Visit Puerto Rico: exploring the east coast of the Island of Enchantment

Do you ever know that there’s a place you want to visit but you’re not sure where to begin or what’s attainable in one trip?  Well, that’s a problem we face a lot. We expect that we can experience the majority of a place but then don’t understand the actual layout of the area and all of the distractions we’ll face.  Enter Puerto Rico. A fantastic way to visit Puerto Rico is to pick just one portion of the island and roll from there.

Northeastern Puerto Rico is an ideal area to experience everything from tropical waters to towering rainforests, totally chill resorts to expansive stars at night.  Since this trip was a first for me and I wasn’t sure just how accessible or safe some of the big ticket experiences would be, the fam stayed home while I scouted it out… and now I know just what we’ll all love together next time we visit Puerto Rico.

Need-to-know to visit Puerto Rico

When it comes to Caribbean travel, Puerto Rico has a hand up on other islands.  Being a territory of the United States (OMG, it should be a state. Whatever…) US Citizens can visit without a passport, or international visitors can get to Puerto Rico with the same visa requirements as taking a trip across the continental USA.

And since it’s part of the USA, Puerto Rico runs off the US Dollar.  There is no pondering exchange rates.  There’s no weird pricing structure and there’s also no wheeling and dealing on goods.  A lot of people love the bargaining process they might experience when visiting Mexico, but just like you wouldn’t necessarily do that in a shop in Southern California, you wouldn’t do that in Puerto Rico.

Note:  a question that came up prior to this trip was if any shots or health precautions are needed to visit Puerto Rico. The answer is basically no, but just like with any Caribbean destination, including Florida, you’ll want to be wary of mosquitoes due to the potential of Zika Virus, which has been downgraded from its previous status as a major concern. As of Feb 2019 it’s still not recommended that pregnant women visit Puerto Rico due to zika.

Language in Puerto Rico

Remember, Puerto Rico is an extension of the USA which makes it more simple and less stressful for some than visiting Mexico or the Domenican Republic.  While Spanish is the primary language we had zero experiences, either on the east coast or in the San Juan area, where we needed to use it as nearly everybody we encountered everywhere spoke fluent English.  Yes, we went off the beaten path; yes, we went into the mountains; yes, we traveled beyond our hotels, but no: no moment of panicked tourist unable to communicate. If language is something you’re anxious about, in general you won’t need to worry too much if you visit Puerto Rico.

Tip:  still be prepared to communicate in Spanish both in the event you must and as a courtesy to the residents you will no doubt interact with. You’re visiting their home and they shouldn’t have to accommodate you.

Note:  the Puerto Rican Spanish accent is quite different from Mexican Spanish.  There are also words and phrases I’d never heard… and my Spanish accent was odd to some people I spoke with.  Just saying, it is a very different place and the language is quite nuanced.

How to plan a visit to Puerto Rico

Travel planning is so important, especially when you consider the cost of travel experiences these days. Sure you can deplane in a new land and let the wind take you, but that just isn’t the smartest plan.  When you visit Puerto Rico you’ll want to determine your goals:  adventure or relaxation… or both.  If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want to consider their level of engagement and physical skill.

So here’s what you do (or just go with our 5 day Puerto Rico itinerary):  

• Google “activities in Puerto Rico” and review the top suggestions
• Consider who’s traveling and what they CAN do
• Pick one solid activity per day that everyone CAN do
• Pick one optional activity per day that some may WANT to do
• Plot the locations on a map
• Pair up nearby activities, leaving room in the plans to be able to do the second activity if time allows

Tip:  if you visit Puerto Rico with a larger group or have travelers with a broad age/physical skill set, be okay with splitting up for the day. Having a spa day may be perfect for some while jumping into waterfalls may be a dream for others.

Fun Activities on Puerto Rico’s East Coast

Like we always remind with our articles WE DIDN’T DO EVERYTHING that you can experience in the area, but did do our research in advance and had an unforgettable time both being adventurous and relaxing, and that’s why we say that the following are the top activities when you visit Puerto Rico’s east coast. Adjust your plans for what you’re travel companions enjoy and based on what the weather is doing.

Visiting El Yunque National Forest

Ever since seeing tropical rainforests in movies and cartoons as a kid, it’s been a bucket list item to go hiking through the jungle surrounded by dripping vines while clouds moved through the trees.  El Yunque National Forest is just that.  It’s full of waterfalls, the most epic vines and rooty trees, and more creature sounds than you can imagine.  There is a great Visitors Center at El Portal that is the perfect stop to get your bearings and learn a bit about the vegetation and animals you’re about to see.

Tip:  take time to talk with a ranger about any road condition issues or warnings before you head off into the mountains.  Flash floods DO HAPPEN in the rainforest and El Yunque National Forest’s roads are windy and susceptible to damage.

If you are wary of renting a car in Puerto Rico or just don’t feel confident driving on the crazy mountain jungle roads of El Yunque, consider booking a guided tour of El Yunque National Forest. Better safe than sorry and it’ll still be incredible.

