Guest Post by Amanda | My Vintage Map

4 Days In Puerto Rico: The Perfect Itinerary

This itinerary starts in San Juan, then takes you to the east coast and one of Puerto Rico’s other inhabited islands, then to the lush El Yunque rainforest and Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay, and ends with two different options on the western side of the island.

✓ Note: This itinerary assumes you will have four full days in Puerto Rico, not counting travel days.

Day 1: Explore San Juan

Since you’ll land at the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, it makes sense to begin your itinerary by exploring this vibrant and culturally rich city.

What To Do In San Juan?

👉 Start your day with a tour of Old San Juan, where you’ll find the San Juan National Historic Site.

Two beautiful, historic Spanish fortresses make up the site — Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal — and they are connected by 3.4 miles of old city walls.

If you purchase an entry ticket, you’ll have access to both fortresses.

👉 Near Castillo San Felipe del Morro is Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery, the final resting place of many prominent Puerto Rico natives and residents since 1863.

👉 Stop by La Fortaleza to see the oldest governor’s residence in the Western Hemisphere, dating back to the 16th century.

👉 Check out one or more of San Juan’s museums, including the Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art, Sports Museum of Puerto Rico, and Museo de las Americas.

👉 If you have time, I recommend taking a guided walking tour of Old San Juan to learn more about the city’s history while taking in the colorful buildings and cobblestone streets.

Where To Stay?

🤑 BUDGET: Mar del Norte

🏩 LUXURY: Condado Vanderbilt Hotel

Day 2: Take The Ferry To Culebra Island

Puerto Rico is an archipelago made up of 143 separate islands.

Only three of them are inhabited: the main island of Puerto Rico and two smaller islands, Vieques and Culebra.

With limited time, I recommend visiting Culebra if choosing between the two islands.

You’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches here (and excellent snorkeling!)

How To Get To Culebra?

You can take a 55-minute ferry ride from Ceiba to Culebra for only about $5 round-trip. I was shocked about the amazing price.

Ceiba is about one hour from San Juan, and you can park your car in the lot near the ferry terminal for about $15.

Note the parking lot is about a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal, but there is also a free shuttle that takes you there.

What To Do On Culebra?

👉 Start by taking a publico (public van service) from the ferry terminal to Flamenco Beach, which is only about three miles away.

The publico costs about $5 (cash only) one way.

👉 Enjoy a few hours in the sun at Flamenco Beach, which has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world for its incredibly soft white sand and turquoise water.

Grab a fresh lunch from one of the kiosks near the beach.

👉 If you’re interested in amazing snorkeling, walk about 20 minutes from Flamenco to Tamarindo Beach.

I saw lots of colorful fish and stingrays here, and others said they spotted sea turtles.

✓ Note: You can sometimes negotiate with one of the publicos to take you from Flamenco to Tamarindo and pick you up from Tamarindo later to take you back to the ferry terminal, if you offer to pay a bit more.

Other Tips:

👉 If you’re looking for a quieter beach experience, Playa Zoni is said to be just as beautiful as Flamenco Beach but doesn’t get as crowded since there are no amenities like food kiosks and bathrooms there. It’s just pure nature.

👉 If you want the freedom to explore the island at your own pace, you can also rent bikes or Jeeps for the day.

Be sure to rent them ahead of time in case they sell out.

Where To Stay?

You could either drive back to San Juan after taking the return ferry to the main island or stay in the town of Fajardo, only a 9-minute drive from Ceiba.

Something to keep in mind: Day 3 includes a tour of El Yunque National Forest, which you can take from San Juan (45 minutes away) or Fajardo (25 minutes away).

Here are a few accommodation recommendations in Fajardo:

🤑 BUDGET: La Casona Beach House

🛌 MID-RANGE: Waterfront Studio at Fajardo

🏩 LUXURY: El Conquistador Resort

Day 3: Visit El Yunque National Forest and Laguna Grande

On Day 3, explore the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Park System, El Yunque National Forest.

This lush rainforest spans more than 28,000 acres and is filled with hiking trails and waterfalls.

