Puerto Rico: One Week Itinerary

A tropical paradise with delicious food and an intriguing history: Use my Puerto Rico one week itinerary to help you plan the best trip!

As a US territory, visitors from the states have it easy. No passport is needed to travel. For a long weekend or full week vacation, this destination can really pack a lot in!

A great spot for active or relaxing vacations, here is my Puerto Rico one week itinerary:

Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you!).

DAYS 1 & 2- El Yunque Rainforest

For the first day, fly into the San Juan airport. Get your rental car, and then head into El Yunque.

This beautiful place is managed by the US Parks Service, so it’s the only US National Park that is also a tropical rainforest! 🌴

⇒ Save money, book your car with RentalCars.com

Once you get a ticket to access the main road into the park, there are several great hikes and scenic viewpoints. Most of these involve waterfalls- swimming optional! 🏊‍♀️

The most common stops on the main strip are Juan Diego Falls, La Coca Waterfall, Yokahu Tower, Baño Grande and Mt. Britton (a one hour hike with great views!)

yunque rainforest, hotel, puerto rico itinerary — *View from our AirBNB!*

If you would rather “do your own thing” and get off the beaten track, your best bet is to ask locals for their favorite swimming holes. After talking with a few people, we got some amazing tips.

My favorite of all is Espiritú Santo waterfall. Cool waters, stunning scenery, small crowds, and great swimming.

There is also a “natural waterslide” you can go to (Las Pailas), so much fun! In terms of nature and scenic trails, my favorite one is El Angelito.

swimming, waterfall, yunque, puerto rico one week itinerary — *Swimming at Espiritu Santo*

Lodging: El Yunque Lodgings – Sadly the place we stayed at no longer has an AirBNB listing. But that link has other options in El Yunque forest!

DAY 3- Snorkeling in Culebra (via Fajardo)

Puerto Rico has a few tiny islands off its east coast, and one of these is known for its prime snorkeling.

If swimming in warm, clear, Caribbean waters is something you love- book an organized day tour out to the island to do some snorkeling! 🤿

It is possible to go to Culebra on your own using the ferry, but research in advance! 🐠

culebra snorkel. playa flamenco. puerto rico one week — *Bring your underwater camera!*

To get here, drive from El Yunque to the coastal town of Fajardo. There, you will meet up with your excursion company.

We went with the “Culebra Power Boat Snorkeling & Beach Tour” through the company Sail Getaways from 8am-3pm.

They provided lunch, drinks, snorkel gear, transport, and are a really fun group! The boat ride out to Culebra island can be choppy (if you’re prone to seasickness), and takes about 2 hours. 🛥️

⇒ Book our same Culebra snorkeling excursion!

Once there, most groups will have time to snorkel at Flamenco Beach and/or Playa Carlos Rosario.

If you have time, you can also walk around Playa Flamenco and find the World War II era tanks before heading back to the city.

On our way to our hotel in San Juan, we stopped at the small beach town of Luquillo to visit the famous “Kioskos”.

These are several tiny stalls (each have a stall number posted) selling a huge variety of food and souvenirs.

We got dinner there, then went swimming at Luquillo Beach. 🏖️

The Kiosks I recommend:

Classic Puerto Rican dishes: #8 – de Sylvia /# 40 – Wepa Arepa / #53 – Ya Yola / #54 – El Castillo del Mar / #60 – Roca Taina
Other Options: #2- La Parilla / #18 – Caribbean BBQ / #22 – Jibaros: Local Seafood / #27 – Ocean Palace: Asian / #29 – Osso Buco: Italian / #34 – Revolution Pizza (my fave!) / #42 – Ceviche Hut: Peruvian cuisine

Lodging: Evening in Culebra or San Juan

DAY 4- Island Road Trip

Given our short trip, we wanted to see as much of the island as we could. Early in the morning, we headed out on our “island road trip day”! 🚙

Our first stop was a tiny swing in the mountains, one hour from the city. The swing is not very exciting, but the scenery is! Called La Curva del Árbol, it’s nice for a quick stop!

Next up is the historic town of Ponce (50 min drive), “the pearl of the south”.

