Right here’s an unimaginable 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary that can assist you plan your journey!
There’s a lot to see and do on the island of Puerto Rico that it’s onerous to know the place to start out.
Even in case you solely have 4 days in Puerto Rico you possibly can see loads if in case you have a stable plan.
I strongly recommend sticking with points of interest within the northeast nook of the island in case you solely have 4 days.
Right here’s what you shouldn’t miss in your journey!
Day One: Outdated San Juan
You’ll doubtless fly into and out of Luis Muñoz Marín Worldwide Airport (SJU) which is situated on the outskirts of the capital metropolis, San Juan.
Your arrival or departure day is ideal for exploring the a part of the town generally known as “Outdated San Juan” which is about quarter-hour from the airport.
In Outdated San Juan you’ll discover historic forts, attractive structure, museums, scrumptious meals, and procuring.
It’s undoubtedly not-to-be-missed in any 4 day itinerary for Puerto Rico!
Listed here are my favourite issues to do in Outdated San Juan.
Issues to Do In Outdated San Juan
Castillo San Felipe del Morro ( identified domestically as “El Morro”) is a 500-year-old Spanish fort situated within the northwest nook of Outdated San Juan.
It primarily served because the gateway to the Caribbean for hundreds of years and was crucial to Spain’s rule of the realm.
Now it’s an unimaginable historic website run by the US Nationwide Park Service.
You’ll be able to discover all six ranges of the fort, together with the unique part which is sort of 500 years previous.
Whereas the fort makes for enjoyable picture ops, it additionally has displays that may stroll you thru the extraordinarily unhappy historical past of Spanish colonization of the realm, together with the enslavement and tried genocide of the native Taino individuals.
It’s powerful to study but additionally crucial to understanding life in Puerto Rico as we speak, so I extremely suggest spending a while within the displays on the fifth flooring.
It’s $10 for adults to enter the fort and free for youths beneath 15.
You will get in free with a Nationwide Parks Move which is what we did.
You’ll be able to often see iguanas on the garden surrounding the fort in addition to generally contained in the fort!
El Morro is all the time one of many highlights of a day in Outdated San Juan.
I like wandering Outdated San Juan’s streets to see all the attractive buildings.
Whereas I’m wandering I undoubtedly work up an urge for food!
We’ve snacked our method by means of the town on a number of events, and listed below are our favourite stops.
Chocobar Cortes is each a spot to seize some fancy treats from the ruling household of chocolate in Puerto Rico and a spot for a pleasant meal.
We ate on the restaurant inside Chocobar Cortes on our newest go to and it was wonderful! They serve brunch all day and nearly every little thing on the menu has some ingredient of chocolate in it (don’t fear, it’s often delicate).
San Juan Frappes is one other frequent cease for us.
A frozen fruit drink is ideal for having fun with as you stroll across the metropolis.
Paletas are one other scrumptious frozen deal with to maintain you cool whilst you cruise round.
We like Senor Paleta and have loved paletas from there on a number of events.
There are quite a few sit-down eating places in Outdated San Juan as properly, in fact. You actually can’t go improper with any Puerto Rican delicacies.
I undoubtedly recommend attempting Mofongo, a dish made with mashed fried plantains – it’s scrumptious!
In case you go to the west facet of Outdated San Juan close to the forts, you’ll doubtless see a few of the cats who roam there.
We love to go to them and donate to Save a Gato, a company that feeds them and helps get them fastened.
The place to Park in Outdated San Juan
It’s simple to get to Outdated San Juan by Uber or rental automotive – there are a number of parking garages discovered proper in Outdated San Juan.
Listed here are the 2 I’ve used earlier than with success:
There are additionally some unimaginable museums to go to in Outdated San Juan, together with Museo de las Americas (Museum of the Americas) and Museo de San Juan (San Juan Museum).
We plan to verify them out on our subsequent journey!
4 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary Day Two: El Yunque
Someday of your 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary ought to completely be dedicated to El Yunque, the rainforest situated about half-hour from the San Juan airport.
El Yunque is the one tropical rainforest within the US Forest Service.
It has climbing trails, waterfalls, swimming, unique vegetation & animals, outside journey, and extra.
