Palm-fringed, powdery white sand beaches, tropical landscapes, unique food, and friendly people.
These are all factors that make Puerto Rico such an alluring island destination.
Five days is enough to see the highlights of Puerto Rico — beaches, restaurants, parks, and other attractions.
This guide will also cover hotel recommendations, how much you’ll roughly spend, how to get around, and more.
So, give this 5-day Puerto Rico itinerary a go to experience the best this country has to offer!
5 Day Itinerary for Puerto Rico At a Glance
- Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Rico and Explore Old San Juan
- Day 2: Morning Coffee, Hiking in El Yunque, and Luquillo Beach
- Day 3: Las Salinas Salt Flats, Lunch, Bioluminescent Bay Tour in Fajardo, and Cocktails
- Day 4: Explore Ponce, Brunch, and Beach Hopping
- Day 5: Explore San Germán and Dinner
Read Next: Need help convincing someone to go with? Here are some great reasons to go to Puerto Rico.
How to Spend 5 Days in Puerto Rico
Enough rambling — let’s get into the fun stuff. Here’s how to enjoy Puerto Rico in 5 days.
Day 1
Arrival + Exploring Old San Juan + Dinner
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan is the main airport in Puerto Rico.
This is likely where you’ll land. San Juan is also the island’s capital city, where you’ll find many hotels and entertainment options.
So, it makes sense to dedicate your first day to exploring San Juan.
But more specifically, Old San Juan — a historic area brimming with old-world charm. You’ll have plenty to admire and do here.
Old San Juan is home to historic fortresses, colorful 16th-century buildings, cobbled streets, cocktail bars, and Caribbean fusion restaurants.
Start by visiting El Morro Castle, an iconic landmark.
Then, there’s San Juan Cathedral and San Juan Gate. These are included in this historical sites walking tour (from $54).
Psst: While in Old San Juan, don’t forget to take a pic in front of the Puerta de la Bandera, a black Puerto Rican flag painted on the door of an abandoned building.
After a long day of exploring, you’ll likely want a hearty dinner will surely soothe the soul and body after a long day of exploring.
And guess what? San Juan has some of the nicest Puerto Rican and Caribbean-inspired restaurants, so you can have a proper foodie experience.
Santaella is a chic restaurant serving cocktails, tapas, and authentic dishes made with local ingredients. It’s a bit more pricey, but it’s perfect for fine dining or date night, nonetheless.
Jacinta Cuisine and Eter Rooftop Lounge are less expensive options, offering delectable Caribbean cuisine.
Total Spending: The average cost for family-style restaurants is between $10–$15 per person, and $15–$35 per meal for upscale restaurants. If you add the walking tour, expect to spend a minimum of $64 to a maximum of $89.
Day 2
Coffee + Hiking in El Yunque + Luquillo Beach
Day two starts with a good old cup of Joe at an adorable, Insta-worthy café.
And since you’re still in San Juan, looking for places in the area makes sense.
Some coffee and a hearty breakfast will set you up for all the activities and excitement ahead.
Puerto Rican coffee is rich and sweet, with deep flavors.
You can taste just that and more at the quirky Café con Cé, a small coffee shop with a facade decorated with street art.
Another spot for freshly brewed Puerto Rican coffee is Lelas Eatery, a hangout for local artists needing their morning-after-gig remedy.
After your dose of caffeine, it’s time to hit the road for a lovely day tour of El Yunque National Forest and Luquillo Beach (from $75).
The journey takes about 45 minutes, so wear hiking boots and pack your backpack with essentials like water and snacks.
The best part is that Luquillo Beach is just a 15-minute drive from El Yunque, which is why so many take on both in one day.
El Yunque is a nature lover’s paradise and the only tropical rainforest in the U.S.
Sadly, as of August 2024, El Yungue will experience temporary closure until the roads are cleared of vegetation.
But if you manage to be there when all this is done, definitely go waterfall hunting, go down the natural waterslides, and try cliff jumping if you dare.
