Traveling to Puerto Rico is an amazing experience! It’s a perfect blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. As a U.S. territory in the Caribbean, it’s both familiar and exciting for travelers. You can stroll through the colorful streets of Old San Juan, with its colonial architecture and historic forts, or hike through the lush rainforests of El Yunque. Puerto Rico has something for everyone, whether you want to relax on pristine beaches, savor delicious local cuisine, or immerse yourself in the lively music and dance scene.

Adventure seekers can dive into crystal-clear waters, hike through tropical forests, or kayak in bioluminescent bays. If you’re a history buff, you can delve into the island’s rich past. Puerto Rico is more than just a destination; it’s an experience that will stay with you long after you’ve left.

I highly recommend renting a car, even if it’s just for a day, to see all the incredible sights. Trust me, you’ll want at least a week to take it all in! Here are some of my favorites.

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1. Cueva Del Indio

About an hour away from San Juan is a stunning natural reserve: massive cliffs, arches, caves and waves crashing against them. It is perfect for a small hike to see unparalleled with views of the area.

2. Black Sand Beach

Puerto Rico has a few black sand beaches. Three on the island itself and one on the neighboring island of Vieques. This beach is about 40 minutes west of San Juan in an area called Barceloneta. You can’t swim there because of the strong rip current, but it is perfect to walk around, tan, have a picnic and take a few photos.
The area around the beach is completely destroyed by Hurricane Maria. In the pictures that follow you can see the broken down houses, wooden doors and walls along the shore, and the palm trees bowing in despair. Despite the latter, the locals were warm and welcoming and the beach truly is beautiful. Even though the area was brutally beaten, it remains so beautiful and unbothered. It is absolutely worth the visit.

3. Charco Azul, Vega Baja

“The Blue Pool” is one of the most incredible places I’ve seen! Large rock formations formed over turquoise water where you can swim, dive and relax. Although the area received social media attention, it still remains widely a local attraction not a tourist one. The hike to it is about 30 minutes and to get there follow the simple instructions from Puerto Rico Day Trips (I couldn’t have made them easier myself!)

4.  Isla Verde Beach (Courtyard By Marriott)

One of if not the most beautiful and serene beaches is Isla Verde Beach with well kept white sands, calm crystal clear waters and beautiful palm trees. In the area, stop by Sirena at the Courtyard by Marriott for their mind blowing Ahi Tuna!

5. Las Salinas, Cabo Rojas

Just when you thought that Puerto Rico has it all … there is more! The pink salt flats are arguably the most underrated attraction that Puerto Rico has to offer. Perhaps it is widely overlooked because it is almost 3 hours away from San Juan, the more popular tourist hub. However, if you rent a car you should certainly pay it a visit and make many stops along the way because trust me, there is a lot to see.

I’ve mapped out these places for you so you can use it for your trip!

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