Puerto Rico: The Quick Getaway Guide

Explore Old San Juan

Book a walking tour or strike out on your own to explore the colorful streets. History is all around with must-sees, like Castillo San Felipe del Morro, La Fortaleza, Castillo San Cristobal and the Catedral Basilica Menor de Juan Bautista.

Take a beach day

The Condado area of San Juan centers around a beautiful lagoon. This protected natural preserve is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, snorkeling and just plain beaching. It’s family-friendly and known for its wildlife spotting, like dolphins, stingrays and turtles.

Book a mixology class at Casa Bacardi

The Bacardi campus is a world of its own. Enjoy a complimentary drink at the open-air pavilion before taking a short tour of the facilities. Cap off the experience with a mixology class where you’ll learn how to make a mean mojito and pina colada.

Go museum-hopping

Puerto Rico is packed with cool museums, but San Juan in particular is a museum lover's paradise. Las Americas Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art are perfect for art lovers. History buffs will love Casa Blanca and the Museo del Mar.

Check out the street art in Santurce

Street art is serious in Puerto Rico, and scouting out these incredible murals can be a fun way to explore the city. The Santurce neighborhood is particularly famous for its art, often drawing comparisons to Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood.

Take a sunset sail

A sunset sail in the San Juan Bay — what could feel more like paradise? You’ll get incredible views of the city in its dreamiest light. These sailings are often intimate, so you and your group don’t have to fight a crowd. I highly recommend packing a picnic basket and a few cocktail supplies.

Go shopping in Calle Loiza

This revitalized strip has become a focal point of local culture. Also called the “Avenue of the Arts,” this street features tons of restored buildings, art and local shops. Of course, there’s dining, drinking and dancing a plenty.

Go salsa dancing

Dancing is a huge part of the Puerto Rican culture, and they encourage visitors to join in the fun. Many bars and restaurants have salsa nights, and La Placita de Santurce is a lively outdoor hot spot for dining and dancing. Why not take a class first, then show your skills that night?

Explore the El Yunque rainforest

Honestly, you could spend your whole trip on activities in El Yunque. Book a tour to hike to one of its natural lagoons, rope swings or water slides. Tours by horseback, zip line and ATV are also available.

Plumb the depths of the Rio Camuy Cave Park

One of the largest cave systems in the world, the Rio Camuy Cave Park features a network of over 220 caves and caverns. Recently re-opened in 2023, the park is packed with archeological wonder. While walkways and trails are well maintained, they can be steep and perhaps strenuous.

Kayak a bioluminescent bay

Puerto boasts three bioluminescent bays — Laguna Grande, Mosquito Bay and La Parguera. Visitors most commonly enjoy them by kayak at night. This natural wonder is a must-see, and even first-time kayakers will get the hang of it fast.

Visit a working coffee hacienda

The coffee culture in Puerto Rico is strong and historic. Venture into the mountains to a working coffee hacienda for a hands-on experience that shows how coffee has been grown, processed and roasted since the 1800s.

Take a catamaran to a nearby island

The small islands off the coast of Puerto Rico are typically less touristy and less developed. They have beautiful beaches and prime-time snorkeling.

Spend a few days in Vieques

Oh, so you want a getaway from your getaway? Take the ferry to the island of Vieques for at least an overnight. Surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking — Vieques brings even more of an island vibe to your vacation.

Day places

• Caficultura
  Brunch alert! Caficultura is a perfect way to get your day started. This Old San Juan eatery serves up European breakfast dishes like breakfast burgers, brioche French toast and pernil Benedicts, as well as high-quality coffee and botanical cocktails.

• Cafe El Punto
  Cafe El Punto is the perfect introduction to authentic, homestyle Puerto Rican dishes like aguacate, mofongo, ceviche and more. It’s located right in the thick of Old San Juan among local shops and artisans.

• Hijole Cocina Mexicana Isla Verde
  This Mexican cantina is a no-frills, holy-moley good meal. They serve breakfast and lunch and a mix of Mexican and Puerto Rican dishes. Honestly, you can’t go wrong. The melted cheese with chorizo is to die for, and the portions are as large as they are delectable.

• Lupe Reyes
  Lupe Reyes is located inside San Juan’s T-Mobile entertainment district. This area is packed with family fun, like zip lines, a shared grassy space and plenty of places to eat and drink. Lupe Reyes serves elevated Mexican food and has a bar menu featuring mezcal-based cocktails.

• Kiosko Boricua
  Head east from San Juan and hop on Route 187 until you reach the Pinones neighborhood of Lioza. A small stretch of this beachside route is famous for its food stands, like Kiosko Boricua. These kiosks serve some of the best, most authentic food on the island, and they’re right across from the beach.

Night places

• La Factoria
  Voted one of the 50 best bars in North America, La Factoria serves up insanely good craft cocktails and delicious small plates. Every Sunday and Monday at 10, the bar holds salsa dancing. La Factoria is connected to La Cubanita and Taberna Lupulo — all tasty, all fabulous.

• El Callejon de la Perla
  You can feel the sea breeze on your face at this authentic community spot. Local dishes, live music and salsa or bomba dancing makes this place a real San Juan experience. Located in the La Perla neighborhood, it’s steps away from an art studio, the boardwalk and other points of interest.

• Marmalade
  Fine dining in Puerto Rico is something to behold. Marmalade brings Puerto Rican food and its Spanish, Latin American and American influences together in an incredible five-course tasting menu.

• Casita Miramar
  Upscale, but definitely not stuffy, Casita Miramar serves elevated Puerto Rican dishes like octopus salad, pumpkin rice and delicacies of goat and chicken. The entire menu is to die for, and it features an extensive wine and cocktail list.

• Bebo’s Cafe
  Open for lunch every day and dinner Monday-Friday, Bebo’s is a solid local spot with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Serving a mix of Caribbean, Latin, Spanish and Puerto Rican food, Bebo’s is great on the taste buds and easy on the wallet.