Puerto Rico Vibes: Facts, Travel Tips and Amazing Activities
Updated: Nov 18
Sunny vibes, salsa beats, and endless adventure barely scratch the surface of what Puerto Rico, a Caribbean island and longtime territory of the US, has to offer.
Adjectives easily come when I think of one of my favorite Caribbean islands. It offers colorful streets, a lush jungle, pristine beaches, a vibrant culture, stunning natural landscapes, and a rich history that all combine to welcome visitors from around the world.
From the colorful streets of Old San Juan to the luscious trails of El Yunque Rainforest and so much more, it’s easy to see why people enjoy repeated visits to Puerto Rico whether as their entire vacation, a few days’ stay prior to a Caribbean cruise that begins in San Juan or as a port visit when cruising the islands.
I want to share with you some Puerto Rico fast facts, tips and over 30 suggestions for fun activities to enjoy in this paradise.
Puerto Rico Fast Facts
Location: Located in North America between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean; between the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands
Capital: San Juan
Languages: Spanish and English. Do not assume everyone speaks English. School classes are primarily taught in Spanish.
Currency: US dollar
Weather: Weather is warm with temperatures of 70F – 80F (60F in the mountains in the winter) and tropical (typical afternoon showers in the summer).
Citizenship: US (since 1917) and Puerto Rico
Nickname: “Island of Enchantment”
Cruise Ship Logistics: San Juan has two cruise ports, San Juan Bay and the Pan American terminal which is about a 5 minute cab ride away. Generally speaking, cruise ships departing from Puerto Rico sail from Pan American Pier and ships visiting for a day dock at the Old San Juan piers for their port-of-call visits. Arriving in Old San Juan, you can easily access restaurants, pharmacies, a grocery store and post office.
Fun Fact: It’s said that the pina colada was invented in Puerto Rico.
Fun Stuff to Do in Puerto Rico
There’s so much to do in Puerto Rico that you could easily spend weeks there and do something different each day. The island is shy of triple the size of Rhode Island, and ships average an 8-10 hour stay, so if you’re cruising into the island, you’ll just get a taste of it, but I can almost guarantee it will whet your appetite for another visit.
Culinary:
Speaking of taste and appetites, let’s talk FOOD because it’s fresh, delicious, and well-known. You’ll find small hole-in-the-wall restaurants with great food, street cafes, and fine dining. Expect rich flavors with herbs and spices influenced by African, Caribbean, and Spanish cultures. Foods are typically not spicy.
Tours come in all different flavors (sorry, bad pun). Old San Juan walking tours, small group and private cooking lessons, picnics, and even a 4-course meal suspended in the air from a crane.
And then there’s the beverages. Casa Bacardi has been offering tours of their rum factory for decades. You’ll find bar crawls along with beer, rum, and wine tastings along with mixology classes. Or visit a coffee farm to experience the process and taste it as fresh as it gets.
“Foodie” activities are a fast-growing trend that gives visitors a chance to have fun, eat/drink, and learn about food and culture while also interacting with locals.
Puerto Rican Art & Culture
Puerto Rico and its people are infused with art, history, and culture. You’ll see it in their dance, music, buildings, crafts, paintings, graffiti, museums, and small plazas (parks). It’s laid back and, at the same time, full of life. Here are some ideas for taking it in:
Walking Tour of Old San Juan: Step Back in Time
A walking tour of Old San Juan is one of the best ways to dive into the island’s rich history and architectural beauty. As you wander through cobblestone streets lined with brightly colored colonial buildings, you’ll encounter centuries-old structures, charming plazas, and vibrant street art. Local guides often share stories of the city’s Spanish colonial past, pirate legends, and even insights into Puerto Rican customs and folklore.
If an actual “walking tour” doesn’t fit your timeframe, then wander around Old San Juan on your own. You won’t gain from the knowledge of a local guide, but you can take in the liveliness, food, drink, vibrant colors, wall art, beautiful facades of buildings, old wooden doors, stylish wrought railings, men playing dominoes in the plazas and street vendors.
TIPS:
There are cobblestone streets that play into the beauty of the city, some uneven sidewalks, occasional high curbs, and hills. Wear good walking shoes and try to watch your step as you look mindfully at your surroundings to take it all in.
If you are wondering on your own or you will have time after a walking tour, be sure to try amazing Puerto Rican food and, if inclined, a bottle of Medalla Light or one of the other many beers made in the island’s breweries.
Learn Salsa and Bomba Dances
Salsa is a lively style of dance that originated in Puerto Rico and is popular in nightclubs and cultural gatherings. Bomba is an Afro-Puerto Rican dance including drumming, singing, and storytelling. You can connect with the local culture and pick up dancing techniques (or a new hobby!) in classes offered on the island with these fun classes.
Have Fun Making Your Own Souvenir Espadrilles
Espadrilles are rope-soled shoes with canvas tops that are often associated with Caribbean culture. Guided workshops let you select fabrics, cut patterns, and stitch together your own custom pair under the guidance of a skilled artisan. You’ll get to bring home a unique, handmade souvenir and have bragging rights about fashioning them as you learn about Puerto Rican craftsmanship.
