Puerto Rico Itinerary for 10 Days: Ultimate Guide & Suggestions 2024 (2024)

Are you planning Your Itinerary for 10 Days in Puerto Rico?

A few years ago, my husband and I visited Puerto Rico for eight full days, and we wish we could have stayed longer. At least 10 days would have been perfect!

Puerto Rico doesn’t have the nickname Isla del Encanto (“Isle of Enchantment”) for nothing. The island has a way of pulling you in and making you never want to leave.

Are you interested in beaches, mountains, rainforests, caves, cliffs, or…fields of cacti? Puerto Rico has it all. In this post, I highlight the things we did during our eight-day stay, as well as a few other things we would have loved to do with a couple more days.

I am transparent in this post about the activities I didn’t personally experience. I only mention things that I would do myself if I ever go back to Puerto Rico — which I really hope happens because I loved it there so much! To this day, my husband and I say it’s one of the best trips we ever took.

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

Puerto Rico Itinerary: 10 Days

This itinerary assumes you will have 10 full days in Puerto Rico, not counting your travel days. I ordered the days based on geographic location.

On Days 1-4, you’ll be in San Juan and the eastern side of Puerto Rico. For Days 5-9, you’ll drive west around the island until you circle back up to San Juan for Day 10.

Day 1: Explore San Juan

For your first full day in Puerto Rico, take some time to explore the vibrant capital city of San Juan!

What to See

A highlight area of the city is Old San Juan, where you will find the San Juan National Historic Site.

The site includes two historic Spanish fortresses — Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal — connected by 3.4 miles of old city walls. An entry ticket will get you into both fortresses.

Views outside of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Just outside Castillo San Felipe del Morro is Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery, one of the most beautiful cemeteries I’ve ever seen. It’s been the final resting place of many prominent Puerto Rico natives and residents since 1863.

For a deeper dive into Puerto Rico’s history, 🚶‍♀️take a walking tour of Old San Juan while enjoying the colorful buildings and cobblestone streets.

Where to Stay

Below are a few hotel options in or near San Juan, depending on your price range.

Note: We stayed at the Hyatt Place Bayamon the entire time we were in Puerto Rico. It was about a 15-minute drive from downtown San Juan, and we didn’t mind driving from there to other parts of the island each day. We preferred that to packing our stuff to move to a new hotel every day or two.

The maximum distance from San Juan to anywhere else on the island is about three hours (to Cabo Rojo, for example), but most of the places I share in this itinerary are not as far away.

However, if you don’t enjoy all the back-and-forth driving, I also include local hotel recommendations where applicable in this 10-day itinerary.

Day 2: Take the ferry to Culebra Island

Did you know Puerto Rico is actually an archipelago, or a collection of islands (143 to be exact!)? Aside from the main island, only two others are inhabited: Vieques and Culebra.

On Day 2, hop on a 45-minute ferry from Ceiba to Culebra for the perfect beach day. A round-trip ticket is only about $5!

Ceiba is a one-hour drive from San Juan. You can park your car in the lot near the terminal for $5, too. (Bring cash!)

Beaches to visit

Flamenco Beach has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with its soft white sand and brilliant turquoise water.

Tamarindo Beach is about a 20-minute walk south of Flamenco Beach, and it was one of our favorite beaches for snorkeling. We saw a bunch of stingrays here!

I have read that Playa Zoni is just as beautiful as Flamenco Beach but not as crowded. However, there are no amenities such as food stands and bathrooms like there are at Flamenco.

How to get around on Culebra

We got a taxi at the ferry terminal that took us to Flamenco Beach (I don’t remember how much it was but it wasn’t expensive). Then we walked to Tamarindo Beach and took a taxi back to the ferry terminal.

A lot of people rent bikes or Jeeps for the day. There are shops for either option near the ferry terminal.

Where to Stay

For convenience, you may want to stay the night in Fajardo — a 9-minute drive from Ceiba — as Day 3 involves a trip to Vieques island from the same ferry terminal as Culebra.

Day 3: Hop over to Vieques Island

You can get on the ferry to Vieques from the Ceiba ferry terminal as well. The trip takes about only about 30 minutes.

Beaches to visit

Caracas Beach: This is where we spent the entire day swimming and snorkeling. We chose to keep things simple and were happy to camp here all day. The beach wasn’t very crowded, so it felt like we had the place to ourselves.

For crystal-clear blue water, you could also stop by the highly-rated Blue Beach (Playa La Chiva). But I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the beaches here. 🙂

We didn’t make it to Mosquito Bay either, but apparently it’s one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world. If you want to stay overnight on Vieques, this bio bay tour might be worth it! But see Day 4 for another bio bay option.

How to get around on Vieques

Similar to Culebra, you can choose to take a taxi or rent a car, scooter or bicycle to get around the island. Contact information for various transportation companies can be found on the Vieques website.

Day 4: Visit El Yunque National Forest + Bioluminescent Bay

El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Park System and spans more than 28,000 acres.

If you plan to visit with a rental car, reserve your spot through Recreation.gov in advance to ensure availability.

