last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Puerto Rico
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Location Map of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Puerto Rico has one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
San Juan National Historic Site (1983)
This site comprises forts, bastions, and walls of Old San Juan, along with La Fortaleza (16th century), which served as the official residence of the island’s governors.
This site comprises forts, bastions, and walls of Old San Juan, along with La Fortaleza (16th century), which served as the official residence of the island’s governors.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Aguadilla
One of the main beach resorts on the Porta del Sol, the tourist-friendly west coast of Puerto Rico. It’s a hotspot for beaches and surfing.
One of the main beach resorts on the Porta del Sol, the tourist-friendly west coast of Puerto Rico. It’s a hotspot for beaches and surfing.
Caguana
The most important archaeological site on the island and a testament to the Taíno civilization.
The most important archaeological site on the island and a testament to the Taíno civilization.
Caguas
Located about thirty kilometres south of San Juan, the city, founded in 1775, still features some remnants from that era.
Located about thirty kilometres south of San Juan, the city, founded in 1775, still features some remnants from that era.
Carolina
On the outskirts of San Juan, the city is home to the international airport, hotels, beaches, and casinos.
On the outskirts of San Juan, the city is home to the international airport, hotels, beaches, and casinos.
Fajardo
Fajardo is one of the Caribbean’s most important marinas. It also offers hotels, beaches, diving, kayaking in the mangroves, and connections to Vieques and Culebra.
Fajardo is one of the Caribbean’s most important marinas. It also offers hotels, beaches, diving, kayaking in the mangroves, and connections to Vieques and Culebra.
Guanica
In the southwest, the town is home to several pretty beaches, a forest reserve with mangroves, and an old fort.
In the southwest, the town is home to several pretty beaches, a forest reserve with mangroves, and an old fort.
Isabela
A small tourist town on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico, known for its beautiful setting, beaches, surfing, and nearby attractions (forest, lakes, caves...).
A small tourist town on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico, known for its beautiful setting, beaches, surfing, and nearby attractions (forest, lakes, caves...).
Mayagüez
It is the territory's third-largest city. Located on the west coast, it primarily serves as a base for exploring this part of Puerto Rico.
It is the territory's third-largest city. Located on the west coast, it primarily serves as a base for exploring this part of Puerto Rico.
Ponce
Puerto Rico’s second-largest city, located on the southern coast, Ponce boasts stunning architecture. Just offshore, the deserted and protected island of Caja de Muertos attracts visitors for its beaches. Nearby, you can explore several former plantations and the oldest Indigenous cemetery in the Caribbean at Tibes.
Puerto Rico’s second-largest city, located on the southern coast, Ponce boasts stunning architecture. Just offshore, the deserted and protected island of Caja de Muertos attracts visitors for its beaches. Nearby, you can explore several former plantations and the oldest Indigenous cemetery in the Caribbean at Tibes.
Rincon
North of Mayaguez, this is the best surf spot on the entire island and beyond. You can also see whales here at the start of the year.
North of Mayaguez, this is the best surf spot on the entire island and beyond. You can also see whales here at the start of the year.
San Germán
Between Ponce and Mayagüez, the town is known for its beautiful Spanish colonial architecture.
Between Ponce and Mayagüez, the town is known for its beautiful Spanish colonial architecture.
San Juan
The Puerto Rican capital, nestled in one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful bays, boasts a stunning colonial centre that has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Several beaches lie nearby. San Juan is also a traditional stop for many US cruises.
The Puerto Rican capital, nestled in one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful bays, boasts a stunning colonial centre that has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Several beaches lie nearby. San Juan is also a traditional stop for many US cruises.
"Dependencies"
Culebra
This small island east of Puerto Rico is a nature reserve home to turtles and birds. You can also enjoy its stunning beaches and go diving.
This small island east of Puerto Rico is a nature reserve home to turtles and birds. You can also enjoy its stunning beaches and go diving.
Isla Mona
This uninhabited island between Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico is a wildlife-rich nature reserve. Visits are organized, and diving is a highlight.
This uninhabited island between Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico is a wildlife-rich nature reserve. Visits are organized, and diving is a highlight.
