Puerto Rico: San Juan and El Yunque

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Old San Juan

   1. 12:00

      Airport to Old San Juan

      Getting around

      About 20 minutes by taxi or ride share from the airport in Carolina.

   2. 13:30

      Stay in Old San Juan

      Stay

      The walled old town is compact and best seen on foot; base for two nights.

   3. 15:30

      Castillo San Felipe del Morro

      Activity

      A 16th-century fortress on the point, with a wide lawn where families fly kites.

   4. 18:00

      Paseo de la Princesa at sunset

      Activity

      A tree-lined promenade below the city walls, along the bay.

   5. 19:30

      Dinner: mofongo in the old town

      Food & drink

      Mashed fried plantain with garlic, filled with shrimp, chicken or pork.

2. Day 2

   Old San Juan and Condado

   1. 09:00

      Castillo San Cristóbal

      Activity

      The largest Spanish fort in the Americas, guarding the city from the land side.

   2. 10:30

      Calle Fortaleza and the cathedral

      Activity

      Blue cobblestones, painted houses, the governor’s mansion and San Juan Bautista Cathedral.

   3. 12:30

      Lunch: rice and beans with roast pork

      Food & drink

      Classic Puerto Rican comfort food.

   4. 14:30

      Condado Beach

      Activity

      A city beach a short ride from the old town; swim where the water is calmer.

   5. 19:00

      Piña colada and dinner

      Food & drink

      San Juan claims the piña colada as its own; try one before dinner.

3. Day 3

   El Yunque and Luquillo

   1. 07:30

      Drive east to El Yunque

      Getting around

      About an hour from San Juan; you need a vehicle reservation for the main road into the forest.

   2. 08:30

      El Yunque rainforest

      Activity

      The only tropical rainforest in the US national forest system; climb Yokahú Tower and walk short trails to waterfalls.

   3. 13:00

      Lunch: frituras at the Luquillo kiosks

      Food & drink

      A long row of food stands by the beach; try alcapurrias and bacalaítos.

   4. 14:30

      Luquillo Beach

      Activity

      A calm, palm-lined beach protected by a reef, easy for kids.

   5. 17:30

      Stay in Fajardo

      Stay

      The northeast corner of the island, close to the bio bay and the ferry.

4. Day 4

   Culebra and the bio bay

   1. 07:00

      Ferry from Ceiba to Culebra

      Getting around

      The ferry leaves from the terminal in Ceiba, just south of Fajardo; arrive early.

   2. 09:30

      Flamenco Beach

      Activity

      A wide curve of white sand and clear water, often ranked among the best beaches in the Caribbean.

   3. 12:30

      Lunch near the beach

      Food & drink

      Simple food stands with empanadillas and fresh juice.

   4. 15:00

      Ferry back to the main island

      Getting around

      Hold your return ticket and be at the dock well before departure.

   5. 20:00

      Kayak the bioluminescent bay

      Activity

      Paddle through mangroves to Laguna Grande, where the water glows when you move it.

5. Day 5

   Piñones and home

   1. 09:00

      Drive back toward San Juan

      Getting around

      About an hour west along the coast.

   2. 10:30

      Piñones

      Activity

      A coastal strip of palm groves and quiet beaches near Loíza, a center of Afro-Puerto Rican culture.

   3. 12:00

      Lunch: fritters at the Piñones kiosks

      Food & drink

      Coconut water from the shell and fried snacks cooked over wood fires.

   4. 14:30

      Return the car and fly out

      Getting around

      The airport is just minutes from Piñones.