina Falls, and creeks, such as Juan Diego Creek, which are perfect for swimming. In addition, the area offers 24 recreational trails and three observation points: Mt. Britton Tower, Yokahu Tower, and El Yunque Peak.

While the forest itself is free to enter, some activities, such as guided rainforest walks and forest adventure tours, require a ticket. The forest is usually open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, except for Christmas Day.

Mt. Britton Tower, El Yunque; Source: Unsplash

Ponce historic zone

Among the top things to do in Puerto Rico for history buffs is exploring the Ponce historic zone (Ponce Pueblo), the oldest area in the city.

It’s known for its Neoclásico Isabelino and Ponce Creole architecture and includes quite a few must-visit historic landmarks like:

Plaza Las Delicias, the square at the center of Ponce with the iconic fountain of the lion
Parque de Bombas, originally a firehouse, now a museum about firefighting in Puerto Rico
Casa Alcadía, the city hall

Other historic sites close to the zone are La Guancha, the Cruceta del Vigía, and Museo de Art de Ponce.

Take half-day tours to Puerto Rico’s islands

One of the best things to do in Puerto Rico — especially if you have a large block of free time on your itinerary — is mini tours on the nearby islands.

Each island offers a different experience, and the smaller islands are much less crowded and more laidback with friendly locals.

Vieques island

Vieques (or Little Girl Island) is an unspoiled island town about 8 miles (12.9 km) from mainland Puerto Rico — you can take a ferry from Cieba. Apart from its 40+ beaches, the island is known for two natural wonders:

The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge: It covers over 60% of the island and is home to many endemic species.
Mosquito Bay: It’s the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.

There are also a couple of must-see attractions like Fortín Conde de Mirasol (the last fort built by the Spanish in the Americas) and Faro Punta Mulas (originally a lighthouse, now a maritime museum).

Aerial view of Vieques; Source: Unsplash

Culebra island

Another popular island town in Puerto Rico is Culebra. You can either fly down from San Juan or take a ferry from Ceiba.

When visiting Culebra, all tourists must pay a small fee (around $2) and it’s included in your tickets. Popular activities include beachcombing, snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking.

While there, we suggest you visit Isla Culebrita — an uninhabited island off Culebra’s east coast. The Isla Culebrita Lighthouse is, in fact, one of the oldest lighthouses in the Caribbean.

A beach in Culebra island, Puerto Rico; Source: Unsplash

Icacos island (near Fajardo)

Icacos is actually a cay (a low-elevation island on top of a coral reef) and the largest uninhabited one in Puerto Rico. It’s quite small and you can get there by taking a water taxi from Fajardo (just a 15-minute ride).

As Icacos is a deserted place, there are no facilities. You need to pack up all essentials and take them with you — water, food, sunscreen, towels, and even snorkeling or kayaking gear.

We recommend booking a guided snorkeling experience as many operators also take you to explore the hidden ruins in the cay.

Enjoy water sports and outdoor activities

This next section is for outdoors enthusiasts — here are the best things to do in Puerto Rico to get your daily dose of adrenaline.

Snorkeling in Fajardo

Fajardo, on the east coast of Puerto Rico, is one of the best locations for snorkeling. The Playa Seven Seas is a great spot, but if you’d prefer a less-crowded experience, we suggest taking a day trip to Icacos or Palomino Island.

Most other snorkeling spots are part of La Cordillera Nature Reserve, so be mindful of the ecosystem when snorkeling.

Some things you can do are using reef-safe sunscreen, not touching the bottom of the ocean, and being aware of your fins (so they don’t hit the reefs).

Finally, don’t forget an underwater camera, you’ll need it for the photos.

Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo; Source: Unsplash

Surfing in Rincón

Another popular water sport in Puerto Rico is surfing. For this, you need to go to Rincón — the world’s surfing capital.

When there, we recommend Sandy Beach and Maria’s for beginners, Domes for the somewhat experienced, and Tres Palmas for the pros.

The surf season in Rincón is typically at its peak from December to April. Beginners can plan their trip slightly before or after the official season for smaller waves. Rincón has plenty of surf schools that run all year and teach kids as well.

A beach in Rincón; Source: Pexels

Kayaking in the bioluminescent bays

When it comes to kayaking in the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico, you have two choices — Mosquito Bay in Vieques where you can only go by kayaking and the waters are so bright you can see the fish under the kayak.

The other is Lajas in La Parguera — the only bio-bay where you can swim.

