The 15 Best Places to Visit in Puerto Rico for First-Time Visitors

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When most people travel to Puerto Rico, they often stay at a beachside resort near the capital. While this is a relaxing option, there’s so much more to explore across the island! We ventured across the island and uncovered the best places to visit in Puerto Rico for first-time visitors.

We’ve compiled a list of must-see destinations to add to your itinerary. To truly experience the island’s beauty, we recommend doing some traveling, as Puerto Rico offers a wealth of incredible sights beyond the resorts.

Here are 15 of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico for first-time visitors on your next trip!

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Basic Info for Experiencing the Best Places to Visit in Puerto Rico

Before diving into all of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico, let’s take a look at what makes the island special, and what the different areas offer.

⭐️ What is Puerto Rico Best Known For?

Other than the famous Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico has always been known as a popular tropical getaway. It’s part of the US, which means it’s an easy escape for Americans wanting some warm weather.

Puerto Rico is known for its beautiful beaches, San Juan’s colonial architecture, and being home to the only rainforest in the US.

But apart from all of the top reasons visitors flock to Puerto Rico, the island has so much more to offer. From rich culture to lush landscapes, there are plenty of reasons to add Puerto Rico to your bucket list!

❣️ Where are the Best Places to Visit in Puerto Rico?

There is not “best place to visit” in Puerto Rico. Each area has something unique to offer! The north is where you’ll find the capital with tons of history, culture, and nightlife. The east is the gateway to local beaches and nearby islands, and the west is a haven for surfers, turtles, and incredible beaches.

Head south and you’ll explore authentic cities and a whole other side of Puerto Rico that most tourists miss. Want to experience some raw nature and hidden gems? A lot of them are tucked away in the mountains and jungle areas of Puerto Rico in the heart of the island.

We’ve experienced all sides of Puerto Rico – and are here to share all of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico, so you can choose which ones are right for your trip.

The Best Places to Visit in Puerto Rico for First-Time Visitors

Ready to explore the best places to visit in Puerto Rico? Whether you’re craving the best beaches on the island, experiencing local gems, or exploring the beautiful waterfalls of Puerto Rico, there is something for everyone here.

1. San Juan

When looking for the best places to visit in Puerto Rico, the first place that always comes to mind is the capital, San Juan. Being a major transport hub and cruise port, it makes for the perfect place to start or end your trip in Puerto Rico.

The best part of San Juan is definitely the Old Town, where you can really experience the vibrant culture, delicious food, and rich history. Wander the colorful streets, check out the huge fortress, or try some of the local cuisine.

With all of the incredible things to do in San Juan and plenty of unique tours in the area, you can never get bored in this great city! Not only that, but getting around San Juan is easy, and you can also take some really fun day trips from Puerto Rico’s capital.

2. El Yunque

No trip to Puerto Rico is complete without a visit to this beautiful place. With an average rainfall of 120 inches a year, there is a very diverse ecosystem, hosting hundreds of unique plant and animal species.

El Yunque National Forest is the only rainforest in the US, and has lush greenery, scenic trails, and some of the best waterfalls in Puerto Rico.

You can either rent a car and go on your own, or you can join one of the many organized tours to El Yunque from San Juan.

3. Rincon

Rincon is one of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico for first-time visitors that love the beach. It is a major surfing hub, and is home to various surfing competitions and beach festivals.

Apart from surfing, Rincon is the ultimate destination for those looking for local vibes, and is also popular for its turtle population.

4. Culebra

Culebra is a small island paradise situated 17 km off the coast of the main island of Puerto Rico. With Flamenco beach being one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Puerto Rico, and its rich marine life, this island is the perfect day trip from the mainland. 

Ferries run here very frequently from the town of Ceiba and only cost a couple of dollars. The ride is pretty short, making it very accessible, and there are also some hotels in the area if you’d like to spend the night.

5. Vieques

Vieques is another amazing island of Puerto Rico, which lies right near Culebra. The ferry runs from the same dock, and the ride is less than an hour.

Vieques is a must for those who want to see its stunning bioluminescent bay or its black sand beach, and it is one of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico for first-time visitors and locals alike. 

This island is perfect to spend a day or two, and has quite a few options for accommodation.

 

6. Fajardo

Fajardo is the most popular area on the East side of the island, and is known for its gorgeous beaches and lighthouse. Some of the best beaches to check out are the primary ones, Seven Seas and La Zanja, or there are more pristine ones that you can hike to such as Playa Escondida and Playa Colora.

Head to El Malecon for more of a hidden gem right near Fajardo, and eat at the food truck, featuring some of the best sandwiches on the island. Monkey Island is another cool place to check out while you are in the area.

