In Photos: Puerto Rico's Most Beautiful Sites

Puerto Rico is much more than sparkling beaches around every turn. There's really something for every kind of traveler to enjoy—even if spending a lazy day under the sun isn't your cup of tea. Old San Juan, castillos, Fortaleza Street (otherwise known as "Restaurant Row" to the locals), ziplining, rainforests—the list of travel-worthy experiences goes on. Ahead, 23 photos of Puerto Rico's most beautiful sites to kick off your trip planning.

Start Slideshow

1 of 24

Cueva Ventana

Getty Images/EyeEm

This cave, which is situated on top of a limestone cliff, in Arecibo is the perfect day trip. Don’t miss it—your Instagram followers will thank you.

2 of 24

El Yunque National Forest

Getty Images

Beaches, rainforests, dry forests—Puerto Rico has it all.

3 of 24

Waterfall at El Yunque National Forest

Getty Images

Any destination with a waterfall is well worth a visit.

4 of 24

Soni Beach

Getty Images

Located 17 miles east of Puerto Rico's mainland, Culebra Island's Soni Beach is a day dream turned reality.

5 of 24

Surfer in Rincon, Puerto Rico

SAN CLEMENTE, CA - MAY 02: Brian Toth of Puerto Rico surfs during Round 3 Heat 20 during the Nike Lowers Pro at Lower Trestles on May 2, 2012 in San Clemente, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Thanks to its many gorgeous beaches, Puerto Rico is home to perfect surf conditions for hobbyists and professionals.

6 of 24

Vieques Bioluminescent Bay

Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Not to be missed: This natural phenomenon is one of a handful of places in the world that you can float among the bioluminescent glow of microorganisms.

7 of 24

Old San Juan

Getty Images

Ol San Juan is the oldest territory in Puerto Rico, dating back to 1521.

8 of 24

Puerto Rican Rum

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD - MARCH 23: General view of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company and Rums of Puerto Rico reception in celebration of SelectUSA Investment Summit At Old Hickory Steakhouse on March 23, 2015 in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo

Getty Images

You can't visit Puerto Rico without trying some of their drink of choice: Rum.

9 of 24

Rainbow Over Old San Juan

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 2005: Puerto Rico - San Juan - Old city, UNESCO's World Heritage Site,1983 - The Pearl - Rainbow. (Photo By DEA / S. AMANTINI/De Agostini/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Old San Juan was dubbed a World Heritage Site in 1983.

10 of 24

Gardens in Old San Juan

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JUNE 06: A small classical garden between colonial buildings in Old San Juan (viejo San Juan) on June 6, 2012 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Alfredo Sosa/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images)

Getty Images

Old San Juan is full of small gardens, tended to by locals.

11 of 24

Old San Juan Beach

Getty Images

Stretch out in the sand and take in the historic views of Old San Juan at the same time.

12 of 24

Kayaks at Tamarindo Beach

Getty Images

Kayaking is one of the many outdoor adventures you can have on just about any beach in Puerto Rico.

13 of 24

The Colorful Homes of Old San Juan

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- APRIL 26: Colorful homes line the cobblestoned streets April 26, 2004 in Old San Juan, the original capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The old city is a historic district of seven square blocks made up of ancient buildings and c

Getty Images

Old San Juan is made of up of seven square blocks filled with ancient buildings, massive stone walls, and colonial homes.

14 of 24

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico

Getty Images

Measuring in at 130,000-square-feet, this is one of the largest museums in the Caribbean.

15 of 24

Nightlife

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 04: Beach goers are illuminated by a phone on Saturday July 04, 2015 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Many people headed to local beaches and waterways to spend the Fourth of July. (Photo by Matt McClain/ The Washington Post via Gett

Getty Images

The beaches light up come nightfall, serving to an entirely different crowd than during the afternoon hours.

16 of 24

Homes in Old San Juan

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- APRIL 26: Colorful homes line the streets April 26, 2004 in Old San Juan, the original capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The old city is a historic district of seven square blocks made up of ancient buildings and colonial homes

Getty Images

Pastel-colored homes line the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan.

17 of 24

Guajataca Tunnel

Getty Images

The scenic Guajataca Tunnel connect the cities of Isabela and Quebradillas.

18 of 24

Castillo de San Felipe del Morro

Getty Images

In the early 16th century, this castle was the only protection against sea attacks on Puerto Rico.

19 of 24

Old San Juan: The Original Capital

Getty Images

Colorful homes in the original capital of Puerto Rico: Old San Juan.

20 of 24

Castillo San Cristobal

Getty Images

The soldier sleeping quarters at Castillo San Cristobal

21 of 24

Fort San Cristobal

Getty Images

An onlookers view of Fort San Cristobal.

22 of 24

Isla Verde Beach

Getty Images

An aerial view of the resort-lined Isla Verde Beach.

23 of 24

Coqui Frog

Beloved to all Puerto Ricans, a tiny coqui treefrog peeks from a rain-soaked canario flower, also known as Allamandra, yellow bell, or golden trumpet flower, an ornamental native to South and Central America.
Eleutherodactylus coqui.
Unfortunately this fr

Getty Images

The tiny Coqui Frog is native to Puerto Rico, mainly known for its shrill call.

Replay gallery

Your Profile

25 Photos of Puerto Rico That Will Have You Planning Your Next Vacation

1 of 24

Cueva Ventana

2 of 24

El Yunque National Forest

3 of 24

Waterfall at El Yunque National Forest

4 of 24

Soni Beach

5 of 24

Surfer in Rincon, Puerto Rico

6 of 24

Vieques Bioluminescent Bay

7 of 24

Old San Juan

8 of 24

Puerto Rican Rum

9 of 24

Rainbow Over Old San Juan

10 of 24

Gardens in Old San Juan

11 of 24

Old San Juan Beach

12 of 24

Kayaks at Tamarindo Beach

13 of 24

The Colorful Homes of Old San Juan

14 of 24

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico

15 of 24

Nightlife

16 of 24

Homes in Old San Juan

17 of 24

Guajataca Tunnel

18 of 24

Castillo de San Felipe del Morro

19 of 24

Old San Juan: The Original Capital

20 of 24

Castillo San Cristobal

21 of 24

Fort San Cristobal

22 of 24

Isla Verde Beach

23 of 24

Coqui Frog

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Popular in Travel Photography

All Topics in Travel Photography