Puerto Rico is deceptively small—just 3,500 square miles—but within that space lies a wealth of landscapes, flavors, and experiences. I’ve returned countless times, yet each visit reveals something new: a local farm supplying produce and cheeses to top restaurants, yet open for visitors to taste and explore; a surf break that buzzes with energy without the crush of crowds; or a secluded corner of El Yunque rainforest where the greenery feels boundless. At night, the bioluminescent bays glow like liquid stars, a reminder that Puerto Rico is home to some of the brightest in the United States (and not to mention, three out of the five bioluminescent bays in the world!).
You can traverse the island in a few hours, yet lingering—hiking, paddling, tasting, wandering—leaves you energized rather than exhausted. By the time you depart, you feel attuned to nature, immersed in community and color, and now touched by the island’s unique sense of fun and wonder. That said, Puerto Rico has a way of pulling you in, offering something different every time you visit—whether it’s the landscape, the food, or the people. Read on for 25 of the best things to do across Puerto Rico, whether you’re here for adventure, relaxation, or something in between.
To help with your planning, we’ve organized our list of the best things to do in Puerto Rico by category:
Read our complete Puerto Rico travel guide here, which includes: