Quick Escape to Paradise: A Thrilling 4-day Puerto Rico Itinerary
The first time I watched the Despacito music video I immediately fell in love with the vibe of Puerto Rico. I knew I had to visit this exciting island and experience it for myself. After visiting the island twice I am here to bring you back some ideas for an awesome 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary and hopefully convince you to visit yourself! This itinerary goes beyond just seeing San Juan as the island has so much to offer.
Puerto Rico is a stunning island with baby blue waters, amazing mountain views, tropical forests, and even more stunning smaller islands nearby. While 4 days in Puerto Rico is certainly not enough to see the whole island, it is a good introduction, especially for first-time visitors.
I focus on making the most of your time-off with short stay itineraries so that’s what I plan to give you today. My guide will walk you through all the necessary logistics to travel to Puerto Rico and ideas on how to plan your days. This 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary is perfect for a first-time visitor or someone looking for a quick weekend getaway.
¡Vamos a Puerto Rico!
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Let’s Get to the Logistics of Visiting Puerto Rico
Before jumping straight into the itinerary, I want to prepare you with the necessary logistics of visiting Puerto Rico. While they might not be as involved as visiting Bolivia or Peru for example, knowing what to expect will go a long way and save you any possible stress on arrival.
Puerto Rico FAQ
- Puerto Rico is a US territory so you can just travel as you would in the states. Your license is enough and you don’t need a passport to travel there.
- The currency in Puerto Rico is the American dollar. Although the prices in smaller shops and restaurants aren’t too expensive, expect more US comparable prices in the main touristy areas.
- A lot of people are bilingual so you can get away with speaking English in the tourist areas but knowing basic Spanish will make your life much easier.
- The drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18 but a lot of clubs will be over 21.
- Tipping is standard just as it is in the US, especially in areas like San Juan.
Best time to go to Puerto Rico
Good news, the best time to visit Puerto Rico is any time! You can visit Puerto Rico all year round as temperatures stay pretty consistent throughout the year. The high season is June to August and expect it to be a tad colder between late November to early March. Don’t forget that September is also the peak of hurricane season so it might be more rainy compared to other months. Note that the mountains are more chilly than more coastal locations so consider where you’d like to travel and pack accordingly.
I visited the island twice, both times during May which is considered the shoulder season. In my opinion, it is the perfect month to visit the island. The water in the ocean was decent to swim in and I was able to get a good tan. I stayed in three different parts of PR, San Juan, Aibonito, and Guanica, and loved the weather in all those locations during that time.
How to get To Puerto Rico
I am lucky because from NYC, there are multiple daily flights from all the airports in the area to Puerto Rico. However, there are connections to the main airport in San Juan from pretty much all major airports in the US.
When you land, you can now get an Uber pickup at the airport which wasn’t the case a couple of years ago. Alternatively, you can grab a cab for a little over $20. If you have a lot of luggage or have a bigger group there are shared airport transfers or private ones as well.
Transport on the Island
I will just say that renting a car is the best way to see Puerto Rico in 4 days. There is an island Metro Bus but with changing schedules and a reputation for being late, I would save myself the headache if you want to see more than one area of the island. However, if you’re only planning to stay in San Juan, Ubers will be sufficient and I would not get a rental in that case.
I picked up my rental at the airport, had no issues at the counter, and was super happy to have the independence of traveling around. If you decide on a little road trip in Puerto Rico, prepare for some twists and turns in the mountains.
I always use RentalCars.com for my car rentals as they have a good selection of vendors and are available in most places.
If you’re from New Jersey like me and never had to pump your gas, when I rent cars, I always google how local gas stations work 🙂 In Puerto Rico, you will have to pump your gas (just like anywhere else outside of New Jersey really). Simply pull up to the pump and go inside the station to pay for the pump that you parked at. A full tank is Spanish is el tanque lleno.
