Top 12 Activities and Attractions in Puerto Rico

From the verdant and humid forests of the central mountains to the picturesque surfing beaches of the northwest, Puerto Rico is a sanctuary for ecotourism. If it is the natural beauty that attracts you here, it is the sands, the islands, and the historic cities that will continue to captivate you.

Visit for the outdoor adventures — hiking, zipping, surfing — but linger for the heritage, culture, sandy shores, and vibrant Caribbean evenings filled with bars and restaurants.

The following are the 12 exceptional activities to engage in while in Puerto Rico, showcasing the island in all of its diverse splendor.

1. Bar hop along Calle San Sebastián in San Juan

Brimming with historic architecture, including San José church, the historic Hijos de Borinquen bar, and Casa Blanca — the former residence of the island’s inaugural Spanish governor, Juan Ponce de León — La Calle San Sebastián offers visitors the opportunity to indulge in a slice of Old San Juan. Named after Saint Sebastian, this cobbled street is among the most charming on the island.

During the day, one can capture photographs of the vibrant, colorful balconies, stroll through narrow alleyways, and peek between buildings to catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean.

At night, the scene transforms with numerous establishments to explore. Whether you desire to dance to tunes ranging from salsa to electronic beats or savor exquisite cocktails crafted by skilled mixologists, make your way to the trendy La Factoría.

If a relaxed ambiance appeals to you, Taberna Lúpulo features open-air seating and an extensive selection of local and international beers.

Should you prefer to enjoy a few Medalla beers while moving to reggaeton beats, La Sombrilla Rosa is the ideal spot. There are countless watering holes to select from, so put on your most comfortable shoes and relish the humid sea breeze as you navigate from bar to bar.

2. Take an architectural tour of Old San Juan

Exploring the cobblestone plazas and narrow lanes of Old San Juan is an integral part of the Puerto Rico experience.

There is no need for an agenda here — simply lose yourself in a labyrinth of vibrant, Spanish colonial-style homes featuring famously decorative balconies, lush gardens, and ceilings embellished with intricate mosaics of religious figures and ornate criollo tiles.

Every corner of the islet bears historical significance, from ancient churches to grand residences from the 18th and 19th centuries.

You can stroll through the neighborhood and marvel at its beauty for free, but for a deeper understanding of San Juan’s architectural legacy and rich socio-political history, the Puerto Rico Historic Buildings Drawing Society conducts walking tours exploring landmarks like Casa Blanca, the abandoned Normandie Hotel, Calle Sol, a former sailors’ hangout, along with the city’s delightful parks and plazas.

3. Eat your way along the Ruta del Lechón-Guavate

There is no better approach to experiencing traditional Puerto Rican flavors and the island’s rich folklore than by embarking on a culinary tour of Guavate in Cayey.

Known as La Ruta del Lechón — the Roast Pork Route — the path to Guavate takes you deep into the majestic mountains bordering the town of Cayey, where you can explore various eateries in search of the finest spit-roasted pork and steaming arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) in Puerto Rico. This culinary tradition is held in high regard by locals, particularly during the Christmas season.

Each venue is family-owned, and most feature informal picnic-style seating where patrons can socialize, enjoy drinks, and possibly dance to música típica (folk music).

This experience nourishes the body and spirit, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the verdant, mountainous central region. Due to its popularity, it attracts considerable crowds; if you plan to visit on a weekend, it is advisable to arrive early or prepare to wait.

4. Make your own cheese at Vaca Negra

Embracing rural life in Puerto Rico is an effortless endeavor. The fertile land and favorable climate facilitate year-round agricultural growth, with the island dotted with farms that cultivate local produce and livestock.

At Vaca Negra, located in Hatillo in the northwest, you have the unique opportunity to create your own Puerto Rican-style aged cheese.

This is a relatively new venture on the island, as the traditional Puerto Rican cheese is typically fresh. Utilizing raw cow’s milk sourced from Hatillo’s ranchers, staff will guide you in making some of the finest aged cheese you may ever sample — lactose-free options are also available.

One small caveat: the cheese requires approximately two months to mature. If your visit is brief, you can purchase some of their pre-made cheeses and yogurts at the farm store or visit for brunch to relish one of the island’s best culinary experiences.

5. Go ziplining at Toro Verde

Thrill-seekers will find their paradise! Nestled in the mountains of Orocovis lies Toro Verde, one of the largest and most prestigious adventure parks in the Caribbean.

Adventurous spirits can experience ziplines such as ‘The Monster’, a 1.5-mile (2.5 km) cable that soars over forested slopes, achieving speeds of up to 95 mph (152.8 km/h). It is no exaggeration to state that you will gain a bird’s-eye perspective of the natural surroundings.

The remainder of the park serves as an adventure hub, offering exhilarating rock climbing walls, rope challenges, obstacle courses, hanging bridges, free falls (with safety gear, naturally), suspended cycling, and moonlit expeditions.

6. Go canyoning at Cañón San Cristóbal

The San Cristóbal Canyon is one of Puerto Rico’s most treasured yet underexplored natural wonders. Tucked between the towns of Aibonito and Barranquitas in the Cordillera Central mountain range, the canyon was previously used as an unofficial landfill until local non-profit organizations intervened to preserve it for future generations.

Currently, San Cristóbal Canyon serves as the backdrop for one of the island’s most thrilling hiking trails, where you can rappel, hike, and swim beneath waterfalls enveloped by lush green jungle.

It is crucial to be in good physical health, as the trails can be demanding: the canyon plunges 500 ft (152 m) deep and the hike covers over 6 miles (9 km) — mostly on an uphill rocky path. It is advisable not to go alone, as the trails remain largely unmarked.

Guided hikes and tours are conducted by the conservationist group Go Hiking PR, led by Puerto Rican educators, students, and geographers.

