Let me clue you in on a little secret: If you visit Puerto Rico and don’t leave San Juan, you’ll miss out on some of the best memories of your life! While San Juan is popular and convenient, it’s also a tourist-centric city, which detracts from the authenticity you’ll find elsewhere around the island.
If you really want to experience Puerto Rico, you’ll want to leave San Juan behind and get beyond the city’s borders to experience the island’s true beauty. This incredible place has so much to see, from mountains and rainforests to salt flats and coral reefs! There is truly an adventure waiting around every corner if you know where to look and you’re willing to get a little bit dirty.
Now, this itinerary isn’t for the faint of heart. While you can certainly pick and choose from each day to fit your activity level, it’s pretty adventurous and nature-heavy, making it ideal for active travelers. However, I will also point out that I saw children doing almost everything on this list, so as long as you’re willing to break a sweat from time to time, you should be able to enjoy every local gem and epic experience without a problem.
To make your life easy, this post will have a day-by-day breakdown of my full Puerto Rico itinerary, with links to more detailed guides throughout. That way, you can see the big picture here and dive into individual activities and tours as you like.
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Quick Note on Car Rentals in Puerto Rico
To do this tour, you will need to rent a car so you can drive yourself around the island. Here are a few tips on choosing the right vehicle and the renting process.
- Choose a compact SUV. Many of Puerto Rico’s streets were not made for modern vehicles, making them incredibly narrow. However, if you’re going up into the mountains or driving to less touristy beaches, it’s a good idea to have a vehicle with good visibility and 4-wheel drive for the steep and winding roads (not to mention car-sized potholes). The best combination of this is a compact SUV
- Book directly through the rental company. I made the mistake of booking my rental through Expedia because they featured a good deal. But when I got to the rental location, they doubled the price with mandatory fees.
- Speaking of that, do not book with NÜ Car Rentals. We had an overall bad experience with the hidden fees, their refusal to let me add my husband as an additional driver, and the car’s display screen and radio having issues. Thankfully, the car functioned fine mechanically.
- Expect to pay $200-$400 for a vehicle for the week, and double-check the rental company’s policy on tolls, fueling up, and miles.
- Prepare for an adventure! Driving in Puerto Rico can be quite an experience, with the road conditions, aggressive drivers, and unmarked one-way streets. But once you get the hang of it, it’s not bad. Just stay alert, follow your Google maps, and you should be fine.
- Double-check parking at your accommodations. Parking can be scarce, especially in the busier cities, so always double-check your hotel or Airbnb’s listings to make sure there’s parking available, or you might be stuck parking your car quite a ways away or in a sketchy area for the night.
Day 1: Welcome to San Juan
Start your day with an early morning flight from wherever you’re located. If possible, aim to land in San Juan in the early afternoon so you have time to settle in and enjoy the city!
Car Rental & Check-In
Once you land, grab your luggage and head to the car rental area to either pick up your car or take a shuttle to the rental center off-site. This can take away, so plan on at least an hour to get your car if there’s a line or it’s off-site.
Then, head to your accommodations for the evening to drop off your suitcase and any valuables, since you never want to leave those in your car for long. We stayed at this adorable AirBnb about 15 minutes from Old Town. It was such a cute little apartment, and we appreciated the security and community amenities.
Evening in Old San Juan
Once you’re checked in, get ready and head out to explore Old San Juan for the afternoon and evening! This charming area has plenty to keep you occupied with its colorful streets, countless restaurants and cafes, street entertainment, castles, and more!
Keep in mind that some popular activities (like the castle) may be closed by the time you make it over here. But you’ll still be able to shop and walk around. I highly recommend exploring the area around Plaza Colon and Calle de la Fortaleza to see the castles, take a picture with the I Love SJ sign or some parrots, and enjoy the rainbow-colored buildings. You’ll need to park your car in one of the public lots, but they’re pretty cheap and conveniently located.
For dinner, I recommend checking out Juana la Loca, which has a really cool vibe and an incredible menu! Work off the calories with a stroll along the waterfront before you head back to your car and call it a night.