Where to stay during 4 days in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has it all, fun historical cities, stunning beaches, small neighboring islands, and mountains so if you only have 4 short days, plan out your stay based on the route you will take. I recommend reading my guide before deciding on where to stay. For this particular itinerary, I suggest San Juan -> Culebra -> Ponce area but if that’s too dense for you in 4 days, consider San Juan and Ponce only.
San Juan Area
In the northern part of the island, San Juan offers history, a lively atmosphere, and beaches. But San Juan isn’t just one area to stay in, it has a couple of neighborhoods to choose from:
- Old San Juan: This area is the historical portion and also the most touristy. Stay there for a city vibe, restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Consider the colonial El Palacio Hotel
- Condado: Right next to Old San Juan, you will find boujee Condado with luxury hotels, high-end stores, and of course awesome beaches. Consider the beachfront La Concha Resort
- Ocean Park: Going away from Old San Juan, the next beach area where people love to stay for its more quiet vibes is Ocean Park. You’ll find really nice hotels and more of a tranquil kinda vibe. Consider the Bohemian Duna Apartments
- Isla Verde (Carolina): The next town over is closest to the airport. I liked this area for the beach and the restaurants. It’s way quieter too but still super stunning.
Consider the beachfront Marriot Resort
Here is an awesome blog that goes into a ton of detail about San Juan areas with specific recommendations for hotels and restaurants!
People & safety in Puerto Rico
Overall, Puerto Rico is considered a safe destination for tourists with crime rates lower than a lot of parts of the US. If you’re staying in Old San Juan, you should be ok but don’t let your guard down either. Driving there is pretty safe, the roads are good and drivers are fine for the most part. Oh and also, apparently car theft is still an issue so make sure not to leave any belongings in it and lock up!
Sightseeing options in Puerto Rico
There is so much to do on the island, especially if you only have 4 days in Puerto Rico. We will dive in below on the specifics of what to see! The route I recommend for a first-timer that wants to see the most from the island is the following: San Juan -> East Side: Yunque and Fajardo -> Culebra -> Drive through mountains towards Ponce.
Perfect 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary
Don’t forget to save my map at the bottom of the page with all the recommendations below.
Day 0: Arrival in Puerto Rico
If you’re like me and you channel an old (but active) lady traveler, I love to fly in the night before your trip. It lets me settle in, nest in my Airbnb, and get a good night’s sleep before starting my busy itinerary 🙂 So, if that’s something you relate to and your first night is in the San Juan area, settle in and head out for a quick bite or a drink.
I flew into San Juan airport in the early evening. For my first night there, I stayed in the Condado area. It’s close enough to Old San Juan but after settling in, I decided to walk down the street and eat at Tayzan Sushi which 1) was delicious and 2) was open pretty late which worked with my arrival, and 3) it has interesting fusion dishes. There are many spots on Ashford Ave (main street of Condado) that serve late-night food so finding a place to grab a bite shouldn’t be a problem on late arrival.
Day 1: Exploring San Juan
Ok guys, this one is kind of obvious but you should start with San Juan for your day 1 of the 4-day itinerary. I get that walking around cities might not fascinate you much but I promise that this town, especially Old San Juan shouldn’t be skipped. It’s nice and colorful, full of history and tasty stops for food and drinks. It can be done in half a day if you really wanted to but that would require an early start. Here is a simple route to see the highlights of San Juan on your first day in Puerto Rico!
La Ventana del Mar
If you’re coming from the Condado direction, before entering the historic zone of Old San Juan stop at this cute little park called La Ventana del Mar. It is a public space with a beautiful view of the ocean, a small beach, sculptures, and a couple of restaurants and bars. It’s a nice first impression of San Juan and I enjoyed this beautiful spot before heading into the historic areas.
Castillo de San Cristobal
There are two fortifications in the city of San Juan, one of them being Castillo de San Cristobal. If you’re not planning to dive deep into the history of San Juan’s defense, it is a nice area to take a stroll through. The views from there are awesome and it’s worth stopping at.
Tip: If you’re also planning to visit the second fortification, the $10 entrance fee covers both entries.
