Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a tropical paradise that offers a unique cultural experience unlike anywhere else. Visiting this beautiful island will soothe the soul and enrich your mind. When the rain hits the ground, all of the smells of nature come to life, it is like a fragrant dance of the senses.
Table of Contents
When to Go
Temperatures throughout the year are averaging near 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Puerto Rico’s climate is predominately tropical rainforest and the rainy season is from April into November. The best time of year to visit is April-June, after the busy winter season and before the rainy summer season.
Planning
Planning a trip does not have to be stressful. If you follow these steps you will have an enjoyable, relaxing and enlightening experience.
The key to uncomplicated travel is to plan in advance. I would recommend beginning to plan as soon and you book your plane tickets. Have everything planned and ready to go for your trip as soon as possible. The more prepared you are for your trip the better.
Most importantly, check out my blog on safety measures to take when traveling called Safety is #1.
When planning a trip make sure to have an itinerary of what you would like to do handy. A great way to figure out what you would like to do is to pick up a paperback guide book from a retailer like Amazon. Here is the guide book I picked up and thought it was extremely informative.
Once you receive your guide book go over it and choose what locations and sights you want to see on your trip. I find hi-liting and using post-it-notes works great for going back into the book and finding where you left off quickly.
What to Bring
When packing for Puerto Rico you need to keep in mind the climate you are traveling into. Because of the tropical climate, you will need to pack accordingly. It usually rains off and on throughout the day so having some waterproof gear is a must. Here is a list of items to bring for your trip. Keep in mind this is only a suggestive list of items to bring. It will completely depend on the activities you plan to do while visiting Puerto Rico.
I have included links from Amazon for some of these items you may need to purchase. Please purchase through the links provided, it will not cost you anything additional, but it will keep our website and blog going, thanks so much!
Packing List Example
- Day backpack – I have this day bag from Osprey and LOVE it!
- Travel backpack – Another great item from Osprey and it is “carry on” approved!
- Hiking stick
- Money body belt
- Travel lock
- Battery pack charger
- Camera
- Waterproof cellphone case
- Travel beach towel – I love this towel set, it really works like a charm
- Beach blanket
- Travel clinic preventative medication and personal medication
- Mosquito repellent – Clothing & Skin (Best repellent I’ve tried)
- Sunblock
- Short sleeve quick dry or microfiber shirts
- Lightweight jacket
- Raincoat (Men’s, Women’s)
- Shorts regular and quick dry
- Dressy outfit
- Bathing suit
- Undergarments
- Socks
- Hiking or walking shoes
- Sandles
- Dress shoes
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Items to help you sleep (check out my blog I Can’t Sleep! for ideas)
How to Get Around
Puerto Rico’s landmass is 3515 square miles total and has a population of 3.195 million people. It may seem like a little island but getting around does take a lot of time. The best way to travel around the island is by car. They do not have a great public transportation system. There is no island-wide bus service. There are a few flights that connect around the island as well as some ferry services. If you need to get around a short distance, hailing a taxi or ordering a ride-sharing service is economical.
Where to Go
My experience with Puerto Rico has been mainly the northern part of the island. I have explored the north, east, west and metro parts of the island. So I will focus on these areas for this list of where to go.
Metro – San Juan, Carolina
San Juan has a classic old charm, buildings with balconies overlooking the cobblestone streets below. Restaurants and bars open to the outside with the fresh wind blowing off the ocean. Its rustic charm and lively locals make this a great place to visit and enjoy.
San Juan
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
It was founded in 1521 and holds the record for the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas. Its rich history is ever-present throughout the city.
This historical landmark is a 16th-century Spanish fortification atop a cliffside. Try visiting at sunset, you will have a great opportunity for dazzling photos.
Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico
If you love rum, check out the BACARDÍ distillery. It is the world’s LARGEST premium distillery that offers tours with run tasting, mixology and bottling your own BACARDÍ.
Historical Tour – The first tour starts at 9:15 a.m., the last tour starts at 4:30 p.m.
Rum Tasting Tour – The first tour starts at 10:00 a.m., the last tour starts at 4:00 p.m.
Mixology Class – The first tour starts at 10:30 a.m., the last tour starts at 4:30 p.m.
Triana Tapas and Flamenco
Visit this Spanish tapas restaurant and immerse yourself with flamenco music and dancing. Snack on a sophisticated entire while sipping on Spanish wine. This restaurant is the full package of entertainment and flavor.
Carolina
A charming area nestled next to the ocean, offering a huge selection of street-side food vendors and a beautiful beach to enjoy.