Tour El Morro Castle
El Morro is an iconic 16th-century fortress and a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Spanish and is a great example of Puerto Rico’s colonial past. Explore its stone walls, lookouts, and dungeons, as well as spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan with a guided tour. The grounds are also a favorite spot for local families who have built a tradition of picnicking and kite flying on the grounds.
Day trip to Arecibo for an Ultimate Indigenous
Sign up for a day trip to Arecibo where you’ll have an opportunity to connect with the island’s Indigenous pre-Columbian heritage. Arecibo is home to caves with ancient Taino rock paintings and carvings, created by Puerto Rico’s Indigenous Taino people centuries ago. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll learn about the significance of these images, which depict the beliefs, daily life, and spiritual practices of the Taino.
Get Scared on a Nighttime Ghost Tour
A local guide will bring eerie tales to life of Old San Juan as you visit haunted sites, which could include the San Juan Cathedral, the Governor’s Mansion, and old cemeteries. These ghost tours blend historical facts with tales of paranormal encounters, giving you a unique perspective on Puerto Rico’s legends and mysteries. It’s also a fun perspective of Old San Juan at night.
Explore Other Island Towns
By tour or with a rented car, you may wish to get away from beaches and San Juan by visiting other towns. Here are a few to consider:
Ponce- Puerto Rico's second-largest city, is known for its beautiful architecture, historical sites, and colonial past. Highlights include the Parque de Bombas, a striking red and black firehouse turned museum, and the Museo de Arte de Ponce (art museum), and Plaza Las Delicias.
Culebra- This small town is considered a paradise for beach lovers. Flamenco Beach consistently ranks among the top beaches in the world, thanks to its powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. The island’s protected nature reserves and coral reefs make it an ideal destination for snorkeling, diving, and bird-watching.
Rincón- This laid-back beach town is known for world-class surfing. Surfers gather at Domes Beach and Sandy Beach, while non-surfers can enjoy snorkeling, whale watching, or just relaxing on the sand.
Cabo Rojo- This area offers some of the island’s most unique landscapes, such as the pink salt flats and the dramatic cliffs of Los Morrillos Lighthouse. Beaches like Playa Sucia and Boquerón Beach offer stunning views and calm waters. It’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with several wildlife refuges home to migratory birds and native species.
San Germán-Puerto Rico's second-oldest town is ready to share its distinct Old-World charm with you. Iglesia Porta Coeli, one of the oldest churches in the Americas, dates back to the 1600s. The town's colonial architecture, cobbled streets, and museums provide a fascinating view into Puerto Rico's past and is a great experience for history enthusiasts.
Shopping
Shop with street vendors and stores for coffee, spices, hot sauce, rum, cigars, ceramics, art, hammocks, and more.
Natural Wonders & Outdoor Fun
There are many outdoor adventures available to you in Puerto Rico, ranging from mildly active to more strenuous. Activities include:
ATV
Zip-lining
Beaching and swimming
Snorkeling, diving and surfing
Kayaking
Boating for touring, whale watching, snorkeling
There are a couple of unique outdoor areas for you to consider.
El Yunque Rainforest is the only tropical rainforest in the United States. It’s a lush, mountainous 28,000 acre home to over 240 species of trees, rare plants such as giant ferns and tropical orchids and home to many unique to Puerto Rico, such as the Puerto Rican parrot (one of the most endangered birds in the world) and the coquí frog. There are many hiking trails and waterfalls. The Yokahú Tower and Mt. Britton Tower offer panoramic views over the forest canopy. The El Portal Visitor Center is a great starting point for any visit to the forest, providing maps, information about trails, and exhibits about the forest’s ecology and history.
Puerto Rico is one of only a handful of places in the world that has bioluminescent bays and they have five of them. The water of these bays are filled with a type of plankton that glow in the dark when agitated. There are opportunities to kayak at night where you’ll find that the paddles create a magical blue-green light show of what looks like tiny stars in the water.
So much to see and do!
You’ll at least catch a glimpse of why Puerto Rico is one of my favorite Caribbean islands when you cruise into the port of San Juan. Many of the suggestions above will require longer stays.
In addition to all there is to see and do, I didn’t cover Puerto Rico’s most outstanding attribute, in my opinion. You’ll come across some of the nicest people you could meet. I never touched on the most important attribute of the island. It’s the people. They are warm, friendly, inviting, family-oriented, and proud of their heritage.
One of my stand-out Caribbean experiences is of my strolling through Old San Juan alone, taking in all of the sights and sounds. I came across a young man sitting on the stoop of a building with a beautiful wooden door, playing a guitar on a sleepy street that was more about people than cars. I stopped to enjoy his music. Along came an elderly man who didn’t speak English. The next thing I knew, we were laughing and enjoying dancing in the middle of the street.
TIP:
As always, I suggest anyone who has to fly to their cruise starting point (“embarkation”) that fly in at least 1-2 days early to ensure against delays beyond your control. But as you can see, Puerto Rico may call you to arrive much earlier.
Puerto Rico is a captivating, intoxicating, enchanting destination. Puerto Rico is an enchanting island destination, offering the best of the Caribbean and the advantages of being a U.S. territory.
I'd be very happy to assist you in planning your cruise from San Juan or that will visit San Juan, whether that's a sailing ship or a traditional cruise ship. I'm anxious to help you or your group plan this captivating vacation! Email me now for us to get started on your cruise vacation.
Happy Traveling,
-Connie
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