The 10 best things to do in Puerto Rico

The Bacardi Rum Factory (Casa Bacardi) is entwined with the history of the Caribbean itself, and the factory’s new visitor center traces the company’s early roots as a small distillery in Cuba through American Prohibition, the Cuban Revolution, and beyond. Today, Bacardi is a well-known brand with a global presence, and its factory in Puerto Rico is the largest premium rum distillery in the world.

Visitors can set the water aglow and create a trail of light with every stroke of their paddles during guided nighttime kayaking tours. Trips are usually offered around the cycles of the moon, timed to the darkest nights. Some tours also combine kayaking with an afternoon nature walk to La Mina Falls in the nearby El Yunque National Forest.

There are only a handful of places in the world where bioluminescent plankton is consistently found, three of which are in Puerto Rico. In addition to Lagunda Grande, this natural phenomenon exists in Mosquito Bay on Vieques Island and the bay at La Parguera. Laguna Grande in Fajardo is surrounded by red mangrove trees, which are native to the surrounding El Yunque rain forest and provide vitamin B12 to the marine plankton.

Beach bums can spend a day at Flamenco Beach sinking their toes into sugar-like sand and splashing in the waves, taking breaks to order smoothies or piña coladas from waterfront food stands. Those looking for more adventure can rent snorkel gear to explore Flamenco’s highly regarded coral reefs and observe underwater creatures such as parrot fish and sea turtles. High-speed catamaran cruises run from Fajardo, Isla Verde, and San Juan, often stopping at nearby Culebrita Beach, Playa Tortuga, or the other La Cordillera Islands. Guided tours make it easy to access the gear needed for a good time, while ensuring access to Culebra’s picture-perfect sights.

Driving and walking tours of Old San Juan usually include a stop at El Morro, as the fortress is commonly known, or you can zip around the site on a Segway or catch sight of it from the water aboard a boat tour. The fort’s more recent history includes the American military, which occupied the site from 1898 to 1961. The citadel occupies a picturesque spot, and when the wind blows, the lawn that connects it to town is a popular kite-flying spot.

Hacienda Campo Rico is most commonly visited on half-day tours that include packages of outdoor activities. ATV tours are a fun way to explore the mountains, mangrove forests, and coastal plains—with commentary about the Puerto Rican countryside and wildlife along the way. Horseback rides are also available with well-trained Paso Fino horses.

Other activities include archery tag (a mix of archery, dodgeball, and paintball), ziplining courses, and trolley tours with narration about native plants, local wildlife, and the history of the plantation and grounds. Some tours include the perk of a complimentary drink at the Mojito Bar.