Puerto rico explore: 7 Days of Puerto Rico for First Time Visitors

7 Days of Puerto Rico for First Time Visitors

Enjoy some refreshing, cold coconut water while in Piñones. 

If you’re visiting Puerto Rico for the first time, you’ll probably want to see a little bit of everything. Here’s how to get a taste of the Boricua lifestyle and pack your visit with adventure and fun.

Your first time in Puerto Rico should be all about experiencing new sights, unique flavors, thrilling adventures, and Puerto Rico’s vibrant culture. From city life to mountain retreats to rainforest walks and beach bumming, get ready to fall in love with this tropical destination over the next seven days. Experience what the heart and soul of the Caribbean has to offer and use these ideas as a jumping-off point for your Island adventures. 

Note: For exploring beyond San Juan, we recommend you rent a car and discover the Island at your own pace. To ensure attractions are open and available, it’s recommended to call ahead and make a reservation.

Explore the ecosystems of Río Camuy, the third largest underground river in the world.

View Itinerary in Google Earth

Ready to dive in to your first visit to Puerto Rico? Explore the Island and get a detailed look at every stop on this seven-day itinerary with a Google Earth tour.

Explore Now

Be sure to grab some fritters in Piñones. 

Day 1: Tropical Vibes in the Metro Region

The day you arrive in San Juan, get an authentic taste of the Caribbean by heading straight over to the Piñones neighborhood in the nearby town of Loíza. This picturesque strip of oceanfront kiosks and restaurants is just a 15-minute drive out of the city (and about five minutes from the airport). You can opt to have a sit-down lunch at one of the many restaurants like Hook’d, Donde Olga, or El Nuevo Acuario (among others) and enjoy fresh local seafood platters like whole-fried red snapper, shrimp-stuffed mofongo, or garlic mahi mahi. Or go kiosk-hopping (what locals call chinchorreo) and grab your first taste of Puerto Rican fritters like alcapurrias, bacalaítos, and piononos. Be sure to wash them down with an ice-cold beer or fresh fruit frappe.

Change into your swimsuit – if you haven’t already – and head over to La Posita, a quiet beach framed by a rock formation that creates a giant shallow tide pool. Spend the afternoon floating in the water, lounging on the sand snacking on fritters, and taking in that ocean breeze before heading to your accommodation.

Outside view of La Concha Hotel.

San Juan Lodging

Lodging options in San Juan range from luxury resorts like the Condado Vanderbilt, Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, and La Concha Resort to boutique properties like AC Hotel and O:live Boutique Hotel. Or, depending on your budget and preference, you can opt for a cozy vacation rental in the Condado or Isla Verde neighborhoods.

Dinner & Drinks in Condado

If you aren’t still stuffed from your meal earlier, you can have an upscale dinner at Cocina Abierta, 1919 Restaurant, or Mario Pagán Restaurant. These kitchens are led by some of the top chefs on the Island. Spend the rest of the night walking around the Condado, where you’ll find bars, boutiques, and some hotel lobbies where live bands play and the dance floor is packed. Or, if you’re looking to relax, head back to your hotel and unwind by the pool. 

Old San Juan is a mandatory stop for all visitors.

Day 2: Dive Into Culture

Your first day was pretty relaxing, so it’s time to embrace Puerto Rican culture fully and have an immersive day of fun and learning in Old San Juan. The “walled city” is a must stop for every first-time visitor (and most repeat visitors as well). Explore 500-year old Spanish forts like the Castillo San Felipe del Morro; visit historic museums like Casa Blanca Museum, a mansion built in the 1500s for Juan Ponce de León; and stop at landmarks like the Gate of San Juan and La Rogativa for the perfect photo op. 

Learn all about the Island’s history and conquistadors by stopping at some important places like El Cuartel de Ballajá, where you’ll find the Museo de Las Américas and specialty gourmet coffee shop Don Ruiz. You can also book guided tours or explore on your own. Be sure to make time to browse some of the small shops and galleries in the city, people-watch at one of the plazas, and cool off with a snowcone from a piragua cart or a popsicle from Señor Paleta. 

Lunch in Old San Juan

Walking up and down the blue cobblestone streets will surely work up an appetite. To enjoy a traditional Puerto Rican lunch, we recommend you visit Barrachina (one of the places that claims to have invented the famous piña colada), De Averdura, Café Manolín, or El Jibarito, where you can find hearty or light meals representing the Island’s distinctive culinary traditions. For something a little different, visit Chocobar, where everything is made with a hint of chocolate, or Pirilo, home of artisan pizzas and a wide selection of craft beers. 

