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: 218
  • 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 | 36.76% Visitors | 44 Hotels

  • Carolina

    Popularity: 2 | 18.99% Visitors | 17 Hotels

  • Rio Grande

    Popularity: 3 | 10.07% Visitors | 5 Hotels

  • Fajardo

    Popularity: 4 | 8.46% Visitors | 5 Hotels

  • Isla De Vieques

    Popularity: 5 | 3.44% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Culebra

    Popularity: 6 | 2.85% Visitors | 15 Hotels

  • Rincon

    Popularity: 7 | 2.39% Visitors | 12 Hotels

  • Ponce

    Popularity: 8 | 2.11% Visitors | 9 Hotels

  • Dorado

    Popularity: 9 | 1.86% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Guanica

    Popularity: 10 | 1.83% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Isabela

    Popularity: 11 | 1.77% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Luquillo

    Popularity: 12 | 1.39% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Anasco

    Popularity: 13 | 0.84% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Humacao

    Popularity: 14 | 0.83% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Aguadilla

    Popularity: 15 | 0.74% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Ceiba

    Popularity: 16 | 0.58% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Utuado

    Popularity: 17 | 0.58% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Cabo Rojo

    Popularity: 18 | 0.52% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Mayaguez

    Popularity: 19 | 0.44% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Patillas

    Popularity: 20 | 0.34% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Las Marias

    Popularity: 21 | 0.28% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Yabucoa

    Popularity: 22 | 0.27% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Hatillo

    Popularity: 23 | 0.24% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Boqueron

    Popularity: 24 | 0.17% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Quebradillas

    Popularity: 25 | 0.17% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • San Sebastian

    Popularity: 26 | 0.17% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Jayuya

    Popularity: 27 | 0.17% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Caguas

    Popularity: 28 | 0.12% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • San German

    Popularity: 29 | 0.11% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Adjuntas

    Popularity: 30 | 0.1% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Toa Baja

    Popularity: 31 | 0.08% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Bayamon

    Popularity: 32 | 0.08% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Cidra

    Popularity: 33 | 0.03% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Aguada

    Popularity: 34 | 0.03% Visitors | 3 Hotels

 

Top Puerto Rico Hotels

  • 1
    Doubletree by Hilton San Juan
    105 Ave De Diego, San Juan
    98% recommended | 302 reviews
  • 2
    Hix Island House
    HC-02 Box 14902, Isla de Vieques
    93% recommended | 173 reviews
  • 3
    Hotel El Convento
    100 Cristo St, San Juan
    95% recommended | 605 reviews
  • 4
    W Retreat & Spa Vieques
    State Road 200 Km 3.2 - HC1, Isla de Vieques
    89% recommended | 178 reviews
  • 5
    Hacienda Tamarindo
    Box 1569, Isla de Vieques
    97% recommended | 137 reviews
  • 6
    Passion Fruit Bed & Breakfast
    Route 987, Fajardo
    98% recommended | 204 reviews
  • 7
    La Concha Resort a Renaissance Hotel
    1077 Ashford Avenue, San Juan
    92% recommended | 772 reviews
  • 8
    Acacia Seaside Inn
    8 Taft St, San Juan
    93% recommended | 126 reviews
  • 9
    Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan
    6530 Isla Verde Ave, Carolina
    94% recommended | 210 reviews
  • 10
    Coral Princess Hotel
    1159 Magdalena Street, San Juan
    93% recommended | 332 reviews