1 - 2 Day Travel Itinerary: San Juan, Puerto Rico

1 - 2 Day Travel Itinerary: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a truly beautiful place to visit, an island paradise in the Caribbean with a fascinating history, and a remarkable mixture of cultures and traditions. The blend of American, Spanish and Caribbean heritage makes for an incredible the atmosphere and a unique cultural vibe and means this little dot of heaven should be on every traveler’s bucket list.

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As it is officially part of the USA, Puerto Rico is one of the best-connected islands in the Caribbean, and one of the easiest to get to. It has two international airports, several other smaller airstrips for island hopping, and San Juan is the second largest cruise ship port in the western hemisphere. In fact, taking a cruise to Puerto Rico is one of the most rewarding ways of getting to and seeing this exquisite island.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, you’ll likely have a day or two to explore. San Juan is a wonderful town with so much to do that you’ll find it easy to spend all your time there, but there’s a lot to see across the whole island as well. There are a few unmissable things to see, so take a look at some of our suggestions below - you’ll thank us later.

24 hours in San Juan

The old town of San Juan is gorgeous, a constant stream of color and life, and perfect for wandering around for a morning. Take in the picture-perfect Spanish colonial architecture, and check out some of the amazing sights like the imposing El Morro Castle, Fort San Cristobal, and the superb Gothic cathedral of San Juan Bautista. There are countless charming little cafes and restaurants if you need to put your feet up and refuel.

In the afternoon, why not indulge in a little retail therapy. The Mercado Agricola Natural Viejo San Juan is held in the elegant courtyard of the old Museo de San Juan every Saturday, and is a superb way to get under the skin of the local way of life. For a more upmarket experience, head over to the Condado district, which is full of stylish little boutiques and fashion outlets, as well as some great bars and restaurants for later.

Finally, there’s only one way to end a day in San Juan - with signature mofongo and fried plantains for dinner and a pina colada on the beach.

48 hours in Puerto Rico

If you are lucky enough to have a bit more time on the island, you may want to venture a bit further afield. Puerto Rico is packed with extraordinary sights, and luckily most of them are within an hour’s drive of San Juan!

Check out some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, like Playa Sucia, Playa Boqueron, or Buye Beach. You might fancy exploring the natural wonders of El Yunque National Park, hiking through lush rainforests, and discovering majestic waterfalls like La Coca Falls. Or you might want to descend underground and explore the third-largest cave system in the world at the Cuevas Camuy.

If you have the time, you might want to discover the mind-blowing glow-in-the-dark waters of the three bioluminescent beaches, at La Parguera, Laguna Grande, or Mosquito Bay.

Whatever you end up doing in Puerto Rico, you’ll want to spend more time here than you even have scheduled. You’ll probably start planning your return trip as soon as you leave.