7 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary (Pre-Planned By a Local)

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Planning a trip to Puerto Rico but don’t know what to see or where to go? Lucky for you, I’ve created the perfect 7-day Puerto Rico itinerary for your trip!

I’m a Puerto Rico local and I’ve crafted this guide with the best of my insight, so you can discover as much of Puerto Rico as possible in 7 days, including some of my favorite Puerto Rico attractions. 

Of course, you can always customize it to your taste.

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Where to Stay for 7 Days in Puerto Rico

For a 7-day visit to Puerto Rico, these are my top picks for where to stay: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – El Conquistador Resort
• 💵 Best Budget – Casa Blanca Hotel
• 🛏️ Best Mid-Range – Courtyard Aguadilla
• 💎 Best Luxury – St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort Puerto Rico 
• 👪 Best For Families – Rincon Beach Resort
• 📍 Best In San Juan – Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino
• 📍 Best In Culebra – Club Seabourne Hotel
• 📍 Best In Vieques –  El Blok
• Best in Ponce – Hilton Ponce Golf and Casino Resort
• 👫 Best Adult-Only – El Blok
• 🌊 Best with Beachfront Location – Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa
• 🏠 Apartments –  Browse rentals in Puerto Rico 

For more, check out my full guide to where to stay in Puerto Rico.

7 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary

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We put this entire itinerary on a handy Google Map with every place, hotel, site, and restaurant on this post nicely organized for you.

Plus, it links to this post so you’ll have it handy when you need it on the road. It’s basically a one-click vacation planner!

Tip: hit the star button next to the map title, and it’ll automatically save to your Google Maps.

You can also get a printable version of this itinerary here.

Day 1 – Old San Juan

Start your first day in Puerto Rico in San Juan, the capital city. Pop over to Cuartel Ballajá, one of the most impressive 19th-century buildings you’ll find on San Juan’s National Historic Site. 

Grab breakfast at Café Don Ruiz, one of San Juan’s best coffee shops, located within this building, and sit outdoors to admire the architecture of the interior courtyard.

After you’re done, cross the street to El Morro, a six-floor fortress built to protect Puerto Rico from sea attacks. Plan to spend around 1 hour and a half here, and start exploring from the lowest levels to the top ones. 

After exploring El Morro, take Cemetery Street down to the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. Have your camera ready to snap photos of some of the most beautiful and detailed sculptures you’ll find in Old San Juan adorning tombs. The historical cemetery is the final resting place for some of Puerto Rico’s most important figures, including Pedro Albizu Campos.

Go back to Calle Norzagaray and stop at La Vergüenza for a refreshing Piña Colada (Puerto Rico’s national drink!), before continuing your way to Fuerte San Cristóbal. Considered the largest fortification built by the Spanish Empire on the American continent, this fortress offers some of the best views in San Juan.

After you’ve finished with both forts, take Calle de Luna until you reach the San Juan Cathedral. Make sure to admire the dome, painted to give the illusion of having a balcony. And visit the chapel at the back, which is one of the oldest parts of the church.

Continue through Calle San Francisco to Plaza de Armas, Old San Juan’s main square, and after snapping some pictures, go south to reach Calle Fortaleza, where you’ll find all kinds of shops, restaurants, and La Fortaleza, the current executive mansion. 

Find Café El Punto on that same street for a great local and cheap lunch.

👉 Pro Tip: If you love history and architecture, make an appointment to visit La Fortaleza, the longest executive mansion in function on the American continent. Learn how to do it with my guide to visiting La Fortaleza.

Afternoon

After lunch, take Calle del Cristo until reaching Capilla del Cristo, a small chapel in the middle of the street with a peculiar legend behind it. It’s hard to find it open, but even if it’s closed, it’s great for snapping pictures. Right next to it, you’ll find Parque de las Palomas, an outdoor space where you can feed pigeons and soak in great views of the San Juan Bay. Take the small alley behind Capilla del Cristo to reach Calle de Tetuán, and grab dessert at Señor Paleta.

Turn right to Plaza Ramón Power y Giralt, and take the stairs down to Paseo de La Princesa, where you can spend the afternoon walking and visiting famous landmarks like the Raices Fountain and San Juan’s Gate.

On that same promenade, you’ll find La Princesa’s Prison, currently Puerto Rico’s Tourism Company Office. Stop here to enjoy a free art exhibit while also taking advantage of the AC oasis. On the back of the building, you’ll find original cells from the time the building was a prison.