Don’t miss the Yokahu Lookout Tower and Juan Diego Waterfalls (two of the most Instagrammable places in Puerto Rico).
Lastly, Luquillo Beach is a postcard-worthy beach with calm waters, forested mountains, and palm trees. It’s the perfect little escape for beach photography and much-needed relaxing.
Total Spending: Breakfast at most casual coffee shops can cost you anywhere between $15-$20. A regular cappuccino is about $2-$6. So, including the tour, you’ll spend about $90 to $105 per person.
Day 3
Las Salinas Salt Flats + Lunch + Bioluminescent Bay Tour in Fajardo + Cocktails
Get your camera ready, as day three is all about capturing the stunning nature of Puerto Rico for your next Instagram posts.
Make your way to Las Salinas Salt Flats in Cabo Rojo during sunrise to capture the gorgeous pink color of the lagoons (free to visit).
If you’re not familiar, Las Salinas is an area of two 18-inch-deep natural lagoons that have been altered to mine salt.
The lagoons are pink thanks to algae, bacteria, and salt, which results in stunning backdrops for Instagram shots.
After spending your morning posing in front of the Las Salinas pink salt flats, it’s time to discover more colorful waters. Only this time, it’s glow in the dark.
Puerto Rico boasts three of only five bioluminescent beaches in the world — which means you absolutely must see it!
But before you go on a Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo (from $66.90), grab some lunch to kill some time since it’s best to do this at night.
Cabo Rojo is a beach town with plenty of vibey, can’t-miss restaurants such as Buena Vibra Bar & Tapas and Bamboleio.
You can also hang by the beach and visit Faro Los Morrillos — one of my faves!
Puerto Rico has an eclectic nightlife you’ll want to get a taste of. There’s always a party nearby, whether on the beach or in the streets.
If you’re craving a place for cocktails and good vibes, then Casa Bacardí is the answer.
Casa Bacardí the world’s largest premium rum distillery and home to some of the most awarded rum.
So, what better way to wrap up day four than sipping on some of the best rum?
They offer rum-tasting tours, mixology classes, and a chance to enjoy cocktails at the waterfront pavilion.
Total Spending: The rum tasting will set you back about $90. So, with the Bio Bay Kayak Tour and lunch, you’ll spend about $176.90-$186.90 per person.
Day 4
Explore Ponce + Brunch + Beach Hopping
On day four, you’ll want to wake up early to make the two-hour drive to Ponce from San Juan.
Since it’s quite the drive, it’s best to overnight here and then you can travel to San Germán the next morning.
Ponce is a charming city on Puerto Rico’s southern coast, with grand mansions built in a unique Creole architectural style.
It’s home to various museums, Museo de Arte de Ponce being the most popular one for its vast European and Puerto Rican art collections.
See all the highlights of Ponce by doing a guided walking tour led by a local (from $32). This is a great way to learn about the city’s rich history, culture, and traditions.
Now it’s time for brunch. Brunch is a fairly new thing in Puerto Rico, and more hotels and restaurants are starting to embrace “desalmuerzo” — a mashed-together Spanish name for brunch.
Combining island flavors with traditional brunch dishes takes this everyday experience to new heights.
Sabor y Rumba, Café Lucero, and Con Leche are all excellent options for brunch that won’t break the bank.
After a full belly, it’s time to take it easy. The best way to do this is by visiting one of Ponce’s finest beaches for the ultimate relaxation.
Head to La Guancha, Caja De Muertos, or El Tuque for soft sand and calm waters.
Total Spending: Brunch at any one of the three restaurants mentioned above will cost between $10-$15. With the walking tour, you’ll easily spend $42-$47 per person.
Day 5
Explore San Germán + Dinner
Your last day in Puerto Rico will be spent in a cute historic town called San Germán.
After waking up early in Ponce and grabbing a quick breakfast, you’ll head on a 40-minute drive west, away from the coast.
Did you know that San Germán is the oldest city in Puerto Rico?
