How to Plan a Puerto Rico Family Vacation (And Where to Stay)

👉 Jump to: Puerto Rico Family Vacation Tips | Where to Stay | FAQs

As a local who worked in the hotel industry in Puerto Rico, I’ve seen dozens of families draining their budgets on tourist traps and hotels that don’t fit their needs. To keep you from meeting the same fate, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to make your family vacation in Puerto Rico go as smoothly as possible!

We’ll start with some practical tips, but you can also jump ahead to the section on the best places to stay for families.

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15 Tips for Planning a Family Vacation in Puerto Rico

Tip #1 – Visit in Late Spring or Summer

Despite being the high season, the best time to visit Puerto Rico to enjoy good beach conditions and warm weather is between March and August. Since your Puerto Rico family vacation will include visiting the beaches, waterfalls, and pools, this is the best and safest time to enjoy them.

Tip #2 – Or Visit in Winter Season

Puerto Rico’s Christmas season is filled with festivals and themed decorations in every municipality.

If your kids love the holidays, you’ll be glad to know Puerto Rico’s Christmas festivities run from early November up to late January, and most are free.

This is also the best season to catch popular Puerto Rico festivals like Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, a four-day festival that takes over the streets in Old San Juan with parades, musical performances, and lots of food and local crafts.

This is also the freshest season if you want to avoid the summer heat, which can sometimes be dangerous. Just note that beach conditions during this season are generally unsafe for swimming.

Tip #3 – Rent a Car

When visiting Puerto Rico with your family, renting a car makes getting around much easier.

Public transportation outside San Juan does exist through AMA buses and the train. Although cheap, the routes are limited to a few cities within the metro region (aka San Juan, Bayamón, Cataño, Guaynabo, and Carolina), and there aren’t fixed hours for departure and arrival.

Guagua públicas are a cheap option for getting around outside San Juan, but those are harder to catch and hardly recommended if you’re traveling with your family. Taxis can take you from San Juan to tourist spots, but the fare for long distances is expensive.

Try out Discover Cars to find the best deals for rental cars in Puerto Rico.

Tip #4 – Stay in a Rental Apartment

Large families with more than 4 people should consider staying in a rental apartment.

Some hotels in Puerto Rico can fit up to 8 family members, but the rate per night will likely be over $400. 

If you’re visiting Puerto Rico on a budget, then a rental is the way to go. Depending on the municipality, you can find rental apartments that fit the same number of people for less than $250 per night.

VRBO has over 3,500 properties in Puerto Rico, most of them large enough to accommodate families. Best of all, with a kitchen at your disposal, you’ll be able to save money with meal prep.

Tip #5 – Or in a Resort

If you’d rather stay in a hotel regardless, then choose to stay at one of the family-friendly resorts in Puerto Rico. 

Just be aware that, unlike other places to travel in the Caribbean, all-inclusive hotels in Puerto Rico aren’t really a thing, but you’ll find a few alternatives that get close enough, like El Consquistador Resort and Wyndham Palmas Beach and Golf Boutique Resort.

You can browse family-friendly hotels in Puerto Rico on Booking.

Tip #6 – Check Your Credit Card Benefits

A lot of people don’t realize their credit cards come with travel perks that can make family trips smoother, like rental car insurance or late hotel checkouts. Check your travel credit cards’ benefits to make the most of your vacation.

Tip #7 – Do Free Activities

Much of your budget while in Puerto Rico will be spent on hotels, food, and rental cars. Luckily, you’ll find plenty of free activities in Puerto Rico, which is why it is such a good place for cheap family vacations.

Most Puerto Rican caves, beaches, forests, and rivers are open to the public without any cost.

Both kids and adults will love these places and you won’t need to spend a dime to have a blast on your trip.

Tip #8 – Skip the Tourist Traps

While researching online, you will come across hundreds of Puerto Rico tours.

Before you find yourself booking anything, make sure you’re not paying hundreds of dollars for something you could do by yourself completely free. 

For example, some snorkeling tours are great if you don’t have any experience or gear. Yet, if you bring your own snorkeling gear, you can immerse yourself in the best Puerto Rico snorkeling spots without having to pay anything.

Similarly, El Yunque, Cueva del Indio, and other popular Puerto Rico attractions are free. Check my guide to the best free things to do in Puerto Rico to learn more.

Tip #9 – Eat Outside the Touristy Areas

While restaurants in San Juan and Condado are great, they’re not always the most budget-friendly option for a family dinner. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, consider eating at street food kiosks or roadside eateries—meals there can cost $2 to $5 less than at tourist restaurants.