7. Sip coffee the Puerto Rican way at Hacienda San Pedro

In Puerto Rico, coffee consumption is a significant ritual. Unlike in the United States, one rarely encounters individuals consuming coffee while driving or hurriedly clutching a cup on the go. Instead, coffee here signifies a moment of tranquility, a brief escape from daily life.

Engage with locals as they appreciate their coffee at Hacienda San Pedro in the mountains of Jayuya, a venue steeped in history dating back to the 19th century and maintained by four generations of the Atienzo family.

You can tour the coffee plantations where beans are meticulously handpicked and then roasted using equipment that has remained in operation for over a century.

The hacienda includes a museum where you can view original artifacts and gain insights into the processes that render Puerto Rican coffee exceptional. Before departing, make sure to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and procure some of the finest beans from the island to take home.

8. Get a history lesson at Centro Ceremonial Indígena Tibes

Ceremonial grounds, religious effigies, and plazas once inhabited by Puerto Rico’s indigenous populations — specifically the Ígneri and Taíno tribes — establish the Centro Ceremonial Indígena Tibes in Ponce as an indispensable visit for those wishing to glean insight into the island’s pre-colonial history.

Archaeologists have dated the site, located in the Tíbes sector of Ponce, back to between 400 BCE and 1000 CE.

Annual excavations have unearthed indigenous pottery, foraging patterns, and instruments, offering glimpses into the civilizations that once populated Puerto Rico prior to Spanish colonization. The site features a museum and provides guided tours, yet it is advisable to inquire in advance about visiting hours and availability.

9. Surf the waves in Rincón

Since Domes Beach in Rincón hosted the 1968 World Surfing Championship, surfers of all skill levels have been drawn to the northwestern towns of Aguadilla, Rincón, and Isabela to experience the warm Atlantic waters and tackle some of the tallest waves in the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico’s surfing culture is notably relaxed, and you can learn a great deal about coastal conservation by conversing with the surfers who invest their time riding these exhilarating waves.

Although the Atlantic can sometimes be unpredictable, the early sunrise and pristine waters make it easy to identify currents to enhance your surfing experience.

Gas Chambers and Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla offer swells that range from 5 ft (1.5 m) in the summer to 20 ft (6 m) during winter, creating exhilarating rides. Between sessions, take in the breathtaking views and visit the remnants of a pier once used by the US Air Force.

If you merely wish to admire or capture photographs of some impressive swells and the surfers who navigate them, attend the Corona Pro Surf Circuit, which typically takes place in the spring.

Do not worry if you lack surfing skills; private and group lessons are available at various local surf schools. Consider the classes offered by Surf Lessons Puerto Rico, owned by professional surfer Ramse Morales, and PR Surf Adventures in Aguadilla.

10. Spot wildlife on the Corredor Ecológico del Noreste

The lush green Corredor Ecológico del Noreste encompasses six of the most picturesque municipalities in the northeastern region of the island. This designated nature reserve provides opportunities for biking, boating, surfing, or driving along approximately 3,000 acres of pristine coastline, taking in the beautiful beaches at San Miguel, La Selva, Las Paulinas, El Convento, and Colorá.

The coastal forests serve as a habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, including manatees and leatherback turtles, which nest along these beaches from March to August.

The corridor also includes Rio Grande, home to the El Yunque National Forest, the towns of Luquillo, Fajardo, Vieques, and Culebra, which can be accessed by ferry.

The historic town of Loíza, dating back to the 16th century, and its residents are custodians of some of Puerto Rico’s most enchanting traditions. If you find yourself in the area in July, participate in the Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol, honoring Loíza’s patron saint, where vibrant participants don colorful vejigante devil masks and dance the bomba while artisans display local crafts.

11. Bike the Piñones Trail

If cycling excites you, the Piñones area along Road #178 on the eastern coast is the perfect destination, where you can enjoy the wind in your hair as you ride along some of the island’s most wild and undeveloped coastlines.

The Piñones Trail guides you through mangroves and oceanfront forests and runs below sea level, so be prepared for a small sandy incline to reach the beaches. Bring mosquito repellent, as these insects can be bothersome in the afternoons and near sundown.

Stop at one of the kiosks along the path to sample some of Puerto Rico’s finest snacks — such as bacalaítos (cod fritters), empanadillas de jueyes (crab pastries), and alcapurrias de camarones (shrimp fritters).

As a friendly suggestion, instead of stopping at the first kiosk you encounter, continue further down to El Boricua. You may encounter a long line and potential delays, but the flavors will make it worth your while; their alcapurrias are handmade to order using plantain leaves.

Packing a bathing suit is advisable, as you will pass Vacía Talega, one of Puerto Rico’s most delightful yet lesser-known beaches. Surrounded by clear turquoise waters, this stretch of unspoiled, palm-lined sand is a true gem; however, exercise caution for rip currents — if locals are not swimming, it may be best to refrain as well.

12. Have a beachside craft beer at Ocean Lab Brewing Co

Situated within the VIVO Beach Club at San Juan’s Isla Verde Beach, which faces one of the most exquisite stretches of white sand in Puerto Rico, Ocean Lab Brewing Co is the prime destination for quality craft beers set against a stunning backdrop.

A full menu is available; the chicken and longaniza sausage sliders and fried whole snapper are highly recommended offerings.

The trade winds from the east provide refreshing breezes, and beers crafted with local ingredients such as passion fruit, grapefruit, and blood orange will leave your taste buds yearning for a more permanent stay in the Caribbean.

Passionate beer enthusiasts can also partake in brewery tours for an intimate look at the brewing processes. It is prudent to call ahead to verify tour timings.

This article was originally published on January 3, 2021, and updated on November 30, 2023.