169 Best Sights in Puerto Rico

In Coamo you can take a dip at the famous Piscinas de Aguas Termales, the thermal springs said to have curative powers. There's a changing room at the end of a path. Note that parking is somewhat limited here, especially on weekends, when the attraction is visited by locals from all over the island. There's a gift shop with everything you need to enjoy the pools and bring memories home. Make sure to read and follow the posted rules for everyone's safety. Entrance fee is $5 per person.

Dating from 1739, this neoclassical church has seen many additions over the years. The impressive crystal chandelier, for example, was imported from Barcelona and added in 1866. Be sure to take a look at the carved-wood ceiling in the nave. This church is still in use, so the only time you can get a look inside is during services or through local tour guides.

This huge stone fortress, built between 1634 and 1783, guarded the city from land attacks from the east. The largest Spanish fortification in the New World, San Cristóbal was known in the 17th and 18th centuries as “the Gibraltar of the West Indies.” Five freestanding structures divided by dry moats are connected by tunnels. You're free to explore the gun turrets (with cannon in situ), officers' quarters, re-created 18th-century barracks, and gloomy passageways. Along with El Morro, San Cristóbal is a National Historic Site administered by the U.S. National Park Service; it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. Rangers conduct tours in Spanish and English.

At the northwestern tip of Old San Juan, El Morro (the promontory) was built by the Spaniards between 1539 and 1790. Rising 140 feet above the sea, the massive six-level fortress was built to protect the port and has a commanding view of the harbor. It is a labyrinth of cannon batteries, ramps, barracks, turrets, towers, and tunnels, through which you're free to wander. The cannon emplacement walls and the dank secret passageways are a wonder of engineering. A small but enlightening museum displays ancient Spanish guns and other armaments, military uniforms, and blueprints for Spanish forts in the Americas, although Castillo San Cristóbal has more extensive and impressive exhibits. There's also a gift shop. The fort is a National Historic Site administered by the U.S. National Park Service, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. Various tours and a video are available in English.

Cayo Icacos is one of about 10 small islands that make up the Cordillera Nature Reserve just off the coast of Puerto Rico. It's a beautiful beach with good snorkeling offshore. Icacos can only be reached by a 15- to 20-minute boat ride, so pack whatever you might need for the day. Several tour operators in Fajardo offer day trips here, or you can hire a boat in Las Croabas. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

Oversized flora, rushing streams, and powerful cascades are just some of what you'll find in El Yunque, which gets 100 billion gallons of precipitation annually. Two of the island's highest picos (peaks), El Toro and El Yunque, are also here, rising over 3,500 feet amid the more than 28,000 lush acres that encompass four major forest types, roughly stratified by elevation.

These ecosystems are home to thousands of native plants, including 150 fern and 240 tree species—88 of them rare and endemic, 23 of them found here exclusively. There are no monkeys or large cats (and no poisonous snakes, either). Rather, El Yunque is populated with small creatures, some of which—like the cotorra (the island’s greatly endangered green parrot) and the culebrón (Puerto Rican boa)—exist nowhere else on Earth.

The bird-watching is especially good after a shower, so, in addition to a rain poncho, pack binoculars to spot some of the forest’s 68 types, including the Puerto Rican tody, lizard cuckoo, and sharp-shinned hawk, as well as five species of hummingbirds. Rivers and streams provide aquatic habitats for freshwater snails, shrimp, and crabs. The forest's 1,200 species of insects—from ants to beetles to flies—provide food for some of the 14 different types of lizards, geckos among them. In the evening, millions of inch-long coquís (tree frogs) begin their calls.

The best way to experience all this nature is on a hike. The forest’s 13 official trails are short and easy to navigate. Although not as immersive as a hike, a leisurely drive-through is also gratifying. Along the way, you'll encounter beautiful waterfalls; hibiscus, banana, and orchid plants; and the occasional vista. Be sure to stop and climb the winding stairs of Yokahú Tower for breathtaking views of the rainforest and the islands. Advanced reservations are required.

Built by Salvador de Vives in 1838, this was one of the area's largest coffee plantations. It's a technological marvel: water from the nearby Río Canas was funneled into narrow brick channels that could be diverted to perform any number of tasks, like turning the waterwheel. Seeing the two-story wheel slowly begin to turn is fascinating, especially for kids. Nearby is the two-story manor house, with a kitchen dominated by a massive hearth and furniture that hints at life on a coffee plantation nearly 150 years ago. In 1987, the plantation was restored by the Puerto Rican Conservation Trust, which leads several tours each day (at least one in English; by reservation only, call several days in advance or reserve online). A gift shop sells coffee beans and other souvenirs. 