Tours last around two hours and run in the early evening hours. They typically cost around $50-$60 depending on the tour operator.

Also, the intensity of the glow depends on the phase of the moon — the less moonlight, the brighter the glow.

Zip-lining in Toro Verde Adventure Park

Another favorite among outdoor lovers is ziplining at Toro Verde — an ecological adventure park in Orocovis (one hour and forty-five minutes from San Juan). Two popular ziplines are:

The Monster: One of the world’s longest ziplines at 1.57 miles (2.5 km) and reaches a speed of 95mph.
The Beast: Nearly 1 mile (1.5km) and reaches a speed of 60mph.

There is also a combo zipline tour that includes eight ziplines that get both longer and higher as you progress.

You’ll need to reserve your spot beforehand keeping in mind that there are both weight and age requirements for the activities.

Scuba diving in La Parguera

La Parguera’s The Wall — a 22-mile coral reef stretch — is one of the most popular diving spots in the area and a great opportunity to check out a variety of marine life and rare black coral orchids.

While The Wall is better suited for experienced divers, you’ll find plenty of other dive sites for other levels. A valid scuba certification is required for the La Parguera dive tour.

A standard two-tank dive without equipment can cost around $130. With equipment included, it goes to approximately $145. These often include snacks, refreshments, and bottled water.

The calm waters of La Parguera; Source: Unsplash

Experience Puerto Rican culture and cuisine

Puerto Rican culture is a fusion of Taíno (indigenous), Spanish, and African traditions. And you’ll find this heritage in everything here but particularly the cuisine.

Here’s how you can experience Puerto Rico’s culture (and food) at its best.

San Sebastián Street Festival

The San Sebastián Street Festival (Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián) is a large Puerto Rican festival in Old San Juan, held on the third weekend in January, with live music, dancing, food, and drinking. Many local artisans sell handmade products during the day.

But the highlight is the Comparsa de los Cabezudos, a parade with Puerto Rican folkloric characters, which kickstarts the event at around 5:00 PM.

La Placita (Santurce)

La Placita de Santurce is a historic district in Santurce. By day, it’s a farmer’s market and once the sun sets, it transforms into a hangout. It’s best to visit at 6:00 PM from Thursday through Sunday when locals gather to hang out, have drinks, and dance salsa.

Many chinchorros (inexpensive bar-restaurants) also have live bands or DJs playing several nights a week.

La Placita has wheelchair-accessible entrances, parking lots, restrooms, and seating. Parking, however, is limited so you’re better off taking a cab.

Pork Highway (Guavate)

For foodies, one of the top things to do in Puerto Rico is visiting the lechoneras (open-air restaurants) in Pork Highway (Guavate and La Ruta de Lechon) which is an hour from San Juan.

They’re known for their culinary masterpieces — especially the lechon (whole pig roasted over an open flame until its skin is crisp).

Popular lechoneras include Lechonera Los Pinos, El Rancho Original, and Lechonera El Mojito (known for its mojito sauce).

If possible, go during the weekend to enjoy the live music and lively atmosphere. And don’t forget to carry some cash — most don’t take credit cards.

Puerto Rican Coffee Farms (Jayuya, Utuado)

If you’re a coffee lover, then you should definitely add a tour of Puerto Rico’s coffee farms to your itinerary.

Book a tour and walk through centuries-old coffee farms while learning about the history of coffee in Puerto Rico.

Most coffee haciendas are usually out of the way — in mountainous regions — and can be a two or more hours drive from San Juan.

Some popular farms are Hacienda San Pedro in Jayuya and Café Gran Batey in Utuado — the latter even offers a free bush-to-bag tour.

Final tips on traveling to Puerto Rico

Now that we’ve seen what are the best things to do in Puerto Rico, here are some practical tips so you’re covered on all fronts.

Public transport in the region can be quite lacking so you might be better off renting a car — especially if you plan any long road trips.

While most Puerto Rican dishes are heavy on meat, you’ll find quite a few vegetarian options as well. 100% HP in San Juan and El Grifo in Caguas are great restaurants. Finally, make sure to plan for reliable travel internet.

The Holafly Puerto Rico eSIM — at $7.90 for a one-day plan and as little as $3.35 for longer plans — comes with loads of benefits including unlimited data, roaming free international calls, and 500 MB data tethering per day.

The setup is simple too. Just scan the QR code in your purchase confirmation email on landing, and you’re all set.

Purchase your Holafly eSIM and stay connected to the internet even in Puerto Rico’s smallest, most remote islands.

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