4 Days in Puerto Rico: Things to Do & Where to Eat

You can’t travel for pleasure right now, but your thirst for discovery is still alive, right? Once the world opens up again, let the island of Puerto Rico welcome you with fun, thrills and good mood food. Here’s how to spend 4 days in Puerto Rico, including things to do and where to eat. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up to WoW to get travel inspiration, tips, tales and more delivered directly to your inbox.

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Before the world of travel halted, I had the opportunity to discover Puerto Rico in February 2020 and would highly recommend visiting when it’s safe to set off again. For WoW-ERS in the United States, Puerto Rico is your neighbour just to the south, making for an especially convenient trip. In preparation, I share my itinerary to help you plan your trip. There are many great reasons to visit Puerto Rico and experience its tropical energy. Food in Puerto Rico is…*chef’s kiss* – you don’t want to miss that! If you have time for more than 4 days in Puerto Rico (lucky you), run with that blessing. Fortunately, you can spread out this itinerary if so. Feel free to mix and match according to your interest and pace. Keep reading for tips on how to spend 4 days in Puerto Rico, including things to do and where to eat.

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DAY 1: OLD SAN JUAN, HACIENDA SANTA ANA RUM TOUR & LA PLACITA

1.1 Discover Old San Juan

One of the best ways to kick off 4 days in Puerto Rico is to immerse yourself in history. Begin with a stroll through Old San Juan. No trip to Puerto Rico is complete without visiting this walled city. To experience the almost 500-year-old Spanish colonial town, simply lose yourself in its colourful streets where colonial architecture and heritage gems line luminous cobble lanes. Top places to see in Old San Juan include:

Castillo San Felipe del Morro: The Spanish colonial fort built in the 16th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, facing the open sea, once fended off pirates.

Plaza del Quinto Centenario: Built in 1992, this plaza commemorates Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas over 500 years ago. Located across Castillo San Felipe del Morro, it has a splash area that is handy for humid days.

Fortaleza Street: The vibrant street gained recent popularity for its display of umbrellas. At the time of my visit, a billowing Puerto Rican flag had replaced the umbrellas. Fortaleza Street has many restaurants and shops and is well worth a stop.

The Black Puerto Rican Flag Mural: Originally painted in the colours of the Puerto Rican flag, it has since had a somber makeover. It is now a symbol of resistance and civil disobedience. You can find this mural on an abandoned building in 55 Calle San José.

WoW Tip: Wear comfortable shoes. Old San Juan’s cobbled streets can be steep and uneven.

1.2 Where to have lunch in Old San Juan: Barrachina Restaurant

Barrachina is one of the birthplaces of the piña colada, Puerto Rico’s national drink. It is a block away from Fortaleza Street. The pink interior courtyard and foliage provide ample photo opportunities. The menu offers Puerto Rican favourites as well as international options.

1.3 Visit Hacienda Santa Ana – Ron del Barrilito Rum Tour

After lunch, set off for a rum-tasting time at Hacienda Santa Ana in the municipality of Bayamón. Located about 15 minutes outside San Juan, Bayamón boasts Puerto Rico’s oldest rum distillery. The sipping rum brand produced by Hacienda Santa Ana, Ron del Barrilito, has been in production since 1880. The rum is developed in little barrels, giving it layers of character and complexity. A visit here is an insight into the historical flavours that have made Ron del Barrilito a beloved part of Puerto Rico’s craft cocktail scene. You can also take part in a fun mixology session and make your own cocktails, including a refreshing piña colada.

1.4 Experience Nightlife in La Placita

Take in the tropical flavour and effervescent energy of nightlife in Puerto Rico. One place you shouldn’t miss is the central and picturesque La Placita. A farmers’ market by day, La Placita fully comes to life at night with restaurants and kiosks dishing out deliciousness. Bars pulsate with music as people gather to hang out, have drinks and and dance the night away. As one local puts it, the hardest part is keeping up!

1.5 Where to have dinner in La Placita: Boronía

This Puerto Rican diner serves fresh Caribbean fare, from moreish appetisers to the catch of the day. An added bonus in Boronía is the atmospheric live music performances on some nights. Perfect for the overall vibe of La Placita.

DAY 2: TAKE A DAY TRIP TO CULEBRA ISLAND

When you picture yourself enjoying a piña colada on a beautiful island, Culebra is that place. You just don’t know it yet.

Francisco Battistini, local guide in Puerto Rico

Picturesque shores. Paradise defined. Gorgeous natural areas. That’s Culebra for you. Situated 27km off mainland Puerto Rico, Culebra Island is the spot for go-slow explorations. The day is yours to bask in delightful scenery, relax and snorkel. The beautiful white sand Flamenco Beach on Culebra will have you swooning. Crescent-shaped in parts and backed by green-capped cliffs, you just may not want to leave Flamenco Beach.

