1.

Bar hop along Calle San Sebastián in San Juan

La Calle San Sebastián is a historic delight, where you can live and breathe a true slice of Old San Juan life. Named after its patron saint, Saint Sebastian, the cobblestone street is one of the most beautiful on the islet.

It’s lined with historic buildings, including San José church, the historic Hijos de Borinquen bar, and Casa Blanca – former home of the island’s first Spanish governor, Juan Ponce de León.

By day, you can snap photos of beautiful, colorful balconies, walk the narrow alleyways and peek between the buildings for a glimpse of the Atlantic ocean. At night, there’s plenty of bar hopping to do. Fancy dancing (to anything from salsa to electronic beats) and sipping top-notch cocktails made by expert mixologists? Head over to ultra-hip La Factoría.

If you prefer a chilled-out place to hang, Taberna Lúpulo has open-air seating and a massive selection of local and international beers. Prefer to grab a few Medalla beers and dance to some reggaeton? La Sombrilla Rosa is where you want to be. There are plenty of watering holes to choose from, so put on your best sneakers and enjoy the humid sea breeze while you wander from bar to bar.

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2. Take an architectural tour of Old San Juan

Walking through the cobblestone plazas and narrow alleyways of Old San Juan is an essential Puerto Rico experience. There’s no need to have an itinerary – just get lost in a maze of colorful, Spanish colonial-style houses with famously ornate balconies, lush courtyard gardens and ceilings adorned with intricate mosaics of Catholic saints and virgins and ornate criollo tiles.

There isn’t a corner of the islet that isn’t steeped in history, from historic churches to grand homes from the 18th and 19th centuries. For insights into San Juan’s architectural heritage and rich political, social and economic life, the Puerto Rico Historic Buildings Drawing Society runs a series of walking tours exploring landmarks such as Casa Blanca, the abandoned Normandie Hotel, sailors’ haunt Calle Sol, and the city’s lovely parks and plazas.

Isla Verde serves up some of the finest sand in Puerto Rico © Israel Pabon / Shutterstock

3. Have a beachside craft beer at Ocean Lab Brewing Co

Located inside the VIVO Beach Club on San Juan’s Isla Verde Beach, which faces one of the most beautiful stretches of white sand in the metropolitan area, Ocean Lab Brewing Co is the place to come for premium craft beers and a picture-perfect drinking location. There’s a full menu too; the chicken and longaniza sausage sliders and fried whole snapper fish come highly recommended. 

The trade winds coming from the east bring soothing breezes and beers made with local ingredients like passion fruit, grapefruit and blood orange will leave your tastebuds imploring you to up sticks and move to the Caribbean. Serious beer enthusiasts can take a brewery tour and get a first-hand look at the brewing process; call ahead for tour hours.

Best beaches in Puerto Rico 

4. See a drag show at Loverbar

The island’s high-octane drag scene has produced some mega-talented queens, including Jessica Wild, Yara Sofia and April Carrión, who wowed TV audiences in RuPaul’s Drag Race. The epicenter of Puerto Rico’s fiercely daring underground drag scene is Loverbar, a spirited LGBTQ+ hub in the Río Piedras neighborhood in San Juan, right beside the University of Puerto Rico’s main campus.

The bar is a dream, with pastel pink walls, a low-swinging chandelier, and art on the walls that could best be described as “kawaii.” Loverbar’s stage hosts drag shows most weekends, with a revolving line-up of drag queens and kings performing shows with pop culture themes such as “Vampires,” “Beetlejuice,” and “Teen Titans.”

In between drag shows, you can watch LGBTQ+ comedians, dance to queer-friendly reggaeton and take a shot at winning the karaoke prize. Loverbar also has a full kitchen, serving a vegetarian and vegan menu. One cautionary note: the Río Piedras district is partly derelict and mostly empty at night, so travel in a group and stay on the main roadway, Ponce de León Ave.

5. Graze along the Ruta del Lechón-Guavate

There’s no better way to get a taste of traditional Puerto Rican flavors and the island’s folklore than by taking a tour through Guavate in Cayey. Known as La Ruta del Lechón – the Roast Pork Route – the road to Guavate takes you deep into the mountains flanking the town of Cayey, where you can restaurant-hop in search of the best spit-roasted pork and steamy arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas) on the island. It’s a ritual that’s revered by Puerto Ricans, especially at Christmastime.