Plaza Colon
After visiting the fort, head over to Plaza Colon. It’s a lively town square surrounded by shops and bars. I recommend grabbing a street snack or a drink in this area and taking time to pause and do some people-watching. This is also a good place for some artisan shopping. Don’t forget to grab a chichaito shot at Los Tres Cuernos 🙂
If you’ve read any of my other guides, you will notice that I almost always catch a walking tour of the city. I did attempt to go on one in Old San Juan that had a meeting point at Plaza Colon. But it never showed up … So I’m happy that I prepared a plan beforehand because otherwise, I would have been scrambling last minute on Google.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
After soaking in some Old San Juan vibes, head to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Many people recommend going inside and experiencing the beautiful views that you will get from above. Personally, after visiting the first fort, I simply enjoyed spending time on the lawn. It’s a huge outdoor space and it was nice to relax there for a little. The lawn is also a very popular place for people flying kites.
While there, don’t forget to grab a street snack like an empanadilla, alcapurria, bacalaito or chicharrones! If you’re in the mood for something refreshing, try a Puerto Rican shaved ice or piragua!
Another noteworthy location in that area is Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. It’s a beautiful burial ground facing the ocean. You can walk past it and say a little prayer to all those buried there.
Street Stroll
Heading back to the main part of Viejo San Juan, take a stroll among the most known streets in town. First walk along Calle del Cristo, a nice colorful street that’s a perfect backdrop for some awesome photos as well as a spot for some shopping. Next walk over to Calle de San Justo, which had a beautiful view leading into the ocean. Calle de la Fortaleza is the street with all the colorful umbrellas or kites (whichever display is there at the moment). And lastly, Paseo de la Princesa will lead you to the port and the famous fountain. That’s a good spot for sunset if you will be returning at night too.
La Perla
I will briefly mention this place for awareness but since I did visit I am in no condition to provide you any advice on it. This ocean-front neighborhood connected to Old San Juan got more attention as it became the filming location for Despacito.
Upon my first visit, I was told by two people who grew up in San Juan that I should not visit this place under any circumstance. More recently, I noticed a ton more articles popping up about the tourism efforts and being able to visit. Even Discover Puerto Rico promotes it on its page. So I say do your research to decide whether or not to visit this part of town but know that it has a very dangerous history due to poverty and drugs. No matter what you decide, I wouldn’t recommend going there at night.
Food & Drinks in Old San Juan
For some good food and drink grabs, try the following places:
- El Jibarito: A popular spot in town but who wouldn’t wait for a little for authentic Puerto Rican food that gets consistently good reviews?
- Hecho en Casa: Awesome spot for mofongo.
- Marmalade: For an upscale experience that is worth every cent, visit the amazing Marmalade.
- La Factoría: Arguably the most famous bar in town and of course, the filming location of Despacito.
- Barrachina: Another very know place in town that claims to be the birthplace of the Piña Colada. It was pretty but I found it extremely touristy for my own taste.
- La Verguenza: A nice spot with rooftop views of the ocean.
Here is a very descriptive guide on more restaurants in town to try.
And for your nightlife in San Juan, which you certainly shouldn’t miss out on, I have a couple of places for you too.
- La Placita de Santurce: A part of the Santurce neighborhood that comes to life as it gets darker outside. It’s a connection of a couple of blocks filled with music and dancing.
- El Cafetin: A fun bar in the heart of Old San Juan.
- Club Kronos: If you want to feel a club atmosphere, head to Condado to visit this gem.
- El Bar Bero: A cocktail bar speakeasy if classier nights are your thing.
- El Batey Bar: A little divey but nonetheless very fun.
Day 2: El Yunque & the Beach
During your 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary, you won’t be able to see everything so I suggest picking something that aligns with your interests. However, if you’re a first-time visitor, I strongly recommend going to El Yunque, the national forest.