Sip rum or take a mixology class at Casa BACARDÍ.

Rum Tasting at Casa BACARDÍ

at What better way to end your day than a rum tasting? Head over across San Juan Harbor to Casa BACARDÍ in the town of Cataño, where you’ll learn about the most popular rum in the world. You can choose from different tours, from the basic historic tour to a premium rum tasting or take a mixology class. You can even fill your own personalized bottle of BACARDÍ at the gift shop. 

Santurce Nightlife

Head back to your hotel to freshen up for dinner and get ready to dance the night away at La Placita de Santurce, a marketplace by day and social hub by night. You can also visit one of the nightclubs at Condado, like Fifty-Eight or the lobby at the San Juan Marriott. 

Explore the ecosystems of Río Camuy, the third largest underground river in the world.

Day 3: West Coast Bound! 

Ready for a road trip? After a long day in San Juan and a night of partying, some sightseeing is overdue! Have brunch at the hotel or a nearby bakery (Sobao by Los Cidrines in Condado or Las Canarias in Isla Verde do not disappoint), gather your belongings, and set your GPS to Rincón… the westernmost point of the Island. 

Río Camuy Cave Park

Your road trip to the west should include a stop at Río Camuy Cave Park, an iconic cave system with astonishing views of the Island’s countryside. At this popular destination, you can enjoy a guided hike where you’ll learn about the Taínos, as well as the Island’s native flora and fauna. 

At Túnel de Guajataca, a former railroad tunnel opens up to a stunning turquoise beach.

Túnel de Guajataca

Continue driving along the north coast and make a quick stop at the Mirador de Guajataca for one of the most breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. You can also take a short coastal hike through the Guajataca Tunnel, which was once part of the network of train tracks transporting sugarcane around the Island. A little farther down the road, you can soon stop for a quick photo op at Cara del Indio, an impressive rock sculpture of the Taíno chief Mabodamaca.

Punta Higüera Lighthouse Park

Once you reach Rincón, pull over for a stop at Punta Higüera Lighthouse Park to enjoy the mesmerizing sunset (you are in the “Town of the Beautiful Sunsets,” after all) while sipping on a piña colada or a tropical cocktail from one of the park’s kiosks. Keep an eye out for whales if you visit during the winter. 

Rincón Accommodations

Rincón has a wide variety of quaint vacation rentals, as well as resort-like hotels like Rincón of the Seas, Serenity Rincón, Villa Cofresí, or The Beach House Hotel. For dinner, you can visit La Copa Llena, Casa Verde, or Tamboo Beside the Pointe, where you can also enjoy a night of dancing and mingling with locals. 

Stand-up paddleboarding on clear, calm waters in Rincón.

Day 4: Embrace the Laidback Vibes

You’re in Rincón, the surfing and sunset capital of Puerto Rico, so it only seems fitting to enjoy a day of laidback activities after a day of driving and sightseeing. Start your day at Barefoot Yoga, an open-air studio where you can take a gentle yoga class surrounded by nature. You don’t have to make a reservation, although it is recommended if you want a private class tailored to special requests. 

For breakfast head uphill to The English Rose. This is undoubtedly the most popular breakfast place in Rincón, so try to make a reservation before arriving. Their menu offers local cuisine, as well as English and American dishes; they also serve vegetarian and vegan options. The view from the terrace is second to none.

On the Water

Keep up the relaxed lifestyle by taking a surfing or sailing lesson with Sail Rincón or Rincón Surfing School. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, you can dive in and learn to catch some waves with expert instructors. The schools rent out equipment such as surfboards and paddleboards for you to enjoy at the beach later. If you’re more into land-based activities, book a riding tour with Pintos “R” Us and explore Rincón on horseback

Domes Beach in Rincón.

Beach Time

If you’d rather take full advantage of the famous west coast beaches, you can head down to Sandy Beach, Domes Beach (a world-class surfing beach), or Steps Beach, where you can rent snorkeling equipment. Spend the rest of your day unwinding and soaking in the afternoon sun. You can also head into town and visit the Secret Garden Art Gallery to support local artisans and painters. 

Dinner with a View

For dinner, try the exquisite meat cuts at Cowboys Cantina, an open-air Texas-style restaurant with a large bar and weekly rodeo shows. Among the favorite dishes are the ribs, chuletas can-can, and house steak called Cowboy. At night, you can hit the town square for the weekly Art Walk and enjoy the live music and tropical ambiance. 