The architecture in the city center is neat to look at, but there honestly isn’t too much to do beyond lunch and strolling around the center.

We did stop to see the beautiful Villaronga House, Parque de Bombas, and Plaza Las Delicias. Ice cream at King’s Cream is also a great idea! 🍦

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also hike nearby “Cerro de Punta” for a view of almost the entire island!

villaronga house, pink house, ponce, puerto rico, instagram spot

From there, stop in the town of Yauco (30 minute drive).

On the weekends it can be pretty lively, and it’s mostly known for its colorfully painted buildings as part of an urban art installment called “Yaucromatic”. 🎨

yauco, puerto rico, rainbow, colorful, art

yauco, colorful town, puerto rico, insagram spot

Next up are the salt flats: Salinas de Cabo Rojo (47 min drive).

This otherworldly looking landscape is known for having pink water, and makes for a good photo! If you continue down the road, you can see the scenic Lighthouse, Faro Los Morrillos.

salinas de cabo rojo, salt flats, puerto rico one week — The Salt Flats- *Salinas de Cabo Rojo*

Next, we decided to experience the “Pork Highway” of Puerto Rico! The “Pork Highway” is basically an area in the hills with several restaurants serving up… pork (obviously).

There are “bus-bar tours” that take people around to stop at different restaurants while serving up alcohol and music.

For dinner, we stopped at a local joint, Lechonera Los Pinos (1 hr drive). 🐖

This was a great place to experience the “non touristy” part of the island, and we met new friends! After dinner, we headed back to San Juan (2 hr drive).

Lodging: San Juan (we stayed at the Marriott Isla Verde)

DAYS 5 & 6 – San Juan

There is so much to do and see in this city (which really reminds me of Havana, Cuba!).

We split it up by spending time in the old city and then doing different things in the newer parts like Condado and Isla Verde.

See a list of organized San Juan day trips!

Old San Juan – Start your day with a visit to the historic 17th century fortresses that protected the city from invaders. There are two- San Felipe del Morro and Castillo de San Cristóbal.

Each has its own entry ticket and can be bought at the site. If the colonial, pirate-filled era of history intrigues you, you’ll love it! 🏴‍☠️

san felipe del morro, fort, san juan puerto rico

From El Morro, you can get an amazing view of the scenic Santa María Magdalena Cemetery. You can also see the colorful La Perla neighborhood, recently known for being the filming location of the “Despacito” music video!

puerto rico things to do, one week itinerary — *Possibly the most scenic cemetery ever*

Strolling the streets and admiring all the pastel buildings of San Juan can fill up a whole day- but here are a few stops of note:

Puerto Rico Flag (black and white) Mural – Calle de San José
Puerto Rico Flag (colorful) Mural – Callejón de la Puerta Bandera
Save a Gato – Cat rescue! A quick stop to see the kittens, and make a donation
Caleta de las Monjas– Not much to do, just a very scenic street
Plaza del Quinto Centenario– A plaza in honor of Columbus’ voyage 500 years ago
Calle Fortaleza– This used to be “Instagram famous” and known for hanging umbrellas, but as of summer 2023 they were no longer there. It was instead filled with protesters, cops, and people sleeping on the street.

Make sure to stop at Barrachina for drinks- If you love piña coladas, they were supposedly invented here.🍍

You should also try the popsicles at Señor Paleta!

We had breakfast at the Waffle-era Tea Room, and coffee at Caficultura. We also had dinner at Hijole, a Mexican restaurant.

My favorite dinner place is a “local” spot called El Nuevo Acuario. We met the owner Leo when we were hiking in El Yunque and he convinced us to go and try his seafood- it was DELICIOUS! The mofongo there is insane too!

Finally, if you want a night out drinking and dancing, check out La Factoria. 🍹

View from El Morro — *The view from El Morro*

Outside of Old San Juan, you can enjoy restaurants, bars, dance clubs, and beach activities (kayaking, parasailing, jet ski rentals) in the other areas of town.

Lodging: San Juan (we stayed at the Marriott Isla Verde)

DAY 7- Beach Day

If you’re feeling extra motivated, you could drive several hours and try to visit the famous waterfall called Gozalandia. Or, you could try to see the bioluminescence at Vieques Bay at night!

