This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or booking through them, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
From kayaking through a glowing bay to taking a short scenic flight over turquoise water, Puerto Rico was full of memorable experiences. Here are my top five tips to help you plan a smooth and unforgettable trip.
1. Book Mosquito Bay Tours Early
When we looked a week before our April trip, all the popular tours for Mosquito Bay on Viator were already sold out. Luckily we found an option on Google that still had a few spots left. Make sure to book early since tours fill up fast. If possible, choose a tour with transparent kayaks (not all tours have them) as sitting in a glowing kayak was magical! Also try to time your visit around a new moon when the sky is darkest so you see the brightest bioluminescence.
2. Take the Flight to Vieques
You can get to Vieques by ferry or by flight from bigger airports, but the 10 minute flight we took from Ceiba ended up being one of our favorite experiences from the trip. It’s much faster than the ferry and offered an unique experience / incredible views of the turquoise water below.
3. Book a Jeep in Vieques Early
Many of Vieques’ best beaches involve driving on rough roads to get there. Some people rent golf carts to get around, but I recommend renting a jeep as some roads are unpaved, bumpy and dusty. Rental options are limited and sell out quickly, so be sure to book early.
4. Wear Good Hiking Shoes for El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque is a lush rainforest, which means trails can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain. I only wore trail running shoes since we weren’t planning to do any long hikes, but I almost slipped and wished I had brought my hiking boots instead. Even for shorter trails, sturdy shoes make exploring the forest much safer and more enjoyable.
5. Bring Bug Repellent
Don’t forget to pack bug repellant and apply before going out! There weren’t any mosquitos at Mosquito Bay itself, but there were plenty in both El Yunque and Vieques. We got bit multiple times before we started putting on bug repellant consistently. Some tours (like our bio bay one) required 100% eco-friendly, DEET-free option so I bought this one from Amazon. It was a bit oily, but it worked.
Looking for things to do in Puerto Rico? Check out the top 5 highlights from my trip!