👉 If you want to drive to El Yunque and explore on your own, it’s recommended to reserve your spot through Recreation.gov ahead of time, especially if you’re going during the summer high season.

👉 The other option is to book a guided tour to El Yunque that departs from San Juan or Fajardo. You’ll get to hike through the rainforest for a while before arriving at stunning waterfalls and natural waterslides.

The San Juan tour also includes a stop at Luquilllo Beach.

👉 After your El Yunque tour, take a kayaking tour to the famous bioluminescent bay (Laguna Grande) in Fajardo.

You’ll kayak through a mangrove forest before reaching the bay.

Wait for the sun to set and you’ll see the glow of thousands of dinoflagellates under the water.

✓ Tip: Make sure you have a change of clothes for after the kayaking tour as you have to wade into the water waist-deep to get to your kayak. 

👉 Another great option if you plan to go on a guided tour of the rainforest is to book a combo tour that includes both El Yunque and Laguna Grande.

The bus will pick you up and drop you off at the same location in San Juan or Fajardo.

Where To Stay?

After your tour ends, you’ll want to drive back to San Juan to stay the night there, as you’ll be driving to more western parts of the island on Day 4 and can get a bit of a head start!

Day 4: Explore The West Coast Or Visit Ponce

On your last full day in Puerto Rico, there are two options, depending on how much driving you want to do.

📌 OPTION 1: Visit Rincón and see the sunset at Cabo Rojo Lighthouse.

👉 This option is ambitious, but if you’re like me and don’t mind driving a lot in one day (about 5.5 hours total), it’s doable!

This will allow you to see a couple of key sights on the west coast of Puerto Rico.

👉 Drive a little over two hours from San Juan to the surf town of Rincón. The beaches here are quieter and more secluded.

Some of the best ones include Sandy Beach, Domes Beach, and Maria’s Beach. 

👉 Close to Domes Beach is the historic Punta Higüera Lighthouse that’s still in operation today. 

The town is also known for its art scene, and there are several nice art galleries downtown to check out.

👉 After enjoying most of the day in Rincón, drive about 40 minutes south to Cabo Rojo Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is perched on the edge of rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean. The sunset views here are breathtaking!

✓ Note: It’s about a 2.5-hour drive back to San Juan from Cabo Rojo, but it’s a pretty easy drive on two major highways.

To cut down on driving time, you could skip Cabo Rojo and watch the sunset in Rincón – the town is also known for its amazing sunsets.

📌 OPTION 2: Visit Ponce

Drive about 1.5 hours south of San Juan to Ponce, Puerto Rico’s second-largest city.

Things to do here include:

👉 Walking around Plaza Las Delicias, Ponce’s main square, to admire the beautiful architecture and see the historic Ponce Cathedral and Parque de Bombas, a museum converted from an old fire station.

👉 Visiting Serrallés Castle Museum, a 1930s Spanish Revival-style home built in the 1930s.

The museum includes a butterfly nursery, the Vigía Cross, and a beautiful Japanese garden.

Where To Stay?

I recommend driving back to San Juan again tonight to make it easier to fly home the next day.

If You Have More Days In Puerto Rico

There’s so much to see in Puerto Rico, so if you have more days to spare, see these ideas for additional ideas for your itinerary.

Getting To Puerto Rico

The best way to get to Puerto Rico is by flying into Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan.

Several major airlines fly to Puerto Rico, including Delta, Air Canada, JetBlue, American, and Spirit.

Getting Around In Puerto Rico

While you can manage public transportation in cities like San Juan, it’s easiest to rent your own car and drive around the island at your own pace.

You can pick up and return your car at the airport in San Juan.

Parking is cheap or even free in most places, so a car rental is an affordable and convenient way to get around.

The road rules are pretty similar to the U.S. so there’s not a learning curve to drive there either.

Best Food To Try In Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican cuisine is one of the highlights of visiting the island, so be sure to take time to try some of the local delicacies!

Here are a few recommendations:

• Mofongo: Deep-fried green plantain pieces mashed with garlic and salt-cured pork. It’s sometimes also stuffed with meat or vegetables.