Easy sights within El Yunque Naitonal Forest

• El Portal Visitors Center and canopy walk – really cool thing to do and a great introduction to the tropical rainforest of Puerto Rico
• Yokahu Tower – view point and photo opp, and it’s kind of the icon of El Yunque National Forest, so be sure to make the stop.
• La Coca Falls – viewing and short trails, the trickiest part of this stop is parking safely, so be smart about it
• La Mina Falls – hiking through the rainforest, waterfalls and swimming in tropical splash pools. I love this hike and it’s EXACTLY what you’d hope for with hiking in El Yunque National Forest. This hike is a gem of an activity and perfectly Puerto Rico.

Doable with kids: yes! There are lots of sights that are easily accessible from the roads and there are kid-friendly hikes as well. I think the thing that could be iffy with kids is if you’re doing the Mina Falls hike and you don’t manage kids on the trail, as it can be slick in places. Also, waterfall jumping can be dangerous and needs to be done with caution.

Bioluminescent Kayaking in Fajardo

We love kayaking and do it all the time.  From the marsh lakes of Wisconsin to ecotours in Florida, it’s our favorite way to gently get into nature.  Kayaking with the chance to experience the bio-luminescent waters of Puerto Rico is a must-do.  If you’re unfamiliar, bio-luminescence is a visible light reaction that you can see when certain organisms, such as plankton, are disturbed.

In the Fajardo area on Puerto Rico’s east there is a brackish lagoon called Bio Bay. It’s part of the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve and it’s a pristine slice of nature.  

Book this exact tour here!

Going with a licensed guide, you can kayak through the most epic mangrove tunnel outside of the Everglades until you reach Bio Bay.  There are no lights anywhere and you’re paddling in near pitch black conditions. As you get closer to the lagoon, the water starts to light up with every stroke. Wiggling your fingers or feet in the warm water below creates even more bio-luminescent activity and then with the stars above you… It’s unforgettable.

Tip: if you’re going to be on the island of Vieques when you visit Puerto Rico, Mosquito Bay is also reserve where you can experience bio-luminescence via kayaking. Book the Vieques bioluminescent kayaking here

Note:  this is an experience you can only remember.  Photographing the bioluminescense is close to impossible without a highly specialized camera, so adjust your expectations now. If you have the steadiest hand and are using a Google Pixel on Nightsight, you can have some success in photographing the bioluminescence, but even then it’s iffy.

Other bio-luminescent kayaking spots in Puerto Rico

In case you’re traveling to other parts of Puerto Rico beyond the east coast, you’ll find a few other opportunities to do some bioluminescent tours. Basically, you need a place with calm water that’s consistently above 80 degrees with a healthy percentage of saltwater. Here are the places to experience this in Puerto Rico:

• Bio Bay – Fajardo, east coast
• Mosquito Bay – Vieques, east coast detached island
• La Parguera – Boqueron / Ponce, south western coast

Doable with kids:  yes and no, if the kids are scared easily or struggle to control themselves, then this isn’t for you. This is a very calm and special experience for all that participate, so be wise about bringing small kids. Yes, if you’re visiting Puerto Rico with older kids (6+). Kayaking in the dark is really cool but also really creepy.  To keep everyone’s eyes adjusted for viewing the bio-luminescence there are no flashlights or spotlights except used by guides in emergency situations. We do a lot of bioluminescent kayaking in Florida where we live, so the kids are used to it.

Snorkeling Eastern Puerto Rico’s Tropical Waters

Oh snorkeling! What travel experience to a tropical destination is complete without snorkeling? We do a lot of underwater exploring in Mexico, from turtles in Akumal and beaches around Playa del Carmen, to snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas, and the marine life in eastern Puerto Rico is just as rich and totally different.

The brain and fan corals of Eastern Puerto Rico make for some fascinating reefs to explore.  There are all kinds of reefs and trenches along the coast, so whether you’re a surface snorkeler or somebody who loves freediving (like me) you’ll see some incredible wildlife.

Wildlife While Snorkeling in Puerto Rico

The wildlife you encounter when you’re snorkeling in Eastern Puerto Rico is very similar to what you’ll find in the Florida Keys. We spend a lot of time in the Keys on wildlife tours and exploring on our own, so snorkeling in Puerto Rico feels right at home for us. Here are our favorite wildlife species to encounter when we’re snorkeling here:

• Parrot fish
• Angel fish
• Grunt fish
• Green sea turtle (rare)
• Black tip reef shark (saw one!!)
• Sting rays (shuffle when you walk into the water)
• Sea urchins, stars, and more

Snorkeling beaches in Eastern Puerto Rico

Of course there are lots of places to snorkel when you’re exploring the east coast of Puerto Rico, but not all are great for snorkeling in calm waters or easy access. We’ve picked some good ones that you can access safely and just enjoy. These beaches include both mainland Puerto Rico and a couple of small islands that you can get tours to. View in Google Maps here.

