Destinations / Caribbean / Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Travel Guide
No passport needed for US citizens, under four hours from New York, and the best food scene in the Caribbean. Split your stay between San Juan and a beach resort in Dorado or Río Grande, and don't miss a bioluminescent bay.
Puerto Rico
Where I'm sending people now
Old San Juan or Condado for food and history, Dorado or Río Grande (near El Yunque) for luxury resorts, Vieques for the brightest bio bay.
Mid-December to April is dry and busiest. May, June and November are good value. August to October is peak hurricane season.
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve averages about $1,600 to $3,000 a night; the St. Regis Bahia Beach about $800 to $2,100; Fairmont El San Juan from about $300.
El Yunque no longer needs a reservation, but the road fills by about 8 a.m. and La Mina Falls is closed. Uber works in San Juan but can't pick you up at El Yunque, so plan your ride back.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Know before you go
Getting there
San Juan (SJU) has nonstops from many US cities. US citizens don't need a passport, and international visitors follow US entry rules. Condado and Old San Juan are 15-20 minutes from the airport, and Dorado or Rio Grande 35-45 minutes; Aguadilla (BQN) is better for the west coast.
Getting around
In San Juan, Uber and taxis cover everything. Rent a car for El Yunque or the west coast, and make sure it has an AutoExpreso toll tag. Ferries to Vieques and Culebra run from Ceiba, about 75-90 minutes from SJU, but rental cars can't go on them.
Money and tipping
US dollars and cards everywhere. Expect sales tax around 11.5% on most purchases, tip like the US mainland, and check hotel bills for resort fees.
How I'd spend 5 days
Day 1 Arrive, Old San Juan walk, dinner in Condado
Day 2 El Yunque rainforest (arrive by 8 a.m.), Luquillo kiosks
Day 3 Ferry or short flight to Vieques, bioluminescent bay tour at night
Day 4 Vieques beaches, or Culebra's Flamenco Beach
Day 5 Back to San Juan, Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Hotels I'd book in Puerto Rico
Things to do in Puerto Rico
Where to eat in Puerto Rico
Marmalade
Santaella
Caña by José Enrique
Café Manolín
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Puerto Rico FAQ
Do I need a passport for Puerto Rico?
No, not as a US citizen. You just need a REAL ID for the flight.
Do I need a reservation for El Yunque?
Not anymore. Entry is free and first-come, first-served; the road fills by about 8 a.m. El Portal visitor center is $8, and La Mina Falls is closed for construction.
Do I need a car?
Not in Old San Juan or Condado; Uber works in the San Juan area. Rent one for El Yunque, Fajardo or Dorado. Uber can't pick you up at El Yunque, so arrange your ride back.
Which bioluminescent bay is best?
Mosquito Bay on Vieques is the brightest, but you need to stay overnight on Vieques. Laguna Grande in Fajardo is the easy trip from San Juan. Tours don't run on full-moon nights, when the glow is weakest.
Is Flamenco Beach guaranteed on a Culebra tour?
No. Boats go where the sea allows and sometimes switch to Culebrita.
Is sargassum a problem?
It can be from about April to early November, especially on the southeast coast. 2026 was a heavy year.
Can kids tour Casa Bacardí?
No. All tours are 18 and up.
When is it cheapest to fly?
January usually has the lowest fares from New York, and late summer has the cheapest hotels.