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The Best Free (& Cheap!) Things I Love To Do Around San Juan & Puerto Rico
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items As a beach and tropical girl who loves to learn about local culture, Puerto Rico is one of my favorite destinations in the world. After visiting the island many times, I rounded up a list of my favorite free and cheap things to do around San Juan and the rest of the island. Have the best trip!
Sections
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Free & Cheap Things To Do Around Puerto Rico (The Full Guide)
Where To Stay In Puerto Rico
(Hotels I LOVED!)
The Best FREE Things To Do Around San Juan & Puerto Rico
The Best Free Beaches Around Puerto Rico
Free Waterfalls Around Puerto Rico
The Best CHEAP Things To Do Around San Juan & Puerto Rico
Free & Cheap Things To Do Around Puerto Rico (The Full Guide)
The Full Guide - Free and Cheap Things To Do Around Puerto Rico.
Read my FREE full guide of all the free and cheap things to do around San Juan & Puerto Rico - save it for your next trip! I put together a huge list after being surprised to see that you techincally don't need to spend a dime other than your fli...
25 BEST Free & Cheap Things To Do In Puerto Rico (2026)
Where To Stay In Puerto Rico (Hotels I LOVED!)
Puerto Rico is one of my favorite tropical destinations to visit, and I've loved staying in these hotels during my trips to the island.
My family's favorite spot to stay when we visit … they are apartment style - super spacious, in Condado (right across from the beach) - and has a gorgeous rooftop pool
HiBird Hotel - Apartments & Suites
It's adults-only and super wellness oriented. They have yoga classes :)
Casa Bonita
Beachfront on Isla Verde Beach … you cannot beat this spot and these views. The pool is SO much fun!
Royal Sonesta
I absolutely loved staying here in San Juan. It's right in the middle of Old San Juan and has so many historic elements and views throughout. Definitely take a dip and sip a Pĩna Colada on the rooftop bar!
Palacio Provincial Historic Hotel
Love this spot right on the beach
The Tryst Beachfront Hotel
The Best FREE Things To Do Around San Juan & Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is one of my favorite destinations. There are SO many free things to do around the island that you don't techincally need to spend money doing a thing! These are some of my favorite thigns to do if you're on a budget when you're visiting San Juan or bouncing around the island.
The views anywhere around El Yunque Rainforest are incredible, but you HAVE to climb this free observation deck to take in the full 360!
Climb The Torre Yokahú Observation Deck in El Yunque
El Yunque is stunning and it's free to hike or drive through it!
Visit The Only Tropical Rainforest In The US National Forest System (El Yunque)
There is a cost to tour El Morro, but visiting the grounds where locals and fly kites is free and is a must during your trip.
Fly A Kite At Castillo San Felipe Del Morro
Visiting Old San Juan is a MUST during your first trip to the island. It's like time paused in this city. It's super friendly to walk around and take in all the shops and cafes.
Take A Walk Through Historic Old San Juan
As you're walking around Old San Juan, be sure to stop at Puerta de San Juan!
Take A Pic At Puerta de San Juan
On your walk around Old San Juan, stop by La Fortaleza (the governor's house)
La Fortaleza
It's such a gorgeous landmark. There's a small cost to go inside, but have a picnic or fly a kite in the beautiful yard and walk along the cliffs for free!
Take In Castillo San Felipe del Morro
If you're taking a walking tour around San Juan, don't skip on walking by the gorgeous capital building - be sure to cross the street and look down at the beautiful beach across the street!
See The Capital Building
If you're heading to El Yunque, head out early and stop by Luquillo Beach to watch the sunrise!
Catch A Sunrise At Luquillo Beach
There are countless spots to watch the sun set in PR, but Steps Beach is a local favorite
Watch The Sun Set At Playa Escalera (Steps Beach)
Multiple music videos were recorded here, including scenes in Despacito!
Visit La Perla (Where Multiple Music Videos Were Recorded!)
There are 24 miles of hikeable trails throughout El Yunque!
Take A Hike In El Yunque Rainforest
One of the many trails leads to a cave that encourages visitors with a staircase leading down to it!
Hike To A Cave - Cueva del Viento
Keep your eyes out for the Puerto Rican Tody!