The Fountain of Lions at Plaza Las Delicias in Ponce.

Day 5: Ponce, the Pearl of the South

You’ve hit the north and west coast, now the south awaits. Get on the road again and set your GPS to Ponce, where you can visit a few landmarks along the way, like the Porta Coeli Church in San Germán, the second oldest church in Puerto Rico and one of the most important religious art museums on the Island. 

Once in Ponce, take a guided tour of the town square where you’ll see landmarks like the iconic Parque de Bombas, an old firehouse-turned-museum right in the city’s plaza. Nearby, you can find various sculptures of lions, the Fuente de los Leones (lion fountain), the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the mayor’s residence. While you’re there, be sure to try the famous helados (ice cream) at King’s Cream.

Art & Rum Culture

Stroll around Ponce and appreciate an array of impressive murals painted during the annual urban art festival Ponce es Ley. Next, you can visit Castillo Serrallés, a grand estate-turned-museum that used to be the home of the Serrallés family, owners of the Don Q rum distillery. You can also visit the internationally recognized Museo de Arte de Ponce and admire its permanent collection of 4,500 pieces, including Lord Frederic Leighton’s Flaming June. 

Delicious Dining

Complete your day by dining at La Cava Restaurant for more flavorful comida criolla, or have an Italian dinner at Campioni Pizza Birra & Tapas. For a casual seaside dinner with a view, head down to La Guancha, a pier where you can find little restaurants that serve fritters and staple local food.  

Ponce Lodging

Elevate your Ponce experience by staying at The Fox Hotel, an eclectic hotel that will make you feel like you’ve entered Alice in Wonderland. If you’re looking for something more classic-chic, then book a room at the historic Meliá Century Hotel in the town square. Or, opt for the Hilton Ponce for a resort vibe complete with a massive pool and golf course. 

Day 6: Day Trip Options 

You have plenty of options for things to do before your departure. Coffee hacienda or sailing trip? The choice is yours. 

Coffee Haciendas

Just outside Ponce, take a trip to Hacienda Pomarrosa or Hacienda Buena Vista, two modern coffee plantations where you can learn all about the process of coffee growing and roasting in Puerto Rico. And if you’re looking for interesting accommodations, stay in one of Hacienda Pomarrosa cabins that are surrounded by lush tropical surroundings and have ocean views.

View of Caja de Muertos island in Ponce.

Isla Caja de Muertos

You can also make a day out of visiting Isla Caja de Muertos, one of the most enchanting attractions near Ponce. Just a boat ride away from the Salinas marine port with East Island Excursions, you can hike up trails, explore the lighthouse ruins, go birdwatching, and spend a day under the sun on one of Puerto Rico’s most pristine beaches, Playa Pelícano, while exploring this uninhabited island. You can book your Ponce experiences with Caribe Tours or Isla Caribe PR to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun.

Enjoy a view of the Caribbean Sea from La Guancha in Ponce.

Day 7: We’ll See You Again!

On your last day on the Island, you can hit the hotel’s pool or go to La Guancha for one last taste of Boricua life. You can book a flight from La Mercedita Airport in Ponce (PSE) or drive back to depart from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). 

Live Boricua through ASMR

Piñones Cook

Get ready to taste the bold and exciting flavors that the Piñones cook has in store for you – your taste buds will thank you for it. Take a crunchy bite and #LiveBoricua.

Piragüero

In one cup, this cone-shaped refreshing Puerto Rican treat will show you why the flavors of our Island will stay with you long after you leave. #LiveBoricua

Bomba Dancer

Join a bomba dancer in a unique #LiveBoricua experience that will have you moving your feet everywhere you go on the Island. 

Coconut Seller

He’ll be waiting for you, ready to quench your thirst on the days when the Caribbean sun shines the brightest. Don’t forget to ask him for your rum shot and #LiveBoricua!

View Places Mentioned on a Map

Share this

Tags

The Island
Things to Do
Metro
North
South
West
Rincón

Recommended Articles

See All Articles

Best of Guanica Puerto Rico Tourism 2022

World Class Scuba Diving Site in Puerto Rico

Guanica…A charming seaside town with quiet beaches, world-class scuba diving, and home to United Nations World Biosphere Reserve

Puerto Rico is one amazing place in the Caribbean.  For first-time visitors, it’s really surprising how a small island can have such diversity, the municipality of Guanica is one of those unique places.  You don’t hear much about Guanica on popular travel magazines or television channels, those that love the pleasures that Guanica offers, want to keep it that way.