Playa Aviones
This part of town is great for relaxing on the beach and has a lively nightlife that goes late into the night. This beach is hardly ever crowded, take advantage of this charming beach and feel like a local.
Kiosko El Boricua
Right across the street from Playa Aviones is a tasty roadside food stand called Kiosko El Boricua. Everything is made fresh and to order. They specialize in Alcapurrias, a deep-fried banana fritter dish.
East – El Yunque, Fajardo, Vieques
The east side of the island is rich with natural wonder. It is postcard-perfect, with crystal clear waters and lush tropical rainforests.
El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque has a diverse ecosystem with over 240 plant species to see, birdwatching, hiking, and even camping. There is even an observation tower that gives you a breathtaking view of the island, perfect for photos.
Operating Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except Christmas)
El Portal Visitors’ Center: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
There is no entry fee for the forest however, some of the attractions have a small fee.
La Coca trail has multiple natural pools you can take a dip into. El Angelito trail has a lagoon you can dive into and enjoy all of the abundant plants and natural resources around you.
Fajardo
Cayo Icacos
To reach this paradise island you will need to take a 15-minute boat ride/water taxi off the coast of Fajardo to Cayo Icacos. It is a small, uninhabited island that has the most beautiful clear water, perfect for snorkeling.
When taking a boat to the island please note that you will negotiate a time for the boat to come back and pick you up from the island. Because of this, you will be stuck on the island without a way back until your negotiated time.
Make sure to bring all you will need for the entire day like food, water, sunscreen, towels, and chairs. This is an uninhabited island with no place to purchase what you need.
Vieques
Wild horses running across the land as the ocean breeze cools off the afternoon sky. Vieques is a Caribbean island off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast. This island has a charm unlike any other place in the world.
It is best known for Bioluminescent Bay (or Mosquito Bay). It sparkles with a blue-green glow from microorganisms in the water making it the brightest bio bay in the world.
To get to this island you will need to take a ferry over which takes about 30-45 minutes. The ferry runs between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m. Depending on the time of year you might need to arrive extra early to buy tickets for the ferry, they sell out quickly. Tickets cost between $2.50 – $3.00. You can purchase them through the Autoridad de Transporte Marítimo (ATM)
You can also book a small plane from San Juan which ranges from $60-$90 per trip.
North – Arecibo, Manati, Quebradillas
The north side of the island has some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico. It also has some tremendous landmarks, parks, caves, and rock formations to see.
Arecibo
Cueva del Indio
This attraction is an ancient natural cavern by the sea with Taíno Indian drawings etched in the limestone walls. You can climb up to the drawings for an up-close look. It is a unique stop that should be seen on your visit to Puerto Rico.
La Poza del Obispo
If you are looking for a beach with a unique twist check out this area. This area offers coves with tide pools that are wading height, perfect for cooling off in the Puerto Rican sun. It also offers a great opportunity for photos.
Manati
Playa La Esperanza
Playa La Esperanza is another picture-perfect beach to relax at. This is more of a local spot, free of tourists. A perfect area to take in all of what mother nature has to offer.
Quebradillas
Mirador de Guajataca
A quick roadside scenic spot that is perfect for photos.
West – Isabela, Aguadilla
The west side of the island has a laid back feel, perfect for surfing and lounging around on the beach.
Isabela
This is a quaint seaside town, perfect for surfing and soaking in the sun. I would recommend staying overnight at one of their cute hotels along the beach, sipping on a pina colada looking out over the ocean waves. The hotel I stayed at was Ocean Front, it is extremely affordable at $79 a night through Airbnb’s website.
Jobos Beach
This beach is within walking distance of the hotel. Make sure to bring a cooler and some beach chairs to relax the day away. You can also rent surfing equipment at one of the local shops.
Aguadilla
Borinquen Point Lighthouse
Here is a perfect stop for history buffs. It is the original remains of an 1889 lighthouse. Take a walk through the remains and imagine what life was like for the family who watched over the lighthouse. Time has slowly eroded the structure, so make sure to see this beautiful historic landmark before it is gone forever.
Here are some beaches to check out in Auguadilla, spend an entire day hiking to all of the different beaches, so make sure to wear proper hiking shoes and a bathing suit under your clothing.
Cueva Survival Beach
Surfer’s Beach
Tabletop Beach
Conclusion
Puerto Rico is an island that offers so much culture and natural beauty. It is a great location to go to discover the true fruits of what mother nature has to offer. Perfect for relaxing and minimizing stress and anxiety.
I hope all of this information helps you plan your trip and itinerary. If you have any questions about any of the locations that I listed here please send me a message and I would be happy to respond. Just remember my fellow new travel friends, we are in this together.