Part of the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre de Culebra, uninhabited Isla Culebrita is clearly visible from the northeast corner of Culebra. An essential day-trip excursion, this islet is a favorite destination for sunbathers, snorkelers, and boating enthusiasts. Isolation amid a palette of crystalline, turquoise waters, and dewy, lush greens makes for a one-of-a-kind natural experience. On weekends and holidays however, the island can get crowded. On the northern shore there are several tidal pools; snuggling into one of them is like taking a warm bath. Snorkelers and divers love that they can reach the reef from the shore and carouse with sea turtles, rays, and schools of colorful fish. Bring your sneakers: in about 20–30 minutes you can hike to the islet's peak, where the spectacular ruins of an old lighthouse await. Views of the surrounding Caribbean are sublime from the top of the structure, but you may not be able to climb its 54 steps; the lighthouse is currently being restored. Several tour operators offer excursions to the island.

This lovely Spanish-style villa—so massive that townspeople dubbed it a castle—was built in the 1930s for Ponce's wealthiest family, the makers of Don Q rum. Guided tours provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of a sugar baron, and a permanent exhibit explains the area's sugarcane and rum industries. Highlights include the dining room, with original hand-carved furnishings, and the extensive garden, with sculptured bushes and a shimmering reflection pool. A large cross looming over the house is an observatory; from the top, you can see the Caribbean.

Designed by Edward Durell Stone, who also designed the original Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Ponce's art museum is easily identified by the hexagonal galleries on its second story. It has one of the best art collections in Puerto Rico, which is why residents of San Juan frequently make the trip. The 4,500-piece collection includes works by famous Puerto Rican artists such as Francisco Oller, represented by a lovely landscape called Hacienda Aurora. After a series or hurricanes and earthquakes, the museum has faced a long stretch or reconstruction. Only the second and third floors are currently open, and some prized pieces have been moved to other museums during this process. In the meantime, the museum also offers special exhibits, three sculpture gardens, and a café.

After El Morro in Old San Juan, this distinctive red-and-black-striped building may be the second-most-photographed structure in Puerto Rico. Built in 1882 as a pavilion for an agricultural and industrial fair, it was converted the following year into a firehouse. In 1990, it took on new life as a small museum tracing the history—and glorious feats—of Ponce's fire brigade. Kids love the antique fire truck on the lower level. Short tours in English and Spanish are given on the hour starting at 10; if the trolley is running, you can sign up for free tours of the historic downtown here, too. Helpful tourism officials staff a small information desk inside.

The not-so-secret Secret Beach is a heavenly cove for those seeking privacy. This tiny yet beautiful horseshoe-shape stretch of sand, reached via a rambling dirt road, is calm and secluded. You can find yourself completely alone or in the company of just a few couples embracing in the crystal clear water. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; snorkeling; swimming.

This big, beautiful stretch of white sand leads to large rocks and a cliff that juts into the sea. The water can be too rough and choppy for swimming in the winter, but the summer months are great for swimming and snorkeling. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Consistently ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, this stretch has snow-white sands, turquoise waters, and lush hills rising on all sides. During the week, it's pleasantly uncrowded; on weekends it fills up with day-trippers from the mainland. With kiosks selling simple dishes and vendors for lounge-chair and umbrella rentals, it's easy to make a day of it. There's great snorkeling past the old dock. Tanks on the northern end of the beach are a reminder that the area was once a military base. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

This beach is only a short drive from Dorado, and it matches the unique look of the natural pools surrounded by limestone walls one finds along Puerto Rico’s northern coast. This half-moon-shape natural pool is one of the island's most visited, and the crashing waves are a spectacular sight. Food trucks selling all of PR’s fave fried goodies are always set up here, and arts vendors come out on the weekends when the beach is busier. Shade can be limited so bringing your own umbrella is a good idea. The water gets rough in the winter months, so swimming may not always be a good idea. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Swimming in the crystal clear waters of Peña Blanca is best in the summer months during low tide. In the winter months, the waters reach the rocks around the beach, eliminating the already fairly small shoreline. Regardless, the views here are stunning. Amenities: parking (free in winter, fee in summer when it's busy). Best for: snorkeling; walking.

Punta Tuna Beach is on Puerto Rico’s southeast coast. Strong currents make it unsafe to swim here, but this is a beautiful place to relax with a book or take a long walk on the beach. This is also home to the Punta Tuna Reserve, a nesting site for turtles from March to July. Climbing the rock formations at one of the end beach provides a beautiful view. You can also visit the Punta Tuna Lighthouse perched above the beach, which contains a small museum inside and amazing views of the ocean. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; walking.

