The Ultimate 5‑Day Itinerary for Puerto Rico
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Puerto Rico is a gorgeous Caribbean island and an excellent destination for a girls’ trip. It’s affordable, easy to get to, and perfectly balances relaxation, adventure, and nightlife.
As someone who has traveled to over 45 countries, I designed this itinerary for Puerto Rico to help you make the most of your five days on the island. From kayaking through glowing waters to dancing salsa in Old San Juan, this guide blends personal tips with must-see attractions so you can plan the ultimate trip.
Puerto Rico Itinerary: 5-Day Overview
Five days in Puerto Rico gives you just enough time to explore the highlights:
➡️ Day 1: San Juan arrival, La Esquina Watusi & Santurce nightlife
➡️ Day 2: El Yunque rainforest, Luquillo Beach & Bioluminescent Bay
➡️ Day 3: Southwest Puerto Rico — salt flats, sunflower fields & Cabo Rojo
➡️ Day 4: Piñones Beach day & salsa at La Factoría
➡️ Day 5: Old San Juan, El Morro & local shopping
Day 1: San Juan Arrival & Santurce Nightlife
Live Plena at La Esquina Watusi
We arrived in San Juan in the early evening. We headed to La Esquina Watusi in Santurce. La Esquina Watusi is a corner bar and a local favorite. Every Thursday, they have a live plena that starts at 9 pm.
Plena, born in Puerto Rico as a blend of African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences, captures the island’s spirit, and experiencing it live is one of the best ways to feel Puerto Rico’s heartbeat.
Here’s a little taste of plena:
We also had the best time soaking up the cozy vibes, exploring stunning street art, and bar-hopping in Santurce.
Pro-tip: For daily things to do in Puerto Rico, follow @dimelomio on Instagram.
Day 2: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, & Bioluminescent Bay
Hiking at the El Yunque National Rainforest
Your itinerary for Puerto Rico would be incomplete without a visit to El Yunque. Just 30 minutes from San Juan, El Yunque is one of Puerto Rico’s top attractions. Before you go, check the USDA Forest Service website for the most up-to-date trail information so you can plan your route.
You can easily spend the whole day hiking different trails and exploring the rainforest’s 29 acres of land, but we spent about three hours there. El Yunque opens at 7:30 am, so if you get there early, you will have plenty of time to see a lot.
Pro-tip: It is a rainforest, so expect the ground to be wet from rain or dew, which increases your chances of slipping. Wear shoes with a good grip, and bring a poncho or rain jacket in case it rains.
If you decide to rent a drop-top vehicle, make sure you close your roof while you are within 15 minutes of El Yunque. It’s a rainforest, so it rains sporadically throughout the day. We learned the hard way: one moment we were cruising under sunny skies in our Jeep Wrangler, the next we were pulling over in a downpour, scrambling to get the top back on
We checked out the following spots during our visit to El Yunque:
Yokahu Lookout Tower
The Yokahu Lookout Tower is an observation tour that offers panoramic views of the coast and the rainforest.
Juan Diego Waterfalls
The Juan Diego Trail is an easy 5-minute hike to a small waterfall. It used to be a secluded trail, but because it is now one of the few waterfalls accessible in the forest, it’s become popular.
Luquillo Beach
After El Yunque, we drove 12 minutes to the stunning, palm-tree-clad Luquillo Beach.
Looking for guided tour experiences? Check out these top-rated El Yunque & Luquillo Beach Tours
Bioluminescent Bay Tour in Fajardo
Visiting a bioluminescent bay is a bucket-list-worthy item, as it is very unique. There are only five bioluminescent bays in the world, and Puerto Rico is home to three of them—making it a must-visit on any itinerary for Puerto Rico.
:
- Mosquito Bay, the most popular one, is located on Vieques Island, off the east coast of the main island of Puerto Rico.
Laguna Grande is located on the north side of Fajardo Island.
La Parguera is located on the far southwestern side of Fajardo.
The masterminds behind the bioluminescence of a bio bay are dinoflagellates, single-celled microorganisms. These microorganisms give off a brief glow, typically in a blue-green color, whenever touched. Therefore, every splash and every movement in the water causes the dinoflagellates to illuminate the water around you, giving the bay its iconic glow.
Although there are dinoflagellates throughout the ocean, they are rarely found at concentrations high enough to produce the glow. Kayaking through the bioluminescent bay was one of my most unforgettable moments of the trip. It felt so surreal that nature created something so magical.
