Puerto Rico Blog For First-Time Visitors: Our Must-See List & Vlog

Our recent trip to Puerto Rico was a first for both Seth and myself. We made the decision to go and planned it all within a 24 hour period. Despite the rush, I do feel like we landed in the perfect location without much research beforehand. I will share some of our favorite activities to help future travelers plan a more thoughtful itinerary than we did.

One major perk for fellow U.S. citizens is that Puerto Rico doesn’t require a passport to visit since it is U.S. territory. This is the IDEAL vacation spot for those itching to experience culture or ecological diversity, but do not have a passport.

We flew in to San Juan International Airport (SJU), rented a car from Thrifty (beat the long lines by not checking bags), and stayed in a VRBO oceanfront condo in Luquillo. Known as “the Sun’s Capital”, Luquillo ended up being close to everything we wanted to do (thankfully) and had beautiful beaches as well. We can’t speak to the experience offered on the west coast of Puerto Rico, but if it is adventure, history, and natural beauty you seek, staying on the east coast is an excellent choice.

As if our trip wasn’t spontaneous enough, we actually decided to stay on Culebra Island during the week. The day before we decided to visit, we realized how quickly ferry and plane tickets sell out. Ultimately, we locked down a ferry ticket to get us there and back on different days, and found a hotel later. If you are willing to be flexible and creative, there is almost always a solution when you face barriers in your travel plans. Hotel prices were affordable and ferry tickets were very cheap, so the additional lodging was justified by the adventures waiting for us on this beloved island. More about Culebra to come!

1. El Yunque Rain Forest

Let’s start this list with one of the most unique attractions in Puerto Rico, El Yunque National Forest. It is located in the eastern part of the island and encompasses about 28,000 acres of diverse and beautiful forest from 800-3500 ft. in elevation (243-1067m). It was really special to simultaneously experience tropical rain forest, ocean views, mountain views, trails, and waterfalls all in one easy to access location. Drivable in less than 1 hour from both SJU and Old San Juan cruise port, this must-see location is feasible for those visiting by air and sea!

El Yunque National Forest is the only TROPICAL rainforest in the National Forest system of the United States. Many claim incorrectly that it is the only rainforest in the National Forest system, not realizing the many temperate National (rain) Forests in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. As opposed to National Parks, Forests are more focused on strict conservation and research, and generally have less amenities. Nonetheless, there are many amazing things to see and do in El Yunque, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Puerto Rico.

The major way to access the Forest is through PR 191. The El Portal Rainforest Visitor Center is mere feet off of 191, just after the road enters the National Forest. The center was extensively renovated following damages sustained in Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and reopened in 2022. Admission to the Visitor Center is $8 for adults and free for those 15 years or younger. The center has a short trail, great view, interactive exhibits, endangered Puerto Rican parrots, Jr. Ranger program, gift shop, short film showing, and a restaurant.

To access the Forest along route 191, reservations must be made 30 days in advance OR the day before entry. When attempting to score reservations the day prior, create your account on the website (linked below) and familiarize yourself with it in advance. There were 120 tickets available for the timeslot I was reserving, and they were all gone within 2 minutes of being released. It felt like a Black Friday online sale situation – a rush! Your best chance is to be logged on 10 minutes in advance, and refresh your screen frequently until you are able to add the ticket to your cart. Then, you will be given 15 minutes to complete your purchase if a ticket is secured in your cart. You only need 1 ticket per car which costs $2. The tickets drop at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. for the following day, with respective entry times between 8a-11a and 11a-2p. The park closes at 5 p.m. resulting in a fine for stragglers.

Click here for reservations to El Yunque and trail information.

2. Old San Juan

Just a 20 minute drive from SJU and walking distance from the cruise port, Old San Juan is a place everyone visiting Puerto Rico should make an effort to see! This charming, colorful city within a city offers an immersive experience of old-world elegance and history as you stroll along the blue cobblestone streets. Being one of the most well preserved colonial cities in the U.S., you will be awestruck by the Spanish fortifications such as La Fortaleza and the San Juan National Historic Site (UNESCO World Heritage Sites).

Fellow cat lovers – you are home! You can slip some kitty treats into your pocket before hitting the streets of Old San Juan, but they really aren’t even needed to love on some of these sweet local felines.

Shoppers and foodies can also rejoice in the variety of options available in Old San Juan. You can find some of the same chains as the continental U.S. (the cutest Wendy’s I have ever seen), but also many unique options for the more curious traveler. This pedestrian-friendly shopping mecca is your best bet for finding the perfect artisan good or souvenir.

Barrachina is one of many well-rated restaurants in Old San Juan, and a real tourist hotspot as it claims to be the home of the Piña Colada. This claim may be debatable, but it is a fun atmosphere serving my favorite drink, so give it a try!

Click here for the TripAdvisor link of top things to do in Old San Juan.

3. Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Tour

You may be familiar with the phenomenon of bioluminescence, a chemical reaction inside tiny organisms that produces light. In the ocean, this creates an unreal glow of vibrant light that can be seen when it is pitch dark outside. Plankton known as dinoflagellates produce a chemical called luciferin, which illuminates the waters of their lagoon or bay as a defense mechanism to evade predators. Fluorescence and phosphorescence (light emitted from stimulation and radiation rather than a chemical reaction) are not the same as bioluminescence, and Puerto Rico is (arguably) home to 3 out of only 5 true bioluminescent bays in the world!

According to the The Guinness Book of World Records, Puerto Rico boasts the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world – Mosquito Bay in Vieques. A ferry or plane ride is required to reach the island of Vieques, just 6 miles off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast. We chose to visit Culebra for snorkeling instead, but were able to experience another awesome bioluminescent bay in Fajardo, just a 20 minute drive from our condo in Luquillo.

Visiting Fajardo Bioluminescent Bay was an opportunity I couldn’t miss out on since bioluminescent dinoflagellate ecosystems are rare. I booked a kayak tour on Viator with Pure Adventures, and it was really the most fun excursion! The tour guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful for those new to kayaking. I recommend scheduling the 6 p.m. tour so you can experience both sunset and nightfall. Remember to use bug spray and bring cash for tips!

We kayaked a mile through mangroves to Bio Bay, and draped a tarp over our kayaks once we got lined up. As bioluminescence is best seen on a moonless night, this extra shield of light from the night sky significantly enhanced visibility of the glow! If you scoop up water and splash your leg, you can see the sparkle of tiny dinos dancing on your skin as they bioluminesce before your eyes. It was magical to experience this with my husband and new tour group friends. I tried my best to catch this on camera, but even when shielding my screen with my arm, the cell phone light peeking through was enough to mask the dinos at work.

Let it be known that you will kayak a mile back through narrow mangroves in total darkness. Every kayak has a small light on the front and back that only help prevent collision with other kayaks. You cannot see the path before you. In the 6th image below, you can see the degree of darkness as a kayaker briefly used their cellphone light to get unstuck from trees when I snapped this picture. This can be part of the fun, but for those new to kayaking or prone to anxiety in novel situations, it may be best for you to check out the only swimmable bioluminescent bay located in the southwestern part of the island, La Parguera.

There are several walkable restaurants nearby in Fajardo. We ate dinner at El Nativo, just a few steps from the kayak tour, and it was great! The Piña Colada was one of the best I have ever had and our food was tasty too.

4. Culebra Island

Visiting Culebra Island was one of the best parts of our trip!

This tropical paradise is located approximately 20 miles off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, requiring a 45 minute ferry ride from Ceiba, a 12 minute flight from Ceiba, or a 30 minute flight from San Juan. Driving from Luquillo to Ceiba was an easy 30 minutes, with plenty of beautiful sightseeing along the way. Both ferry and plane tickets will go fast, as well as excursions from the mainland. We had to show up to the ferry terminal in person and book the only timeslot available for our next day departure to Culebra. As I mentioned earlier, our only option for making this adventure happen was to spend the night on Culebra. We are so happy we did!!

To book a ferry ticket, you can either visit this website or go to the box office at the ferry terminal if the online tickets sell out. Roundtrip tickets cost $2 for kids and senior non-residents, and $4.50 for adult non-residents. Parking at the ferry terminal costs $8/day. There is a shuttle van available to transport between the parking lot and the terminal. THOSE WHO ARE PRONE TO MOTION SICKNESS, BE PREPARED!! I found myself shamelessly on the floor of the ship filling up 4 emesis bags about halfway into the journey. This can be a common occurrence as staff members were armed with bags and so compassionate towards those who were unwell. I am happy to report that I did much better on our ride back to Ceiba.

To book a flight from San Juan or Ceiba, you can use Air Flamenco or Vieques Air websites. To book from San Juan only, you can also use Cape Air website. Round trip flights are as low as $90 per person, and the view is said to be spectacular!

Once we arrived to Culebra’s ferry terminal, I stayed and shopped for souvenirs while Seth was picked up by a staff member from Carlos Jeep Rental to fetch our golf cart. You can be entertained for days just by driving around the island to sightsee and discover new beach spots. The road traffic was extremely light, and the golf cart is able to conquer all but one hill on the entire island.

We are drawn to coral reef access when we travel because they are so fun to explore by snorkeling or diving. Due to Culebra’s economically valuable ecosystems, this location is one of NOAA’s Habitat Focus Areas for coral reef conservation. The organization does an amazing job preserving the coral reefs and providing outreach to the residents.

We also enjoyed the best meal of our trip on Culebra Island at La Cocina Del Navegante. With a great view of the bay, fresh seafood, and an outstanding staff, this restaurant comes highly recommended by us! You can see photos of our lunch in the slideshow of the image gallery.

A few of the other top attractions in Culebra are the tanks on Flamenco Beach, Culebrita Lighthouse, Museum of History, and Public Library. There are so many beaches to discuss that I am giving “Culebra Beaches” its own spot on our must-see list. Stay tuned!