This charming town is quiet and relaxed, travelers that enjoy exploring the unbeaten paths will enjoy Guanica, contrasting with tourist districts in San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico.  The main allure for visitors to Guanica is the rich natural treasures the entire family will enjoy exploring in complete serenity.  Couples seeking seclusion will reconnect in Guanica’s hiking trails, free of crowds, leading to breathtaking scenic spots.

Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa

Booking.com

Check Deals

Scuba Diving in Guanica

Guanica is not a popular vacation destination, but serious divers in the know head to this sleepy beach town to dive the “The Wall”, a deep dive with excellent visibility, colorful healthy reefs, and abundant sea life.

Scuba Diving Charters in Guanica, Puerto Rico

Schedule a charter to dive the walls and explore the underwater caves of the famous La Pared (The Wall).

• Island Scuba: 787-309-6556
• Copamarina Beach Resort: 787) 821-0505
• Paradise Scuba & Snorkeling Center (Lajas): 787-899-7611

The offshore cay of Cayo Aurora more commonly known as Gilligan’s Island is gaining popularity, the most perfect natural pool with crystalline waters perfect for families, excellent for swimming with good snorkeling even for small children.

+ Gilligan’s Island  – Guanica, Puerto Rico

Top Rated Tours to Gilligan’s Island & Guanica Activities

Guanica is perhaps one of the unique beach destinations on the main island of Puerto Rico.  Hiking and nature lovers will enjoy the oceanside trails leading to secret beach coves with breathtaking untamed natural beauty.  The landscape along the coast of Guanica is unlike anywhere on the island since the beaches are part of a subtropical dry forest and one of the best-preserved in the world.  

Local’s favorite beaches are Playa Santa and Balneario Cerro Gordo, for their facilities and calmer water for swimming.  During the week Playa Santa and Cerro Gordo are pretty relaxed and empty.  The beaches on the nature reserve are practically empty year-round for those wishing to experience sublime peace and seclusion by the sea, during the summer months locals enjoy these beaches.  The best beaches on the nature reserve are Playa Tamarindo, best for bathing and boogie boarding.  Playa Pelicano, a great place to relax, and Bahia de las Ballenas, where you can hike all the way to Playa Ballenas.  These are all protected beaches, free of development, part of the Guanica State Forest.

List of Best Beaches in Guanica

+  Beaches of Guanica, Puerto Rico

Head to Bosque Estatal de Guánica (Guanica State Forest), commonly known as Guanica Dry Forest.  Guanica State Forest is a subtropical dry forest, hiking the trails will give you bragging rights for visiting a UN World Biosphere Reserve.  Guanica is one of the best hiking destinations in Puerto Rico, offering about 12 trails along in interior of the mountains and along the pristine rugged coastline.  The hiking trails are of average difficulty to walk, some trails are good for families with children.  Be sure to hydrate before the hike and bring plenty of water to drink during the hike, sunscreen to reapply often, and bug repellent during the rain season, it is also recommended you hike early in the morning since Guanica can get very hot midday.  Visit the office for information on guided tours.  You can hike on your own, the office has pamphlets with information on the trails.

Another great place to hike on the west coast of Puerto Rico is the town of Cabo Rojo.

Guanica is a great destination for families with children who wish to snorkel while on vacation in Puerto Rico.  Gilligan’s Island is like a giant natural pool with shallow waters, perfect for children to learn how to snorkel in safe calm waters.  When the weather conditions are optimal, there is a reef at Playa Tamarindo.  Professional charters will be happy to take you to the best snorkeling spots in Guanica and nearby sites in Lajas.

Top Rated Snorkeling Tours in Rincon, Puerto Rico

Finca El Girasol

A romantic place to visit is Finca El Girasol, a 10-acre farm where bright yellow sunflowers are grown.  The blue skies and warm Puerto Rican Sun, contrast beautifully with thousands of sunflowers that seem to have a smile.  A donation of $2 per vehicle is requested.  Visitors can walk around the farm, enjoy the fresh air, scenic views and take home the perfect selfies to capture the memories.  Fresh-cut sunflowers are available for sale, a romantic gift for your loved one. Call 939-402-7967 for hours before visiting.  Visit their FB page

Have Fun on the Water at Playa Santa

Head to Playa Santa, one of the most popular beaches for locals when they wish to enjoy family-friendly water sports.   Local vendors rent kayaks, jet skies, banana boats, boat rides and more.  If you wish to relax on the beach, you’ll also find umbrella and lounge rentals.