Each establishment is family-owned, and most have informal picnic-style tables where you can mingle with other patrons and have a few drinks, and perhaps even dance to música típica (folk music).

It’s a nourishing experience in every sense of the word, and a great way to dive into the wet, mountainous central region. Such a beautiful tradition inevitably draws a crowd, so if you go on a weekend, arrive early or be ready to wait in line.

Epic views through the “window” at the Cueva Ventana © IsaacRuiz / Getty Images

6. Hike the trail to Cueva Ventana

The beautiful cavern known as Cueva Ventana is an architectural beauty carved by nature and thousands of years of hard wind and rain in the Arecibo region in northwest Puerto Rico. Put on some good sneakers or hiking boots and you can take a guided tour through green mountain passages and dark limestone caves, where you can see ancient Taíno petroglyphs and spot some of the 16 species of bats that call the cave system home.

A roughly hour-long hike takes you to the cave mouth and its main attraction, a rocky “window” offering breathtaking views of the Río Grande de Arecibo and the mountains of Utuado. Guides are fonts of knowledge about pre-Columbian history and geology, and they’ll keep you safe as you explore with helmets and flashlights. The area is great for photography but don’t use a flash or any other lighting that might disturb the wildlife.

7. Make your own cheese at Vaca Negra

It’s not difficult to get a taste of rural life in Puerto Rico. Fertile soil and the warm and well-watered climate allow crops to flourish year-round and the island is dotted with farms raising local produce and livestock. At Vaca Negra, in the town of Hatillo in the northwest, you can go a step further and make your own Puerto Rican-style aged cheese.

This is a relatively new concept on the island, as Puerto Rican cheese is traditionally freshly prepared. Using raw cow’s milk from Hatillo’s cattle ranchers, staff will help you create some of the best-aged cheese you’ve ever tasted – you can even opt for lactose-free.

There’s a small hitch though: the cheese takes approximately two months to reach maturity. If you’re only passing by, you can purchase some of their cheeses and yogurts pre-made from the farm store or swing by for brunch in true Puerto Rican country style.

Toro Verde is one of the biggest and best adventure parks in the Caribbean © Andrew Lipovsky/NBC/NBCU Photobank/Getty Images

8. Go ziplining at Toro Verde

Adrenaline lovers rejoice! Deep in the mountains of Orocovis lies Toro Verde, one of the biggest and best adventure parks in the Caribbean. The brave can ride ziplines such as “The Monster”, a 1.5 mile (2.5km) cable that whooshes across the forested slopes, reaching speeds of up to 95mph (152. 8 km/h). I’m not exaggerating when I say that you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of nature!

The rest of the park is a wonderland for adventure lovers, with thrilling rock climbing walls, rope fields, obstacle courses, hanging bridges, free falls (with safety gear, of course), suspended cycling and moonlight tours.

9. Go canyoning at Cañón San Cristóbal

The San Cristóbal Canyon is one of the most precious and underexplored natural treasures in Puerto Rico. Nestled between the towns of Aibonito and Barranquitas in the Cordillera Central mountain range, the canyon was once used as an unofficial landfill site until local non-profit organizations stepped in to save the site for future generations.

Today, San Cristóbal Canyon is the setting for one of the most thrilling hiking trails on the island, where you can rappel, hike and swim under waterfalls, surrounded by lush green jungle. You’ll need to be in good physical condition though as the trails are challenging: the canyon is 500ft (152m) deep and the hike is more than 6 miles (9km) long, most of that uphill through rocky terrain.

Don’t go alone – the trails are largely unmarked. Guided hikes and tours are led by conservationist group Go Hiking PR, run by Puerto Rican teachers, students and geographers.

10. Sip coffee the Puerto Rican way at Hacienda San Pedro

In Puerto Rico, coffee is a ritual not taken lightly. Unlike in the United States, you’ll rarely see people drinking coffee in their cars on their way to work or rushing with a cup of coffee in their hands. Instead, coffee in Puerto Rico is a state of mind, a little respite from the world outside.

Join locals appreciating their coffee at Hacienda San Pedro in the mountains of Jayuya in the Central Mountains, which dates from the 19th century and has been owned by four generations of the Atienzo family.