Evening

For the evening, drive your rental car or take a taxi to Condado, an upscale sector of Old San Juan, located between the beach and a lagoon. Take a night kayaking tour in the Condado Lagoon, and get an upclose view of Puente Dos Hermanos, one of the best things to do in San Juan. 

After all that kayaking, you’ll be hungry for sure, so go ahead and tour Ashford Avenue to grab dinner at your preferred restaurant.

• 🛎️ Where to Stay: El Convento ($$$$, luxury, and great location) • Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino ($$$, centrally located) • CasaBlanca Hotel ($$, best budget)
• 🍽️ Where to Eat: La Vergüenza ($$), Café Manolin ($)

Day 2 – Arecibo, Isabela, and Aguadilla

Start your day by hopping in your car before 7 am. You’ll be driving west to Arecibo, a coastal town known for its rivers, caves, and beaches.

Your first stop here will be Cueva del Indio, an oceanfront cave known for housing a large collection of Taino petroglyphs. This coastal area in Arecibo is also known for the Seven Arches, seven similar sandy rock formations that arch over the water. 

Spend two hours in the area and hop back in your car to finish your morning with a quick dip in La Poza del Obispo beach, a small natural cove that feels like a wave pool. From this beach, you can see Arecibo’s Lighthouse. 

After washing out the salt, continue driving west to Quebradillas and stop for lunch at Carbon y Leña. 

Afternoon

After lunch, your next stop will be the Guajataca Tunnel, built for the sugarcane railway that connected multiple sugarcane plantations and ports in Puerto Rico in the 19th century. The railway is no longer working, but you can cross the tunnel and walk to Playa Pelicano.

Get back in the car and continue driving west to check out the many things to do in Aguadilla, but don’t forget to snap a picture of La Cara del Indio, a famous rock sculpture right by the road, before leaving Isabela.

Wrap up your afternoon, soaking in the sun at Crash Boat Beach, one of the top beaches of Puerto Rico. Or, if you’re more into surfing, hiking, and scenery, visit Surfers Beach for a great sunset. 

Evening

For dinner, head over to Aguadilla’s Food Truck Park, where each family member gets to choose where they’d like to eat. If you’re up for some family-friendly fun, finish your night bowling at Aguadilla Bowling Center or playing mini golf at Taíno Mini Golf.

• 🛎️ Where to Stay: Punta Borinquen Resort ($$$, near the beach) • Courtyard Aguadilla ($$$, swimming pool, one of the top places to stay in Aguadilla)
• 🍽️ Where to Eat: Carbon y Leña ($$), Aguadilla’s Food Truck Park ($$)
• 🍺 Where to Drink: El Varadero’s Pub ($$), Timber & Blues ($$)

Day 3 – Aguada, Rincon and Cabo Rojo

On day three, hop in your car early in the morning and drive to Mimosa Brunch in Aguada to grab a farm-to-table breakfast.

Continue transiting through Nativo Alers Ave and make a quick stop at Aguada’s Pyramid. While it’s not as ancient as some pyramids in Latin America, this is a unique and fun photo op in Puerto Rico.

After eating, continue driving to Punta Higueras Lighthouse in Rincón, from where you can spot whales during the winter and early spring seasons, and you can enjoy an amazing view of Domes Beach.

While Domes Beach is perfect for surfers, it can be dangerous for swimmers. For something more family-friendly, drive to Steps Beach, one of my favorite beaches in Puerto Rico.

You’ll find both great scenery and some natural pools safe for beach bumming. While you’re there, try reaching the steps on the beach and taking a photo posing on them. 

Have lunch in The Beach House, and after getting some pictures of the west coast view with Desecheo in the background, get back on the road.

Afternoon

Continue driving south to Boquerón State Forest, an important Puerto Rico park that extends over five thousand acres. 

Set your GPS to Los Morillos Lighthouse, a 19th-century historical lighthouse with mesmerizing cliffs and a view of the Atlantic Ocean. The gate to the park might be closed, so you’ll need to hike for 25 minutes to the lighthouse.

Once there, don’t miss the Stone Bridge and Cueva Jaguey. And after all that hiking and heat, hike to Playuela Beach within the same forest, so you can take a dip and refresh yourself.

Evening

Exit the refuge and drive north to Poblado El Combate, where you’ll finish you’ll indulge in the famous roasted pig dish in Lechonera El Combate. 

If you still have energy after sundown, hang out in Poblado de Boquerón, where you’ll find bars, ice cream shops, and plenty of photo ops.