Well, here you get to enjoy the old world charm as seen in its well-preserved architecture and cobblestone streets.
As a result, the place brims with historical attractions, including the Convento Porta Coeli, one of the oldest church structures in the Western Hemisphere (built in 1609).
You can also see the Parroquia San Germán de Auxerre, another ancient church that was built in 1688 by Spanish settlers.
Beyond these historic cathedrals, visit the Casa Morales, a gorgeous Victorian-style residence, or Ceiba de la Libertad, a tree planted in 1897 to celebrate the establishment of the Autonomous Charter.
Wrap up day five in Puerto Rico with a delectable meal at one of San Germán’s most renowned restaurants.
If you love Mexican food, Lupitos Comida Mexican is your choice. Mike’s Steak House serves homemade burgers, steaks, and quesadillas, among other yummy meals.
Then, for a Caribbean affair, Porticos 1606 won’t let you down.
Total Spending: Dinner at either one of the restaurants above can cost anywhere from $20-$30 per person.
Planning A Puerto Rico Itinerary for 5 Days
So, now you know what to do in PR, but there are still some logistics to work out, such as where to stay and how to get around.
Where to Stay in Puerto Rico
Firstly, Puerto Rico is divided into seven different regions: Metro, North, East, Culebra and Vieques, Central Mountains, South, and West.
Within these regions, you’ll find some great areas to stay in, including the following:
- Old San Juan
- Ponce
- Rincon
- Dorado
- Rio Grande
- Isabela
- Condado
- Isla Verde
- Vieques Island
So, these are definitely the areas to consider when looking for accommodation.
Speaking of accommodation, Puerto Rico is chock-full of beachfront luxury resorts and hotels galore. Here are a few hotels you can’t go wrong with:
O:Live Boutique Hotel — Who doesn’t love an aesthetic boutique hotel? This is the type of place you’ll want to show off all over Instagram, as every nook and cranny drips in luxurious decor. Its Mediterranean-themed suites feature rain showers with hydromassage jets, and there’s a rooftop terrace with an infinity pool.
St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort — If you want to splurge a bit on your hotel, consider this lavish, five-star beach resort. This palm-fringed beachfront resort offers beautiful ocean views with a stunning lawn, outdoor patio, and pool area. Enjoy spa treatments, a cocktail bar, and restaurants serving Caribbean dishes.
Boutique Hotel Belgica — If budget-friendly is more your vibe, but you still want a wonderful experience, try this stunning boutique hotel. Truly a bang for your buck — its central location is also ideal on Villa Street, near the main square of Ponce.
Average price for hotels in Puerto Rico: The overall average price for hotels in Puerto Rico is about $170 per night. You’ll spend roughly $120 on budget hotels and $280 on average for luxury hotels.
Do You Need a Car in Puerto Rico?
Yes…and no. If you plan on exploring San Juan alone, you won’t need a rental car.
Besides, the parking situation is a headache here, especially in Old San Juan.
In that case, it’s best to just make use of public transport or ridesharing services like Uber.
Then again, any trip to Puerto Rico should go beyond San Juan if possible.
And for that, you’ll need a car. Without one, you won’t get to explore the many wonders and gems of the island.
So, if you want to hike through lush forests, hunt down waterfalls, and see a bioluminescent bay, you’d better rent yourself a car.
Average price for car rentals in Puerto Rico: The price of a car rental depends on which model you choose and how many days you need it for. On average, standard car hire costs about $45 per day in Puerto Rico, but this can easily jump to $70 or more during peak season.
Wrapping Up Your Puerto Rico 5-Day Itinerary
That’s it for now, fellow adventurers.
Now, it’s up to you to make these five days in Puerto Rico a reality. You can always add or remove activities, restaurants, or attractions as you see fit.
That said, the above itinerary covers all the highlights of Puerto Rico.
You’re able to get the best of the island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty, from exploring historic areas to tropical parks and bioluminescent beaches.
Before You Go: Discover more things to do in Puerto Rico if you decide to extend your trip.
