Puerto Rico travel guide

Puerto Rico Tourism | Puerto Rico Guide

You're Going to Love Puerto Rico

The island of Puerto Rico has a beautiful combination of white sandy beaches, tropical rain forests and a melting pot of cultures.

What to do in Puerto Rico

1. Go to the Beach

Take a ferry over to Vieques to enjoy a less crowded, more tranquil beach experience.

2. Discover the Picturesque Architecture

Look for the old Spanish influence in the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Old San Juan where you will see blue cobbled streets and pastel houses or visit the San Juan National Historic Site to see the forts of the colonial part of San Juan.

3. Go on an Adventure Hike

Go hiking in the mountains and explore some of the limestone caves and forest trails that exist on La Cordillera Central, the central mountain range of Puerto Rico.

4. Explore Nature

El Yunque National Rainforest – one of Puerto Rico's natural treasures – is a fascinating tropical rainforest ecosystem with walking trails through the enormous trees, beautiful waterfalls and pools.

5. Discover a World Underwater

Explore the marine life by snorkeling or scuba diving. Head to Fajardo in the east for coral heads and reef wildlife or Isla Desecheo for some beautiful dives.

1. Go to the Beach

Take a ferry over to Vieques to enjoy a less crowded, more tranquil beach experience.

2. Discover the Picturesque Architecture

Look for the old Spanish influence in the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Old San Juan where you will see blue cobbled streets and pastel houses or visit the San Juan National Historic Site to see the forts of the colonial part of San Juan.

3. Go on an Adventure Hike

Go hiking in the mountains and explore some of the limestone caves and forest trails that exist on La Cordillera Central, the central mountain range of Puerto Rico.

4. Explore Nature

El Yunque National Rainforest – one of Puerto Rico's natural treasures – is a fascinating tropical rainforest ecosystem with walking trails through the enormous trees, beautiful waterfalls and pools.

5. Discover a World Underwater

Explore the marine life by snorkeling or scuba diving. Head to Fajardo in the east for coral heads and reef wildlife or Isla Desecheo for some beautiful dives.

When to visit Puerto Rico

The best month to visit Puerto Rico is February. There is not much seasonal variation in the temperatures during the year, which range from 70-90°F. The hurricane season tends to take place between the months of June and November.

How to Get to Puerto Rico

Entry Requirements

Puerto Rico falls under the Mainland USA visa laws and visitors must travel under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows entry for 90 days. This can be done online using the Electronic System For Travel Authorization (ESTA) online system before traveling and costs $14 per application. Travelers not eligible for the ESTA must apply for a visa at a US consulate.

Plane

While Puerto Rico has no international carrier of its own, most of the international flights originate in the USA, landing at San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.

Boat

An alternative way of traveling to Puerto Rico is by cruise ship. Ships stop at the Port of San Juan, which is the largest port on the island.

Entry Requirements

Puerto Rico falls under the Mainland USA visa laws and visitors must travel under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows entry for 90 days. This can be done online using the Electronic System For Travel Authorization (ESTA) online system before traveling and costs $14 per application. Travelers not eligible for the ESTA must apply for a visa at a US consulate.

Plane

While Puerto Rico has no international carrier of its own, most of the international flights originate in the USA, landing at San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.

Boat

An alternative way of traveling to Puerto Rico is by cruise ship. Ships stop at the Port of San Juan, which is the largest port on the island.

Popular airlines serving Puerto Rico

Lufthansa
Good (7,107 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,348 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,650 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,827 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,918 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,105 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,798 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,510 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,655 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,329 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,288 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,525 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (356 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,223 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,877 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (8,130 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (3,308 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (903 reviews)
Frontier
Good (3,491 reviews)
Avianca
Good (2,707 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Puerto Rico

San Juan has hotels from most of the major US hotel chains, such as the Ritz, Intercontinental and St Regis. Boutique hotels also exist in the capital. Another option is to stay in a parador, which is an independent lodge or villa that is sponsored by the government and often owned by a family.

Where to stay in popular areas of Puerto Rico

Most booked hotels in Puerto Rico

Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
S$ 574+
The Royal Sonesta San Juan
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
S$ 530+
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Juan Hotel & Casino
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
S$ 384+
DoubleTree by Hilton San Juan
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
S$ 343+
La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
S$ 636+
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
S$ 593+

How to Get Around Puerto Rico

Ferry

Ferries run from the old town of San Juan to Cataño and Hato Rey, where the Plaza las Americas shopping center is located. There are also ferries from the Port of Fajardo on the main island of Puerto Rico to Culebra and Vieques island.

Car

Renting a car is one of the best ways to see the island. Companies such as Enterprise and Alamo Car Rental will rent cars for around $30 per day. Carry some cash on you to pay for parking and be aware that the conditions of the road may be affected by weather conditions and the mountainous terrain.

Plane

There are two domestic airlines - Cape Air, which has more regular flights, and Vieques Air link - that provide travel connections between the mainland of Puerto Rico and the neighbouring islands of Vieques and Culebra. The flight timetables are seasonal and flights cost anywhere between $200-300.

Ferry

Ferries run from the old town of San Juan to Cataño and Hato Rey, where the Plaza las Americas shopping center is located. There are also ferries from the Port of Fajardo on the main island of Puerto Rico to Culebra and Vieques island.

Car

Renting a car is one of the best ways to see the island. Companies such as Enterprise and Alamo Car Rental will rent cars for around $30 per day. Carry some cash on you to pay for parking and be aware that the conditions of the road may be affected by weather conditions and the mountainous terrain.

Plane

There are two domestic airlines - Cape Air, which has more regular flights, and Vieques Air link - that provide travel connections between the mainland of Puerto Rico and the neighbouring islands of Vieques and Culebra. The flight timetables are seasonal and flights cost anywhere between $200-300.

The Cost of Living in Puerto Rico

Most major debit and credit cards can be used in Puerto Rico and ATMs can be found across the island, meaning you can use cash to avoid card charges. Meals at restaurants range from approximately $12-50 while a quart of milk and a dozen eggs from the shops will cost around $4.55.

Popular cities in Puerto Rico