Vieques
A large island about fifteen kilometres off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, Vieques was once a US military base. Today, visitors come for its landscapes, beaches, and diving.
A large island about fifteen kilometres off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, Vieques was once a US military base. Today, visitors come for its landscapes, beaches, and diving.
Natural Heritage
Camuy River Cave Park
In the municipality of the same name, this vast underground network with its river (the third largest in the world) is popular with cavers, but also with "casual" visitors.
In the municipality of the same name, this vast underground network with its river (the third largest in the world) is popular with cavers, but also with "casual" visitors.
El Yunque Rainforest
Located in the northeast, this dense, humid forest area is home to rich wildlife (parrots, lizards, boas) and flora, as well as some ancient petroglyphs. Hiking is possible here.
Located in the northeast, this dense, humid forest area is home to rich wildlife (parrots, lizards, boas) and flora, as well as some ancient petroglyphs. Hiking is possible here.
Guanica Forest
This wooded area and mangrove region on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico is home to a wide variety of birds.
This wooded area and mangrove region on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico is home to a wide variety of birds.
Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route
This short tourist route crosses the island from west (Mayagüez) to east (Yabucoa) through its mountainous region. It offers a chance to discover the beautiful landscapes of the central area.
This short tourist route crosses the island from west (Mayagüez) to east (Yabucoa) through its mountainous region. It offers a chance to discover the beautiful landscapes of the central area.
Recommended
Culebra
★★★ This small island east of Puerto Rico is a nature reserve home to turtles and birds. You can also enjoy its stunning beaches and go diving.
El Yunque Rainforest
★★★ Located in the northeast, this dense, humid forest area is home to rich wildlife (parrots, lizards, boas) and flora, as well as some…
San Juan
★★★ The Puerto Rican capital, nestled in one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful bays, boasts a stunning colonial centre that has earned it…
San Juan National Historic Site
★★★ This site comprises forts, bastions, and walls of Old San Juan, along with La Fortaleza (16th century), which served as the official…
Worth a look / Other
Aguadilla
★★ One of the main beach resorts on the Porta del Sol, the tourist-friendly west coast of Puerto Rico. It’s a hotspot for beaches and…
Camuy River Cave Park
★★ In the municipality of the same name, this vast underground network with its river (the third largest in the world) is popular with cavers…
Guanica
★★ In the southwest, the town is home to several pretty beaches, a forest reserve with mangroves, and an old fort.
Isabela (Puerto Rico)
★★ A small tourist town on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico, known for its beautiful setting, beaches, surfing, and nearby attractions…
Isla Mona
★★ This uninhabited island between Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico is a wildlife-rich nature reserve. Visits are organized, and diving is a…
Luquillo
★★ Located east of San Juan, this is the most popular beach on the island.
Ponce
★★ Puerto Rico’s second-largest city, located on the southern coast, Ponce boasts stunning architecture. Just offshore, the deserted and…
Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route
★★ This short tourist route crosses the island from west (Mayagüez) to east (Yabucoa) through its mountainous region. It offers a chance to…
Vieques
★★ A large island about fifteen kilometres off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, Vieques was once a US military base. Today, visitors come…
Arecibo
★ This city on the north coast of Puerto Rico is home to the world's largest radio telescope.
Caguana
★ The most important archaeological site on the island and a testament to the Taíno civilization.
Caguas
★ Located about thirty kilometres south of San Juan, the city, founded in 1775, still features some remnants from that era.
Carolina
★ On the outskirts of San Juan, the city is home to the international airport, hotels, beaches, and casinos.
Fajardo
★ Fajardo is one of the Caribbean’s most important marinas. It also offers hotels, beaches, diving, kayaking in the mangroves, and…
Guanica Forest
★ This wooded area and mangrove region on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico is home to a wide variety of birds.
Mayagüez
★ It is the territory's third-largest city. Located on the west coast, it primarily serves as a base for exploring this part of Puerto Rico.
Rincon
★ North of Mayaguez, this is the best surf spot on the entire island and beyond. You can also see whales here at the start of the year.
San Germán
★ Between Ponce and Mayagüez, the town is known for its beautiful Spanish colonial architecture.