San Juan
Puerto Rico's capital San Juan, a place overflowing with Caribbean spirit, is the perfect first stop. La Placita at the market square invites you to dance the nights away to live music. Old San, Juan with its many small alleys, cobbled streets, and colorful colonial houses, will truly take you to a different world. You can easily assimilate into the relaxed Caribbean lifestyle and dive into the world of the locals. The old town is surrounded by 15-meter-high walls from the colonial period as well as an impressive fortress. La Fortaleza, Fort San Felipe del Morro, Fort San Juan de la Cruz and Fort San Cristóbal, which were once built by the Spanish colonialists, are the reason why San Juan is part of the UNESCO cultural heritage.
Isla Verde, the Copacabana of Puerto Rico, is located about 10 kilometers south of San Juan. The lively city beach offers many cafes, shops, bars and restaurants. There are many water sports activities you can enjoy together with the locals, for example riding the perfect waves during a thrilling surfing adventure. Isla Verde is also an excellent place to explore the island's dazzling underwater world while snorkeling: tropical fish and breathtaking coral reefs await!.
Ponce
Ponce is the second-largest city of the island and located in the region of Porta Caribe – the gateway to the Caribbean. Fine, snow-white beaches are only the beginning here. The city has been extensively renovated and is also known as an open-air museum of architecture and a museum city in general. In terms of culture, there is a lot to see and do here. You should start your exploration tour through the city at Plaza de las Delicias, the city's main plaza. Parque de Bombas, located within the plaza, is also a popular destination for any tourists. Once a fire station, it now serves as a landmark of Ponce and is also home to a museum. Another highlight is the Catedrale de Nuestra Señora de Guadaloupe with its two towers.
The city is the perfect starting point to explore the southern part of the island, where there is much more to experience than Caribbean city vibes. If you want to be impressed by the fantastic architecture from above, the best thing is to take a little trip to the El Viagia Hill, where you can enjoy a spectacular skyline of the Caribbean city. Adventure awaits you on a trip which takes you through the jungle and past waterfalls in the Toro Negro State Forest.
Rincón
Rincón is not called the Hawaii of the Caribbean for no reason. The legendary place has become more well-known since the World Surfing Championships in 1968. Here, the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet and create some of the highest waves of up to 7 meters. Around Rincón, there are 16 official surf spots which are only a few minutes away by car from each other. The perfect size wave is there for everybody, so you can throw yourself into the stormy waters whether you happen to be a beginner or a pro; surfboards can be rented for cheap, too.
Do you prefer to watch the action from afar, lying totally relaxed on the beach and sipping cocktails or a coconut? Then Rincón also has you covered, as you can choose between twelve beaches to find the one for you. The most famous beaches include Domes, Marias Beach, Tres Palmas, Sandy Beach and Pools Beach.
If you prefer to go on an exploration tour, an excursion to the tranquil town of Aguadilla is a good idea. Aguadilla is located in the mountains and known for its hiking routes and beaches.
Luquillo
One of the country’s most visited places, Luqillo’s long white beaches and calm turquoise water invite you to stay for some time. Luquillo is the perfect starting point to make day trips to the north of the island state. An absolute must-see is the El Yunque National Forest in the misty Luquillo Mountains. You will discover breathtaking scenery, lush greenery, dense jungles, waterfalls, and exotic wildlife in this tropical rainforest. There are well-signposted hiking trails which help you explore the rainforest by yourself.
Two other spots that you can explore perfectly from Luquillo are the exciting offshore islands of Vieques and Culebra. You can take the ferry to the islands for only a small price. A unique natural wonder awaits you there: the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, which is an amazing natural spectacle. Flamenco Beach is among the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world, with its fine white sand and crystal-clear water. Coconut palm trees, sea turtles, and a dazzling underwater world with exotic fish and coral reefs are included!
From Luquillo, you’ll drive back to San Juan with your rented car. Unfortunately, even the most beautiful vacation comes to an end at some point, but the unforgettable memories always remain!