Although I don’t have any pictures of that moment (it’s virtually impossible to capture bioluminescence in water without very special cameras), the memory is vivid. I remember the joy of kayaking into the moonlight, splashing the shimmery water onto my skin.
It’s crazy to think this moment almost didn’t happen. We headed to Bioluminescent Beach Fajardo, hoping we would be able to find someone to take us on a kayak tour of the Bioluminescent Bay. Earlier in the day, we contacted over six major Puerto Rico tour operators to book, and they all said they were sold out for the day.
We put “Bioluminescent Beach Fajardo” in the GPS and headed to the loading docks where most tours departed, hoping there would be last-minute cancellations. We parked in the wrong area, which led to the parking attendant telling us we couldn’t park there. We told her we were trying to go kayaking, but didn’t have a reservation.
What she said next was music to our ears: “I know a guy who can help.” Lo and behold, her guy, who was affiliated with Gio Tour Service, had availability for an 8:30 pm tour, and we negotiated for a price much cheaper than advertised online ($40 PP vs. $55 PP). That shows you that when there’s a will, there’s a way!
Book your Bioluminescent Bay tour in Mosquito Bay or Laguna Grande
Day 3: Southwest Puerto Rico & Cabo Rojo
Finca el Girasol in Guánica
Sunflowers are my absolute favorite flower! I was excited to visit a sunflower farm for the first time. We walked through the fields and took loads of pictures. The farm sold cut flowers, seeds, and other locally grown produce. It’s free to enter, but $2 for parking.
Pro-tip: Ahead of your visit, check their FB page or call 787-677-2141 to confirm their schedule because they will close due to rain/mud or if there aren’t enough flowers in bloom.
Las Salinas Salt Flats
If you are active on Instagram and look up pictures of Puerto Rico, you will undoubtedly see tons of photos of the pink salt flats in Cabo Rojo. Las Salinas is a must-see eco attraction in Puerto Rico. The area boasts the highest number and the most incredible diversity of birds in the Caribbean.
The day we visited, the sky was overcast and rain drizzled softly, so the hypersaline lagoons weren’t as vibrant as the photos I had seen online.
The color of the salt flats varies with the amount of sunlight, water, salt, and organisms in the water (brine shrimp help contribute to the reddish color of the flats). Although the water wasn’t electric pink during our visit, it was still beautiful to see in person.
A torrential downpour cut our visit to Las Salinas short and caused us to rearrange our original plans of visiting the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse and relaxing at La Playuela beach.
Faro de Los Morrillos Lighthouse
Faro de Los Morrillos, also known as “El Faro,” is the most beloved sight in Cabo Rojo. It is located at the Los Morrillos Peninsula, sitting elegantly on top of limestone cliffs that drop 200 feet into the Caribbean Sea. You can climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea.
If you walk west on the hiking trails surrounding the lighthouse facing the ocean, you’ll come across limestone cliffs with hidden caves and natural bridges.
La Playuela
La Playuela is a 10-minute hike from the lighthouse. It’s known for its beautiful water tones that range from turquoise to emerald green.
La Parguera Cabo Rojo
After Las Salinas, we went to the boardwalk area of La Parguera Cabo Rojo to grab dinner. It was very lively and filled with people of all ages.
Day 4: Piñones Beach & Salsa Dancing
Beach Day at Piñones
Piñones is located on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico in the town of Loiza. It is the heart of Puerto Rico’s Afro-Caribbean heritage. We had the best time relaxing and eating authentic local food from the kiosks along the beach. Kiosk Boricua is the kiosk to visit. Their food is worth the long lines and wait.
Pro-tip: Leave an hour or two before 5:30 to avoid getting stuck in traffic for 1.5 hours getting out of Piñones.
Salsa Dancing at La Factoria
I was happy to use my months of salsa dancing lessons at La Factoria, located in Old San Juan. It was a good starting point for bar hopping.
Day 5: Old San Juan
Explore Old San Juan
Our final day was spent exploring Old San Juan in the morning before we departed in the late afternoon. We started our day with breakfast at Cafeteria Mallorca, a simple yet charming diner. They are known for their Mallorca bread, which is sweet with powdered sugar. I had delicious bacon, egg, and cheese there!
After breakfast, we went souvenir shopping and casually roamed the beautiful cobbled-stoned streets, exploring the El Morro National Monument and the surrounding street art.
Pro-tip: Old San Juan has a free trolley system that can help you make the most of your day exploring the city.