You can tour the coffee fields where the beans are picked by hand and then toasted in equipment that’s been used for more than a century. The hacienda has a museum where you can see original artifacts and learn more about the processes that make Puerto Rican coffee so amazing. Before you leave, stop for a hot cup of Joe and pick up some of the best coffee on the island to take home.

Puerto Rico’s best hiking trails 

11. Get a history lesson at Centro Ceremonial Indígena Tibes

Ceremonial grounds, religious effigies and plazas formerly occupied by Puerto Rica’s indigenous population – specifically the Ígneri and Taíno tribes – make the Centro Ceremonial Indígena Tibes in Ponce an essential stop if you want to understand the island’s pre-colonial past.

Archeologists have dated the site, located in the Tíbes sector of Ponce, to between 400 BCE and 1000 CE. Annual excavations have uncovered indigenous pottery, foraging patterns and instruments that provide tantalizing glimpses of the civilizations that populated Puerto Rico before the arrival of the Spanish. The site has a museum and offers guided tours, but it’s best to call ahead for hours and availability.

A surfer catches some air in Rincón © James McGraghan / 500px

12.

Surf the waves in Rincón 

Ever since Domes beach in Rincón hosted the 1968 World Surfing Championship, surfers of all levels have been flocking to northwestern towns such as Aguadilla, Rincón and Isabela to take advantage of the warm Atlantic waters and catch some of the tallest waves in the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico’s surf culture is quite laid back and you’ll learn a lot about beach conservation talking to the surfers who spend their days riding these thrilling breaks. While the Atlantic tends to be a little unruly, the sun rises early and the crystalline water makes it easy to spot the currents so you can make the best of your surf session.

Gas Chambers and Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla offer waves that range from 5ft (1.5m) in the summer to 20ft (6m) during the winter months. These make for a killer ride, and in between sessions you can take in great views and visit old navy pier ruins. If just want to admire or photograph some big swells and the surfers who ride them, come for the Corona Pro Surf Circuit, usually hosted in the spring.

Don’t despair if you don’t know how to surf; private and group lessons are available at many local surf schools. Check out the classes run by Surf Lessons Puerto Rico – owned by pro-surfer, Ramse Morales – and PR Surf Adventures in Aguadilla.

The Corredor Ecológico del Noreste spans six municipalities on the northeast part of the island including El Yunque National Forest © Cavan Images / Getty Images

13. Spot wildlife on the Corredor Ecológico del Noreste

The lush, green Corredor Ecológico del Noreste spans six of the most beautiful municipalities in the Northeast of the island. This protected nature reserve offers a chance to bike, boat, surf or drive along roughly 3000 acres of virgin coastline, taking in the lovely beaches at San Miguel, La Selva, Las Paulinas, El Convento and Colorá.

The coastal forests provide a habitat for plentiful bird and animal life, including manatees and leatherback turtles, which nest on the beaches here from March to August. The corridor also spans the municipality of Río Grande, home to the El Yunque National Forest, the towns of Luquillo, Fajardo, and Vieques, and Culebra’s islands, which you can visit by ferry.

Dating from the 16th century, the town of Loíza and its citizens are the keepers of some of the most charming traditions in Puerto Rico. If you happen to be there in July, take part in the Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol, celebrating Loíza’s patron saint. Participants don colorful, traditional vejigante devil masks with three horns and dance the bomba, and artisans sell local crafts.

14. Bike the Piñones Trail

If you’re an avid cyclist, head to the Piñones area on Road #178 along the east coast, where you can feel the wind in your hair as you ride along some of the wildest, most undeveloped coastline you’ll find on the island.

The Piñones Trail takes you through mangroves and oceanfront forests, and it runs below sea level, so don’t be surprised if you have to climb a small hill of sand to get to the beaches. Take some mosquito repellent as these critters get really bitey in the afternoons and close to sundown.

Stop at one of the kiosks along the way for some of the best Puerto Rican snacks you can find – including bacalaítos (cod fritters), empanadillas de jueyes (crab pasties) and alcapurrias de camarones (shrimp fritters). A pro tip: rather than stopping at the first kiosk you see, ride further down the road to El Boricua.

Free things to do in Puerto Rico 

The line will be long, the wait may be longer, but you’ll thank us later for the flavors – the alcapurrias here are made to order by hand with plantain leaves.

