Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Places to Stay and Things to do in PUERTO RICO.
28
items Though I was born and raised in New York, my family is from Puerto Rico. We go back whenever possible to visit family and explore the island. You never run out of things to do, experience, eat or explore. I am sharing here places I've stayed at(visited or plan to stay at) restaurants we went to, excursions we did(and some experiences we wanted to do) and beaches to visit. Puerto Rico is colorful, cultural, full of life, and friendly people. If you are planning a visit - i suggest booking excursions far in advance, rent a cool SUV, explore the entire perimeter of the island, north, south, east, west and have a wonderful time.
Sections
4
HOTELS
Places to Eat
Excursions
Beaches to visit
HOTELS
I've been to Puerto Rico a few times and recommend these hotels.
I had the most wonderful stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Rio Grande. Just note, if you stay in a villa (1-2 bedrooms) you will have access to your own pool area which also includes free access to the Day Beds. Perfect lounging area and bar. My kids truly enjoyed the less crowded pool area. The resort has a private beach, which means less crowding. The restaurants on the resort are exceptional - and we highly recommend reservations are done way in advance. The property is extensive, beautiful and the evenings are lively. There's a small shopping mart for every day essentials.
Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico - Rio Grande, Puerto Rico - Hotels.com
We did not stay at this resort, but we did have dinner here and the property is STUNNING! It gives luxe life from the moment you step through their grand entrance.
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort Puerto Rico – Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Luxury at a more affordable price in Condado. We did many excursions in this area and plan on staying here the next time we visit.
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel San Juan, Puerto Rico
Culebra Island – one of the most stunning beaches in the world. You need to expeirence this on your own. Take a ferry to save on money, but it does take about 3 hours – or take an excursion there and have a wonderful boat ride with drinks, music and food. Just add this to your list of places to visit.
Culebra
Places to Eat
Authentic food + High end restaurants suggestions
Not only is this a tour, but you get to explore some of the best little less known restaurants in San Juan. Delicious dishes, drinks, desserts - come hungry!
Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour
Pinones is the go to destination for a local vibes, great music, cultural dance and delicious African Puerto Rican food. Bring your appetite, wear comfortable shoes and pack up that sunscreen and UBER subscription :)
Pinones Bar Hopping Food Tour & Beach Adventure
I rarely have steak but my husband wanted a nice steak place - this one was pretty decent. I've linked a site that I used to save some $$.
Carnes Steakhouse in San Juan, PR
They had the most amazing burgers. My son is not a big burger eater, but he loved that he could craft his own. I've linked a discount link for this restaurant - every penny counts ;)
The BRGR Shop - Torrimar Shopping Center in Guaynabo, PR
Beautiful outdoor dining area. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We went for breakfast and The Surfers Omelette was finger licking good - the mimosas were amazing and the scene was serene. I would go back.
THE BEACH HOUSEBeachfront Dining in Rincon, Puerto Rico | Fresh Seafood & Ocean Views at The Beach House
Hail The Cave - the decor, the food, the experience deserves 5 stars.
THE CAVE: Cuban Cuisine & Cocktails - San Juan, PR on OpenTable
The ambiance, the food, the live music. You won't want to leave. I wish I could be there now.
TACOS & TEQUILA, San Juan - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor
Excursions
Family friendly excursions our family truly enjoyed.
There are various versions of this excursion. Half Day, Full Day, Waterfalls, Rainforest trails, Water slides, you name it. There is something for everyone. It's a 40 minute drive from San Juan and if only 15 minutes away from the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve.
Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – SmallGroup Tour
If you are down to boogey during a beautiful summer evening – this is for you. I danced so much and filled my heart with pride. My feet hurt for days after, lol, but so worth it.
Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots
Take a boat to Icacos Island to snorkel in the most clear water you've ever seen. Enjoy the experience on the ride there and back with the most amazing crew – the love of the culture is truly felt and the price includes food and drink.