Take A Birdwatching Walk In Bosque Estatal de Cambalache
Guánica Dry Forest is one of the world's largest dry forest's and is home to hundreds of animal & plant species!
Visit A Dry Forest (Guánica State Forest)
The Best Free Beaches Around Puerto Rico
If you're a beach girl like I am, you could literally visit a new beach almost every day of the year (there are nearly 300 free beaches in PR!). I would be so happy to spend my entire trip on any of these beaches. ALL of the beaches in Puerto Rico are public & free!
Isla Verde Beach is literally a 10 min drive from the airport (if you're like me and need to dip your toes in the sand right away!)
Spend the day at Isla Verde Beach
On my bucket list still! You can find it in the town of Arecibo near a lighthouse!
La Poza del Obispo
I stopped on a boat tour at this beach and can't wait to go back to it again. Aguadilla has STUNNING beaches and I want to spend so much more time here!
Peña Blanca Beach
Still high on my bucket list, this beach is a photographer's dream!
Playa Pastillo
If you're spending time in Vieques, definitely visit this beach! You could even catch wild horses roaming it!
Caracas Beach
A serene spot, perfect for nature lovers!
Isla Caja De Muertos
Free Waterfalls Around Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has stunning waterfalls throughout the island, especially around the El Yunque area. There are so many that you can swim in!
There are some gorgeous free waterfalls all around the island!!!
Visit Las Tinajas Falls
Cool off in this stunning waterfall
Swim In Charco El Hippie Falls
There are so many stunning waterfalls around the island to cool off in!
Cascada Las Delicias
Not an easy hike to get in to this waterfall, but it's a beaut!
Salto Curet Waterfall
There's not really any parking here, but it's a beautiful fall to drive by!
Chorro de Doña Juana
There's limited parking, but it's a gorgeous fall to take a dip in
Quebrada Juan Diego
There are great trails all around the falls - definitely a must-see!
Cascada Gozalandia
This fall is temporarilry closed, but you can still drive by it!
Cascada La Mina
The Best CHEAP Things To Do Around San Juan & Puerto Rico
I love visiting Puerto Rico and really love that you don't need to spend a ton to have the best vacation. Here are some really cheap things to do around San Juan and the island if you're on a budget.
There are two spots that battle out who was the first to actually create the iconic drink … try them both and decide for yourself!
Drink A Piña Colada At Its Birthplace
Señor Paleta Shop is the spot for a mid-day ice treat!
Cool Off With A Pĩna Colada Ice Pop
You can't visit Puerto Rico without trying their coffee! If you're a coffee lover, definitely plan to visit a hacienda to learn how it's made
Tour A Coffee Hacienda
Visit Vieques or Culebra for a day - just be SURE you make the return ferry back to the main island so that you don't need to stay the night
Take A Ferry To An Island ($3-$5)
Entry is just over $3 and you can get a massage for $1/minute!
Visit A Natural Hot Springs (Agua Termales Coamo) (Under $4)
Visit two famous historical sites in Old San Juan for just $10!
Tour 500 Years Of History, Two For One (San Felipe del Morro AND Castillo San Cristóbal) ($10)
Splurge Excursions Around Puerto Rico That Were Worth It
Although there are so many free and cheap things to do around Puerto Rico, there are also some really incredible excursions that are worth it to splurge on. These are some of my favorite activities and tours in Puerto Rico!
I had SO much fun with this - the water is crystal clear, the island is uninhabited and literally picture perfect. I can't wait to do it again!
Take A Catamaran To Icacos Island
You could bring your own snorkel gear & jump in, but a snorkel tour is completely worth it if you want a guide to show you the best spots and give you local insider tips at the same time.
Snorkel In The Warm Clear Waters
From ziplining to hiking to ATV & more - spending time adventuring in El Yunque is one of the best ways to take in the rainforest
Take A Tour Around El Yunque National Forest
I took this tour and had SO much fun! It's family run and so worth it.
See Aguadilla with Aguadilla Water Sports
The warm waters of Puerto Rico is a great place to learn to surf!
Take A Surf Lesson
Still on the bucket list for me - I can't wait to do this next visit!
Horseback Ride Carabalí Rainforest Park
One of the coolest things I've ever done - this is one of 5 in the world, and the only one in Puerto Rico you can actually swim in!
Swim In A Bioluminescent Bay (La Parguera)