• 🛎️ Where to Stay in Rincon: Combate Beach Resort ($$$, near the beach) • Rincon Beach Resort ($$$, bar and pool) • Coconut Palms Inn ($$, beachfront, budget-friendly)
• 🍽️ Where to Eat: The Beach House ($$), Lechonera El Combate ($)
• 🍺 Where to Drink: Sangre Boricua ($$), Balaju Sport Bar ($$)

Day 4 – Guánica and Ponce

Kickstart your morning by driving to Pargomar Bakery and Deli in Lajas to grab breakfast. Hop back in your car and drive to Guánica’s Dry Forest, one of my favorite hiking spots in Puerto Rico. 

This dry forest is the largest of its kind in Puerto Rico, and it’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The forest features caves, beaches, and numerous hiking trails that wind through hills, plains, and coastal areas. 

If you have enough time and are in shape, you can take the Ballenas Trail or the Lluveras Trail to the coast and reach Playa Tamarindo, one of the best beaches on the south coast.

If you would rather make your visit short, take the route to the Caprón Fortress from PR-333.

For lunch, drop by El Barril de la Mulata in Ponce for a cheap Puerto Rican lunch, or at Níspero Asador, Vinos y Coctelería if you want something more upscale. Both are popular eating spots in Ponce.

Afternoon

After, stop at Plaza Las Delicias and visit Parque de Bombas, the oldest firehouse in Puerto Rico and one of the best things to do in Ponce.

Later, drive to Castillo Serrallés Museum, the summer house of the creators of Don Q, now turned into a museum with original furniture, pictures, and artifacts that belonged to the family. 

Finish your afternoon visiting the Japanese garden and the famous Cruceta del Vigia across the museum. From the top of Cruceta del Vigia, you’ll have a beautiful view of Ponce and the south coast. 

Evening

For dinner, visit La Guancha, where you’ll find a variety of food kiosks with traditional Puerto Rican foods like alcapurrias and bacalaitos. The kiosks and food trucks are aligned within a large parking lot, and many of them have picnic tables.

But, you can also cross Calle B street and enjoy your favorite fritter at La Guancha Beach.

Go to sleep early, as you will have to wake up at dawn on day 5 to catch the ferry to Culebra, Alternatively, instead of spending the night in Guánica or Ponce, you can drive to Ceiba and stay in a vacation rental close to the ferry terminal to catch the earliest ferry.

• 🛎️ Where to Stay: Hilton Ponce Golf and Casino Resort ($$$, sports casino) • Boutique Hotel Bélgica ($$, great budget and location) • Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa ($$, beachfront, pool, and restaurants)
• 🍽️ Where to Eat: Pargomar Bakery ($),  El Barril de la Mulata ($), CoffeeHouse ($$)
• 🍺 Where to Drink: Candy Bar Exotic Drinks ($$), Sabor y Rumba ($$)

Day 5 – Culebra

Get up before dawn and drive east to Roosevelt Roads to catch the earliest ferry to Culebra, a popular Puerto Rico day trip for beach lovers, for its beautiful and mesmerizing beaches.  

After you arrive in Culebra and you rent your car, stop at Blac Flamingo Coffee to enjoy the best coffee on the island with some breakfast tacos. 

Head northwest to Flamenco Beach, the highest-rated beach in Culebra, often considered one of the top beaches in the world. Relax for the rest of the morning on the white sand or go for a swim. You’ll find beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel rentals on the beach.

Walk west of the beach and find the military tank on the shore. On your way back, hike within the coastal forest to find a second hidden tank that many visitors miss out on.

Once noon hits, grab lunch at Flamenco Beach Bar & Grill or Kiosko de Mami, both food kiosks on the beach. 

Afternoon

After lunch, put your shoes on and hike your way from Flamenco Beach to Carlos Rosario Beach to spend the afternoon snorkeling between breathtaking coral reefs in what’s considered one of the best diving destinations in Puerto Rico.

While there, don’t forget to stop at Playa Tamarindo Grande (not to be confused with Playa Tamarindo).

If you still have time before sunset, exit Flamenco Beach’s parking lot and drive to Tamarindo Beach, one of the most popular spots in Culebra to snorkel with turtles.

Drive to Playa Melones to enjoy one of the best sunsets in Culebra, with the sun hiding behind Cayo Luis Peña, one of the popular cays of Puerto Rico. If, instead, you would rather meditate and have a beach to yourself, visit Zoni Beach.

Evening

For dinner, visit Zaco’s Tacos in downtown. Besides stargazing, there isn’t much to do at Culebra during the night, so you can go to sleep early.

