Puerto Rico Travel & Tourism

Travelers flock to the island paradise of Puerto Rico to indulge in a stunning retreat. The island is a common vacation destination for American citizens simply because passports and visas are not required for U.S. citizens to enter the country. Guests can enjoy stunning resort cities or bask in white sand beaches before exploring lush rainforests and rugged mountains. Puerto Rico is one of the world’s most densely populated islands, with nearly one-third of all islanders living in the San Juan-Carolina-Bayamón metropolitan area. The spectacular island offers both natural attractions and cultural points of interests that can appeal to even the pickiest traveler. Visitors can find a niche on this versatile island that speaks to them, whether it is the old colonial town of San Juan or the wild island of Isla Mona.

Travelers who are looking for a retreat into history can’t pass by the historic town of Old San Juan. This 500 year old town hosts the modern, lively Puerto Rican culture within its antiquated Spanish colonial style buildings. This picturesque city is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site, and stands as the second oldest city in all of the Americas, and the oldest city to hold the American flag. The city’s center holds more than 400 restored sixteenth and seventeenth century Spanish colonial buildings. Guests interested in viewing the history in person can stroll through the El Morro Fort or the stunning San Cristóbal Fort to enjoy the buildings’ historic architecture. Those who would like to learn more about naval history can stop into the Museo del Mar, or the Museum of the Sea, to enjoy historic seafaring items and documents from the Spanish colonial period. Literature aficionados can’t miss up an opportunity to stop into the Casa del Libro museum, which features a number of historic books. The nearby Museo de Arte Puerto Rico offers a spectacular a cornucopia of local art along with a stunning theater offering seating for more than 400 guests. Those who are willing to brave their way into Puera de Tierra can view the stunning Capitol Building, which is modeled after the United States’ capitol building, and stands as a gift from the United States.

Those who would like to escape from the hustle and bustle of the mainland can retreat to Puerto Rico’s Isla Mona. This 14,000-acre island is a designated nature reserve that features a dramatic landscape and a plethora of native creatures. Those who aren’t keen to explore the island alone can choose from one of many tours that are offered to guide travelers around the island’s must-see-sights, both on land and underwater. While this secluded island is often overlooked, Isla Mona is able to pique vacationers’ interests with its wild scenery and haunting historic ruins. Those who are interested in a more developed island escape can enjoy Vieques. This small island is only 21 miles long and five miles wide, but is home to an assortment of hip and luxurious hotels, restaurants and shopping destinations. Those who are interested in learning more about the native wildlife can head over to the island’s Fish and Wildlife Refuge, while guests interested in a memorable view can simply sit back and enjoy Vieques’ stunning bioluminescent bay.

Guests who are keen to learn about the local mainland culture can enjoy the plethora of educational options in the city of Ponce. Those who would like to see paintings, sculptures and stunning framings can enjoy a stroll through the Art Museum of Frame Masters. Guests seeking a relaxing retreat can take a ferry to the Caja de Muertos to explore the island’s wild landscape and tour the Caja de Muertos Lighthouse and museum. Visitors who are interested in learning about the island’s earliest inhabitants can stop in at the Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes, which features numerous ball courts, petroglyphs, an observatory and a reconstructed Taíno village.


Worldwide Tourism Popularity Ranking: 73 of 230


Air Travel

  • Quality of Airports: Good (6.0 of 7)
  • Number of Airlines: 16
  • Number of Arriving Passengers: 3551000

Hotels & Lodging

  • Quality of Lodging: Average (3.5 of 5)
  • Number of Hotels: 228
  • Average Room Rate: $149.94

Purpose of Visit

  • Business Trip: 10%
  • Family Vacation: 24%
  • Couples Getaway: 52%
  • Friends Trip: 12%
  • Solo Travel: 5%

Top Vacation Destinations in Puerto Rico

Most popular cities in Puerto Rico in terms of percentage of visitors and number of hotels:

  • San Juan
    Popularity: 1 | 39.41% Visitors | 44 Hotels

  • Carolina
    Popularity: 2 | 18.74% Visitors | 17 Hotels

  • Rio Grande
    Popularity: 3 | 9.82% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Fajardo
    Popularity: 4 | 7.88% Visitors | 5 Hotels

  • Isla De Vieques
    Popularity: 5 | 3.17% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Culebra
    Popularity: 6 | 2.56% Visitors | 18 Hotels

  • Rincon
    Popularity: 7 | 2.17% Visitors | 12 Hotels

  • Ponce
    Popularity: 8 | 2.04% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Dorado
    Popularity: 9 | 1.75% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Isabela
    Popularity: 10 | 1.57% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Guanica
    Popularity: 11 | 1.56% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Luquillo
    Popularity: 12 | 1.18% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Aguadilla
    Popularity: 13 | 0.83% Visitors | 10 Hotels

  • Anasco
    Popularity: 14 | 0.75% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Humacao
    Popularity: 15 | 0.73% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Ceiba
    Popularity: 16 | 0.59% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Mayaguez
    Popularity: 17 | 0.58% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Cabo Rojo
    Popularity: 18 | 0.55% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Utuado
    Popularity: 19 | 0.53% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Patillas
    Popularity: 20 | 0.31% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Hatillo
    Popularity: 21 | 0.24% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Boqueron
    Popularity: 22 | 0.22% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Yabucoa
    Popularity: 23 | 0.22% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Las Marias
    Popularity: 24 | 0.22% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Lajas
    Popularity: 25 | 0.2% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Quebradillas
    Popularity: 26 | 0.15% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Caguas
    Popularity: 27 | 0.15% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • San Sebastian
    Popularity: 28 | 0.15% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Jayuya
    Popularity: 29 | 0.13% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Adjuntas
    Popularity: 30 | 0.11% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • San German
    Popularity: 31 | 0.09% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Toa Baja
    Popularity: 32 | 0.09% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Bayamon
    Popularity: 33 | 0.08% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Aguada
    Popularity: 34 | 0.07% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Cidra
    Popularity: 35 | 0.04% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Salinas
    Popularity: 36 | 0.02% Visitors | 1 Hotels


Top Puerto Rico Hotels

  • 1
    Doubletree by Hilton San Juan
    105 Ave De Diego, San Juan
    98% recommended | 695 reviews
  • 2
    Hix Island House
    Route 995, km 1.5, Isla de Vieques
    93% recommended | 202 reviews
  • 3
    Hotel El Convento
    100 Cristo St, San Juan
    95% recommended | 917 reviews
  • 4
    Hacienda Tamarindo
    Box 1569, Isla de Vieques
    97% recommended | 183 reviews
  • 5
    Passion Fruit Bed & Breakfast
    Route 987, Fajardo
    98% recommended | 266 reviews
  • 6
    W Retreat & Spa Vieques
    State Road 200 Km 3.2 - HC1, Isla de Vieques
    89% recommended | 393 reviews
  • 7
    La Concha Resort a Renaissance Hotel
    1077 Ashford Avenue, San Juan
    92% recommended | 1,558 reviews
  • 8
    Acacia Boutique Hotel
    8 Taft St, San Juan
    93% recommended | 231 reviews
  • 9
    Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan
    6530 Isla Verde Ave, Carolina
    94% recommended | 418 reviews
  • 10
    Coral Princess Hotel
    1159 Magdalena Street, San Juan
    93% recommended | 417 reviews