You can also book a guided bus tour to El Yunque from San Juan, which is what we did. The tour took us to a few key scenic stops in the forest:

• Yokahu Observation Tower: This is one of two observation towers in the forest. At an elevation of 1,575 feet, you’ll get stunning views of El Yunque from the top.

• Cascada La Mina: The La Mina Trail is one of the most popular trails in El Yunque, taking you along the La Mina River toward La Mina Falls. The falls are 35 feet high with a large pool at the bottom that you can swim in.

  Note: As of October 2022, the La Mina Trail is closed for repairs.

• Cascada La Coca: This waterfall drops 85 feet and has a lovely, wispy appearance. When we were here, a bride and groom were taking pictures in front of it. 🙂 You’ll be able to see the falls from the road, but no swimming is allowed—the rocks are very slippery!

After El Yunque, our tour included a kayaking excursion to the famous bioluminescent bay (Laguna Grande) in Fajardo.

To be honest, we were a bit underwhelmed by the bio bay tour, but so many people rave about the experience. On the night we went, we didn’t see very much glow from the dinoflagellates.

We also weren’t experienced kayakers and struggled to navigate through the mangroves in the darkness. (I’m sure we were entertaining to the pro kayakers among us.)

Note: Bring a change of clothes for the bio bay tour as you will have to wade in the water waist-deep to get to your kayak.

🛶 Book your El Yunque & Bio Bay Combo tour

Note: The tour linked above is not the exact one we took but very similar.

Where to stay

After your bio bay tour ends, you could either stay the night in Fajardo or drive back to San Juan. Day 5 will take you about 34 miles west of San Juan.

Day 5: Explore Los Tubos Beach and Chorro de Doña Juana Waterfall

Now that you’ve explored some key places on the eastern side of Puerto Rico, it’s time to head west!

Start with a stop by Los Tubos Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Puerto Rico. It’s not far from the town of Manati and is a surfer’s paradise.

From Manati, you can drive south to see the Chorro de Doña Juana waterfall, which is visible from the road. The waterfall is a series of three water chutes and seems to be a beautiful sight to see, but we did not make it here. We drove straight to Cueva Ventana.

Cueva Ventana was a highlight of our trip to Puerto Rico. The name literally translates to “Window Cave,” which makes sense when you look at the picture below.

Where to stay

The towns of Arecibo and Islote are not far from today’s adventures:

Day 6: See Gozalandia Falls, Guajataca Tunnel, and Jobos Beach

We didn’t make it to the northwestern side of Puerto Rico, but if we ever go back, these are the three places we would want to see in one day:

• Gozalandia Falls is a series of waterfalls and small pools where you can hike and swim, and one of the waterfall pools has a rope swing. It’s one of the most popular waterfalls in Puerto Rico.
• Walk through an old railroad tunnel, Guajataca Tunnel, which was used to transport items between the towns of Isabela and Quebradillas in the early 1900s.

  Apparently Guajataca Beach, which you’ll reach at the end of the tunnel, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. It’s not safe for swimming because of all the rocks and turbulent water — but its beauty can be enjoyed from the shore. 🙂

• Jobos Beach also seems to be popular with locals, with several beach bars nearby to grab a bite to eat.

Where to stay

Stay in the relaxed beach town of Isabela on this night before heading to the southwest coast on Day 7.

Day 7: Catch the sunset on the cliffs of Cabo Rojo

Start Day 7 of this 10-day itinerary by driving down the western coast of Puerto Rico and stop in Rincón, a popular surf town with some cool art galleries.

If you aren’t beached out yet, swing by El Combate Beach a little further south for calmer water that’s supposedly great for snorkeling.

Another favorite place in our Puerto Rico itinerary was the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse. The surrounding landscape felt like the Caribbean Cliffs of Moher. I recommend visiting right before sunset for the most breathtaking ocean views. Just don’t get too close to the edge! It’s a long way down. 🙂

Where to stay

The town of Cabo Rojo is just 20 minutes away from Cabo Rojo Lighthouse, and Boqueron is just a few minutes farther north.

Day 8: Tour the city of Ponce

Another place I wish we had time to see: the United Nations International Biosphere Reserve called El Bosque Estatal de Guánica. There are more than 600 different species of animals and plants in this 9,000-acre reserve. It’s open every day during daylight hours and free to the public.

After enjoying a few peaceful hours in nature, drive to Ponce, Puerto Rico’s second-largest city after San Juan. I hear Plaza Las Delicias is a must-see, with its beautiful colonial buildings and the unique Parque de Bombas structure, a museum converted from an old fire station.

If you’d rather learn from a knowledgeable guide, consider this walking tour of Ponce.

Other possible activities in Ponce include touring the Serrallés Castle or the Hacienda Buena Vista coffee plantation.

Where to stay

Below are some highly rated hotels in or near Ponce.

Day 9: Soak up the sun at Caja de Muertos

After more than a week of nonstop touring, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed a day at the secluded inlet off the coast of Ponce, called Caja de Muertos.

