Uniquely Popular For

Puerto Rico

Quaint mountain landscape, picturesque waterfalls, exotic tropical rainforests, beach bars, casinos, colourful Spanish colonial infrastructure, the Bioluminescent Bay

General Tourist Attractions

Puerto Rico

• Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, Vieques is your stereotypical Caribbean hideout but at night, the waters emit a blue glow from the organisms, called dinoflagellates, which live there.
• Viejo San Juan is home to a variety of top attractions, including El Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal and Calle del Cristo. It's here you'll find Calle de la Fortaleza, which once held the city's famous umbrella installation but is now adorned with a massive Puerto Rican flag.
• Flamenco Beach's 1 1/2-mile strip of sand is the most popular on Culebra and is often recognized by travelers and experts as the most beautiful in all of Puerto Rico.
• Sun Bay is the only beach on Vieques with public facilities: The approximately 2-mile beach has lifeguards, showers, bathrooms and a small area to purchase food.
• The El Yunque National Rainforest, or simply El Yunque, is the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest System. It's also a particular favorite for vacationers who like to hike, but even if nature really isn't your thing, travelers urge you to make the trip about 30 miles east of San Juan.
• Castillo San Cristóbal was built to protect Old San Juan from land attacks. It doesn't receive as many visitors, or as much adoration as its sister fortification, El Morro, but recent visitors are equally amazed by the majesty and significant history of the site.
• The San Juan’s Calle del Cristo is a haven of restaurants, art galleries and boutiques. In addition to popular stores, those walking the street can discover local crafts and artisan shops.
• The Museo de Arte de, San Juan Puerto Rico houses more than 1,000 artworks created by Puerto Ricans. The collection showcases pieces that date back to the 1600s and includes sculptures, photographs, paintings, drawings and more.
• Condado Beach, Santurce is framed by a string of high-rise hotels and resort complexes, plus its ground zero for water sports and beach bars.
• Carolina Beach is a popular public beach among both visitors and locals. Families especially love its white sand, warm water, the on-duty lifeguard and on-site paramedics.
• Crash Boat beach, Aguadilla for its clear waters and multitude of fish. The beach and its pier are also beloved by sunbathers, fishermen, volleyball players, scuba divers and daredevils who love to jump into the water from the pier.
• Luquillo Beach is a familial flocked shore for its reef-protected calm waves, and you'll also see a lot of day-trippers fresh from a jaunt in the nearby El Yunque National Rainforest.
• Arecibo Observatory's massive telescope is used to collect data about Earth's atmosphere, the solar system's planets, comets and more. Though Puerto Rico may seem like an odd place for this important device, it's actually the perfect location. Situated near the equator, the telescope is in the ideal spot not only to study the Earth's ionosphere (its original purpose) but also to study planets.
• Rum is one of the Puerto Rico's top exports and the place is often referred to as the ‘rum capital of the world’. Bacardí, a rather popular brand originates here.
• Cueva Ventana, which literally means ‘window cave,’ is another breath-taking outdoor adventure in Puerto Rico, ensuring a hike through a limestone cave, with stone engravings and pre-Columbian petroglyphs.
• Carabalí Rainforest Park, Luquillo consists of Amusement Parks, Parks and Gardens, Recreation, Tours.
• Parque de Bombas comprises various Monuments and Memorials, Museums.
• Coffee farm tours to enjoy the sightseeing and relaxing tours.
• Walk around the cliff and rock formations at Isabella and check out the abandoned Guajataca Railroad Tunnel while you’re there.
• Surf on the 15-foot-high waves, snorkel through Spanish shipwrecks or go on a whale-watching tour in Rincón.
• Dorado, the island's oldest resort town that consists of six beaches along the northern coasts. Located along Puerto Rico's northern coastline, this area is popular with tourists thanks to its golf courses, luxury hotels – including the top-ranked Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve and the nearby Watermill water park.
• Bayamón is the second-most populated town and also known as the Pueblo del Chicharrón ("pork rind city"). In this town, you'll find the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré, which hosts a variety of musical events, offering more than just salty snacks.
• Coamo is known for its therapeutic mineral springs. These waters are also rumoured to be the legendary ‘fountain of youth’.
• Ponce is home to bustling nightlife and stunning architecture. It has several museums, including the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña, or the Museum of Puerto Rican Music, as well as the Ponce Art Museum (Museo de Arte de Ponce). You won't want to miss seeing the Parque de Bombas, the iconic black and red fire station, either.

Memorable Pursuits

Puerto Rico

• Hike through the well-maintained jungle trails of the El Yunque National Park
• Ride the free hop-on, hop-off trolley in Old San Juan
• Take a day trip to the island of Culebra
• Explore the caves at Parque de las Cavernas del Rio Camuy
• Enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Flamenco
• If you find historic architecture fascinating, the cobblestone streets and colonial churches of San German will not disappoint you.
• Spot manatees and turtles at the Fajardo beaches, or take a ferry from here to go hiking, swimming or diving in the Culebra or witnessing the natural wonder of ‘Bioluminescent Bay’ in Vieques
• You can also enjoy the Bioluminescent Bay in Parguera, while also enjoying scuba-diving in its clear ocean water or going on a Parguera Wall tour to see coral reefs.
• Enjoy the tropical tranquility of Isla Verdes around calm waters and white sand beaches.
• Take a guided tour around the third largest cave system in the world at the Rio Camuy Cave Park.
• Take in the gorgeous architecture of Mayagüez (aka Sultana of the West) or go snorkelling at the Desecheo Island and Isla de Ratones.
• Catch a salsa performance at Old San Juan’s Nuyorican Café.
• Perusing the 1,000-piece art collection at the 130,000-square-foot Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, the most extensive Caribbean art museum.

Something Leisurely

Puerto Rico

• If you’re in the mood for some dance and music, head over to the Nuyorican Café on San Francisco Street which has local bands playing jazz, reggae and salsa music.
• If you want to catch the locals practicing salsa moves to live music, go to Escenario on San Sebastian Street in Old San Juan.
• Hop around in the city of Ponce to its many attractions which include the Parque de Bombas firehouse, the Hacienda Buena Vista Museum, or the Tablado La Guancha boardwalk.
• Take a walk back in time in the alleys of old San Juan which is a mix of old colonial architecture and modern Puerto-Rican life. Do not miss the El Morro Fort while you’re there.
• Do not miss the Yerbabuena Restaurant where the Humberto Ramirez Jazz Orchestra play every Monday night.
• When in old San Juan, do not forget to try their signature cocktail, called La Factoría.

Quick Tip(s) from the Locals

Puerto Rico

• Casinos are located in many hotels around the Island. Proper dressing should be observed by men and women. People under 18 are not allowed.
• You must be 18 years old to purchase liquor or cigarettes in stores or buy drinks in hotels, bars, and restaurants or smoke indoors. A municipal statute forbids alcohol consumption on the streets of many cities, like San Juan.