What to do for the 1st time in Puerto Rico đŸ‡”đŸ‡·âœš

Written By Nami Hewitt

My family is coming to Puerto Rico this summer for a full week and I planned out the entire trip


So I figured I would share for anyone who’s thinking about visiting the island for the first time because Puerto Rico has SO much to do and it can honestly feel overwhelming trying to plan.

This is going to be a full guide on:

  • Where to stay

  • How to get around

  • The best things to do

  • Where to eat

  • Cafes you can’t miss

  • Foods you HAVE to try

  • And nightlife spots if you want to go out

Let’s get into it.

Where to Stay đŸïž

If it’s your first time in Puerto Rico, I definitely recommend staying in San Juan.

It’s the most central area for tourists, it’s walkable and you’ll be close to beaches, restaurants and nightlife.

Best areas for first-timers:

  • Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan)
    Perfect if you want charm, history, colorful streets, and a more cultural vibe. If you like to wake up n the morning and walk to get coffee, want to have a good night life where you can walk home after, etc this is your spot. It is more touristy for sure but I think the charm beats staying in Regular San Juan. It’s also great for Airbnbs but just know parking can be tricky.

  • Isla Verde
    This is more resort-style beachfront hotels, easy access from the airport and still very tourist-friendly. There are some places where you can walk around especially like Calle Loiza but you will probably be catching Ubers unless you have a car.

  • Miramar / Condado
    A little calmer, still super central, with great restaurants and a more local-city feel. To me, miramar is giving more like a San Diego feel.

All of these spots are within the range to do anything in San Juan. The deeper into the metro you get from here, the less “luxury” it gets. I’ve heard people say San Juan looks ghetto and honestly like any other city, it has it’s eye sores but again its metro so if you want to pretend like the world is gorgeous, stick to VSJ, Isla Verde, Miramar, etc.

If you want more jungle + nature nearby


Try staying outside the main city in:

  • LoĂ­za

  • CanĂłvanas

  • Carolina

  • Luquillo

  • Dorado

  • Guaynabo

These areas feel greener, quieter, and more local but you’ll definitely want a car. These areas will definitely be giving more Airbnb vibes, im not sure about any hotels in any of those places but they will have some good options for a more island feel.

Transportation 🚗

One of the biggest questions people ask is


Do you need a car in Puerto Rico?

It depends on your trip.

  • If you’re staying mostly in San Juan, you can honestly get away with Uber + walking and parking will be way less of a hassle.

  • If you want to explore places like El Yunque, Fajardo or road trip to beaches, you will need a rental car. Don’t think you’re about to uber to these places. Even if you rented the car just for that specific day that would be better than banking on finding a driver.

Where to rent a car:

  • Airport rentals are the most convenient and reliable. I only rent Alamo and Expedia
 if you’re a Costco member, you can rent through Costco travel and it includes an extra driver.

  • Local companies can sometimes be cheaper, but always check reviews first and watch out for hidden fees. If you ask anyone on the island, they will say to book only Alamo or Expedia. Also be aware of things like roaches in the car. The bigger companies definitely have the means to keep the cars maintained and will also be able to switch you out fairly quickly if you do run into a problem like roaches.

  • You also want to make sure that you get the tolls covered in your car. Anywhere outside of the metro has tolls so if you’re renting a car to be on the road on the road, you wanna include toll privileges

  • Pro tip- if you book with a credit card, it usually will cover insurance so you don’t have to pay extra!

  • People do drive crazy on the island and YES there are house sized potholes so I definitely recommend you to stay alert, look 5 times before you cross, don’t have road rage unless you tryna meet your maker, etc

Uber prices:

Uber and Lyft are widely available in San Juan and tourist zones.

ypical rides are:

  • $8–$15 around the city

  • More expensive late at night or during busy weekends

  • I’ve seen it be $25 when it’s normally been $7 and the drive was only gonna take 10 minutes

Just know Uber does NOT work as reliably once you leave the metro area and if you’re planning to do things like El Yunque or Fajardo, you won’t be able to get uber there.

What to Do (Best Activities + Excursions) 🌊🌿

Puerto Rico is the perfect mix of beach, culture and adventure.

Here are my top recommendations:

Beaches to Visit near San Juan

It’s very important that you take heed to beach warnings especially on the north side of the island. The currents are super strong and can be ruthless. I have lied by the beach my entire life and am used to huge waves but the Caribbean is a different beast and people get sucked out OFTEN. I stick to a couple of beaches in San Juan for this reason and if the water looks treacherous, I do not go in..

  • Piñones
    A must for beach + food kiosks + local culture. La posita is a nice beach protected by the reef so you dont have to worry about currents or anything like that. They have chair and beach rentals and there is a lot of parking. It’s only one lane in and one lane out so I would arrive earlier in the day and plan to spend all day there.