2.1 How to get to Culebra Island

There are two main ways to get to Culebra. The fastest way is a 30-minute flight from San Juan. The other option is to travel like the locals do: transfer to Puerto del Rey for a scenic hour-long ferry ride. Lunch is typically included in organised excursions. Check out East Island Excursions for more information on visiting Culebra.

WoW Tip: Don’t forget your waterproof phone/camera case.

2.2 Where to have dinner on return to San Juan: Cocina Abierta

In the trendy Condado area, chef Martin Louzao takes on dining in “five acts”. Each act feeds into the next, covering appetisers, vegetable, seafood, poultry and pasta and red meats. Bon appetit! With its exposed walls, quirky light features and group seating, Cocina Abierta makes a cool dining venue.

DAY 3: CARABALI ADVENTURE PARK, EL YUNQUE NATIONAL FOREST & LUQUILLO BEACH

3.1 Let Loose at Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park

Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park is Puerto Rico’s largest theme park and one of the most thrilling destinations. It is located in the foothills of El Yunque National Forest and offers a fun experience for all. You can saddle up for horseback riding in the forest or beach, explore the rainforest on an ATV, rev up on the go-kart track and more. Choose to spend the whole day adventure-hopping here or pick one and savour the experience. I chose the latter and had a galloping day.

3.2 Go Horseback Riding at Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park

Saddle up for a guided horseback ride while admiring countryside views. The 2200-acre property is a collage of wetlands, mangroves and waterways across fields and forests. When your tour is over, grab a refreshing drink at the hilltop Mojito Bar – you’ve earned it! The experience is open to all levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.

3.3 Where to have lunch: Carabalí Bar & Grill

Surely you’ve worked up an appetite by now. Enjoy the best of Puerto Rican specialties in the informal environment of Carabalí Bar & Grill.

3.4 Explore El Yunque National Forest

El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest Service. You can relax and enjoy the scenery, hike one of its many trails or cool down in natural pools and waterfalls. This enchanted rain forest is an immersive time in nature when in Puerto Rico.

3.5 Things to pack for El Yunque National Forest

• Raincoat or umbrella
• Insect repellent spray or cream
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Change of clothes

WoW Tip: Mobile phone service is unreliable in the rain forest, so prepare accordingly.

3.6 Chill out at Luquillo Beach

The municipality of Luquillo borders El Yunque and is known as “the Sun Capital”. Boasting a long stretch of coastline, Luquillo is where sun, sea and sand lovers flock to. One of the best beaches to check out is Balneario La Monserrate, popularly known as Luquillo Beach.

There’s no such thing as too much beach time in Puerto Rico.

With its expansive setting, tall palm trees, gazebos and food kiosks, Luquillo Beach is the ideal spot to wind down your active day.

3.7 Where to have dinner: Waikiki Seafood & Oyster Bar

If you love seafood, head to Waikiki which serves some of Puerto Rico’s best mouthfuls. It has an indoor space and terrace overlooking the ocean – perfect for dining with a view.

DAY 4: MINI BOATS ADVENTURE IN SAN JUAN BAY MARINA

If you have time to fit in one more thrill in Puerto Rico, don’t miss the mini boats adventure with East Island Excursions. After a short safety briefing, the tour departs from San Juan Bay Marina. From your inflatable mini boat, you will enjoy views of San Juan Bay and its canals, the Old Town and other prominent spots. It’s a fun, splashing end to a great time in Puerto Rico.

4.1 Where to have lunch: Fairmont El San Juan Hotel

With several restaurants, you’re spoilt for choice in this Puerto Rico hotel favourite. I recommend the crispy pork belly Mamposteao in one of the restaurants, Caña by Juliana Gonzalez. Sublime!

5. PUERTO RICO TRIP NOTES

5.1 Getting There and Around

Iberia currently offers the best direct service from Europe. During normal schedule, Iberia has three direct flights a week from Madrid to San Juan in the winter season, four in April and May, six in June and one flight a day in July and August. Visit www.iberia.com for the latest information (when it’s safe to travel again). There are several options from mainland USA and elsewhere – check flight aggregator sites like Skyscanner for details.

For a short visit based in San Juan, taxis and Uber will suffice. However, exploring sites and towns outside of the San Juan metro area is easiest by private car rental. Alternatively, most tour operators offer transport/guided tours to popular sites.

5.2 Languages

Spanish and English are the two official languages. A third unofficial mix of the two spoken widely is Spanglish.

5.3 Local Tours

East Island Excursions offer aquatic adventures on the island. These include the San Juan mini boats activity and Culebra snorkel tours.

5.4 Passports & Visas

Requirements to travel to Puerto Rico are the same as applying to visit mainland USA. British passport holders need an ESTA. American citizens do not require a passport to travel to Puerto Rico.

5.5 Money

The currency used in Puerto Rico is the U.S. dollar.

5.6 Further information

• Pleasures of Puerto Rico: 10 Reasons to Visit the Island of Enchantment
• On the Eaten Path in Puerto Rico
• Discover Puerto Rico, the official tourism website for Puerto Rico