• Tostones: Green plantain cut into thick wheels, marinated in water and garlic, and deep-fried until crispy.

• Amarillos: Ripe plantains fried until the outside is almost blackened, and the inside is soft and sweet.

• Lechon Asado: A whole pig is marinated in adobo sauce and then slow-roasted over coals for hours until juicy inside and crispy on the outside. 

Best Time To Visit Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is warm year-round so you really can’t go too wrong with when you visit.

Summer from June to August is the rainy season so you may run a larger risk of having rainy days if you come during this time. 

Many people cite the winter season from December to March as a great time to visit, especially if you need to escape the cold Northern Hemisphere for a few days.

Just note there might be larger tourist crowds as this is the peak season for winter cruises.

To take advantage of the lowest prices, consider coming during the “off season” from June to November when fewer tourists are around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to other common questions about visiting Puerto Rico:

Do I Need A Passport To Visit Puerto Rico?

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you don’t need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico.

However, note that effective May 2025, your driver’s license will need to be Real ID compliant, or else you will need your passport.

Non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents will need to follow the same passport and visa rules that would apply if visiting the U.S. mainland.

What Language Is Spoken In Puerto Rico?

The primary language spoken and written in Puerto Rico is Spanish, though many residents speak at least some English.

It still doesn’t hurt to know common Spanish phrases to help you get around, order in restaurants, etc.

What Currency Is Used In Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico uses the same currency as the United States: the U.S. Dollar.

What Should I Pack For A Trip To Puerto Rico?

Warm-weather clothing like t-shirts and shorts is perfect for the weather in Puerto Rico.

You may want to bring a light jacket for the evenings when it gets a bit cooler and windy.

Other must-bring items: sunscreen, bug spray (especially for the rainforest), a swimsuit, sandals, and sunglasses.

Keep it simple and enjoy the relaxed Caribbean vibes!

Is 4 Days Enough In Puerto Rico?

Yes, you can see a lot in four days in Puerto Rico. This post provides an awesome sample itinerary to make the most of your time.

Of course, there are a ton of things to see in Puerto Rico so you could easily extend your trip several more days to cover even more ground.

Is It Worth Going To Puerto Rico For Only 3 Days?

If all you have available are three days in Puerto Rico, I recommend following the same itinerary for Days 1 through 3 in this post, removing Day 4.

You’ll get to explore the historic city of San Juan, relax on the island of Culebra, and adventure through the El Yunque National Forest and Laguna Grande.

It’ll be a blitz trip but you’ll get to see a lot!

Is Traveling In Puerto Rico Cheap?

Puerto Rico is one of the most affordable islands in the Caribbean.

To take advantage of even lower hotel costs, consider coming during the “off-season” from June to November.

The weather is still warm during this time, but you can avoid the flocks of tourists that come on winter cruise ships and during Spring Break.

Wrap-Up: 4 Days In Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a beautiful Caribbean island with endless things to see and do.

You can explore a lot in just four days, though I can’t guarantee you won’t want to stay longer once you arrive.

They don’t call it the Island of Enchantment for nothing!

Happy planning!

Additional Caribbean Travel Posts

Booking a last-minute trip to Puerto Rico?  

If so, we have you covered.  

Top Tours in Puerto Rico

Old San Juan City Walking Tour (Best historic walking tour in Old San Juan)

San Juan Guided Snorkel Tour with Videos! (Fantastic snorkeling tour in Puerto Rico)

Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayaking Tour (Unique kayak experience in Laguna Grande Fajardo)

El Yunque Rainforest, Waterslides, and Beach Tour with Transport (El Yunque and Luquillo combo tour)

Icacos Island All-Inclusive Snorkel and Boat Tour (Top-rated snorkel and boat tour from Fajardo)

Top Rated Hotels & Accommodations

MAR DEL NORTE (Top-rated budget accommodation in San Juan)

Condado Vanderbilt Hotel (5-star luxury beachfront hotel)

Waterfront Studio at Fajardo (Spacious beachfront property)

El Conquistador Resort (Midrange to luxury beachfront resort)

Looking To Get Around In Puerto Rico? 

Check out rental car rates here! 🚗