I also recommend checking out panaderías. They often serve sandwiches, breakfast, and even lunch for just a few bucks. Check out our guide to the top Puerto Rico foods to see what to try during your visit.

Tip #10 – Check Your Booking Options

For those activities you’re booking, check out where it is best to book. Some attractions offer online discounts if you book online. 

For others, it’s best if you book directly through the original website instead of a third-party application.

But, for some attractions, it’s better if you pay in person or book through a phone call, as you can get cheaper rates.

Tip #11 – Stay in San Juan

If you’re not renting a car, then choose to stay in San Juan. Old San Juan is home to historical sites like El Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, and La Fortaleza that both kids and adults will love.

It’s easy to get around on foot, and taxis or public transit can take you to spots like Condado, Santurce, and Miramar. 

You’ll save on rental car fees and still have plenty of hotel and apartment options for any budget.

Tip #12 – Bring Your Snorkeling Gear

Including your snorkeling gear on your Puerto Rico packing list can save you lots of money! Particularly if you are making a family trip. 

Renting snorkeling gear can cost as much as $25 a day, a fee that can quickly add up when you’re visiting multiple Puerto Rico for a week.

Tip #13 – Enjoy Local Festivals

Puerto Rico festivals are filled with fun, music, and food. Best of all, they are family-friendly.

Some of the best festivals include Epiphany Day, Festivals de Máscaras de Hatillo, and Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián.

You’ll often find carnival games, parades, and kid stations you can enjoy without an additional cost. Some cities where you can catch frequent festivities are San Juan, Ponce, Rincón, and Cataño.

Tip #14 – Keep it Short

Family vacations don’t have to be long to be fun and memorable. If you can’t take a week off, then a long weekend is more than enough to enjoy the best of Puerto Rico.

You can arrive early on Friday and return late on Sunday, and you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy beaches, historical fortresses, and even waterfalls. Check our guide to a weekend in Puerto Rico to start planning!

Tip #15 – Check the Weather

While Puerto Rico can offer sunny days throughout the year, the hurricane season and other weather events can affect your vacation.

As a general family vacation travel tip, you should always check the weather forecast and conditions before and during your trip.

Heavy rain and atmospheric events can cause high surf and rip currents at the beaches and flash floods in the rivers, which can be dangerous, especially for kids and elderly.

Before heading out for the day, make a quick internet search to know what to expect.

Where to Stay On a Family Vacation in Puerto Rico

Best Family-Friendly Puerto Rico Hotels & Resorts

Puerto Rico is home to a great variety of hotels. You can find everything from budget-friendly lodges to five-star luxury resorts located throughout the archipelago. 

You will find most of the best family hotels and resorts in San Juan with access to Condado Beach and Escambrón Beach.

But, if you’re renting a car, you can opt for an off-the-beaten-path hotel outside the capital. Hotels in other Puerto Rico towns are often cheaper and closer to the best outdoor attractions on the archipelago.

Here are some of the best Puerto Rico hotels for families:

• 💸 Budget – Villa Cofresi
• ✨ Mid-Range – La Concha Renaissance Resort
• 💠 Luxury – St Regis Bahia Beach Resort
• 👪 With family suites – Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
• ✈️ Close to the Airport – Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
• 🏖️ Beachfront Location – Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa
• 🌴 Remote Location – Royal Isabela
• 🏘️ For Large Families – Rincon Beach Resort
• 🎭 With On-Site Attractions – El Conquistador Resort
• 🥳 With Kids Attractions – Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa
• 🐄 Farm Stay – Hacienda el Jibarito
• 🌊 Breathtaking Visuals – Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
• 🏌️‍♀️ With a Golf Course – Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa
• 🐾 Pet-Friendly – Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino
• 👉 In Vieques – Bravo Beach Hotel
• 👉 In Culebra – Club Seabourne Hotel

Best Family-Friendly Puerto Rico Neighborhoods & Areas

The base of a great family vacation in Puerto Rico starts with choosing the right neighborhood or city for your stay. If you don’t know where to start, check out the places below:

