8 Places You Need to See in Puerto Rico
You could easily spend your entire Puerto Rican vacation luxuriating on stunning white-sand beaches while gazing out at brilliant clear blue water. And you’d have a great time.
For those who want to explore, however, there’s so much else to do on the Caribbean island. From history to art and food to nature, here are eight things you need to experience on your trip to Puerto Rico.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
A waterfront structure that has played a central role in Puerto Rican history, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, also known as El Morro, offers visitors an immersive educational experience. Park rangers are ready to answer questions and lead interpretative programs, and history buffs can take winding self-guided tours of the 16th century fortress’ tunnels, barracks, and prison cells.
Located on the border of Old San Juan, El Morro also offers stunning views of San Juan Harbor, especially when viewed from the fortress’ watchtowers. The structure is massive, and travelers should note that touring each of its six stories can take as long as three hours.
Old San Juan
After a day touring El Morro, spend the evening in Old San Juan. Along narrow cobblestone streets, you’ll find myriad bars and dance clubs that make the walled city a perfect place for a night of revelry.
Partying not your thing? Old San Juan offers other attractive options such as Calle del Cristo, a popular shopping and entertainment district, and Calle de La Fortaleza, home to public art. There’s also colorful architecture and, thanks to ample restaurants and food vendors, plenty of great places to fill your stomach.
Mosquito Bay
The waters to the south of the island of Vieques are home to countless numbers of dinoflagellates. When disturbed, the organisms light up, emitting a brilliant blue glow that’s been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
For the best viewing experience, arrange for a kayak tour—ideally in a clear-bottom kayak, which some tour providers offer. The dinoflagellates’ glow is best appreciated during periods when the moon is at its dimmest, so plan your trip to Mosquito Bay accordingly.
Culebrita
An island, Culebrita offers even more peace and tranquility than neighboring Culebra, which is already pretty serene in its own right.
A part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, Culebrita is uninhabited save for wildlife like pelicans and green sea turtles. The latter can be found nesting at Playa Tortuga, one of several beautiful beaches located on the mile-long coral island.
El Yunque National Forest
Nearly 400 billion liters of rain fall on this tropical rainforest each year, so prepare to get wet. Be sure to also bring a water-resistant camera, which you can use to take pictures of the waterfalls, flowers, and verdant vegetation here. For the best views, head to Yokahú Tower, an observation post located on the rainforest’s main road.
Located about 30 miles from San Juan, El Yunque is also popular among hikers. If you stick around into the evening, listen for the coqui, a tree frog known for its melodic singing.
Piñones
A great first stop for vacationers thanks to its proximity to Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, the Piñones neighborhood is the place to go for authentic street food served from small dining stands known as chinchorros. nibble on plantain, taro-root, or seafood fritters, and cool off with refreshing coconut water.
In addition to food, this tight-knit community in the town of Loiza exposes visitors to other aspects of the island’s Afro-Caribbean culture. Travelers should try to plan their visit for July, when residents put on the Festival of St. James, a celebration that includes dancing and other cultural offerings. Weekends are also a good option to visit a community that was founded in the 16th century by freed people from the Africa Yoruba tribe.
Camuy Cave Park
The world’s third-largest underground river is responsible for the massive cave system in this subterranean park. The 300-acre park is so massive, in fact, that it runs underneath three towns.
Tickets are required to enter, and admission gets you a guided tour by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Highlights across the 220 caves and 10 miles of caverns (believed to be only a fraction of the total system) is a 450-foot-deep sinkhole and Puerto Rico’s largest stalagmite.
Santurce
This center of arts and culture has art galleries, public art, and two museums: the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico and Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. The latter encompasses two wings where guests can view more than 1,000 pieces of Puerto Rican art dating as far back as the 17th century; the latter focuses on Latin American art created since the mid-20th century.
When you need to recharge, grab lunch at Santurce Marketplace. Here, vendors sell local fare in a vibrant setting that also features live music and a farmer’s market. Alternatively, stop in at one of the neighborhood’s elegant restaurants.