We ran out of time, and energy, and instead spent this last day enjoying the beaches of San Juan. 🏖️

things to do san juan, one week puerto rico — *La Isla del Encanto*

Save it to Pinterest for later!

August 31, 2023 in Itineraries, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, Travel

A tropical paradise with delicious food and an intriguing history: Use my Puerto Rico one week itinerary to help you plan the best trip!

As a US territory, visitors from the states have it easy. No passport is needed to travel. For a long weekend or full week vacation, this destination can really pack a lot in!

A great spot for active or relaxing vacations, here is my Puerto Rico one week itinerary:

DAYS 1 & 2- El Yunque Rainforest

For the first day, fly into the San Juan airport. Get your rental car, and then head into El Yunque.

This beautiful place is managed by the US Parks Service, so it’s the only US National Park that is also a tropical rainforest! 🌴

⇒ Save money, book your car with RentalCars.com

Once you get a ticket to access the main road into the park, there are several great hikes and scenic viewpoints. Most of these involve waterfalls- swimming optional! 🏊‍♀️

The most common stops on the main strip are Juan Diego Falls, La Coca Waterfall, Yokahu Tower, Baño Grande and Mt. Britton (a one hour hike with great views!)

If you would rather “do your own thing” and get off the beaten track, your best bet is to ask locals for their favorite swimming holes. After talking with a few people, we got some amazing tips.

My favorite of all is Espiritú Santo waterfall. Cool waters, stunning scenery, small crowds, and great swimming.

There is also a “natural waterslide” you can go to (Las Pailas), so much fun! In terms of nature and scenic trails, my favorite one is El Angelito.

Lodging: El Yunque Lodgings – Sadly the place we stayed at no longer has an AirBNB listing. But that link has other options in El Yunque forest!

DAY 3- Snorkeling in Culebra (via Fajardo)

Puerto Rico has a few tiny islands off its east coast, and one of these is known for its prime snorkeling.

If swimming in warm, clear, Caribbean waters is something you love- book an organized day tour out to the island to do some snorkeling! 🤿

It is possible to go to Culebra on your own using the ferry, but research in advance! 🐠

To get here, drive from El Yunque to the coastal town of Fajardo. There, you will meet up with your excursion company.

We went with the “Culebra Power Boat Snorkeling & Beach Tour” through the company Sail Getaways from 8am-3pm.

They provided lunch, drinks, snorkel gear, transport, and are a really fun group! The boat ride out to Culebra island can be choppy (if you’re prone to seasickness), and takes about 2 hours. 🛥️

⇒ Book our same Culebra snorkeling excursion!

Once there, most groups will have time to snorkel at Flamenco Beach and/or Playa Carlos Rosario.

If you have time, you can also walk around Playa Flamenco and find the World War II era tanks before heading back to the city.

On our way to our hotel in San Juan, we stopped at the small beach town of Luquillo to visit the famous “Kioskos”.

These are several tiny stalls (each have a stall number posted) selling a huge variety of food and souvenirs.

We got dinner there, then went swimming at Luquillo Beach. 🏖️

The Kiosks I recommend:

Classic Puerto Rican dishes: #8 – de Sylvia /# 40 – Wepa Arepa / #53 – Ya Yola / #54 – El Castillo del Mar / #60 – Roca Taina

Other Options: #2- La Parilla / #18 – Caribbean BBQ / #22 – Jibaros: Local Seafood / #27 – Ocean Palace: Asian / #29 – Osso Buco: Italian / #34 – Revolution Pizza (my fave!) / #42 – Ceviche Hut: Peruvian cuisine

Lodging: Evening in Culebra or San Juan

DAY 4- Island Road Trip

Given our short trip, we wanted to see as much of the island as we could. Early in the morning, we headed out on our “island road trip day”! 🚙

Our first stop was a tiny swing in the mountains, one hour from the city. The swing is not very exciting, but the scenery is! Called La Curva del Árbol, it’s nice for a quick stop!

Next up is the historic town of Ponce (50 min drive), “the pearl of the south”.