El Yunque National Forest
Located a short drive from San Juan (a little over an hour), you will find a stunning tropical rainforest, the only one in the US. There are two entry time windows, one morning and one afternoon and you pay per car. Don’t forget to make a reservation before your visit.
Once there, you’ll have numerous waterfalls, stunning viewpoints, and hike routes to choose from. If you’re hiking make sure to plan your routes ahead of time but if hiking is not your thing, you can just simply take a drive through it too. Make sure to stop at Yokahú Observation Tower.
If you’re planning to see this stunning forest, I recommend Angie’s guide which is a very detailed plan for the day.
Afternoon options
Now, option one for the night: If you’re planning to head back to San Juan I recommend driving to Carolina (Isla Verde), the nice and chill beach area of San Juan. Take a nice dip in the ocean and relax for a bit. The area has many restaurants and bars to enjoy during the second part of your day. Recommendations for your food and drinks in that area:
- El Alambique: A beach club restaurant with really good food.
- Lupi’s Mexican Grill: Mexican food in PR? Why not?!
- Panaderia España: Although not beachfront, I made a quick stop there for some croquetas and I was not disappointed.
- Bebo’s: A local spot that might not look the most inviting but has a selection of some tasty BBQ. It is also a short drive from the beach.
For your second option, you can spend the night on the eastern side of the island to be closer to the Ceiba port from which you can take the ferry to the stunning islands of Puerto Rico on the next day. Another bonus of staying in that area for the night is the option of seeing the Bioluminescent Bay (Laguna Grande) located in the city of Fajardo. The drive from Fajardo to Ceiba Port (the departure port for the islands) takes only 20-25 minutes compared to over an hour from San Juan.
Day 3: Visit one of the amazing islands of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has stunning islands on its east side that are reachable by flight or ferry. The flights from San Juan can be pricey but will certainly save you some travel time. They are also accessible from the Ceiba Port located an hour from San Juan airport. That’s why if you’re planning to take the ferry, I recommend spending the previous night closer to the port.
Note that you cannot take your rental car to the islands which might be ok for a day trip or an organized tour. The islands are also connected to each other by ferry so who says you can visit both (although that might be a little hectic). You have the option of doing a day trip or spending the night there. Make sure to know your ferry times well if you’re just spending the day there.
Culebra:
The first island is Culebra. It is home to the famous Flamenco Beach, named one of the best in the world, and a spot to dive or snorkel or just simply relax! Culebra has stunning white sand beaches. I did not visit the island (which I deeply regret) so I cannot give you a detailed guide but I found this blog that has an amazing plan for a trip there.
Vieques:
The second island, Vieques, is a nature lover paradise with some stunning beaches too! In Vieques, you will find the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world Mosquito Bay. Also, there are only 5 of them in total and 3 are in Puerto Rico! Here is another super informative full guide to the island. Side note about the bays, if you google them, most of the pictures you’ll find are heavily photoshopped. Don’t expect them to be that bright.
I’d say that staying a night on the island will give you a little more flexibility with exploring and not stress you out by making sure you take the ferry. Even with staying one night, when you get back the next day you can still have enough time to explore more of the island.
Day 4: Exploring a more local side of Puerto Rico
If you’ve either returned to San Juan or if you spent the night on one of the islands, today you will take a scenic drive from either direction toward Ponce. Most of the roads in the middle of the island offer amazing views of the mountains and are perfect for a super short Puerto Rican road trip. What will distinguish an awesome trip to Puerto Rico from simply a typical one that everyone else takes is days like today.
Although a one-day road trip may not seem too short to see much, I promise you that on this leg of the itinerary you will see a more local way of life, practice more of your Spanish, and see places that a lot of tourists do not venture off to. This is why I recommend getting a car for the island. It will give you the freedom and allow you to dive deeper into the local culture.