Day 2: El Yunque + Bioluminescent Bay in Fajardo
On your second day, pack up and hit the road to El Yunque, the only rainforest in America’s park system! It’s only about an hour away from San Juan, and there are plenty of spots to grab a quick, authentic breakfast along the way.
El Yunque Rainforest Tour
You can certainly hike around El Yunque on your own. But if you want a bit of guaranteed adventure and some expert guidance, you can’t miss this Waterfalls, Waterslide, and Rope Swing Tour!
This self-drive tour lasts approximately 4 hours and includes a guided hike through the beautiful trails of El Yunque. It culminates with sliding down a waterfall, cliff jumping, and a rope swing! And for $33-$45, it’s an absolute steal!
Want to save an extra 5% on this tour? Download the Get Your Guide App and use code CARRIEDAWAYTRAVELS5 to claim your discount! (Discount is only valid for new app users.)
Luquillo Kiosks
Once you’re done with your wild rainforest adventure, dry off and drive to the Luquillo Kiosks for lunch and shopping. This open-air shopping center has 60 family-owned kiosks that sell everything from local food and drinks to unique souvenirs. It’s a great place for lunch, and you’ll have no shortage of great spots to choose from. I recommend Antojitos and Passion Berry for delicious frituras, followed by dessert.
Bio Bay Kayaking Tour
When you’ve hit your limit, check into your accommodations in Fajardo and grab a power nap because a nighttime tour of the world’s only bioluminescent lagoon is next on the list! Puerto Rico has 3 of the world’s best bioluminescent bays, and you won’t want to miss the chance to see at least one.
Book a tour (well in advance) with Puerto Rico Bio Bay Tours, and try to aim for a moonless night because that’s when the waters really shine! The tour lasts about 2 hours as you paddle through calm waterways bordered by mangroves until you reach the lagoon and get to see this awesome phenomenon!
Tickets start at $85 and include all the equipment you need, plus multiple guides! However, they tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to book early if possible.
**Want to save an extra 5% on this tour? Download the Get Your Guide App and use code CARRIEDAWAYTRAVELS5 to claim your discount! (Discount is only valid for new app users.)
See my full El Yunque tour review here!
See my full Bio Bay Kayaking tour review here!
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Day 3: Snorkeling, Scenic Drives & Ponce by Night
Vieques Snorkeling
Start day 3 off strong with one more guided tour–this time to the gorgeous island of Vieques for some snorkeling! Alternatively, you can take the public ferry and find your own snorkeling spot, but I highly recommend a morning tour with Pure Adventure.
This incredible tour will take you directly to the quiet Playa Punta Arenas, home to an epic coral reef filled with tropical fish! You’ll be able to swim around the reef for about an hour while the crew prepares a midday meal to enjoy, before heading out to deeper waters in search of turtles, rays, and more! At $134 per person, it’s the priciest tour on the list, but it includes transportation, equipment, and tons of food and drinks (including alcoholic beverages) throughout the trip.
Mountain Road Trip
If you’re not dried off, find a place to change (there are several gas stations nearby), grab some lunch or car snacks, and get ready for a gorgeous 2-hour trip through the Puerto Rico mountains! While the roads are often windy and narrow, the views are nothing short of epic.
You can head straight to Ponce for the evening, or tack on a short detour to La Curva del Arbol, a tree swing overlooking a lush valley. It’s free, and well worth the few extra minutes, in my opinion!
Evening in Ponce
When you arrive in Ponce, check into your hotel (we stayed at the eclectic Fox Hotel) so you can park your car. I recommend choosing something close to Plaza La Delicias because there’s plenty to see in a small area, and local officers patrol it in the evening.
After that, the evening is yours! I recommend taking a walk around the plazas, visiting Parque de Bombas, and browsing through some local shops. If you want to venture out, there’s also a fascinating mansion nearby and several cultural and art centers.
If you do stay at the Fox Hotel, be sure to leave some time to explore this Art Deco theatre turned pop-culture hotel! It has tons of funky artwork, an arcade, several on-site restaurant kiosks, and lots of seating space. It wasn’t my favorite stay for comfort, but the vibes were pretty awesome.
