The perfect Caribbean getaway
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Puerto Rico is the ultimate Caribbean getaway! From exploring Old San Juan to hiking through El Yunque, there’s no shortage of things to do. Here’s the perfect itinerary for spending two days in Puerto Rico!
Things to know before you go
Entering Puerto Rico
United States citizens traveling from within the US do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico. US citizens only need to bring a government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license. Travelers from other countries are subject to the same identification and visa requirements that are in place for visiting the mainland United States.
Currency
Puerto Rico uses the United States Dollar. Most stores and restaurants accept credit cards, but you should always carry cash just in case and to use for tipping.
Language
Both English and Spanish are spoken in Puerto Rico. The majority of people we spoke to at hotels, shops, and restaurants spoke English, but we do recommend brushing up on your Spanish to be prepared.
Transportation
The Old San Juan area of Puerto Rico is very walkable, so we don’t suggest a car if that’s where you’ll be spending your time. If you’re looking to venture outside of Old San Juan, you’ll either need to call a rideshare/taxi, rent a car, or book tours that include transportation. Taxi dispatchers are present at the airport to help you get a ride to your hotel and will tell you the cost prior to calling a taxi.
Day 1: Exploring Old San Juan
To kick off your Puerto Rico vacation, you need to spend some time walking around Old San Juan. With over 500 years of history, there’s plenty of places to visit to learn about the city’s intriguing past. Here are the best sites to see in Old San Juan!
Plaza Colon
Plaza Colon was once the intersection of the main city gate and the easternmost city wall prior to the wall being torn down in May of 1897. Nowadays, the plaza is used for the start of sightseeing tours and is a great place to find restaurants and gift shops. Standing in the center is a monument of Christopher Columbus, which was built in 1893 to mark 400 years since the Spanish arrived in Puerto Rico.
Castillo de San Cristóbal
Standing guard at the eastern gate of Old San Juan is the Castillo de San Cristóbal. Constructed from 1634 until 1765, the fortress was built to protect the city from land-based attacks and is the largest Spanish fortification in the New World. The fortress is a part of the San Juan National Historic Site, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The entrance fee is $10, which also covers entrance to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. More information can be found here on the National Park Service website.
Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalenda de Pazzi
Right outside of Castillo San Felipe del Morro is Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi, dating back to 1863. Located along the shores of the Atlantic, the cemetery is the final resting place for many notable Puerto Ricans such as José Ferrer, an actor, and José de Diego, an advocate for Puerto Rico’s independence.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
The second fortress to visit in Old San Juan is Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the most recognized landmark in Puerto Rico! Constructed from 1539 to 1790, El Morro is an impressive six level fortress that guards the entrance to the Bay of San Juan. The Plaza de Armas and 1539 Tower are some top sites to see inside the fort.
Iglesia de San José
Iglesia de San José was built in 1532, making it the second oldest church in the Americas. The church was one of the first buildings in Puerto Rico to have a defined style and is one of the earliest surviving pieces of Spanish Gothic architecture in the Western hemisphere.
Casa Blanca
Built in 1521 to serve as Juan Ponce de León’s residence, Casa Blanca is the oldest residence in Old San Juan and the oldest continuously occupied residence in the Western hemisphere. Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who served as the first governor of Puerto Rico. Today, Casa Blanca is a museum filled with artifacts from the 16th and 17the centuries. Tip: the gardens are free to walk around, so make sure to at least check those out while you’re there!
Parque de Los Gatos
This one is for all the cat lovers! Parque de Los Gatos is a sanctuary filled with tons of cute cats. There, you’ll find Save A Gato, a non-profit organization that helps homeless and abused cats in Old San Juan.
Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista
Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista is the second oldest church in the Western hemisphere and serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Puerto Rico. There are two main highlights to see inside the cathedral: the tomb of Juan Ponce de León and the mummy of martyr Saint Pio.
Puerta de San Juan
One of the most iconic sites to see is Puerta de San Juan! Built in 1635 and named in honor of Saint John the Baptist, Puerta de San Juan used to serve as the main entrance to the city. The gate is the only one remaining from the original set of six that were built to defend San Juan.
Paseo de la Princesa
Paseo de la Princesa is a beautiful promenade to stroll along while you’re in Old San Juan. The walkway is filled with restaurants, museums, and plenty of sculptures.
Plaza de Armas
Located in the heart of Old San Juan is Plaza de Armas. As you wander through the square, be on the lookout for the Four Seasons statues as well as a statue of salsa composer Tito Curet Alonso. Located around on the exterior of the plaza are the buildings for the Puerto Rico Department of State and San Juan’s Town Hall.
Calle de la Fortaleza
Continuing on your tour, check out Calle de la Fortaleza. Located right outside of La Fortaleza, the governor’s mansion, the street is famous for a colorful display that serves as a great photo op.
La Fortaleza
Originally built to be a defense point for Puerto Rico, La Fortaleza now serves as the governor’s mansion. Guided tours of the mansion are available Monday through Friday; more information can be found here.
Check out our Old San Juan Walking Tour post for more information about each stop and a helpful map!
If you’d prefer to go on a guided tour, check out this option.
Day 2: El Yunque National Forest
For your second day in Puerto Rico, head out to El Yunque National Forest! Spanning almost 29,000 acres, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. It’s home to beautiful waterfalls and tons of wildlife!
We recommend visiting El Yunque with a tour group for a variety of reasons – most importantly because they’ll provide transportation and know how to keep you safe in the forest. We had a great time going with this tour group that we booked through Viator. We were able to go down a natural waterslide, cliff jump, and rope swing! Make sure to wear the proper attire recommended by your tour group as going through the forest can be quite muddy. We highly recommend you bring GoPro so that you can record your adventure!
If you rather explore El Yunque on your own, make sure to visit recreation.gov to make your entry reservation. The El Yunque website can be used for more information on visiting the forest.
Recommended Restaurants in Old San Juan
Cafeteria Mallorca
Cafeteria Mallorca is a great place to stop for breakfast and get some mallorca bread. Mallorca bread is a classic Puerto Rican dish consisting of sweet buns sprinkled with powdered sugar. Some variations make it like a sandwich, putting ham and cheese inside of it.
Barrachina
Fancy a piña colada? Then head on over to Barrachina! Barrachina serves classic Puerto Rican food and is housed where the first piña colada was made. Their menu can be found here.
Pirilo
Pirilo is a great stop for some pizza in Old San Juan. We recommend making a reservation in advance as the restaurant is quite popular!
Check out our TikTok to see what our trip to Puerto Rico was like!
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited March 2022 | Posted September 2022
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