If you’re interested in spending more time in San Juan, check out this detailed guide on things to do in San Juan.
Book a guided tour of Old San Juan here
Know Before you Go
Where to Stay in Puerto Rico
Condado is one of the best areas to stay in San Juan—safe, walkable, and right on the beach, with tons of dining, nightlife, and shopping just steps away. Whether you’re traveling on a budget, looking for something mid-range, or splurging on a luxury escape, here are my top picks:
📍 Best Budget Spot: Olla Boutique Hotel –A chic boutique stay in Condado with modern rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a relaxing spa. Just steps from Ocean Park Beach and dining.
📍 Best Mid-Range Spot: AC Hotel by Marriott San Juan Condado – Sleek and modern with a rooftop pool, stylish rooms, and walkable access to both the beach and Condado’s restaurants. It’s a great balance of comfort and value.
📍 Best Luxury Spot: Condado Vanderbilt Hotel – Historic elegance meets modern luxury at this oceanfront gem. Think infinity pools, a full-service spa, gourmet dining, and impeccable service. If you’re ready to splurge, this is the spot.
How to Get Around Puerto Rico
Car rental
Our primary way of getting around Puerto Rico was with a rented car. We decided to rent a car to explore the island on our terms in a cost-effective way. When renting a car in Puerto Rico, it’s important to note the following:
Make your reservation before you arrive at Rental Cars. This will allow you to secure the cheaper daily rate advertised on the website.
All main highways in Puerto Rico have unattended tolls. Rental units and their license plates are registered within the toll system.
Opt-out of paying for insurance online. When you arrive at the counter, the company will add insurance, E-ZPass, and other add-ons.
Car rental pickups are available at San Juan airport (SJU) or Carolina, Puerto Rico, since there are shuttles to that area, less than five minutes from the airport. Be sure your location is open at your arrival time.
I ended up renting a Jeep Wrangler from Allied Car Rental. Although my friend did all the driving, I added myself as a second driver as a safety precaution.
Also, because I received auto rental collision damage insurance from my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, we only added partial insurance to provide us with full coverage. We decided to include the E-ZPass because we would drive on many main highways that were likely to have tolls. The E-ZPass gives you unlimited daily use of the toll roads.
We had a lot of fun riding around in our purple drop-top Jeep Wrangler, Purple Reign, but it was not without its tricky moments.
There are many unexpected sharp exits/ turns in Puerto Rico. Driving outside San Juan at night requires a lot of precision and alertness because there are many narrow two-way roads and limited light. Drivers usually have their high beams on, making seeing in front of you nearly impossible.
Pro-tip: Have a designated GPS person to help you navigate while you focus on the driving.
Uber
When we weren’t driving, we used Uber. Uber in Puerto Rico is highly reliable and cheap. We could get to Condado’s hotspot areas for less than $10.
FAQs About Visiting Puerto Rico:
How many days do you need in Puerto Rico?
Five days is perfect to explore San Juan, El Yunque, and a few coastal gems. If you plan on staying longer, check out this 7 Day Itinerary for Puerto Rico for additional things to do!
What’s the best time to visit Puerto Rico?
December to April offers the sunniest weather and driest conditions.
Can you get around Puerto Rico without a car?
Yes, especially within San Juan using Uber, but renting a car is recommended for day trips and beaches.
Is one week too long in Puerto Rico?
Not at all! Seven days lets you explore Vieques, Culebra, and hidden southwest gems.
Essential Travel Tips for Puerto Rico
- Currency: US Dollar (USD)
- Capital City: San Juan
- Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST); Puerto Rico does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
- Best Time to Visit: December to April for sunny days and dry weather
- Language Tip: Both Spanish and English are widely spoken, but learning a few basic Spanish phrases can enhance your experience
Final Thoughts: 5-Day Itinerary for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico truly delivers the perfect mix of fun and relaxation, making it an unforgettable spot for a girls’ trip or any kind of getaway. With this 5-day itinerary for Puerto Rico, you’ll have the blueprint to explore the island’s highlights—from bioluminescent bays to colorful streets and salsa-filled nights. No matter how you spend your time, I’m confident Puerto Rico will leave you inspired, recharged, and already planning your next visit.
You might also enjoy these travel guides to help plan your next Caribbean adventure:
- Ultimate Jamaica Packing List: What to Bring and What to Leave
- 11 Fun Things to Do in Grenada
- 3 Ways to Maximize a Short Stay in a Resort
Pin this guide to your travel board for later and start planning your dream trip to Puerto Rico!