For dinner, you have to check out En Las Papas, a local food cart that whips up some pretty incredible starch-based creations. They have burritos, bowls, fries, and more, loaded with meat and veggies. At their recommendation, we got a beef burrito filled with potatoes, plantains, cheese, and veggies. And as promised, each half was the size of a burger, so there was plenty for the two of us.
Full articles on our snorkeling tour and Ponce coming soon! Sign up for free to get notified when they drop!
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Day 4: Waterfalls, Salt Flats & West Coast Arrival
After several days of being on the go, today is all about relaxation and views!
El Salto Collores Waterfall
Just 30 minutes from Ponce, you’ll find an incredible waterfall on private property called El Salto Collores. The drive here is also a little bit of an adventure, and cell service can be spotty, so definitely download your maps beforehand. However, once you arrive, you might not want to leave!
This 30-foot fall drops into a beautiful pool filled with brightly colored fish before cascading down into a river that flows through the property. It’s perfect for swimming and soaking up sun on the rocks. However, you can also take a trail on the right to the top of the falls to see more small pools and even jump down the waterfall–at your own risk, though!
Parking is $10, and you can stay as long as you like! The owner has also built up the area with little shelters, seating areas, and rustic bathrooms that guests are free to use.
South Coast Beach Hopping
Once you’re done here, hit the road and head to the beach! The south coast of Puerto Rico has some beautiful, rocky beaches that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. However, most tourists never make it this far, so you’ll only be sharing them with the locals.
I recommend Playa de Tamarindo and Playa Ballena in Guayanilla, which are both at the end of a coastal road that has amazing views.
Playa de Tamarindo borders a cool wetland area with a boardwalk and trails where you’re almost guaranteed to see lizards, water birds, and giant crabs as you make your way to the beach. Playa Ballena has two beaches: a small crescent-shaped beach tucked into the curve of the shoreline and a longer beach that stretches out for a little way. They’re divided by a cool rock formation that you should definitely explore as well. Both are great for swimming, snorkeling, etc. And with low crowds, you won’t have a problem finding beach space.
Las Salinas
If you’re tired of swimming and have the energy for one more low-key adventure, start heading toward Aguadilla for the evening and make a short detour to Las Salinas (the salt flats) in Cabo Rojo.
Why would you do this? To see the pink salt! It’s so cool, although the number of pink flats depends a lot on the weather and the presence of microorganisms. You can access the salt flats any time of day, but be mindful to visit responsibly and not walk on the salt. There are walkways built up between the flats to give you easy access around the area, so be sure to stay on them.
If you get there early enough in the day, you can visit the Interpretation Center, which shares information about the local salt flats and how the salt is harvested. There’s also a nearby observation tower from which you can look out over the salt flats. One final note: be ready for the smell, which is quite strong and “swamp-like.”
Overnight Stay in Bella Noni B&B
End your day with an overnight stay in Aguadilla. We spent our evening at Bella Noni B&B, and I legitimately wished we had another night there! We booked their private cabana, which featured a private walkway and seating area, a comfy queen-sized bed, a newly renovated bathroom, and even a coffee bar! The entire property is gated, and there are great community amenities like a pool, outdoor seating, and garden areas. It’s also very close to town, so it’s easy to access food and nightlife.
For more information on my favorite Puerto Rico beaches, check out this article!
A full review of the Bella Noni B&B is coming soon, so stay tuned!
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Day 5: Snorkeling, Horseback Riding & the Surf Coast
You’ll be spending plenty of time on the beach today, so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen!
Snorkeling at Tres Palmas Reserve
If you thought Vieques Island was cool, wait until you see the incredible coral reef at Steps Beach on the Tres Palmas Reserve! This expansive reef has so many types of coral and aquatic plants, not to mention thousands of tropical fish! It’s also home to sharks, turtles, and terrapins (all of which we saw during our visit). And if you’re lucky, you might even see dolphins or whales offshore.
You can certainly explore here on your own if you have the equipment, but I was so glad we booked a tour with a local guide. He had a great eye for spotting cool sea creatures that we definitely would have missed without him.
