Where to Stay in Puerto Rico
Hotels
All-inclusive resorts, cool boutique hotels, holistic retreats and eco-friendly lodges, Puerto Rico boasts an incredible variety of accommodation options for all persuasions.
Following extensive renovations in the wake of Hurricane María, the “Isle of Enchantment” is now home to some of the most modern, swanky and original hotels in the Caribbean, receiving accolades from influencers and travel industry arbiters worldwide.
The storied Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach is the island’s most exclusive resort, built by tycoon Laurance Rockefeller in the 1950s before Ritz made it their first “Reserve” property in 2021. Set on a stunning 1,400 acres of land, the hotel remains true to its conservationist roots.
Following a $60 million dollar nip and tuck in 2018, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort has set the bar for Puerto Rico’s impressive tourist revival.
With a stunning interior design and fabulous views of Condado Lagoon (Laguna del Condado), the O:live Boutique Hotel in San Juan has been hailed as one of the best boutique hotels in the Americas.
In the mountains of Cayey, the kitchen garden farmstay El Pretexto redefines the farm experience with 100 percent locally sourced food and menus prepared by a roster of chefs who create pop-up experiences.
Paradores
Not to be confused with the Spanish parador system (luxury hotels in converted historic buildings in heritage cities), in Puerto Rico, a parador is classified as a “country inn” that meets the requirements of the government’s Paradores Puertorriqueños program. To qualify for parador status, the hotel must be located outside the San Juan Metro area, have between seven and 75 rooms, be considered of historic importance and be managed by a resident owner.
Read our list of favorite paradores in Puerto Rico
Airbnbs
Popular with longer-visiting travelers, digital nomads and families, Puerto Rico’s growing Airbnb sector—over 10,000 listings—extends the length and breadth of the island. From basic rooms in the Metro area to rainforest treehouses, rustic mountain farms and luxury oceanside villas, there’s an impressive variety of accommodations for every budget. The priciest properties are often located in gorgeous settings, such as Vieques and Culebra, or deliver breathtaking mountain top views. Most likely, you’ll need a car to access properties outside the Metro area.
Read our list of favorite Airbnbs in Puerto Rico
Room Rates and Availability
As Puerto Rico has become one of the Caribbean’s most sought after destinations—and with a post-pandemic surge in demand overall—room rates have risen sharply. During peak holidays and on weekends, plan to book well in advance. Generally, you won’t have trouble finding a room, the rates just may not be palatable. The best times to find discounted rates are from September to November and from late April through June. Rates also tend to be higher during the two peak seasons (December to early May and July/August), while rates between September and November are usually the lowest.
Not sure which region to choose? We get it. There are so many great options. Use this map (and save it!) to locate each accommodation. We’ve color-coded it by type (Black: Hotel, Purple: Airbnb, and Orange: Parador) and only included public Airbnb’s locations (some don’t share it until you book them).