Book a tour on a catamaran that drops you off close to the stunning Pelicano Beach, a Blue Flag beach that is known for its clear water and amazing snorkeling.

You can hike around most of the inlet, including to the highest point that has a lookout tower with amazing views from all sides.

Note: Caja de Muertos is uninhabited and doesn’t have any restaurants, so you will want to pack your own food. However, there are restrooms available.

🚤 Book your Caja de Muertos tour

Where to stay

After spending the day at Caja de Muertos, you could either stay one more night in Ponce or drive the 1.5 hours back to San Juan before your last full day in Puerto Rico.

Day 10: Relax in San Juan OR Visit Cayo Icacos

By now, you may be tired of moving around and just want to take it easy in San Juan.

BUT if you still feel the need to explore, there is one more place you might want to visit: Cayo Icacos. (I wish we had made it here!)

Cayo Icacos is one of the most popular of the cays surrounding Puerto Rico. You would drive 45 minutes to Fajardo and then take a 30-minute boat ride to the cay.

That sounds like a lot of work, but once you are there, you will likely experience instant relaxation on the pristine beaches. There are no restaurants on Cayo Icacos, but if you book a chartered boat tour, food will be provided on board.

🚤 Book your Cayo Icacos tour

Puerto Rico Itinerary Map

The map below illustrates the territory covered in this 10-day Puerto Rico itinerary.

Click More options to open a separate Google Maps tab, which will allow you to view each item in detail. You can add or remove items from the map to customize your itinerary to your liking. Have fun!

FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions about Puerto Rico.

How many days do I need in Puerto Rico?

To scratch the surface of all there is to see in Puerto Rico, you will want at least one week there. My husband and I were in Puerto Rico for eight full days and would have loved a couple extra days. Hence, why I crafted this 10-day itinerary for you! It includes all the activities we would have done in 10 days.

Is Puerto Rico safe?

We never felt unsafe during our time in Puerto Rico. Exercise caution like you would in any other place, like staying away from secluded areas after dark, and you should be fine.

The question of safety is always an interesting one, since there is risk everywhere, especially when you are in unpredictable nature. But in terms of violent crime, theft, and things like that, we didn’t feel threatened.

Is Puerto Rico expensive?

Puerto Rico is one of the most affordable places I have visited. Accommodations and food are not overpriced, and so many of the activities listed in this 10-day itinerary are cheap or completely free.

Flights to Puerto Rico from the United States are also not that expensive. For example, you can fly nonstop from Boston to San Juan for under $200!

If you are craving a tropical getaway that won’t break the bank, Puerto Rico is a fantastic option.

Is Puerto Rico cheaper than Hawaii for vacation?

I can confidently say yes to this one. We have been to both places for similar lengths of time and spent a lot more money in Hawaii than in Puerto Rico.

Not only is the airfare to Hawaii more expensive, but lodging, food, and car rentals are pricier, too. Puerto Rico is a great place to visit on a budget.

Do I need a passport to go to Puerto Rico?

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you do not need a passport. However, Real ID goes into effect in May 2023, so if you plan to travel to Puerto Rico with a driver’s license, you will want to make sure it is Real ID compliant.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, then a passport is required to enter Puerto Rico.

How To Get Around Puerto Rico

Should you rent a car or take public transportation during your 10-day Puerto Rico itinerary?

Renting a Car

We really enjoyed the freedom of having our own car. It allowed us to travel at our own pace instead of studying public transportation timetables.

The rules of the road in Puerto Rico are very similar to the USA mainland, so we had no trouble driving there. I don’t recall paying much for public parking anywhere either, so for us, renting a car was a cost-effective and convenient way to get around.

🚗 Reserve your rental car for Puerto Rico

Public Transportation

There are buses and a light rail system (Tren Urbano) in the San Juan metro area. Tickets for both can be purchased at a Tren Urbano station. A bus fare costs 75 cents and light rail costs $1.50 per ride. Transfers between buses and light rail are free within two hours of the last ride.

Outside of San Juan, public transportation options are more limited. Unless you are part of an organized bus tour, you will likely be better off renting a car.

Wrap-up

To this day, Puerto Rico remains at the top of our list of favorite travel destinations. There’s something special about this place.

We loved the freedom of having a car and driving all around the island, not being bound to anyone else’s schedule. While this 10-day Puerto Rico itinerary aims to orient you around the island and highlights some of the key sights, it is by no means meant to keep you locked in.

If you notice something interesting along your journey, don’t hesitate to stop! Buy fresh bananas from a booth along the road. Take pictures at a scenic viewpoint. Grab food from a restaurant that catches your attention.

These are all things that enriched our trip and made us fall all the more in love with the Isla de Encanto.

Enjoyed this post? You may also like Babymoon in Santorini: A Relaxed Itinerary.

PLANNING A TRIP?
These are the resources I recommend:
✈️ Flights:Skyscanner
🛌 Hotels:Booking.com
​🚗 Rental cars:DiscoverCars
🎟 Tours: ViatororGetYourGuide