4 Days In Puerto Rico, A Fun-Filled Travel Itinerary

Are you wondering how to spend 4 days in Puerto Rico without missing the best of it? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, you’ll find the most epic ways to spend your time in Puerto Rico, along with everything you need to know before planning your trip.

Puerto Rico, often referred to as the “Island of Enchantment,” has been winning the hearts of tourists from around the globe. Its pristine beaches, colonial architecture, diversified landscapes, and tropical climate make it an ideal destination.

While some come from the coldest climates further north, others stay before or after a Caribbean cruise. With its cruise port in Old San Juan, you’ll have access to the historical parts of the city.

If you know where to go, you can immerse yourself in many one-of-a-kind experiences and enjoy authentic Puerto Rico food.

This 4-day Puerto Rico itinerary is all you need to plan a fantastic getaway to this sun-kissed Caribbean paradise.

While four days isn’t much time, this guide will give you a snippet of what Puerto Rico offers. Plus, it’s a great introduction, mainly for first-time travelers.

Planning A Trip To Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a beautiful Caribbean Island brimming with history, culture, and natural beauty. Being a territory of the United States, it’s easily accessible by Americans, who won’t need to exchange currency.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Being in the Caribbean, it doesn’t experience seasons. Expect temperatures from the 70s to mid-80s, although it may feel hot with the added humidity.

January offers the coolest temperatures. April to November is the rainy season. It’s also important to note that October to November is hurricane season. 

To deal with the humidity, pack as you would for a Caribbean cruise with lightweight clothing made of natural fibers and fast-drying items. Bring plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and mosquito repellent.

Mosquitoes are rampant in Puerto Rico, especially in the jungle area. Before you go, it’s essential to know they can carry dengue fever and the Zika virus.

This itinerary includes road trips outside the downtown core. While you can take a bus tour, it’s best to rent a car. Car rentals are readily available at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, also known as San Juan Airport (SJU).

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Where To Stay In Puerto Rico

Accommodations are much more affordable than in hotspots like Miami and Hawaii. Plus, with all its history, you can choose a hotel with character and charm. Most travelers stay in Old San Juan. However, if you had a longer stay, you could divide your vacation into different areas.

El Colonial offers premium accommodation in the heart of downtown for an adult-only stay. The rooms are modern, and some come with iron-railing balconies that overlook the cobblestone streets.

CasaBlanca Hotel provides the ideal location in Old San Juan. The hotel features a rooftop deck with stone bathtubs. Rooms are reasonably priced, and guests can easily access many restaurants and attractions nearby.

Guests staying at Hotel El Convento get beach privileges at Isla Verde Beach’s El Convento Beach Club. It provides an ideal location within a few minutes of the cruise dock for cruise passengers.

The Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel provides the most accessible access to the cruise port across the street. It offers lovely views of San Juan Bay and has a fantastic rooftop pool.

Now that you have accommodation, here are four days’ worth of activities.

Day 1 – Explore Old San Juan

Start the first day of your Puerto Rico trip in Old San Juan, the oldest settlement on the island. The area oozes romance with its historic culture and colonial architecture.

There is much to love about Old San Juan, but let’s start with its forts.

Tour Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Cannon batteries at Castillo San Felipe del Morro

The Castillo San Felipe del Morro, often known as El Morro, was the second fort erected on the islet of Old San Juan. It sits on San Juan Bay, offering spectacular views out to the ocean. Due to its rich history, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

On tour, you’ll learn its historical significance as a center for defense and trade with Spain during colonial times. You can view authentic artifacts, weapons, and uniforms by exploring the barracks, kitchens, and primitive sleeping quarters.

El Morro is the smaller of the two forts. It has six levels to explore, using tunnels, stairs, and ramps. Make sure to visit the cannon batteries, lighthouse, and garitas (sentry boxes) on the outer walls.

El Morro lighthouse

Walking on the lower pathways (outside the fort) next to the ocean, you can admire the towering walls, which are up to 40 feet thick in some areas. Then you’ll understand why it took 250 years to complete the impressive fortification.

Visit La Fortaleza

Located near El Morro, La Fortaleza is one of the most historic structures in Puerto Rico. While it has served as a prison, armory, and fortress, it’s currently the governor of Puerto Rico’s official residence. Walking from El Morro, you pass another historic structure, San Juan Gate.

By visiting, you’ll witness firsthand how this landmark was built over time (it dates back to 1540). Inside, you can learn about its history and tour some rooms that haven’t been modified since they were first built centuries ago.

La Fortaleza in Old San Juan

It is worth visiting not only because it has beautiful architecture and views but because it became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983. After your visit, walk along Fortaleza Street to the second fort.

See Castillo San Cristobal

While El Morro was constructed to defend the harbor, Castillo San Cristobal provided defense for the city. Unlike El Morro, which took a staggering 250 to build, it took a mere 20 years to complete Castillo San Cristobal.

Providing you start early in the day, you can visit both forts in a day. Towering 150 feet above the ocean, the fort was named after the patron saint of travelers. Although it doesn’t appear large from the outside, the structure covers 27 acres.

Castillo San Cristobal

With thick walls and three levels to its fortification, it served well as a military base during World War II. It was later turned over to the US park service to preserve its cultural heritage. Today, El Morro and Castillo San Cristobal are part of San Juan’s National Historic Site.

