Thinking of traveling to “La Isla del Encanto”, here’s a list of my favorite things to do as a PR native, that will make you want to come back🫶🏼
Sections
4
Beaches🏝️
Nature🌿
Food/Culture🍽️
Activities🏄🏼
Beaches🏝️
Another beautiful beach with calming vibes
Crash Boat Beach
Surfing city!
Rincón
Really close to the airport, everyone comes here when they first land I feel
Parque Isla Verde
Vieques is a separate island but it’s truly beautiful seeing the black sand.
Playa Negra (Negrita) / Black Sand Beach - Vieques
Quiet beach on the west coast in Cabo Rojo! Mostly locals visit this beach, not a lot of people know about it
La Playuela (Playa Sucia)
It’s more upscale this area but I still enjoyed it as a kid. If you’re looking to stay here, Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is one of my favorites.
Condado
So peaceful, you’ll never want to leave
Flamenco Beach
Nature🌿
Breathtaking, you can swim in the falls! You can’t visit PR and not come here.
El Yunque National Forest
One of the few places you can go and see the ocean life at night. The way the water glows in the moonlight is magical.
Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay
Always loved coming here on field trips. It’s so beautiful but watch out for bats. Sometimes they fly all over.
Parque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río Camuy
So many different species of plants, etc.
Jardín Botánico de la UPR
This a super must do! Learning about our culture and ancestors. All those rocks have carvings for our indigenous people.
Taíno Route: Discover Indigenous Culture in Puerto Rico
This is right in San Juan, the history and the view is truly amazing. Outside El Morro, you see people with kites or having picnics.
Exploring El Morro in Old San Juan
The old fire station. Staple in Ponce, they have a lot of events here.
Parque de Bombas
Food/Culture🍽️
Great spot for food, bars and nightlife. Everyone comes together and has a great time.
La Placita de Santurce
If you like your Bacardi rum, this is for you. They do a rum tour as well and get to try different rums.
Casa BACARDÍ
Birthplace of the famous piña colada🥥🍹 they have good food as well
Barrachina
Here they have a lot of food kiosks. You can get anything for pinchos, alcapurrias, bacalaito, etc.
Luquillo - Discover Puerto Rico
Guavate is known their food, lechón (pork)and other dishes. It’s in the mountains and the view while you eat is beautiful.
Guavate
One of the best sushi spots in Isla Verde. If I’m not mistaken, I think it’s also a Bad Bunny favorite. 🍣
Kintaro Sushi Bar & Chinese Cuisine lsla Verde
This restaurant has been around for decades. One of my favorite spots growing up, it has some of the most authentic Puertorican dishes. You won’t be disappointed. Right down the road from Ocean Park Beach.
La Casita Blanca
Activities🏄🏼
Very popular tourist beach in San Juan. You can do snorkeling tours here.
Balneario El Escambrón
You can’t go to PR and not take a picture here!
I LOVE PR SIGN - Calle Marina S/N, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Yelp
Right by the convention center! Good food and nice place to hang out
Arena Medalla
Awesome adventure park! Make sure to do the zip line, it’s on the top 3 largest in the world.
Toro Verde Adventure Park
Best mall in my eyes! Largest in the Caribbean and their movie theater is massive. From what I remember it’s at least 3 stories and they even have cars for sale inside the mall. Take a nice little shopping break.
Home | Plaza Las Américas | San Juan, Puerto Rico
You travel here on boat but the clear water, scenery, wildlife is so worth it.
Isla Palominos
One of my favorite hotels as a kid, the lazy river was my fave. The only thing is you have to stay at the resort to access this waterpark only. But in case, you’re staying at Conquistador, have fun.
Coquí Water Park - Hotel Guests Only
Pigeon Park is a staple. You can feed the pigeons but be careful they’ll come after you for food. They’re a lot of them too!