7. Ponce

Ponce is the second biggest city in Puerto Rico, and is located in the South Central coast of the island. Check out the main square for Parque del Bomberos and one of the best ice cream cones in Puerto Rico. There is also a castle and a giant cross, where you can get the best views of the city.

Want to see some seriously stunning beaches? Check out the array of islets that are scattered nearby Ponce. Want to dig a little more into nature? Head a little north to Adjuntas for the highest point of Puerto Rico, and some great waterfalls and swimming holes.

Ponce is not only one of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico for first-time visitors, but a great one to use as a home base for a few days.

8. Yauco

If you like color, then this is the spot for you! Inside the city of Yauco is a small neighborhood called “Yaucromatic” that celebrates the vibrance of art and culture with its colorfully painted houses, stairs, and even the odd tree. Local artists have created this project just a few years ago, and it is really a sight to see!

9. Cabo Rojo

Cabo Rojo is located in the south-western corner of the island, where you can find some seriously beautiful nature. In our opinion, it’s one of the very best places to visit in Puerto Rico, and super underrated.

Have you ever seen pink lakes? There are salt mines in Cabo Rojo that are an absolute must. Salinas de Cabo Rojo are located right off the side of the road, and can be entered free of charge. The bright pink pools can not be swam in, but nonetheless are a sight to see.

Cabo Rojo is also known for its stunning beaches, the colorful neighborhoods such as Boqueron and Buye, and another bioluminescent bay in the nearby city of La Parguera.

10. Mayaguez

Mayaguez is the largest city in the west of the island, and is home to the most famous bakery in Puerto Rico. Hang out in the main square, or head to the nearby islands of Isla de Ratones or Desecheo Island.

As some of the best places in visit in Puerto Rico are just a half hour to an hour away, this is also a great place to base yourself. If you’d like to be well connected with the beautiful areas like Cabo Rojo or Isabela, then this is the spot for you.

11. Isabela

This was one of our favorite places to visit in Puerto Rico that we had gone to as first-time visitors, especially since we didn’t have any expectations. 

Scattered with great beaches, the best one to check out is near Umas. Here you can enjoy the relaxed surfer vibes and really just take in the great atmosphere. See those rocks? Climb up to experience dramatic splashes.

12. San Sebastian

Located just south of Isabela, is one of the places to visit in Puerto Rico for first-time visitors if you want to skip the beach and have your daily dose of fresh water fun. 

Here you can find the stunning falls of Gozalandia, a beautiful lake (Lago Guajataca), and Salto Collazo, which is another great waterfall to stop by.

Gozalandia Falls

13. Arecibo

Arecibo is a great place to stop for a few hours while traveling between the north west of the island and the capital. Here you can find a spectacular waterfall, as well as the famous “window cave”. It features a large opening that looks like a window, and has dramatic views over the rainforest.

Some of our favorite places to visit in Puerto Rico are in Arecibo.

14. Aguadilla

Aguadilla is hands down one of our favorite places to visit in Puerto Rico. For first-time visitors it is perfect because it offers great food, unique beaches, colorful buildings, and friendly locals!

The small town features colorfully painted houses like that of Yaucromatic, and even has the streets around it covered in creative murals. Cerro Cabrera is definitely a place you will want to stop and take out your camera, and don’t miss out on the abandoned airplane!

It’s located just between Isabela and Mayaguez, Aguadilla has plenty of things to do in order to spend a couple of days there.

15. Utuado

We’ve chosen Utuado as one of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico for first-time visitors due to just how beautifully colorful it is! Walk up the rainbow stairs, or stop by the iconic Puerto Rican Flag building. You won’t want to miss out on some of our favorite Instagrammable spots in Puerto Rico while in Utuado.

Also, don’t miss out on the small acai shop just one block over from the main plaza!

We’d recommend pairing a stop in Utuado with Adjuntas or Arrecibo, which are two neighboring areas with some of the best waterfalls in Puerto Rico.

The Best Places to Visit in Puerto Rico: Final Tips & What’s Next

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👀 What’s Next?

We hope that you enjoyed our list of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico for first-time travelers, and that it has helped you map out a really fun trip!

Puerto Rico is full of lush greenery, turquoise waters, and breathtaking waterfalls, and has so much to offer its visitors.  Want to know more about cool places to visit in Puerto Rico? We have a ton of other Puerto Rico guides that you can check out.

Need help planning your trip? Let us help you save money and explore more with our travel planning services. Unlike other travel agencies, we charge one small flat fee instead of a huge commission. Want to know about how it works? Take a peek at some of our travel planning packages.

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