The tour lasts for 2 hours and includes snorkeling equipment and a guide for just $54 per person. Tours are also limited to a max of 10 people, which is always a plus (we had the tour entirely to ourselves).
Beach Time
After your tour, you can certainly hang out in the area for a while longer, or move on to some of Puerto Rico’s other west-coast beaches.
If you want to lie out on the sand and explore Spanish ruins, head to Punta Borinquen Beach. This gorgeous cliffside beach has plenty of parking, local food vendors, turquoise waters, and lots of space to spread out. It’s a great place to just chill and enjoy the waves. But if you want to stretch your legs, a short walk through the bordering forest will lead you to a lookout tower with incredible views, plus the ruins of an old Spanish lighthouse from the 1800s.
For those who’d rather surf, Surfer’s Beach is the obvious choice. This rugged beach has intense waves that are perfect for surfers, plus a wooded trail that provides the only access to nearby Survival Beach, a secluded spot with cool rock formations. Neither of these is great for swimming due to the waves, but they have their perks. Keep in mind, the drive to Surfer’s Beach is rather intense, and the “parking lot” had some of the biggest potholes we saw on the island. So drive safely, and I definitely recommend you only do it with an SUV or truck.
Afternoon Horseback Riding in Isabela
After you’ve spent a few hours soaking up the sun, head over to Tropical Trail Rides for a relaxing horseback tour through the rainforest and along the beach!
The knowledgeable staff will match you up with a horse based on your size and previous riding experience to ensure every guest has a safe and enjoyable time. They also divide the tours into 2-3 different groups to avoid a crowded feel and make sure each guide can keep an eye on everyone. This fantastic tour lasts for about 2 hours, and includes photos with your group on the beach!
Tip: You can also book directly through Tropical Trail Rides and let them know you’ll pay in cash on the day of to receive a discount.
Spend the Night in Hatillo
After your tour, I recommend spending the night somewhere between Hatillo and Manati to be in a good starting position for Day 6. We booked an adorable hotel in Hatillo that was way nicer than I initially realized! It was one of the most modern places we stayed at, and I loved the decor. It was a bit noisy, but I’d definitely stay there again. Also, the included breakfast had some phenomenal choices!
Links coming soon for my full reviews on our Tres Palmas Snorkeling Tour and the Horseback Riding Tour!
For more info on Punta Borinquen Beach, check out this post.
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Day 6: Thrills at Toro Verde & Mountain Town Charm
Day 6 is all about adrenaline rushes and epic views in the center of Puerto Rico!
Toro Verde Adventure Park
Kick off your day with an early start at Toro Verde Adventure Park in Orocovis! This incredible mountain-top park is packed with fascinating attractions, from ziplines to zipwire bikes! You can easily spend an entire day here, zipping through the tree tops and soaring over lush valleys in various ways.
If you can only do a couple of things, I highly recommend El Monstruo, which is the longest zipline in the USA, and used to hold the Guinness World Record for the longest zipline in the world! You’ll fly across the valleys of Orocovis in Superman-style (on your stomach) at speeds up to 90 mph! If that’s a bit too much, try La Bestia, which offers a similar experience but only goes up to 60 mph. The 2-hour zipline tour and the Toro Bikes are also great choices!
After you’ve had your fill of thrills at Toro Verde, head to the nearby town of Barranquitas for more amazing mountain views. If you have time for a hike, San Cristobal Canyon is a popular choice. Otherwise, check into your accommodations and enjoy a relaxing evening in the area. We stayed at this boutique hotel, which was built right into the mountain and had the most incredible views of the area. The room was super-clean and comfy, too. My biggest complaint was the lack of amenities and poor shower design.
And for dinner, I recommend checking out the Old Castle–the food and staff were great!
Click here to read my full review of Toro Verde Adventure Park!
Day 7: Hidden Gems on the Southeast Coast
Today is another beach-hopping day, with a focus on unique and quiet spots that most people miss in Puerto Rico!