The architecture in the city center is neat to look at, but there honestly isn’t too much to do beyond lunch and strolling around the center.

We did stop to see the beautiful Villaronga House, Parque de Bombas, and Plaza Las Delicias. Ice cream at King’s Cream is also a great idea! 🍦

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also hike nearby “Cerro de Punta” for a view of almost the entire island!

From there, stop in the town of Yauco (30 minute drive).

On the weekends it can be pretty lively, and it’s mostly known for its colorfully painted buildings as part of an urban art installment called “Yaucromatic”. 🎨

Next up are the salt flats: Salinas de Cabo Rojo (47 min drive).

This otherworldly looking landscape is known for having pink water, and makes for a good photo! If you continue down the road, you can see the scenic Lighthouse, Faro Los Morrillos.

Next, we decided to experience the “Pork Highway” of Puerto Rico! The “Pork Highway” is basically an area in the hills with several restaurants serving up… pork (obviously).

There are “bus-bar tours” that take people around to stop at different restaurants while serving up alcohol and music.

For dinner, we stopped at a local joint, Lechonera Los Pinos (1 hr drive). 🐖

This was a great place to experience the “non touristy” part of the island, and we met new friends! After dinner, we headed back to San Juan (2 hr drive).

Lodging: San Juan (we stayed at the Marriott Isla Verde)

DAYS 5 & 6 – San Juan

There is so much to do and see in this city (which really reminds me of Havana, Cuba!).

We split it up by spending time in the old city and then doing different things in the newer parts like Condado and Isla Verde.

See a list of organized San Juan day trips!

Old San Juan – Start your day with a visit to the historic 17th century fortresses that protected the city from invaders. There are two- San Felipe del Morro and Castillo de San Cristóbal.

Each has its own entry ticket and can be bought at the site. If the colonial, pirate-filled era of history intrigues you, you’ll love it! 🏴‍☠️

From El Morro, you can get an amazing view of the scenic Santa María Magdalena Cemetery. You can also see the colorful La Perla neighborhood, recently known for being the filming location of the “Despacito” music video!

Strolling the streets and admiring all the pastel buildings of San Juan can fill up a whole day- but here are a few stops of note:

Puerto Rico Flag (black and white) Mural – Calle de San José

Puerto Rico Flag (colorful) Mural – Callejón de la Puerta Bandera

Save a Gato – Cat rescue! A quick stop to see the kittens, and make a donation

Caleta de las Monjas– Not much to do, just a very scenic street

Plaza del Quinto Centenario– A plaza in honor of Columbus’ voyage 500 years ago

Calle Fortaleza– This used to be “Instagram famous” and known for hanging umbrellas, but as of summer 2023 they were no longer there. It was instead filled with protesters, cops, and people sleeping on the street.

Make sure to stop at Barrachina for drinks- If you love piña coladas, they were supposedly invented here.🍍

You should also try the popsicles at Señor Paleta!

We had breakfast at the Waffle-era Tea Room, and coffee at Caficultura. We also had dinner at Hijole, a Mexican restaurant.

My favorite dinner place is a “local” spot called El Nuevo Acuario. We met the owner Leo when we were hiking in El Yunque and he convinced us to go and try his seafood- it was DELICIOUS! The mofongo there is insane too!

Finally, if you want a night out drinking and dancing, check out La Factoria. 🍹

Outside of Old San Juan, you can enjoy restaurants, bars, dance clubs, and beach activities (kayaking, parasailing, jet ski rentals) in the other areas of town.

Lodging: San Juan (we stayed at the Marriott Isla Verde)

DAY 7- Beach Day

If you’re feeling extra motivated, you could drive several hours and try to visit the famous waterfall called Gozalandia. Or, you could try to see the bioluminescence at Vieques Bay at night!

We ran out of time, and energy, and instead spent this last day enjoying the beaches of San Juan. 🏖️

More Helpful Links:

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♥ Browse my Amazon storefront to see my favorite travel products

♥ Book your hotel in Puerto Rico

♥ Follow me on Instagram, and send me a DM with any questions

♥ Find a fun local Puerto Rico tour or activity to book

Save it to Pinterest for later!

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