El Escambrón Beach Time

Since both forts close early in the day, you have time for relaxation at the beach, before or after dinner. El Escambron Beach is a great place to snorkel, sunbathe, and swim.

This beautiful beach is nestled on the northwest side of Old San Juan and is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s also an ideal spot for getting your toes wet when you want to cool down after a long day.

You’ll see different wildlife like pelicans, stingrays, and even turtles swimming around in the water or resting on shoreline rocks during the afternoon hours. You might also see some dolphins frolicking in the waves if you’re lucky.

Savor Classic Pina Colada

End your first day with a classic Puerto Rico drink as you watch the sunset. A Pina Colada is a flavorful, classic tropical cocktail that is made with rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream. The drink was invented in Puerto Rico by Don Pedro A. Ruiz.

Nowadays, you can find variations of this classic drink all over Puerto Rico. Some use ice cubes instead of crushed ice (which makes them more refreshing), and others use light rum instead of dark (and vice versa).

There’s even one made with coconut milk and without rum. It’s the perfect virgin drink if you’re not into alcohol yet want something delicious.

You can’t go wrong with La Verguenza’s rooftop restaurant for dinner. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it offers Caribbean and Puerto Rican food in a low-key setting.

Day 2 – El Yunque Rainforest

El Yunque Rainforest is a popular national park in Puerto Rico and is a great place to spend your second day.

Without a tour, you’ll need a reservation, as the park limits the number of private vehicles per day. Make sure to book before arriving in Puerto Rico, as tickets sell out fast.

Located on the Sierra de Luquillo Mountain slopes, the lush rainforest covers more than 28,000 acres. It’s an area prolific with ponds, streams, and beautiful waterfalls.

See La Coca Falls

La Coca Falls is a natural wonder in El Yunque. Its water drops 85 feet down a rock wall. While the water looks refreshing, you aren’t allowed to swim there.

La Coca Falls

You’ll have access to both sides of this lovely waterfall and its surrounding area. You may choose to go hiking on trails that offer views out onto mountains covered in tropical forest vegetation. Since you’re in a tropical jungle, remember to use mosquito repellent.

Wade At Juan Diego Falls

Juan Diego Falls is a tourist favorite in the El Yunque rainforest. There are two waterfalls, with the lower one more accessible than the higher one.

A natural pool provides a cold but refreshing dip at the base of the lower falls. Accessing the higher falls (which are more spectacular) takes a strenuous hike uphill on a very muddy trail. If it has rained recently, you might not be able to do the climb.

Juan Diego Falls

Hike To La Mina Falls

La Mina Falls requires a short 30-to-45-minute hike to see this cascade. The path starts at the Palo Colorado information center to the 35-foot waterfall.

While La Mina Falls is a popular place to swim, it’s currently closed due to hurricane damage. The area hopes to be open again in 2023.

Enjoy The Views From El Yunque Peak

At 3,496 feet, El Yunque Peak provides a great view of Puerto Rico’s landscape and its rainforest canopy, which makes up almost half of the island.

To access the peak, you’ll need to take a moderate to challenging hike. Depending on your fitness level, plan for 3 to 4 hours to complete the round-trip hike.

Once at the top, be sure to snap some photos while taking in all these gorgeous vistas. You’ll see the Caribbean to the South, the Atlantic to the north, and panoramic views of San Juan westwards.

Since the area is prone to afternoon rain showers, plan to go in the morning for a greater chance of experiencing clear weather.

If your day in El Yunque is cut short due to muddy trails, head to Luquillo Beach. The long crescent-shaped oasis has calm waters due to offshore reefs. It’s a great hangout if you’re traveling with family.

Old San Juan Food Tour

After all that strenuous outdoor activity, plan to end the day with authentic Puerto Rico food. There’s no better way to learn about their local dishes than on a San Juan food tour.

A 3-hour food tour will allow you to wander the cobblestone streets, and dine at various locally owned restaurants. The event includes dishes inspired by the area’s Taíno Indian, African, and Spanish roots.

You may sample an appetizer of ceviche made from the freshest seafood, properly roasted pork, and Mofongo (deep-fried plantains filled with garlic, chicken, shrimp, or pork).

Many options are available, and they can be done on your own or with a guide. If you choose to embark on a self-guided tour, you can explore the area on your own terms and at your own pace.

But if you want more guidance in choosing where to go and what kind of food each place has, participate in a small group tour. Going with a guide will give you a brief history lesson as you walk from one establishment to another.

Day 3 – Road Trip To The Interior

Since you have already spent two days on the island, and have gotten a good grasp of the area, now is the best time to enjoy a road trip around Puerto Rico.

Discover Camuy River Cave Park

Naturalists and curious sightseers flock to Rio Camuy Cave Park in Puerto Rico. They are attracted to the cavern’s towering chambers, million-year-old stalactites and stalagmites, and its underground river.

Located in the northwest region, the park opens from 8 am to 3 pm on Wednesdays to Sundays. The limestone caves result from the world’s third largest subterranean river, the Rio Camuy.

Camuy River Cave Park

So far, cave-goers have mapped a network of 10..

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