Beach Hop at Playa Punta del Viento & Playa California
Start your morning with an adventurous journey to Playa Punto del Viento, a quiet reserve with incredible tide pools and ocean life! To access this beach, you’ll need to drive down a long, one-lane dirt road through some pretty thick forest. It looks intimidating, but it’s not bad. Once you arrive, you’ll pretty much have the whole place to yourself, which feels amazing with the lush palm trees and the mountain in the background.
Spend some time just soaking up the sun, splashing around the shallows, or exploring the beach and tide pools! There are tons of crabs, tropical fish, mussels, barnacles, urchins, and more just waiting to be discovered, thanks to the rock formations right off the beach.
From here, drive just a few minutes down the road to Playa California, a quiet gem that’s also a turtle nesting site! If you’re lucky, you might see some nests taped off for safety, or even some turtles swimming up to shore! This isn’t a great area for human swimming, however, so stay safely on the beach where you can soak up some premium sun rays without another tourist in sight, take long walks down the beach, and simply enjoy the tropical scenery.
Hike to Punta Icacos Canyon
If you’re in the mood for another amazing view, head to the Palmas del Mar resort community. At the end of Palmas Drive, you’ll find a dirt trail that leads you away from the resort and to a cliffside peninsula, where you’ll find Punta Icacos Canyon. It’s an epic rock formation jutting out of the ocean, surrounded by beautiful blue waters and covered with lush foliage. There is a small side trail where you can climb down the cliffs to some flat rocks for another incredible view of the canyon and Las Palmas spreading out across the cliffs in the distance. It only takes 10-15 minutes to walk here, and the views are really spectacular.
Evening in San Juan
Finally, head back to San Juan for one final night in the city! You can spend your time browsing the shops you missed, head to a sunset salsa dancing class, or check out the local nightlife. There is plenty to choose from–just make sure you sign up in advance for any classes or tours you want to hit on your last day, so they don’t sell out.
For more information on Playa Punta del Viento and Playa California, check out my Puerto Rico beach guide!
Day 8: One Last Look at San Juan
For your final day in Puerto Rico, I suggest booking an afternoon flight so you can fit in one last morning of adventure in San Juan before you go. And if you haven’t already squeezed them in, the local castillos are the perfect choice!
If you’re looking for a good last breakfast, definitely check out Cafe Ron, which serves up delicious coffee and sandwiches. I highly recommend their tripleta and Mallorca grilled cheese. Yum!
After that, head to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. It costs $10 per person, but your entry fee covers entrance to Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, most of the city walls, the San Juan Gate, and Fort San Juan de la Cruz because they’re all part of the San Juan National Historic Site. So you can definitely fill your day with fascinating history for a very low fee.
The Castillo San Felipe is such a cool spot, with incredible architecture, lots of history, and fantastic views of both the water and the city. There’s plenty to see here, from stone barracks and old weapons to triangular staircases and the iconic towers.
If you have time, hit one or two of the other historical landmarks, but whatever you do, don’t move your car! Parking in Old San Juan fills up fast during the day, and if you leave your spot, you might never find another one (speaking from unfortunate experience). So make sure you have good walking shoes on and just embrace those extra steps. It’s much less stressful.
After that, just leave plenty of time to drop off your rental car (minimum of 30 minutes) and take the shuttle back to the airport. We didn’t have much trouble getting through the airport and security, but it’s always smart to arrive 2 hours prior. There are some shops to poke around while you wait if you do need something to pass the time.
Coming soon: Castillo San Felipe Guide for First-Time Visitors
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Closing Thoughts on a Puerto Rico Road Trip
If you follow this itinerary, you will be treating yourself to a little bit of everything Puerto Rico has to offer, from food and views to unforgettable adventures! And, you’ll be among the few people who ditch the basic tourist traps of San Juan for more meaningful experiences.
What do you think of this road trip? Let me know in the comments below, and feel free to leave any questions there, too. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. And if you’d like to see footage of all these cool activities in action, be sure to take a peek at my latest YouTube video. Trust me, everything is even cooler in those videos!
Watch My 8-Day Puerto Rico Roadtrip Guide!
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Until the next time, thanks for stopping by, and I wish you many happy travels!
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