Destination guides

Places in Puerto Rico

Ten essential destinations, each with a full guide: what it is, why it matters, how to get there and what to know before you go.

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San Juan · North coast

Old San Juan

Five centuries of Spanish forts, blue cobblestones and pastel streets on a walled islet.

Sierra de Luquillo · Northeast

El Yunque

The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, 45 minutes from San Juan.

Spanish Virgin Islands · East

Vieques

Wild horses, empty beaches and the world's brightest bioluminescent bay.

Spanish Virgin Islands · East

Culebra

Flamenco Beach, coral reefs and one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the U.S.

Porta del Sol · West coast

Rincón

Winter surf, whale watching and the best sunsets on the island.

South coast

Ponce

The "Pearl of the South": a red-and-black firehouse, a great art museum and a sunny Caribbean coast.

Fajardo · Vieques · Lajas

Bioluminescent bays

Three of the world's few year-round glowing bays, all in Puerto Rico.

Southwest corner

Cabo Rojo

Limestone cliffs, a lighthouse at the end of the island and pink salt flats.

Karst country · North coast

Arecibo

Home of the giant radio telescope, caves and Taíno petroglyphs on the north coast.

Northwest coast

Isabela & Jobos

Surf, reef pools and cliff-top forest on the wild northwest coast.

On the map

Where everything is

Pins mark each guide. The island is compact: Old San Juan to Rincón is a little over two hours by car, while Vieques and Culebra are a ferry ride from Ceiba.

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