Pack a bathing suit and you can take advantage of one of the best secret beaches on the island – Vacía Talega. Here you’ll find clear, turquoise water and a long sweep of uncrowded, palm-backed sand. As with any of the Atlantic beaches, watch out for rip currents; if you don’t see locals in the water, best not go in.

Puerto Rico is on our 2022 Best of Travel list. For more stories from some of the world’s most exciting destinations click here.

Safety recommendations and restrictions during a pandemic can change rapidly. Lonely Planet recommends that travelers always check with local authorities for up-to-date guidance before traveling during Covid-19.

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Best destination for you in Gran Canaria? + travel guide

Puerto Rico is one of the largest resorts in Gran Canaria, but at the same time it has a pleasant compactness. So if you want liveliness and lots of choice, but everything is within walking distance, this is a great destination for you.

Contents

Beaches

In Puerto Rico you have one beautiful white sandy beach in front of the resort, surrounded by bars and restaurants, so it is perfect for a family beach holiday. However, if you want to spend a lot of time on the beach, I would advise you to pay attention to where your hotel is located. Since many of the hotels in the area are located far up the hill, it can be quite a walk to the beach, so keep that in mind.

If you want a little variety, you can also walk from here to Playa de Amadores beach, located right in the resort next door.

Hotels

Puerto Rico has many great hotels. One thing to keep in mind is the location. Some of them are very high on the mountainside. Because of this, some of them may not be suitable for you if you have small children. Here are a few of my favorites that are in a good location:

• If you want to be very close to the resort and close to the beach, look no further than Marina Suites.
• The Riu Vistamar All Inclusive is located at the top of the mountain. The reason why I include this hotel is because they are perfect for families. With a shuttle that you can get up and down the mountain for free.
• For an adults-only getaway with great views and a compact personal touch, the Marina Bayview Apartment is the perfect choice.

Nightlife

Puerto Rico’s nightlife is full of clubs and late night bars. However, keep in mind that Puerto Rico changes a lot depending on the time of year. The resort is very chilly at some times of the year and is mostly reserved for older visitors who like to have a few drinks and relax.

At other times of the year, especially during holidays at schools, colleges and universities, there are many young people. They come here looking for parties and quickly fill the clubs in the area. So, depending on what you are looking for, you can find both here. Just make sure you pick the right time to travel if you want to go to the club and party.

Things to do in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is all about food, drink and the beach. However, there are some fun here too. I would recommend an activity park where children have something to climb, jump and slide down. For adults, the boat ride to Puerto de Mogan Market is a great day out. A walk to nearby Playa de Amadores is also a good option.

Here is my complete list of do’s and don’ts while on holiday in Puerto Rico.

Restaurant & Bars

When it comes to restaurants, Puerto Rico has a lot of choice and variety. Most of them are on the first line near the beach, but in the central shopping center you will find a wide variety of restaurants. In the mall you will find budget places and all you can eat from oriental cuisine. However, near the beach you will find more expensive fish and steak restaurants.

How to get to Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

Arguineguin is 42 km from Gran Canaria Airport (LPA):

• Public transport: 5.50€
• Shuttle bus: 9.00€
• Taxi: 50€

Some important things you need to know companies that I booked in Gran Canaria for transfers, buses and taxis you can find here.

My first impression of Puerto Rico was, “It’s one big mall.” And in a sense, it still is. From almost every hotel in this resort, you look down at the shopping center located in the valley of the resort. This place offers quite a few good shops.

Just beware of some electronics stores. During the day, this area is almost empty, but can offer a nice cold and fresh vibe for window shopping. However, it gets much busier here in the evening, with many bars and restaurants opening up for lively evenings.

Do you think Puerto Rico might be a little too big and busy for you? Then, let’s have a look at my guide on “Where to stay in Gran Canaria”.

Why is Puerto Rico the perfect place to learn to kitesurf?

The world is full of great kitesurfing spots. But if you’re looking for the perfect place to practice this sport, then Puerto Rico is the place to be. It is a beautiful area that is easy to get to and has steady winds for most of the year. The local water sports culture here also means you have multiple options for where to go and what to do, with many shops providing lessons, equipment and instructors. In fact, you will find plenty of kitesurf gear right in the capital, San Juan.

If you’re short on time, San Juan is a great place to start kitesurfing. But for a real beach vibe, you need to venture out of town. Here’s what you need to know for the best kitesurf experience in Puerto Rico.