• 🛎️ Where to Stay: Club Seabourne Hotel ($$$, bar, and outdoor pool)
• 🍽️ Where to Eat: Lechonera La Criolla en Culebra ($$), Blac Flamingo Coffee ($$)
• 🍺 Where to Drink: Mamacita’s Restaurant and Bar ($$), Zaco’s Tacos ($$)

Day 6 – Vieques

Drop off your rental car, and take the earliest flight from Culebra to Vieques with Vieques Air Link. There used to be a ferry route between the two offshore islands, but it’s no longer operating.

So, if you want to explore both Vieques and Culebra one after another, you’ll need to take a connecting flight, or go back to the mainland and catch a ferry from there to Vieques. Despite the hassle, you won’t regret visiting these popular Puerto Rico destinations.

After arriving in Vieques and picking up your car rental, head over to Panaderia La Viequense to enjoy Puerto Rico’s traditional bread. 

Continue your morning with a quick visit to Mosquito Pier. This bridge was supposed to connect Vieques with mainland Puerto Rico. Now it’s the perfect spot for spotting turtles and diving. 

Hop back in your car and drive to Fideicomiso de Conservación to learn about Vieques’ interesting history. Alternatively, visit the Playa Grande Sugar Cane plantation ruins if you’re up for hiking and immersing yourself in history.

For lunch, stop at Lazy Jacks for soft tacos with a beautiful view of El Malecón de la Esperanza, a beachfront promenade in the south of Vieques.

👉 Pro Tip: The ferries only allow residents’ cars onboard. You’ll need to leave your rental car at the ferry port and rent a new car, walk, bike, or take taxis on the offshore islands. Book your ferry tickets ahead here.

Afternoon

Finish your lunch and drive to Vieques Wildlife Refuge, where you’ll spend the rest of your afternoon hiking, swimming, and photographing the natural wonders of this offshore island. 

Once a bombing range, this wildlife refuge now houses some of the best beaches in Vieques, including Playa Caracas, Pata Prieta, and Playa La Chiva.

To enjoy the best views of Vieques, hike to Puerto Ferro Lighthouse Ruins.

Evening

For dinner, visit Duffy’s Esperanza, and before nightfall, take a tour from the Esperanza neighborhood to Mosquito Bio Bay and kayak on the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay.

Be sure to book a Mosquito Bay Kayak Tour in advance, as they frequently sell out. Oh, and be sure to read my full list of the best things to do in Vieques to prepare!

• 🛎️ Where to Stay: Bravo Beach Hotel ($$$, close to Ferry) • El Blok ($$$, close to the beach)
• 🍽️ Where to Eat: Duffy’s Esperanza ($$), Panaderia La Viequense ($$)
• 🍺 Where to Drink: The Mar Azul ($$), Trade Winds Bar & Restaurant ($$)

Day 7 – Fajardo, Luquillo, and El Yunque

Wake up early, and after dropping off your car, take the first ferry back to Ceiba. From Ceiba, drive up the east coast to Fajardo and grab breakfast at Dulce Aroma.

After finishing your meal, visit Seven Seas Beach in this same town and take a morning dip in this popular Fajardo beach, part of the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve. You’ll find great amenities at the beach, including snorkeling gear and kayaks.

Get dry and get back in your car with the Luquillo Food Kiosks as your next destination. With over 20 food kiosks, you’ll find everything there is to Puerto Rican cuisine here, so you get to pick what you want to eat. 

You can choose to eat at a restaurant or ask for your food to go and cross over to Luquillo Beach, and have lunch, enjoying the sun and the calm waves.

Afternoon

Following lunch, continue driving to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the United States. Reservations are no longer necessary, but you might find a waiting line during the high season.

Spend the afternoon hiking the different trails of El Yunque. Don’t end your visit without taking a dip in Juan Diego Falls or climbing the Yokahu Tower for an amazing view of the coast.

After visiting El Yunque, start driving back to San Juan, but make a stop at Piñones to enjoy the last dinner in Puerto Rico.

• 🛎️ Where to Stay: Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort ($$$$, golf course) • St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort Puerto Rico ($$$$, luxury, and privacy) • El Conquistador Resort ($$$, waterpark and private island)
• 🍽️ Where to Eat: Dulce Aroma ($), Luquillo Kiosks ($$)
• 🍺 Where to Drink: Boardrider’s Surf Bar and Grill ($$), Brew!!! Taller Experimental ($$)

How to Get Around in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, public transportation is poor. While it might work to move around San Juan, buses run mostly in the metropolitan region. 

