The 9 best places to visit in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is one of those destinations that just keeps on giving.

On your first vacation to this island nation, you'll likely make a beeline to the more popular spots and well-known monuments. But them comes the strong pull to return. You'll go off the beaten track. Beyond the bioluminescent bays. Beyond the stunning Caribbean beaches everyone raves about.

Visiting this side of Puerto Rico requires a little bit of research, probably a rental car and a little insider knowledge from the residents. With more than 300 miles of coastline, the best places to go in Puerto Rico spill out from one end of the island to the other.

If you’re into exploring cities, San Juan has a vibrant museum and arts scene. Indeed, the capital can whisk you from the beach to the speakeasies in the blink of an eye. These are the places to add to your must-visit list when you arrive in Puerto Rico.

1. Loíza

Best for live music

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Loíza to watch live bomba music. Start in Piñones to cruise the kiosk strip and buy delectable fritters, like the famous empanadillas de jueyes (crab empanadas) and the plantain-and-ground-beef delicacy pionono. El Boricua is a favorite with locals. Arrive early, as lines can snake around the establishment.

After that, head over to El Imán Bar to listen to live bomba music and watch the bailaores (flamenco dancers) execute increasingly difficult moves to satisfy the drummers and the crowd.

Local tip: Bomba gatherings are informal and sometimes impromptu. To get a sense of the times and days for activities available in the area, it’s best to check out Corporación Piñones Se Integra, a nonprofit community-based organization in Loíza tasked with preserving the town’s traditional history.

2. Isla Verde

Best for craft beer

The ubiquity of Medalla advertisements in Puerto Rico could easily make you think it’s the only beer on the island. It may be the best local light lager – and at US$2-5, one of the cheapest – but in the last 20 years, craft brews from companies like Ocean Lab Brewing Co. in Isla Verde have entered the market.

Local breweries across the island use old European and new American techniques to create beers with flavors unique to Puerto Rico, like passion fruit, quenépa (Spanish lime), and mango. At Ocean Lab Brewing Co., try the crisp Mayawest lager and the Mambo passion-fruit wheat beer

Local tip: Elsewhere, Boquerón Brewing Co, in the beach town of Cabo Rojo, has some excellent fruity experimental beers and ales. For a super-unique sip, take a trip South to Señorial Brewing Co in Ponce for their elusive quenépa fruit beer.

3. Santurce, San Juan

Best for street art and museums

Thanks to its central location – and its ties to music and culture – the Santurce neighborhood of San Juan has long been a meeting place for the creative community. Each year, top muralists and graffiti artists add to the district's cultural reputation at the Santurce es Ley Festival, a street party that invites artists from Puerto Rico and around the world to spruce up buildings with their art. 

To see the best work, head to the Tras Talleres and El Gandul areas of Santurce. There are similar projects in Yauco, like Yaucromatic, and art installations in Ponce that offer an excellent account of the creative scene on the island.

Similarly, this San Juan neighborhood is home to some of the most interesting museums on the island. Head to the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, an architectural wonder in the middle of the district, or try the more experimental Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, housed in the city's only brick building.

Local tip: There are tons of small museums around the island dedicated to preserving hyper-local history and events. Another favorite of ours is the Museo de Artes Populares de Caguas, which focuses on traditional Puerto Rican folk art and woodwork.

4. Old San Juan

Best for rooftop bars

Most of Old San Juan is worthy of a photograph or four, but hidden on the city's rooftops are some of the trendiest bars and terraces – and many have premium views of the island's fabled sunsets. Just steps away from El Morro, a 16th-century fortress that stands guard over the coast, you can find Bar Catedral at the Decanter Hotel, the perfect spot to admire the architecture of the Catedrál de San Juan over piña coladas (the island’s national drink).

Nearby, Scryer Rum & Barrelhouse has a rooftop lounge where visitors can enjoy rum-based cocktails and get a look at the distilling process. Then, stroll down Calle del Cristo, known for its vibrant ships and street art, before heading to La Vergüenza. Overlooking the La Perla neighborhood, this bar is the go-to spot for salsa and live music.

