Ten Amazing Things to Do While in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island filled with adventure, beauty, and culture. Whether you are a sun-seeker adventurer or prefer art and culture, this island has something for everyone. You can book a holiday online to Puerto Rico, or go solo and explore the country. From hiking in a national park to indulging in fine chocolate and art, here are ten things to do in Puerto Rico.

Number 10: Go for a hike in El Yunque National Park

El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System. It is also home to the indigenous Coqui tree frogs and a few trees that produce the beautifully scented Ylang-Ylang flowers used in perfumes like Chanel.

Number 9: Have lunch in La Placita at Chef Jose Enrique’s Restaurant

This well-known restaurant is relatively casual but is known to have some of the best food on the island. Award-winning Chef Jose Enrique brings his master culinary skills to enrich traditional Puerto Rican dishes. The restaurant is conveniently located near the market, where Chef Enrique gets his fresh ingredients daily.

Number 8: Shop at El Mercado and La Placita

This quaint fruit and vegetable market has some hidden gems. You might even meet a medicine man named Hector Ruiz Xhosa who has a wealth of knowledge on how to heal all sorts of ailments the natural way.

Number 7: Have a cafecito at Cafe Quatro Sombras

Café Cuatro Sombras is a coffee shop located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, that is known for serving some of the best coffee on the island. The shop is dedicated to sourcing high-quality coffee beans from small-scale, sustainable coffee farmers in Latin America and creating an exceptional coffee experience for its customers.

The shop was founded by a group of friends who were passionate about coffee and wanted to share their love for it with others. They spent years travelling throughout Latin America to find the best coffee beans and establish relationships with small-scale coffee farmers who shared their commitment to sustainable and ethical coffee production.

Number 6: Visit Casa Cortez

Casa Cortez is a chocolate shop and art gallery located in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The shop is known for its fine chocolates made with locally sourced ingredients and its unique collection of contemporary Puerto Rican art. The shop was founded by Puerto Rican artist and chocolatier Julio Cortez in 2009. Julio was inspired by his love of art and his passion for creating unique, high-quality chocolates using traditional techniques and locally sourced ingredients. Visitors can sample a variety of artisanal chocolates, including dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate bars, and chocolate truffles. The shop also offers a range of speciality items, such as chocolate-covered coffee beans, cocoa nibs, and chocolate-covered fruits.

Number 5: Go to Piñones for authentic Puerto Rican street food

Puerto Rican street food is a vibrant and delicious part of the island’s culinary culture. It is a fusion of Spanish, African, and indigenous Taino flavours and techniques. The food is typically simple, fresh, and packed with flavour. Some popular street food dishes in Puerto Rico include: Alcapurrias, Empanadillas, Pinchos, Mofongo and many more.

Number 4: Visit the Botanical Gardens

Puerto Rico has an amazing bio-diverse climate that lends itself to an environment perfect for fragrant flowers, lush gardens, and magnificent Behram trees. A visit to the Botanical Gardens is a perfect way to experience the island’s lushness.

Number 3: Stay on Condado Beach

Condado Beach is one of the most famous and popular beaches in Puerto Rico. It is located in the Condado neighbourhood of San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico. This urban beach is easily accessible, with plenty of parking and a range of amenities nearby, including restaurants, shops, and hotels.

The beach itself is a long stretch of golden sand that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean are warm and inviting, making it an ideal spot to relax and unwind. Condado Beach is also known for its beautiful sunsets, which provide a stunning backdrop for romantic walks along the shore.

Number 2: Have a bioluminescence experience

Puerto Rico has three bioluminescent bays which contain millions of microorganisms called dinoflagellates that glow fluorescently in the dark when agitated. This is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Number 1: Explore the beaches

Puerto Rico is blessed with beautiful beaches around the entire island. Just a few steps away from my room at the San Juan Marriott is Condado Beach, the most famous beach on the island and my happy place.

Puerto Rico is an incredible island with a wealth of experiences to offer. From hiking in a national park to indulging in fine chocolate and art, exploring the beaches, and having a bioluminescence experience, there is something for everyone. So pack your bags, and head to Puerto Rico for a trip you won’t forget, but in the meanwhile do leave a comment below and tell us which of these things you would love to do!