Fortunately, driving around Puerto Rico is straightforward, and taking a road trip in Puerto Rico is easy. You should rent a car to maximize your time and to move around freely.

If you don’t know where to look, use Discover Cars Puerto Rico to compare prices and find the best deal for your rental car.

If you’re visiting Vieques and Culebra, you’ll need to take a ferry and rent a different car on each island, as ferries transport residents’ cars only.

Still, many parts of Puerto Rico are pedestrian-friendly. For example, visitors staying in Old San Juan can walk around or rent scooters. Other great places to stay in Puerto Rico without renting a car include Ponce and Rincon’s downtown, and La Parguera.

Read my full guide to getting around Puerto Rico for a breakdown of all your transportation options.

Itinerary Planning Tips

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Tip #1 – Arrive the Night Before

If you’re only staying 7 days on the island, try to arrive either the night before those seven days start or during dawn, so you don’t lose time on your first day.

Tip #2 – Choose the Best Airport

While Luis Muñoz Marin (SJU) is Puerto Rico’s main airport, it isn’t the only one. There are two additional Puerto Rico commercial airports in Aguadilla and Ponce.

If you’re more interested in exploring the main island’s west side, you can look for a flight directly to Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla.

If the south coast is your final destination, fly into the Mercedita International Airport (PSE). You can also take a connecting flight directly to Vieques or Culebra.

Tip #3 – Take a Walking Tour

You could spend a whole week in San Juan alone. If you don’t want to miss anything important, but still want to save time, take a walking tour around Old San Juan.

You’ll do a lot of sightseeing and learn about the history in a short time. Check out our picks of the best tours you can do in Puerto Rico so you don’t have to tour on your own.

Tip #4 – Tweak My Itinerary As You Need

Like with every itinerary, you need to modify my pre-planned Puerto Rico itinerary to fit your needs.

A good Puerto Rico tip, if you want to make the best of the time you’re staying in the archipelago, is to switch historical landmarks for beaches or day activities for night activities according to your taste.

You can also eliminate stops to slow down your trip. The end goal is to make sure the itinerary adjusts to you and not the other way around!

Tip #5 – Know What to Pack

This itinerary moves around Puerto Rico pretty rapidly, so you’ll need to have your bags properly packed and prepared to maximize every minute of your trip.

You might need your swimwear and a good pair of hiking shoes on the same day, so pack keeping in mind your activities.

I’ve got an entire post on what to pack for Puerto Rico with a checklist of exactly what you need to bring.

Tip #6 – Consider The Dates and Connections

While this itinerary places Vieques and Culebra one day after another, traveling between the islands has indeed become more challenging in the past year.

Ferries between Vieques and Culebra stopped running. As a result, you have to go back to Ceiba and catch a ferry or a plane to the other island.

Flying directly between the islands is also an option. As of July 2025, flights with Vieques Air Link run only on the weekends, but you’ll also find private air taxis that connect the islands.

You could also take a day trip boat tour to Culebra from Fajardo, or place one of the islands at the beginning of your trip and fly directly from San Juan.

FAQs About Creating a Puerto Rico Itinerary

How many days do I need in Puerto Rico?

In general, travelers visiting Puerto Rico need from 7 to 10 days to cover the main attractions of the island during their trip, but longer times, like two weeks, are better to cover the coast, the mountainous region, and the surrounding islands and cays.

How can I spend 7 days in Puerto Rico?

Visitors can spend 7 days in Puerto Rico visiting main landmarks and beaches around the island, including El Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Condado, Parque de Bombas, Piñones, El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, and the Mosquito Bio Bay in Vieques.

Is 5 days enough for Puerto Rico?

Five days to visit Puerto Rico is enough to cover some of the main attractions of Puerto Rico, including Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde, El Yunque, Vieques, and Culebra but, visitors wouldn’t get the chance to visit places where they can experience the Puerto Rican culture outside the tourist zone.

What should I do on my first day in Puerto Rico?

During your first day in Puerto Rico, explore Old San Juan so you get familiarized with the culture, climate, and the way of driving in Puerto Rico, before heading anywhere else. If travelers are staying closer to Isla Verde, then they can visit the Piñones and Isla Verde Beach. Consult our full list of what to do for more ideas.

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Now that your 7-day Puerto Rico itinerary is ready, you don’t need to worry about anything but packing your bags! But if you want to tweak your itinerary, check out the top activities you can do on the island so that you can add other destinations to your trip.