Lesson time. Wind (but not too strong) is critical

If you’ve never been kiting before, take a lesson from a pro. Kitesurfing requires a fair amount of equipment and all of this will be new to most people. Even if you are confident in other water sports, you should take a briefing.

Kitesurfing obviously needs wind. But you, as a beginner, do not need too much wind, known as a “nuke” in sports jargon. When you are in the mood to take lessons, it is best to have three to five days left. Depending on the weather conditions, you can take lessons every day or wait a few days until the weather is right. Even if the wind is calm, ask your instructor if you can try a smaller kite on the beach, because any time with the kite can be put to good use.

It is worth contacting the store you plan to work with in advance to arrange lessons. There are professionals who know what conditions for learning are best suited.

What to Expect From Your First Days of Surfing

Unless you are one percent of the naturally gifted kiters or already have some experience, you should train for two to three hours on your first day and should not expect to be on the board. A good instructor will take the time to familiarize you with the terminology and equipment before you see the kite, in particular the control panel and loop.

You will also practice “equipment”: attaching the lines to the kite. And then your instructor will most likely pick up the kite, lift it into the air, and hand it over to you. That’s when things start to get interesting. The instructor will show you some basic maneuvers so you can get a feel for the wind and how the kite reacts to the control panel. You will probably crash your kite on the beach a few times.

Once you get comfortable with the kite, you will probably start moving and stopping the kite at 10, 11 and 12 o’clock (right above your head). Most likely, you will start with a small kite, about four meters. Once you get comfortable with this, you will move on to a larger kite that you will probably use when you get on the water.

The next step is to drag the body. You will enter the water with the kite, start sailing and feel the kite pulling you through the water. Finally, on the second or third day, depending on the length of your lessons and kite control skills, you will move onto the board. Most shops will send someone with you on the boat. And rightly so, because it’s easy to end up pretty far from your starting point.

Preparing for the trip. Proper preparation and what to bring with you

You don’t need much equipment. A swimsuit and protective clothing with long or short sleeves is enough, and the water in Puerto Rico is warm. Some choose neoprene shoes. Most shops offer shockproof vests for beginners, which provide buoyancy and protection from falls and impacts from equipment without impeding movement. Ask the store about safety vests in advance. It’s a red flag if they don’t provide them as part of the lesson. Shock vests cost around $150, so it’s not a crazy buy if you plan on doing a lot of kitesurfing or other surface water sports.

Kitesurfing involves the whole body, but strength is fundamental. If you want to train ahead of time, hanging abs, yoga, and swimming will definitely help. But there really is no exact training that matches the bizarre combination of muscle groups involved in kiting. So don’t be surprised if you get sore from exertion, even on class days that don’t include water.

Pro Tip: If you have a friend with kitesurf gear or have a shop near your home, you can start with a few dry land sessions before your trip. Ultimately, it’s all about getting comfortable with the kite and learning how to control it.

Puerto Rico’s best kitesurf spots and when to go

With the exception of September and October, which are usually hot months with little wind, Puerto Rico has fairly consistent wind throughout the year. The hurricane season runs from June to November, so keep a close eye on events before booking your tickets during this period. Another factor is peak seasons. At the end of March, tourists come for spring break, as well as for the December holidays. If you are visiting during these busy periods, it is wise to book your lessons in advance as the number of instructors and equipment is limited.

Experienced kitesurfers should come here from December to April to enjoy the best waves and conditions. During this period, you have every chance to learn from the best riders of the island, who spend a lot of time in the water during these months. But for beginners, mid-summer is ideal: from July to September, as the waves are calmer and the sea is more predictable.

San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is located on the north coast. On the east side of the city, places like Isla Verde Beach and Punta Las Marias attract many kiters.

To get out of the city and really enjoy the island’s stunning beaches, head to the south coast of the island and explore the Bay of Ballena and La Parguera (famous for bioluminescence). Both locations are about two hours southwest of San Juan, and La Parguera is the best option for beginners.

Experienced kitesurfers often go by boat to nearby Gilligan Bay. Jobos Beach, located on the northwestern tip of the island less than two hours west of San Juan, is also popular with first-timers and is equally free of San Juan’s skyscrapers. There are cabins and restaurants around Isabella for fun and relaxation after kitesurfing.