Mark your calendar: here are recommendations for that long-awaited time, your vacation. You don't have to travel far to have a good time. We present a guide to 21 places in Puerto Rico to visit alone, as a couple, with family or with friends during your free time.
First, check out these activities that may interest you:
Enjoy a high-altitude adventure on the Globo Aerostático de Jayuya
Go chinchorreo (hopping between chinchorros) along the best route on the Island
Here are several stops for Holy Week:
Restaurants and bars
This restaurant sits on the shore of Playa Jobos and has a privileged view of much of the Isabela coast. Its menu is full of fish and seafood options, as well as Puerto Rican food. There is parking and a staircase leading down to the beach, in case you want to order and spend a full beach day.
Here you'll find international Creole food and an extensive seafood menu. The house specialties include lobster prepared several ways. It also offers a menu of asopaos and a varied wine list. There is parking and a large terrace facing the island's east coast. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, perfect for a day out.
Hours: Sunday through Thursday – 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. / Friday and Saturday – 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Oceanfront, with views of Aguadilla Bay, fresh seafood and a rooftop bar, what more could you ask for? In addition to beautiful sea views, Sal de Mar offers a menu suited for the whole family. From platters to cuts of meat, mofongo and paellas.
This hidden gem in Joyuda has a lot to offer: craft beers, locally caught fish and a sea breeze. There's no better place to watch the sunset than this casual spot, which has an extensive menu of drinks and refreshing cocktails.
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
#PlateaTip: Before, during or after. Don't leave without ordering a melon or kiwi mojito!
Located across from Playa La Pared, this spot is ideal for surfers and visitors to the area who want to eat and drink in a relaxed setting. The menu includes quesadillas, fish salads, poke bowls, burgers, wraps and a variety of cocktails and beers. On weekends, there is live music.
Hours: Thursday through Tuesday – 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
This spot is located at Crash Boat and has a refreshing menu of beach cocktails. The restaurant is an open terrace with a bar and a large patio. It serves platters, fish and dishes with meat and chicken. There is also an additional bar right on the beach for those who don't want to leave the water. This place is perfect for wrapping up your beach day.
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday – 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. / Friday and Saturday – 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Beaches, sun and sand
If you're looking for a good beach on the east side to spend the day with a group of family or friends, Seven Seas is a solid option. The public beach facilities were recently renovated and are in good condition. There are restrooms, showers, parking and lifeguards. There is also plenty of shade and areas where you can picnic. The waters at Seven Seas are clear and good for swimming. Both children and adults can have a good time here.
Getting to La Selva is an adventure: you have to travel a long, rocky path through the Corredor Ecológico del Noreste, but the beach and scenery you find at the end are worth it. You can spend a family day here in shallow, generally calm waters. There are some shaded spots that might save you from having to bring an umbrella.
The entrance is directly off highway No. 3 in the Luquillo area.
La poza de Montones is one of the best family beaches in Isabela. It is considered one of the largest (if not the largest) and is very popular for bringing children, because of its shallow water. There are 2 options for accessing the beach, both with free parking.
Past the well-known beaches of Piñones and on the way out toward Loíza, you find this small stretch of sea that is well known among locals and draws the attention of every visitor. The water is clear, shallow and calm.
Parking is on the road or among the trees on the sand. There is plenty of vegetation, ideal for hanging hammocks, finding shade and sitting to watch the sunset.
Playa María is one of the most frequented spots by surfers in Puerto Rico, as it has nearly perfect waves for much of the year. But you don't have to be a surfer to have a good day at Playa María. The spot is visited regularly by tourists and locals looking for a relaxed beach day and, along the way, a chance to watch the surfers' water acrobatics. It sits right next to Faro Punta Hugüeras and very close to Playa Domes. There is ample free parking.
Along a path of sand and rocks, there is a hidden swimming hole reached through mangroves bathed in warm, calm water. Also known as Playa de las Paldas in Guánica, near Playa Santa, it is a secluded spot well suited for swimming and water sports. Getting there requires a dirt path, but the scenery at the end is worth it.
#PlateaTip: Parts of the path have fairly deep water-filled potholes, so proceed carefully.
One of the best-known beaches on the east side of Puerto Rico is Balneario La Monserrate, located behind the kiosks of Luquillo. It has gazebos, restrooms, plenty of shade, parking and generally very calm water. Visitors can swim, kayak, paddleboard and take part in other water activities. The area just behind the kiosks is ideal for launching a jet ski. The shoreline is wide and lends itself to long walks along the water's edge. The water is clear and has little wave action. It tends to draw crowds, but there is enough space and a spot is usually available.
Places for the whole family
Located where the Camuy River meets the Atlantic Ocean, El Gran Parque del Norte has a variety of recreational and tourist spaces for the whole family. Enjoy the coastal breeze, walk its trails, ride a bike or take in the view from its observation tower.
Parking and park admission are free.
This historic monument is a former railroad tunnel converted into a tourist attraction. Enjoy the ocean views and the colorful murals the site offers. Great for photos!
On weekends you can enjoy the food and crafts walkway and, for children, rides on a mini train and pony. Admission and parking are free.
This is a large open-air space designed for children to play, explore and engage their senses. It has gazebos, different play areas, farm animals and plenty of contact with nature. On Easter Sunday, there is an Easter Egg Hunt from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Did you know there is an easily accessible cave in Loíza? This historic park is less than 5 minutes from the center of town and has parking facilities, gazebos and swings for children. Human artifacts from Puerto Rico's earliest inhabitants and from the Taínos have been found in the cave. Around it you will find several ceiba trees and other rock formations.
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
What's nearby? Playa Vacía Talega and Piñones.
This tropical park set in the mountains near El Yunque National Forest is built around outdoor adventure. You can race go-karts, take horseback rides through the forest or along the beach, tackle off-road trails on four-wheelers, and tour the area around El Yunque National Forest in an open wagon. There is a restaurant serving traditional Puerto Rican dishes.
Hours: Sunday to Monday – 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
One of the features that sets Naguabo apart is its waterfront boardwalk, known for its famous chapín fish patties and other dishes made with that fish. The area is packed with bars and restaurants offering their best plates with the day's catch.
There is a wide wooden boardwalk along the water with views of the Caribbean Sea, Cayo Santiago, and spots well suited for photos.
The atmosphere turns very family-friendly on weekends, when there is usually live music and crafts. The spot is also a good starting point for a chinchorreo (hopping between chinchorros) route along the east coast.
If you are looking for a different kind of getaway in the mountains of Puerto Rico, Comerío has the right place for you. El Área Recreativa Media Luna is waiting with activities to keep the whole family entertained.
This multifaceted destination combines the cool mountain air with a range of entertainment options for visitors of all ages, whether you want the rush of the go-karts, a chance to cool off in the water, or simply a good time outdoors with your people.
This large park in Guaynabo reopened a few months ago with multiple attractions for children and visitors of all ages. It has a play area, gazebos, a waterfall, an observation tower, a cable car, an aviary, and a butterfly garden. It is an ideal place for children to enjoy themselves while learning about and appreciating nature.
📲 Video: Get the details on this ecological gem.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
