Puerto Rico Things To Do

The Puerto Rican coast will soothe your appetite for relaxation with luxurious resorts, panoramic Caribbean views, and championship golf, as well as appeal to the daring adventurer with 28,000 acres of tropical rainforest and great, subterranean caverns to explore.

Great for: golf, wind surfing, adventure, casinos, rum and salsa
Location: Greater Antilles, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Population: 3.9 million
Size: 3,500 sq miles
Capital city: San Juan
Airport: Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, SJU
Language: Spanish and English
Currency: USD
Time zone: same as EST without daylight saving time
Area code: 787

Did you know?
Puerto Rico is home to the world's largest rum factory, the Bacardi Plant.

Get outside with a hike along the El Yunque Rainforest, as cascading waterfalls guide you through a tropical haven of meandering vines, endangered birds, exotic native orchids, and fresh water pools that are ideal for swimming. Or tour the Rio Camuy Cave Park, the world’s second longest river cave, where sinkholes will lead you to exotic fish and dense tropical vegetation.

Back on terra firma, shoot a round of golf at the many championship courses or unwind with a sip of fine Puerto Rican ron (rum) as you puff a cigar or swing to salsa at a club. Cap off the night by placing your bets and arm-wrestling a slot machine in a casino and you may break even for the trip.

The beach at Isla Verde, which fronts the Atlantic Ocean, is just a five-minute cab ride from San Juan airport, and has a beautiful powder-white beach, crystal waters and easy access to Old San Juan.

Points of Interests

Nature & Wildlife

Diving & Snorkeling

Puerto Rico is a perfect family destination. The smallest children will love the sandy beaches, the warm shallow seawater and the swimming pools constructed especially for them. The adults in the family will also enjoy exploring Puerto Rico. There's no end to the activities available, including boat rides, horseback riding, hiking, wind surfing, and snorkeling.

Puerto Rico Points of Interest:

San Juan - Founded In 1510, San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, spreads out along the northern coast and also inland. Its nucleus is Old San Juan, a seven square block walled area, sitting on a point of land between the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay. Old San Juan is filled with history and culture, and is a living museum. It is preserved in all its natural grace and beauty, and at 500 years of age is far from being decrepit. Some of its narrow streets are paved with small blue-gray cobblestones, which came to the port hundreds of years ago as ships' ballast.

La Fortaleza - The governor's palace, built between 1533 and 1540, was used as a fortress against Carib attacks but greatly expanded in the 19th century. It is believed to be the oldest executive residence in continuous use in the western hemisphere.

Catedral De San Juan - Built in the 16th century but extensively restored in the 19th and 20th. The remains of Ponce de León are in a marble tomb near the transept. The Catholic shrine of Puerto Rico had humble beginnings in the early 1520s as a thatch-topped wooden structure. Hurricane winds tore off the thatch and destroyed the church. It was reconstructed in 1540, when the graceful circular staircase and vaulted Gothic ceilings were added, but most of the work was done in the 19th century.

Centro Ceremonial Indígena De Tibes - At Tibes pre-Taíno ruins are found and burials dating from ad 300 to ad 700. Some archaeologists, noting the symmetrical arrangement of stone pillars, surmise the cemetery may have been of great religious significance. The complex includes a detailed re-creation of a Taíno village and a museum.

Fuerte San Felipe Del Morro / Fuerte San Cristóbal - San Felipe Del Morro was built in 1591 to defend the entrance to the harbor, and the 11-hectare Fort San Cristóbal was completed in 1772 to support El Morro and to defend the landward side of the city. The massive six-level fortress covers enough territory to accommodate a nine-hole golf course. It is a labyrinth of dungeons, barracks, turrets, towers, and tunnels. its small, air-conditioned museum traces the history of the fortress.

Plaza Del Quinto Centenario - Inaugurated on October 12, 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus' Landing, it's a modernistic square on several levels with steps leading to a central fountain with hundreds of jets good view of El Morro, the cemetery and sunsets.

Miramar - A residential area having several moderately priced hotels as well as some expensive ones. The Condado Lagoon and the Condado Beach area, where the luxury hotels, casinos, nightclubs and restaurants are concentrated, separate Miramar from the Atlantic coast. From Condado the beachfront is built up eastwards through Ocean Park, Santa Teresita, Punta Las Marías and Isla Verde. Building is expanding along the narrow strip beyond Isla Verde, between the Sea and the airport. Along this road, Avenida Boca De Cangrejos, there are lots of food trucks selling barbecued specialties.

Bacardi Plant - The world's largest rum factory is located in Puerto Rico. Guided tours are available. 

Nature & Wildlife in Puerto Rico:

El Bosque Nacional Del Caribe - The best way to see the 28,000-acre Caribbean National Forest (or El Yunque, as it's commonly known) is to go with a tour guide. Dozens of trails lead through the thick rain forest, and guides take you to the best observation points, bathing spots, and waterfalls.

Reserva Natural Las Cabezas De San Juan - Most of Puerto Rico's natural habitats are rolled into Las Cabezas Reserve's 316 acres. Nineteenth-century El Faro, one of the island's oldest lighthouses, is restored and still functioning. The wide variety of birds makes this a favorite spot for bird watchers.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Puerto Rico:

The diving is excellent off Puerto Rico's south, east, and west coasts as well as its offshore islands. It's best to choose specific locations with the help of a guide or outfitter, who will know current conditions and safety concerns.

• Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States so a passport is not necessary for US citizens. Photo ID is required by the airlines as usual.
• Non-US citizens, please contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the country to which you are traveling to determine your entry/visa requirements.
• Although most travel to international destinations is completed without incident, Caribbean-TravelDeals.com urges passengers to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements and advisories prior to booking.