If You Have 1 Day
If you have only a day (or even less) to visit eastern Puerto Rico, make a beeline for El Yunque (Route 3 is the quickest way). This rain forest has hiking trails of various lengths leading to secluded waterfalls and mountaintop towers with spectacular views. It’s wonderful to explore even if you never get out of your car. If you are staying overnight, your best bet is nearby Río Grande.
If You Have 3 Days
To avoid the unrelenting string of strip malls along Route 3, take the winding, coastal Route 187. Stop for lunch at one of the seafood kiosks that line the beach at Piñones. Spend your afternoon in Loíza shopping for masks and other locally made artwork. If you’re there on the weekend, attend a bomba dancing class on the beach. Otherwise, head to Cueva Maria de la Cruz, a tall and historic cave. Spend the night in or near Río Grande, a town that makes a good base for exploring the region. On your second day, get up early to beat the crowds to El Yunque. Bring binoculars so you can spot the rare Puerto Rican green parrot. On Day 3, head to Luquillo, which has one of the island’s prettiest beaches. Stop for lunch in one of the food kiosks on Route 3 just before you reach the town.
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If You Have 5 Days
If you have five days, follow the three-day itinerary above. On Day 4 head east along Route 3 to the coastal city of Fajardo, which has plenty of accommodations in every price range. Make sure you have called ahead to reserve a spot on a tour of Reserva Natural Las Cabezas de San Juan. If there’s no moon, sign up for a nighttime excursion to the reserve’s bioluminescent bay. On Day 5, take a snorkeling trip from the Fajardo marina to see surrounding coral reefs at sites like Cayo Icacos, or go for a dip in a natural pool in Naguabo or Ceiba.