Listed here are some highlights however click on right here for my detailed put up on one of the best issues to do in El Yunque to plan your go to!
There are climbing trails for all ranges in El Yunque.
My favourite is the 1.6-mile hike to the highest of Mt Britton. You’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the entire northeast nook of the island from the highest of Mt Britton Tower.
I additionally love the quick Angelito path to Rio Mameyes. You’ll be able to swim on this scenic river so carry your swimsuit.
You’ll additionally discover a bunch of attractive waterfalls in El Yunque, together with some you possibly can wade into for a cool bathe.
El Yunque has a brand new customer’s heart known as El Portal that has a pleasant restaurant and academic displays.
There’s an entrance payment however I feel it’s price it.
And final, there are many alternatives for outside journey in El Yunque, together with horseback driving and ziplining by means of the jungle.
You have to a reservation to go to elements of the rainforest, so you’ll want to get the main points on planning a day in El Yunque in my full put up right here.
Day Three: Culebra & Flamenco Seashore
Essentially the most well-known seaside in Puerto Rico is situated on a smaller island known as Culebra off the primary island’s east coast.
It’s known as Flamenco Seashore and it’s usually honored as one of many high 10 seashores on the planet.
Right here’s an summary however you’ll want to click on right here for my detailed put up on get to Flamenco Seashore.
Although Culebra is difficult to get to, you’ll be rewarded with a pristine seaside, crystal-clear water, snorkeling, and wonderful facilities.
Flamenco Seashore is hands-down the nicest seaside I’ve been to in my life! I really feel like I’m spoiled eternally for seashores.
There are kiosks subsequent to the car parking zone the place you may get meals, drinks, and tools.
There are additionally outside showers and bogs.
We introduced our personal snorkeling gear and had been in a position to see a lot of fish by swimming out solely a brief method.
Visiting Culebra entails securing ferry tickets that are in excessive demand, so you’ll want to get the main points on get to Flamenco Seashore right here.
You received’t be disillusioned by dedicating a day to Culebra in your 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary.
Day 4: Seashores, Snorkeling or Bio Bay Kayaking
The right exercise in your final day in Puerto Rico truly takes place within the night – kayaking to one in every of Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays, Laguna Grande.
The “bio bay” is house to uncommon phytoplankton that give off their very own gentle when stimulated by motion.
There are solely 5 bio bays on the planet, and three are present in Puerto Rico!
2-hour kayaking journeys go away each night time from Fajardo, situated about 45 minutes from San Juan.
You’ll kayak by means of a mangrove forest in your solution to the bio bay.
I booked our kayak tour with Pure Adventures by means of Viator and was actually proud of it. The guides had been humorous {and professional}.
We had been in a position to see the “bling bling” on each journeys we’ve got taken. It’s such a cool distinctive expertise and to not be missed in your go to to Puerto Rico.
Because the kayaking journey takes place at night time, you’ll have the day to calm down and revel in extra seaside or resort time.
My picks for one of the best public seashores in northeast Puerto Rico are Luquillo Seashore and Seven Seas Seashore in Fajardo.
Each have ample parking and foods and drinks obtainable near the seaside.
Or if you’re on the lookout for extra snorkeling, I like to recommend visiting Escambron Marine Park situated proper exterior of San Juan.
You simply need to pay $5 for parking at Escambron Seashore then you possibly can entry the marine park on the far proper facet of the seaside.
You’ll be able to swim from this small seaside throughout the protected lagoon and see a lot of fish – we even noticed two sea turtles!
It’s one of the best place I’ve discovered for snorkeling near San Juan.
In case you don’t have your individual tools you possibly can hire some (or e book a guided tour) from Scuba Canines which is situated proper subsequent to the marine park.
Click on right here for his or her detailed map of Escambron Marine Park which we used to discover the lagoon on our personal.
You’ll undoubtedly need a while to simply relax and benefit from the excellent climate in Puerto Rico on the finish of your journey.
I hope this 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary will make it easier to get probably the most out of your trip!
You’ll be able to undoubtedly have a lot of wonderful experiences in 4 days in Puerto Rico.
When you’ve got any questions simply go away a remark under and I’ll do my greatest to assist.