A little more than a two-hour flight from the continental U.S., Puerto Rico deftly walks the line between American territory and international charm. A blend of Spanish, Indian and African influences, this island has tropical forests, sandy beaches and an ever-expanding dining and nightclub scene. When you visit Puerto Rico— aside from taking a ferry trip to the pristine beaches of Culebra or the glowing waters off Vieques—you can otherwise cover the whole island by car with day trips, from the time capsule of Old San Juan, the posh designer boutiques of Condado and the small-town charms of Poncé. Read on in this Puerto Rico travel guide to plan your trip:
Things Not to Miss in Puerto Rico
• Hike in El Yunque Forest
• Seethe Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, the best art collection in the Caribbean
• Ride the free hop-on, hop-off trolley in Old San Juan
• Take a day trip to the island of Culebra
• Explore the caves at Parque de las Cavernas del Rio Camuy
• Enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Flamenco
• Paddle through the Bioluminescent Bay off Vieques
When to Go to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico boasts a pretty mild climate year round, with average temperatures consistently around 80. The peak of Puerto Rico travel season lasts from December to April, which is also the dry season. Rates are also the highest this time of year. August in the hottest (and rainiest) month in Puerto Rico, and summer through fall brings a risk of hurricanes.
DON'T MISS
Taking advantage of the city’s free hop-on, hop-off trolley.
Catching a salsa performance at Old San Juan’s Nuyorican Café.
Perusing the 1,000-piece art collection at the 130,000-square-foot Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, the most extensive Caribbean art museum.
RECOMMENDED LINKS
- T+L Select Guide | Hotels in Puerto Rico
- T+L Select Guide | Restaurants in Puerto Rico
- T+L Jamaica Destination Guide
- Costa Rica Destination Guide
- The Ultimate Caribbean Island Finder
- Puerto Rico Tourism Office
- Find Puerto Rico Hotels on Y! Travel
- For more activities in Puerto Rico, visit NileGuide
-
11 Hotels Where You Can Take a Wine Vacation
Sometimes you need to shake it up and try something new on vacation. For wine lovers, however, vineyards hold a strong allure, and it can be hard to... Read More
-
This Destination on Richard Branson's Bucket List Is a Place Nobody Has Seen — and It's on Earth
This article originally appeared on Departures.com. t’s hard to imagine there’s a place on this planet that Sir Richard Branson hasn’t been. But, the... Read More
-
JetBlue Is Giving Away Trips to Puerto Rico to See Lin-Manuel Miranda in 'Hamilton' (Video)
Don’t throw away your shot.For those who missed seeing Lin-Manuel Miranda in “Hamilton” on Broadway, JetBlue is giving away the chance to see him revive... Read More
-
The Innovative Ways One Puerto Rico Hotel Is Using Cannabis to Help Residents Heal After Hurricane Maria
Tres Sirenas, one of Puerto Rico’s most stylish and intimate boutique hotels, has come up with a creative way to bring the community together post... Read More
-
The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2019
Ask the Travel + Leisure staff where we want to travel in 2019, and most of us will answer, honestly, where don’t we?When it comes to singling out the... Read More
-
Lin-Manuel Miranda Says ‘There’s Nothing Better for Your Soul Than a Trip to Puerto Rico’
Lin-Manuel Miranda, most famously known for the Broadway musical “Hamilton,” wants the world to know that Puerto Rico is back in action following the... Read More
-
How to Win a Trip to Puerto Rico to See Lin-Manuel Miranda Perform in 'Hamilton'
Tickets for “Hamilton” are notoriously elusive (not to mention expensive).But one lucky person could nab not only tickets, but a trip to Puerto... Read More
-
Book a Flight to Puerto Rico This Winter Starting at $177 Round-trip
With a "teeth-chattering" winter already in the forecast, your desire to warm up on a beach in Puerto Rico is sure to be stronger than ever in... Read More
-
A Year After Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico Is Investing in New Technology to Bring Back Tourists
Before heading down to Puerto Rico, there’s a new app you should download to make the most of your time on the island.Created by the Puerto Rico Tourism... Read More
-
Where to Find the Best Deals on Rum for National Rum Day 2018
Aug. 16 is finally here, and that can only mean one thing: it's National Rum Day.Whatever your feelings are on "fake" holidays, there's no denying... Read More
-
Tracking Siberian Tigers, Replanting Hurricane-ravaged Forests, and More Ways to Help Save the Earth While You’re on Vacation
More and more travelers are waking up to an uncomfortable truth: climate change, overtourism, and human incursion are posing an increasing threat to... Read More
-
Southwest’s Latest Flash Sale Has Round-trip Flights Starting at $80 (Video)
If you’re already dreaming about enjoying fall foliage or hitting the slopes, you can score cheap flights around the U.S. starting for under $100 round... Read More
-
Caribbean Hotels Reopening With Major Upgrades in 2018 (Video)
At the end of summer 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused major destruction in parts of the Caribbean, hitting islands like the U.S. and British... Read More
-
Southwest's Latest Sale Includes $47 One-way Flights Across the U.S. and $59 One-way flights to the Caribbean (Video)
If you wish summer would never end, we have good news: You can keep soaking up the sun this fall and winter in a tropical destination... Read More
-
Everything We Know About Hurricane Beryl, the First Atlantic Hurricane of the Year (Video)
Hurricane Beryl became the first hurricane of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season Friday morning after gaining strength overnight.The path of the... Read More