5. Arecibo

Best for history

Often overlooked by tourists, Arecibo is one of Puerto Rico’s oldest towns. Officially established in 1616, it has reinvented itself numerous times throughout history – from pirate cove to the site of important astronomical discoveries at the now-defunct Arecibo Observatory. While the town center has seen better days, young business owners are slowly turning its storied buildings into high-concept restaurants and bars.

During the weekend, head to La Buena Vida on Calle Gonzalo Marín for craft beers and creative, made-to-order pasta. Follow that with drinks at W Bar on Avenida de Diego, a hidden whiskey bar with tropical decor. If you’re still hungry, Ocean View Food Park has fusion cuisines, including Mr. Don’s famous ramen, and fried chicken at Tori House.  

6. El Yunque

Best for wild swimming

El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System, is a lush paradise home to rare orchids, towering ferns and countless species of wildlife, including the cogquí frog. The forest’s life-giving rivers, many of which are swimmable, make it a prime spot for wild swimming and adventurous river treks.

Hiking trails in Puerto Rico can range from easy walks to challenging treks. For a gentle introduction, take the Angelito Trail – a 20-minute walk down a muddy pathway that leads to the Río Mameyes.

More adventurous spirits will enjoy river trekking along Las Paylas River, featuring a natural waterslide carved into smooth rocks, ending in a tranquil fish-filled pool. Another gem is Las Tinaja, known for its cascading waters and scenic pools that are ideal for cooling off after a hike. 

It’s often advised to access these spots with a guided tour, as the paths may involve unstable terrain and moderate climbing. Island Journeys’ “El Yunque Adventure” tour includes hiking, river trekking, and stops at the waterfalls and natural pools. While it can accommodate kids as young as 8, the waterfall treks take a few hours and are better suited to teens and adults – even longer if you go on Saturdays – but is well worth the effort.

Planning tip: El Yunque was heavily impacted by Hurricane Maria in 2007, and park restoration is ongoing. While the park is accessible and easily navigable, check ahead to see if any trails are closed for restoration or construction.

7. Cordillera Central

Best for hiking

Full of lush green landscapes, creeping fog and fresh air, the Cordillera Central mountain range offers some prize hiking. It also gets peppered by afternoon rains, so pack a rain jacket.

To explore the most panoramic walk, start in Cayey, right off the Luis A Ferré Expressway. When you reach Guavate, stop to eat at one of the many restaurants serving one of Puerto Rico's most iconic dishes: lechón (whole-hog roast).

Continue up the mountain on Road #1 to take in the rolling hills and rocky mountain peaks. There are also plenty of chinchorros (food stalls) along the way to Aibonito, where you can stop for mojitos, tacos and artisanal drinks.

Local tip: Head out early in the morning to give yourself ample time to stop along the route. The town centers of Aibonito, Coamo and Orocovis are picturesque and offer great eats and local history.

8. El Poblado de Boquerón

Best for partying

A relaxing seaside town during the week, El Poblado (which means town square) in the Boquerón sector of Cabo Rojo turns into a massive street party at the weekend. Expect live music, karaoke and delicious street food. 

Fill yourself up at Pelican’s Boquerón restaurant, where you can find a variety of local dishes like fried fish and mofongo (fried plantain mash with garlic and olive oil). Then barhop your way through the square and dance the night away. Keep up your energy with a giant bacalaíto (codfish fritter) from the cart on the square. You won’t be sorry.

9. Bahía Mosquito, Vieques 

Best for a magical sight

Bahía Mosquito on the island of Vieques is one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world, sparkling with flashing blue hues due to the millions of microorganisms present here that glow when disturbed by movement. Kayaking through these glowing waters after dark transforms the bay into a starry sea. Book a night tour with a local operator like Aqua Sunset Tours to learn about the science behind the glow and the work done by the local community to protect the site.

Local tip: To fully appreciate the bioluminescence, visit during the new moon when the skies are darkest. Only book with operators that use kayaks or boats with electric motors; anything else will damage the fragile ecosystem.