+  Playa Santa – Guanica, Puerto Rico

New study shows that in Puerto Rico it is more often in the sun

Abroad

Russian planet

This news was generated by our new employee – the robot Electron. He is just learning to work with text, this process is not fast, and our colleague is not given immediately. But he tries and constantly makes progress. Don’t judge him harshly. He works for the future. We are constantly improving the quality of his work to the extent possible, so that in the future a real professional in his field will work in our editorial office.

New York – Jan 8 AGI A new study from the University of Buffalo and the University of Puerto Rico shows that breast cancer is less common in Puerto Rico due to more sun exposure.

The study was published in the journal “Office of Epidemiology, Biomarkers of Prevention.”

In 307 cases and 328 controls, the investigators used a charometer to compare skin color in opaque and exposed skin. Skin fusion was an assessment of sun exposure.

The study was unique in that it concerns Puerto Rican women, allowing us to look at this association in a population with a wide range of skin and annual high sun exposure, said senior author Jo L. Freudenheim, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at the University UBR.

There is some, although not consistent, evidence that sun exposure is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. There are a number of reasons that could explain this finding, Fredenberg said.

She stated that vitamin D is one of the steps in the body’s internal production when exposed to the sun.

The effect of the sun affects the body in several ways, affecting fatigue, obesity and circadian rhythms. While recent recommendations have been to limit sun exposure to protect skin cancer, there may be benefits from sun exposure, especially if you don’t have sun, she added.

Previous studies on sun exposure and breast cancer have been conducted in locations where there is seasonal variation in ultraviolet radiation, including periods of low to zero. There is no significant seasonal variation in Puerto Rico, with the potential for permanent exposure to high solar radiation for those who spend time away from home.

The first author of this article, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Puerto Rico, said the study provided consistent results across a variety of parameters.

The risk of breast cancer was lower for women with the most accumulated sun exposure. The risk was lower regardless of estrogen receptor status, Nashirio said, and it was even lower among participants with darker skin color.

The study was part of a longstanding collaboration that UBC has with the University of Puerto Rico. 9Ol000

500 ₽

Big cup of coffee and something tasty

900 ₽

Other amount

Who can support the project?

Only citizens of Russia can support the project. Support is provided only in rubles. As required by law.

Separatist movement in Puerto Rico in the second half of the XX

The paper considers the phenomenon of separatism on the example of the activities of the Los Macheteros group, whose main task is the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States. During the study, it was revealed that the armed struggle carried out by the mentioned separatist organization is carried out in order to draw the attention of the world community to the issue of the uncertain status of Puerto Rico, to the problems of the local population, infringed on their rights.

9

• • APA
  • Author
  • BIBTEX
  • Harvard
  • standard
  • RIS
  • Vancouver

  @article{010002dfa92245b6a4faedf3a558ad14,

  title = “The separatist movement in Puerto Rico in the second half of the 20th – early 21st centuries. culture_”,

  abstract = “The paper considers the phenomenon of separatism on the example of the activities of the Los Macheteros group, the main whose task is the independence of Puerto Rico from the U.S. During the study, it was revealed that the armed struggle carried out by the mentioned separatist organization is carried out in order to draw the attention of the world community to the issue of the uncertain status of Puerto Rico, to the problems of the local population, infringed on their rights. “,

  author = “Piksaeva, {Ksenia Igorevna}”,

  year = “2016”,

  language = “Russian”,

  pages = “83–89”,

  journal = “Latin America”,

  issn = “0044-748X”,

  publisher = “Publisher {“}Science{“}”,

  number = “4”,

  } the second half of the XX – the beginning of the XXI centuries. culture_’, Latin America , n.º 4, pp. 83-89.

  TY – JOUR

  T1 – Separatist movement in Puerto Rico in the second half of the 20th – early 21st centuries. culture_

  AU – Piksaeva, Ksenia Igorevna

  PY – 2016

  Y1 – 2016

  N2 – The paper considers the phenomenon of separatism on the example of the activities of the Los Macheteros group, whose main task is the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States. During the study, it was revealed that the armed struggle carried out by the mentioned separatist organization is carried out in order to draw the attention of the world community to the issue of the uncertain status of Puerto Rico, to the problems of the local population, infringed on their rights.

  AB – The paper considers the phenomenon of separatism on the example of the activities of the Los Macheteros group, whose main task is the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States. During the study, it was revealed that the armed struggle carried out by the mentioned separatist organization is carried out in order to draw the attention of the world community to the issue of the uncertain status of Puerto Rico, to the problems of the local population, infringed on their rights.