  • EscambrĂłn Beach
    One of the best beaches near San Juan for snorkeling and swimming. It’s in the same vicinity as Viejo San Juan. There aren’t restaurants or anything so plan to bring food/snacks. Sometimes there are people selling plates and what not on the beach but it really just depends

  • Balneario Punta Salinas
    This beach is about 30 minutes outside of the city but its a good option with nice facilities, a little snack bar and plenty of shade!

  • Seven Seas Beach (Fajardo)
    This beach is on the east side of the island about an hour from San Juan but Calm waters, super family-friendly, and perfect for a day trip. There are some good restaruants down the road as well so it would be a nice day trip if you had a car

Visit El Yunque Rainforest 🌿

El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system.

Things to do there:

  • Waterfall hikes

  • Jungle trails

  • And the famous hike up to El Yunque lookout tower/castle

Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and bring water shoes. There is a range of difficulty for hikes, you can even drive up to one of the waterfalls. You do not need a tour guide but you do need to research the trails well, take heed to local recommendations like if someone is telling you not to move further into the trail and pay attention to the rain forecast because you do not want to get caught up in flashfloods!

Take a Bomba Class đŸ„

Bomba is an Afro–Puerto Rican dance style that is deeply rooted in history and culture.

Taking a class is such a fun way to connect with the island beyond just sightseeing.

Taller Nzambi

https://www.instagram.com/taller_nzambi?igsh=MTZrdzZ2YWc1YmJtNw==

Taller Piquete Cimarron

https://www.instagram.com/tallerpiquetecimarron...

Junte Loiceño

https://www.instagram.com/junteloiceno?igsh=Yno1bnU0Y2Y1aG5h

Go Salsa Dancing đŸ’ƒđŸœ

Puerto Rico has an amazing salsa scene.

Even if you’re a beginner, it’s such a fun experience to go out, listen to live music, and dance.

Walk Around Viejo San Juan đŸŒș

Old San Juan is one of the most beautiful places on the island.

Spend time:

  • Walking the cobblestone streets

  • Visiting local shops

  • Seeing El Morro fortress

  • Getting coffee or gelato

  • Taking pictures everywhere

Carabalí Adventure Park 🐎

If you want something adventurous:

  • ATV riding

  • Ziplining

  • Horseback riding

  • Views of the mountains

This is one of the best excursion spots near El Yunque.

Day Trip to Culebra or Vieques đŸš€

If you have time for one island trip


DO IT.

  • Culebra is famous for Flamenco Beach

  • Vieques has the bioluminescent bay

These are unforgettable, but plan ahead because ferries and tours book fast. If you go to Culebra you can book ferry tickets online or you can charter a plan. If you are planning for the bioluminescent bay in Vieques, make sure you dont go during a full moon because there will be too much light.

Where to Eat đŸœïž

Puerto Rico has some of the best food ever, and these are my top spots:

  • Piñones Kioskos (street food heaven)

  • La VergĂŒenza (Old San Juan rooftop vibes)

  • Food Truck Parks

    • Lote 23

    • Miramar Food Trucks

  • Asian Fusion on Calle LoĂ­za
    Such an underrated food area.

  • La Isla

  • Pan Sobao (Puerto Rican bakery staple)

LoĂ­za favorites:

  • El Nuevo Acuario

  • Bebos CafĂ©

Brunch spots:

  • Brunch at Hotel El Convento
    Beautiful and feels super elegant.

Classic restaurants:

  • Metropol

  • Kasalta

  • Casita Miramar

  • Casita Blanca (yes, the Bad Bunny spot)

Cafes to Visit ☕

Puerto Rico has such a strong coffee culture.

My favorites:

  • Finca Cialitos (mountain coffee experience)

  • CafĂ© BotĂĄnico (cute + aesthetic)

  • CafĂ© ComuniĂłn (San Juan must-visit)

  • Barist Mafia (calle Loiza)

  • Spiga (Old San Juan)

Things You HAVE to Try đŸ‡”đŸ‡·đŸ”„

Do not leave Puerto Rico without trying:

  • Pastelillos / Empanadillas

  • Alcapurrias

  • Arroz con habichuelas or arroz mamposteao

  • Tostones WITH garlic

  • Mofongo

  • Sancocho

Even if you try these just once
 it’s part of the experience.

Nightlife 🌙

If you want to go out, Puerto Rico has something every night of the week.

Best nightlife areas:

  • La Placita (the main party spot)

  • La FactorĂ­a in Old San Juan (iconic)

  • T-Mobile District (more modern, safe, fun)

  • Blue Shark

  • La Music Bar & Lounge

  • Cigar Lounges for a more chill vibe

Puerto Rico is seriously one of the most beautiful, fun, and culturally rich places to visit and this is the perfect itinerary for your first trip.

If you’re planning a vacation here soon, save this video, send it to your travel group chat and let me know what you’re most excited to do.

If you are bringing the kids, stay tuned for the next video
 I got something for ya!!

Nami Hewitt
Next

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