5. Culebra Beaches

Culebra’s most popular attraction, Flamenco Beach, has consistently been ranked “Top 10 Beaches In The World” by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice. The changing blue waters and soft white sand make it the perfect spot for any beach lover. Unless you are renting a jeep or golf cart to explore the island (which I recommend doing), you can grab a shared van ride or taxi at the ferry terminal. There is a donation and parking fee for Flamenco, so have cash on you.

During our entire trip, we were under National Weather Advisory for high rip tides and high surf. The waves at Luquillo were intense!! Flamenco Beach is north facing with no landmass barrier to protect it from the rough waters, so it was greatly affected. To the dismay of all us tourists, Flamenco Beach was officially closed and turning away hopeful visitors. Remember how I said there is usually a solution to barriers you will face when traveling? Seth found a rough dirt backroad via Google Maps that led us to Flamenco Beach. Of course the facilities and food stands were closed, but that is okay because I just wanted to spend time on this famous stretch of beach! You can see in the images below (and even more so in my Vlog at the very bottom of this page) just how intense the water was! I do NOT ever recommend swimming during a red flag or closed beach situation, but we were not alone in our endeavor to access Flamenco Beach. Worth it!!

Another popular beach that is very close by, and the snorkeling hub of Culebra, is Playa Tamarindo. We visited this beach twice in our quest to see some local sea turtles (really hoping to see leatherbacks) or maybe even a manatee, but we struck out on both. Several snorkelers earlier that same day saw turtles and rays! If seeing turtles is your goal, this is the beach you want to frequent since it is a safe haven for them. There is also a nice stretch of coral to enjoy and the visibility is way better in Culebra than Puerto Rico’s mainland waters. There were no issues with rough tide on Tamarindo since it is nestled into the west side of the island and more shielded from the open ocean than Flamenco and Luquillo beaches.

Another beach we loved on the southwestern tip of Culebra was Playa Punta Soldado. This beach required a very sketchy golf cart drive through near desert roads. If we had more than 2 passengers, we would not have made it back up the hill. Unless you are a brave driver like my husband is, renting a jeep is your best option for this beach location. Punta Soldado was the perfect spot to watch the intense sunset because it was completely secluded! If you plan to do any swimming or snorkeling, bring water shoes because it is rocky. The surrounding landscape was absolutely stunning and the water glistened in a mesmerizing way as the sun went down.

There are so many other amazing beaches here that we did not get to visit and it would be too cumbersome to discuss them all. To learn about more, here is the TripAdvisor link for top attractions in Culebra Island, which includes the top rated beaches.

6. Kioskos De Luquillo

60 family-owned beachfront food kiosks all in one row… is this Heaven? Travelers who love trying different cuisines and having a plethora of dining options in one stop may think so. For us, this was a repeat must-see during our time in Puerto Rico. For those visiting from a cruise, this location is a 45 minute drive from the port and near El Yunque. Conveniently, there is beach access directly behind the kiosks, and some have ocean view seating available.

The hours of all restaurants vary, so be sure to do a little research of when/where you would like to eat. You can hit more than 1 spot and sample a variety of different foods and drinks in one trip. Here is a helpful blog with the most reviews for the Kiosks that I could find in one place.

This is a great place to eat after adventuring in the El Yunque Rainforest due to close proximity and the necessary appetite you will have built up after a day of hiking. The locals eat here as well, so you know it is legit.

7. Las Paylas

These natural waterslides are a hidden gem, tucked away just outside of Yunque National Forest in Luquillo. You can’t miss the trail after parking at the gate (a residential house displaying the sign below) or in the neighbor’s lot. The only way to enter Las Paylas is through these private properties. We paid $5 to park, but no other fee to enter the trail.

After a very brief walk, you will first discover the longer, faster waterslide. There will most likely be tour groups visiting, so you can watch a few of the brave guys go down the rocks before you decide if you are willing to risk an ER visit. 😛 The gathering of tourists mingled with locals is actually a pleasant part of experiencing Las Paylas. We saw a local run down the waterslide while standing up on his feet – that kid is going places in life!

If the first slide looks too intimidating for you, a careful climb down the rocks will lead to another natural pool with a shorter, slower waterslide. We enjoyed a picnic of Puerto Rican popsicles on the warm rocks while admiring the scenery. This is definitely worth the visit, and you could add the Kiosks de Luquillo on the itinerary for the day as well!

Final Thoughts on Puerto Rico

Aside from getting stuck in Old San Juan for an additional 24 hours after our airplane experienced mechanical issue on the runway, this trip was pretty close to perfect for us. I wouldn’t describe our stay as luxurious, but it was authentically beautiful and packed full of easy adventuring. I felt a mix of familiarity and novelty during my time here. The people we met were very friendly, and the island left us wanting to see more. In the future, we plan to explore the west side of Puerto Rico and Vieques Island.

Check out my full Puerto Rico Vlog below, and feel free to leave any feedback or questions via comment or email forum.

Thank you all for the continued support of my website and new hobby of blogging, it means so much to me!

-Amanda Kendler <3

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