• Isla Palimino (private) – part of the El Conquistador property in Fajardo
• Playa Escondida – Farjado area
• Playa Azul – between Fajardo and San Juan, northern beach area
• Culebra – detatched eastern island – day trips available from mainland Puerto Rico
• Playa la Chiva, Vieques – detached island – day trips to Vieques available here

Doable with kids:  yes, but not every beach is recommended with new swimmers.  Eastern Puerto Rico is where the open Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean meet, so the winds and currents are VERY strong and could prove dangerous for the novice snorkeler or weak swimmer. We’re pretty cautious about where we snorkel with our kids and always adjust our plans if it seems unsafe at the moment.

Relaxation on rainy days

Just know that when you visit Puerto Rico you’ll most likely get a day or two of rain. The rain may be brief or completely epic. There are some great options for making the most of rainy days in Puerto Rico, including spa visits, dining, hiking in the rainforest (hello, it’s called the rainforest for a reason), seeking out art, shopping, and enjoying everything rum-based.

While staying at the El Conquistador Resort in Farjado spending a rainy day getting a massage and just relaxing in the niwa totally ate up spare time while the lightning was going crazy outside.  True, you may not be staying at the El Con when you visit Puerto Rico, but all of these suggestions are great fillers wherever you may be. Between museums and spa days (if you’re feeling fancy) it’s good to keep plans like this in your back pocket.

Note: it’s also tons of fun to go swimming in the rain, but when there’s lightning, you need to be wary and stay out of the water. Nobody wants to fry their brains on vacation.

Ideas with kids:  we always travel with a few coloring books for the rare moment we need them. Also, because we tend to travel during the school year we do bring lessons when traveling, so homework is perfect for waiting out the random Puerto Rican storm.

Where to Stay on the Puerto Rico East Coast

There are a few towns on the east coast of Puerto Rico where you’ll find either nice hotels or resorts, both for adult travelers or families. We always like to choose resorts that can provide a self-contained environment with restaurants and recreation BUT that we can easily leave to explore, both for the nearby towns and to get into nature. That’s what’s so great about eastern Puerto Rico.

From Rio Grande on the north short to Fajardo there are lots of resort and small hotel options. As you head south of Fajardo the towns get smaller and the options become more limited. In these areas you’ll find areas that are less developed for tourism and are mainly for daily life of Puerto Rican residents.

Resort Pick: El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo

With so many options for travelers, from AirBNB to resorts, there’s a lot to consider when choosing accommodations.  Things we look for as a family are proximity to sites we want to visit as well as immediate access to the outdoors, both in terms of pools and nature. And then budget, because at the end of the day a small splurge on vacation is fine, but we don’t want to be regretting it afterwards.

Book the El Conquistador Resort here!

El Conquistador Resort was homebase for this Puerto Rico visit and it was perfect for our itinerary and needs.  There was a variety of indoor activities including a family arcade, shopping, and countless restaurants; we actually could’ve stayed there the whole time and been content (but we love to explore!). And the food was delish, particularly Chops Steakhouse.

Tip:  if you’re planning on the fly and aren’t sure what your full itinerary will be when you visit Puerto Rico, El Conquistador Resort has an Enterprise Rental Car location on property.  We used it to get to El Yunque National Forest.

The rooms are very nice with plenty of bright space and outdoor access (large balconies).  There are several pools around the property, including a lap pool and a swim-up bar.  Also a part of the resort is Coqui Waterpark. It is an additional fee to enter and enjoy the waterslides, lazy river and pools, but if you are up for it and want to enjoy both the park and amazing Caribbean view, spend an afternoon.

A huge bonus to staying with El Conquistador Resort was access to their private island, Isla Palomino. Perfect beaches, a coral reef, lounge chairs and palapas, watersports rentals (kayaks/SUP/skis), dining: it’s basically everything you think of when you’re looking for a luxury resort or family vacay.  Oh, and to access the ferry to Isla Palomino or to get to Coqui Waterpark there is a funicular (cable car) that carts guests up and down the steep hill from resort to marina level.

Tip:  when choosing your accommodations, take into account the additional value a property provides beyond the room you’ll sleep in.  Sometimes paying more for a hotel room saves you money in the long run when you consider the dining and tours you might be planning separately that are worked into the full resort experience.

Good option with kids:  yes!  The El Conquistador has everything from a game room to scavenger hunts around the property. There is family friendly dining as well as upscale dinner options. And don’t forget that there is a funicular and waterpark.

So yes, I’m completely ready to visit Puerto Rico again ASAP, particularly with the kids.  The options for being out in nature abound and the fun that can be had on Puerto Rico’s east coast is endless.  Overall, eastern Puerto Rico was on par or less expensive than vacation options on either the Atlantic or Gulf Coasts of Florida with the same amazing weather.  The food was great and we felt safe everywhere we went.

There is much more to Puerto Rico so check out our recommendations for exploring San Juan, our 5 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary, and more as we continue to explore. If you have any questions about visiting Puerto Rico, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help plan awesome trips!