Puerto Rico may be a small island but with its diverse geography and abundance of natural and cultural attractions, visitors rarely see all it has to offer, which takes some doing. You won't find a more vibrant city, with cutting edge culinary and clubbing scenes, than San Juan, and its beaches (and year-round temperatures) put those of Miami and South Florida to shame. Puerto Rico is always hot, and it has those postcard perfect white sand beaches lined with palm trees and sparkling blue sea that are the real draw for any visit to the Caribbean.
You can explore Old San Juan, discover that unspoiled beach town or remote mountain village, or go big wave surfing, spelunking, or deep sea fishing. There are world-class performances and a thriving locals arts and music scene, as well as the most varied dining of any Caribbean destination. With all that going on, it will take some planning to get the most out of your stay, no matter how long that is.
We list a "Puerto Rico in 1 Week" tour and a "Puerto Rico in 2 Weeks" tour, for those with more time. Of course these itineraries can also be customized for shorter stays and special interests. If you've been to Puerto Rico before and have already visited San Juan and El Yunque, you'll find a number of new ideas, such as the pastoral Panoramic Route, the lure of the Spanish Virgin Islands, and the beaches of the west coast, from Guánica in the southwest through Isabela in the northwest.
Puerto Rico has an advanced highway system, but if you go the least bit off the beaten path (and sometimes you won't have much choice, if you want to see anything other than urban centers), you will venture on to some narrow, swooping rural highways offering difficult driving conditions. Take along a detailed road map, and remember to blow your horn as you turn dangerous curves in the mountains.
The itineraries that follow take you to some major attractions with some surprise discoveries. The pace may be a bit breathless, so skip a town or sight occasionally for some chill-out time -- after all, you're on vacation.
One thing to keep in mind, you can base yourself out of San Juan for longer time periods, seeing much of the island in separate day trips from the capital.
Puerto Rico is a natural travel hub to the Caribbean, and too many visitors skip it altogether en route to other sun-bleached spots. There are, however, Caribbean connoisseurs who have combined their vacations with a few day layover in San Juan for decades, and now love the city like an old friend, having come to know it a bit better over time. This is also another great way to experience Puerto Rico.
So remember, use any of these itineraries as jumping-off points for your own custom-made trip that more closely matches your interests or schedule.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