• Old San Juan (Search apartments in Old San Juan) – Old San Juan is a pedestrian-friendly area with beaches, museums, and restaurants. Families can choose from a variety of entertainment options, and they don’t need to rent a car. Within walking distance from the hotel, kids and adults will enjoy San Juan’s popular activities like Escambrón Beach, T-Mobile District, El Morro, and Plaza Las Americas.
• Cabo Rojo (Search apartments in Cabo Rojo) – There are a lot of things to do in Cabo Rojo for outdoor-loving families. The wildlife refuge has beautiful salt flats, beaches, and hiking trails. Cabo Rojo is also a short ride from one of Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays in La Parguera. 
• Caguas (Search apartments in Caguas) – Caguas is not a place you would typically find in a tourism guide, but there are plenty of things to do in Caguas for families. Caguas boasts an interactive museum for children, a botanical garden with sculptures, and a waterfall. The downtown hosts frequent festivals and the main plaza has a carousel.  
• Fajardo (Search apartments in Fajardo) – Some of the top Fajardo activities for families include swimming on top-notch beaches, snorkeling, diving, hiking, visiting a bio bay, and taking trips to offshore Puerto Rico islands. Fajardo is also a short trip from El Yunque.
• Rio Grande (Search apartments in Rio Grande) – Rio Grande is home to multiple luxury and all-inclusive family resorts, with top Puerto Rico golf courses, tennis courts, on-site restaurants, and swimming pools. In Rio Grande, you’ll also find El Yunque National Forest and Las Picuas, a popular beach for horseback riding.
• Isla Verde (Search apartments in Isla Verde) – Isla Verde is a great neighborhood for families on a short weekend getaway. It has some of the best resorts in Puerto Rico with direct beach access, like the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel. It’s also centrally located between San Juan, Piñones, the Carolina Public Beach, and the airport
• Condado (Search apartments in Condado) – Condado hosts a few of the best family resorts in Puerto Rico like La Concha Reinassance Resort. Condado Beach is a popular beach for sightseeing and strolling (not so much for swimming!). Besides being close to many tourist attractions, most family hotels in the area have pools, kids’ entertainment programs, bike rentals, and even playgrounds.
• Vieques (Search apartments in Vieques) – For beach-loving kids and grown-ups, Vieques is the perfect destination to stay at. Vieques is home to some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving! This beautiful island off the east coast of Puerto Rico also hides the brightest bio bay in the world.
• Rincón (Search apartments in Rincón) – Rincón is home to some great family resorts. This city has golden sand beaches on its coast with great surfing and snorkeling spots. One thing that families will love about Rincón is that it is a whale-watching destination during the winter and early spring.
• Guánica (Search apartments in Guánica) – Guánica is a budget-friendly town with a dry forest and beautiful secluded beaches. Here you’ll find one of the top resorts in Puerto Rico, Copamarina Beach Resort, with all-inclusive packages with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Utuado (Search apartments in Utuado) – Utuado is an outdoor paradise for families. It’s home to rivers, waterfalls, and some great Puerto Rico camping sites. Utuado also hosts a Taino ceremonial site with petroglyphs, great for visiting with kids who are into archeology.
• Ponce (Search apartments in Ponce) – In Ponce, the whole family will love landmarks like Parque de Bombas, and La Guancha. The beach at La Guancha is also an inclusive beach with a road for wheelchairs. 
• Salinas (Search apartments in Salinas) – Salinas is an off-the-beaten-path town with a variety of attractions for families. The Jobos Bay National Research Reserve features multiple cays and beautiful beaches, perfect for nature lovers. The town also houses a marina, a racing track, and one of the best waterparks in Puerto Rico.
• Arecibo (Search apartments in Arecibo) – Arecibo is a fun city with some of the best beaches, caves, and rivers in Puerto Rico. It also has the Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park, which has an aquarium, a waterpark, and a mini farm. Although family-friendly resorts are scarce in the area, you’ll find plenty of apartment rentals to choose from. 

👉 Related Reading: Where to Stay in Puerto Rico Guide

FAQs

Is Puerto Rico a good place to vacation with family?

Puerto Rico is a great family vacation destination. Outdoor-loving families will find a variety of beaches and natural pools for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. 

Is Puerto Rico safe to visit with family?

Puerto Rico is completely safe to visit on a family vacation. Families will find good weather throughout the year, and most Puerto Ricans can understand basic English. Besides occasional petty theft, which is easily preventable, tourists and non-tourist areas are safe for families visiting the island.

How much is a family trip to Puerto Rico?

A family trip of four people to Puerto Rico for one week can cost between $4,500 and $9,000, depending on the style of traveling and the season they are visiting. Most of that budget will be spent on a hotel if travelers decide to stay in a mid-range or luxury hotel.

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Thanks for reading this guide! Since you know where to stay, check out our guide to the popular places to visit in Puerto Rico to know where to go to have a blast on the island.