The crescent-shape strand is the most secluded, and beautiful, of the area's beaches. It's commonly referred to as "Playa Sucia" (Dirty Beach) by locals, because of the blankets of seaweed that drift to shore during winter months. The label is rather unfitting for the white sand and turquoise waters that mark the island's southwestern corner, reachable by way of a dirt road lined with mangroves. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming.

About a 30-minute drive outside of Dorado you can find Poza de las Mujeres, another natural North Coast swimming hole protected by rock formations, which split the beach almost in two. On the left, the water is shallow, calm, and protected from the rougher waters outside the natural barricade. On the right, the rocks do not form a protective barrier and the water is much rougher year-round and not suitable for swimming. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

East of Esperanza, Puerto Mosquito is one of the world's best spots for a glow-in-the-dark experience with undersea dinoflagellates—microorganisms that light up when the water around them is agitated. Local operators offer kayak trips or excursions on nonpolluting boats to see the bay's light show. Look behind your boat at the twinkling wake. Even the fish that swim through and jump from the water bear an eerie glow. The high concentration of dinoflagellates sets the bay apart from other spots (including in Puerto Rico) that are home to these microorganisms. The experience is best when there's little or no moonlight; rainy nights are beautiful, too, because drops hitting the water produce ricochets that shimmer like diamonds. Note that licensed operators are prohibited from leading tours on the day before, during, and after a full moon.

Commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909, the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge is one of the nation's oldest. The total protected area comprises some 1,500 acres of the island. It's a lure for hikers and bird-watchers: Culebra teems with seabirds, from laughing gulls and roseate terns to red-billed tropic birds and sooty terns. Maps of trails in the refuge are hard to come by, but you can stop by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office east of the airport to find out about trail conditions and determine whether you're headed to an area that requires a permit. The office also can tell you whether the leatherback turtles are nesting. From mid-April to mid-July, volunteers help monitor and tag these creatures, which nest on nearby beaches, especially Playa Resaca and Playa Brava.

The 316-acre reserve on a headland north of Fajardo is owned by the nonprofit Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. You ride in open-air trolleys and wander down boardwalks through seven ecosystems, including lagoons, mangrove swamps, and dry-forest areas. Green iguanas skitter across paths, and guides identify other endangered species. A half-hour hike down a wooden walkway brings you to the mangrove-lined Laguna Grande, where bioluminescent microorganisms glow at night. The restored Fajardo Lighthouse is the final stop on the tour. Its Spanish colonial tower has been in operation since 1882, making it Puerto Rico's second-oldest lighthouse. The first floor houses ecological displays, and a winding staircase leads to an observation deck. The only way to see the reserve is on a guided tour; reservations are required and can be made through the trust's website.

At the eastern end of Plaza Francisco Mariano Quiñones, this Spanish colonial--style building served as the town's city hall from 1844 to 1950. Once used as a prison, it is now houses the town's tourism office.

The long stretch of sand at this beach off Route 101 is a favorite with islanders, especially on weekends. This is a Blue Flag beach, meaning it is recognized for its adherence to high environmental standards. Entrance fee is $4 per vehicle, and it's a pet-friendly beach. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

The gentle waters at this beach on Route 333 wash onto a wide swath of sand fringed with palm trees. This is one of the few beaches in Puerto Rico that meets the high environmental standards of the Blue Flag program. There is a designated area roped off for swimmers, and lifeguards remain on duty most afternoons. You'll also find picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and changing facilities. During high season there are beach-chair rentals, food vendors, and paid parking. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: hiking; snorkeling; swimming.

When people talk about a "beautiful Isla Verde beach," this Blue Flag beach is the one—even though it's so close to the airport that leaves rustle when planes take off. Thanks to an offshore reef, the surf here is not as strong as at other nearby beaches, so it's good for families. There's plenty of room to spread out underneath the palm and almond trees, and there are picnic tables and grills. Although there's a charge for parking, there's not always someone to take the money. On weekends, the beach is crowded; get here early to nab parking. The Vivo Beach Club offers lounge chairs and beautiful facilities for food and drink, including a brewery. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

Families enjoy the tranquil waters, playground, and shelters for seaside picnics. The booths are first-come, first-served, so arrive early if you want to relax in their shade. The beach is within walking distance to the center of town. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.

This government-run beach has a patch of honey-color sand shaded by coconut palms. An offshore reef generally makes surf gentle, so it's favored by families. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

One of Puerto Rico's prized Blue Flag beaches, this long stretch of powdery sand near the Reserva Natural Las Cabezas de San Juan has calm, clear waters that are perfect for swimming. There are plenty of picnic tables, as well as restaurants just outside the gates. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers (fee); toilets. Best for: swimming.