Mountain drive toward a lechonera
No matter where you’re driving from, I recommend putting Lechonera Los Pinos in your GPS. That area in the mountains is known for the restaurants that serve amazing roasted pork or Lechon. Honestly, most of the restaurants in the area will have similar dishes but debate with the locals which ones are their favorite 🙂 It is certainly one of those Puerto Rican bucket list items you will remember! I vividly remember sitting at an outside table, sipping on a cold Medalla with a nice plate of rice and pork. I’m pretty sure I was the only tourist there too at that time.
Quick stop in Aibonito
After your lechon stop, put in La Curva del Árbol in your GPS for the first scenic spot, it is a really nice viewpoint. It should take you a little over 30 minutes to get there. After that, head toward Aibonito (20 minutes), a small mountain town that is the highest elevation on the island. There isn’t much to do in the town per se but the drive through the mountains will be worth it. If you choose to stop there, the town has a main plaza with nice surrounding streets so you can grab a drink or ice cream in town. If you’re short on time, you can skip Aibonito and head to Ponce from the last viewpoint.
Exploring Ponce
For your last spot of the day, you’ll head toward Ponce which is another amazing town in Puerto Rico. From Aibonito, it will take another hour. There you can wander around La Guancha Boardwalk or visit Parque de Bombas, or do a wine tasting at Museo Castillo Serralles.
As your 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary is coming to an end, you can head back to San Juan (1.5 hours) to prep for your flight home. If your flight isn’t until the next day, I recommend staying in the area of Ponce. I personally spent a night at Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa arriving late afternoon. Although it was only one day, I really enjoyed the resort. It was waterfront, had a nice bar and jacuzzis, and pretty nice rooms.
More ideas for your 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary
If for some reason you’d like a different option for one of the day options above, feel free to swap it for some other amazing things to do in Puerto Rico:
The western side of the island:
If you rented a car, another road trip you can take is toward the western side of San Juan. Rincon is one of the bigger towns there, is known for surfing and other outdoor activities. More specific ideas on what to do there can be found in this super awesome guide by Vanessa from Travel Lemming.
Here are some stops for your road trip from east to west:
- Parque Las Cavernas del Rio Camuy: These a local caves which look pretty impressive. The tour times run on a schedule and people spend a couple of hours there. If this is something you would like to see, make sure to research current operating times as well as requirements.
- Cascada Gozalandia: A waterfall hike from which you can take a jump into the pool below. Here is some more useful info on making this stop on your western drive.
- Faro Punta Higüeras: Closer to Rincon, you will find this picturesque lighthouse.
And some restaurant spots worth visiting:
- Restaurant El Platanal: Low-key mofongo spot.
- Guayabo’s Tropical Sunset: A beachfront restaurant offering some tasty bites.
- Villa Cofresí Hotel: In Rincon, a place known for its pirata drinks.
Other spots on the island:
- Cabo Rojo Salt Flats: These pink salt flats located in the southwestern part of the island near Cabo Rojo are sure to grab your attention! Since they’re located a little far from San Juan, they might not be reachable on your 4-day itinerary but nonetheless, they should be added to your future itineraries.
- Playa Sucia: Despite its name, this beach is actually a hidden gem for tourists on the island. Located near Cabo Rojo, it’s definitely worth a visit. Here is a super informative blog on this location to help you plan the visit there.
- Cueva Ventana: While you will have to put a little bit of effort to reach this place, it will be worth the unique view it provides. Cueva Ventana means cave window and that is exactly what this place is. Read more on this place and get the details for the hike here.
- Toro Verde Adventure Park: If you like zip lining (the biggest zipline in America) and other adventure activities, head over to this park for the day to get an adrenaline rush in your veins!
Final Thoughts
Puerto Rico is a gem of a destination and being so close to the US, you have no excuse not visit. Even if it’s just a short 4 days, the island will fill your soul with amazing things to do. I hope my plan shows you the best that Puerto Rico has to offer. If you have any additional feedback or thoughts, please comment below!
Downloadable Itinerary
Before downloading the itinerary, which is a pocket summary of the content above, remember to read the full guide so you are best prepared for your travels!
Map for your Puerto Rico Itinerary
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