All Inclusive Snorkel and Slide Boat Tour: Icacos or Vieques
Hands down the most fun I had with the kids. We had a private tour of Old San Juan Bay that surrounds attractions such as Castillo San Felipe del Morro and La Fortaleza. What i also love about this – the guides will take LOTS and LOTS of photos that they send to you – for a small fee, but you w...
Jet Ski Tour through San Juan Bay
We did this with some skepticism, but so glad we did it. The kids thought it was the coolest thing to walk under water. We have many fun photos too - again the guides will take these for you for a small fee. It was a very short excursion so you can add this to early in your day so you can enjoy the San Juan area, like El Morro Castle Walk.
Underwater Sea Trek in San Juan: Explore Beneath the Waves
This really blew our minds, you ride a jet car that feels just like a sports car—on the water. Yep, through San Juan Bay - a very expansive area where you can explore views of Old San Juan, La Fortaleza, and Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Bring your ID – I forgot mine and had to rebook the excursion which thankfully they did not have an issue with.
San Juan PR Watersports Car Rental Blue McLaren
I am deathly afraid of heights. And had to learn the hard way whilel exploring the ruins in Mexico in my early 20s. So the kids pulled me in kicking and screaming, but so happy we did it. The kids got to see me overcome my fear of heights and have a lot of fun doing it. Also, MAKE SURE YOU WEAR SNEAKERS…i had on water shoes (i didn't pack sneakers) and had to run to the nearest Walmart to pick up a pair of sneakers. The guides were very accommodating and just shifted our spot to later in the day - which made it so much nicer since we didn't have the rush of the other groups behind us.
Puerto Rico Ziplining: High-Flying Adventure close to San Juan
Ok, Ok, I did not do this. Because of my dealthy fear of heights. I can do zip lining, but to stay up there this long would drive me crazy. But it does look like a really cool experience. If you are not afraid of heights and want something really cool to talk about with friends and family – you should try this.
FlyDining: Sunset & City Lights Dinner Over Old San Juan
Explore one of the best beaches in the world - Culebra Beach. The snorkling here is phenomenal. Crystal clear water – you just won't believe your eyes. This is a full day trek - but so well worth it.
Culebra Swim with Turtles Adventure and Flamenco Beach by Ferry
This is a short one - which I did with my daughter. It's an interactive experience - totally hands-on. You get to keep what you create :)
Make Your Own Perfume Guided Workshop | Old San Juan
Dance, Laugh, Cry, you will experience all the feels. Live in the moment, enjoy, this is totally worth it.
Sunset Salsa Beach Class in San Juan
Beautiful experience – our family just lived in the moment. You can see their little brains just quieting down, taking in the view, taking in the experience…I was pretty emotional.
San Juan Historical Bay Daytime Sailing Tour
We wanted to do the Bioluminescent Bay excursion, but we didn't book it far in advance so we did the LED version of it and had the best time. The kids loved painting their faces with fluorescent paint - we went to dinner in the area and made it a beautiful night.
Clear LED Kayaking in Condado Lagoon
Beaches to visit
We did not do this - we could not get a booking for the week we were visiting. But, my friends daughter had her engagement photos taken by them and they came out stunning. Worth the experience.
Stunning Private Beach Photoshoot in Puerto Rico's Hidden Gem
The sand, the clear calm water - beautiful for half day excursion. It does get a little crowded, but a wonderful experience.
Luquillo Beach (2026) - All You MUST Know Before You Go (with Reviews)
One of the best beaches in the metropolitan area, Isla Verde is golden-sand shores are framed with tall palm trees, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Isla Verde beach is divided into three main beaches: Pine Grove, where locals go surfing; Alambique, a...
Isla Verde beach
Think of Condado Beach as the Puerto Rican cousin to South Beach. It's chic, social, and photogenic.
Photos and videos for Condado Beach — Yelp