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My friend and I wanted to take a Caribbean trip in April 2024 to relax after working on a stressful team together. We chose to spend 5 days in Puerto Rico because it’s safe (important since we were traveling as two women). It’s also easy logistically as an American territory (we both live in the US) where they also drive on the right side (unlike most Caribbean countries). Even though we fell prey to mosquitos, we saw incredible sights and left feeling recharged. Here are our favorites:
1. Mosquito Bay
Why Visit:
Puerto Rico is famous for its three bioluminescent bays, but Mosquito Bay is officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the brightest in the world. The bay’s name actually comes from one of pirate Roberto Cofresí’s ships, not from the insects (we didn’t see any on the water).
Highlights:
- Kayak at night and watch every paddle stroke create a neon-blue glow in the water. We had a transparent kayak, so we could also see streaks of light darting along the sides and bottom.
- Learn about the microorganisms that make this magical phenomenon possible from a knowledgeable guide.
How to visit:
Mosquito Bay is on Vieques, an island just off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast. To get there, we drove to Ceiba, parked our rental car at the airport, and took a short flight. Since the bay is inside a protected reserve, private entry isn’t allowed and we joined a transparent kayaking tour.
2. Scenic Flight to Vieques
Why Visit:
The 10-minute flight from Ceiba to Vieques is both practical and a fun adventure in itself.
Highlights:
- Ride in the cutest little airplane (< 10 seats). To ensure total passenger + luggage weight is carefully balanced, we had to get weighed on the scale with our bags at checkin!
- Admire the swirling shades of blue and green in the ocean from above.
How to visit:
We booked directly on the Vieques Air Link website. The flight only allows one small personal item, so we left our larger bags in the parked rental car at Ceiba Airport.
3. Old San Juan
Why Visit:
An historic area in San Juan with colorful Spanish colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and a lively mix of history, food, and culture.
Highlights:
- San Juan National Historic Site → a UNESCO site featuring Castillo San Felipe del Morro (the iconic fort at the tip of San Juan) and Castillo San Cristóbal (the largest Spanish fort in the Americas).
- Food tours → sample authentic Puerto Rican dishes while learning about local history.
How to visit:
We bought tickets for San Juan National Historic Site on arrival and walked around ourselves in the morning. We then joined a food tour in the afternoon which was a great way to combine sightseeing and culture.
4. El Yunque National Forest
Why Visit:
El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest within the national forest system. It has lush scenery, diverse plant life, and unique animals.
Highlights:
- Mt. Britton Tower → climb for panoramic views of endless green mountains with the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. When we first reached the top, it was completely clouded over. Luckily after waiting a bit, the clouds lifted and revealed the stunning view.
- Coquí → famous frog native to Puerto Rico that gets its name from the mating call of the male. We were not able to spot them since they’re tiny (1 – 2 inches), but we heard them throughout the night in the place we stayed at.
How to visit:
Entrance is free but parking is limited and first come first serve. We stayed in Río Grande the night before and drove into the park early in the morning so we can secure a spot.
5. Relax on the Beach
Why Visit:
Puerto Rico is home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. While we didn’t have time for the famous Flamenco Beach, we loved relaxing on Playa La Chiva in Vieques.
Highlights:
- Playa La Chiva → powdery white sand, turquoise water, and a peaceful, untouched atmosphere with very few people.
How to visit:
The beach is inside a protected area with rough roads. We rented a jeep for the day and parked at one of the pull-offs along the shore. There is no facilities, so we brought our own water, towels and umbrella (borrowed from our accommodation).
Planning a trip to Puerto Rico? Check out my top 5 practical tips for a smoother and more enjoyable visit.