As a tropical Caribbean holiday destination, Puerto Rico offers it everything. Beautiful palm-lined beaches attract a wide range of beachgoers, from couples and families to hard-core surfers, with some offering calm warm waters lapping the golden sand and others boasting world-famous surf breaks. Puerto Rico is a complicated island with a distinct Spanish Caribbean culture and an unmistakable American influence. With its American chain restaurants and other luxuries associated with mainland America, this is especially evident in San Juan. Further away, there are picturesque cities, little villages, gorgeous islands, caverns, and a harsh mountainous interior to be discovered.
Seven Seas Beach
Seven Seas Beach is a secluded beach with calm, clear waters and excellent facilities, around 30 miles from San Juan. The beach is family-oriented, with picnic tables, restrooms, concession stands, and simple parking just a step from the sand. The sand is a golden brown color, and the beach slopes gently. In the roped-off swimming area, boats are not permitted. The nicest part of the beach is on the western end, whereas the eastern end may be rocky. Seven Seas is a nice, little crescent-shaped beach with smooth sand and some shade from the sun provided by almond and palm trees. Looking out over the sea and seeing the lighthouse in the distance is breathtaking. The water is a lovely blue. A natural wave break is provided by a coral reef located a short distance from the beach. This creates a pleasant, safe beach with quiet waters that the entire family can enjoy. This beach frequently receives the famous Blue Flag designation, indicating that it is well-maintained.
San Juan
Walking through the streets of Old San Juan, with its beautiful colonial architecture and frightening forts, feels like stepping back in time. Make sure to include this in your vacation itinerary because it is one of the most beautiful places to see in Puerto Rico. Old San Juan, the second oldest city in the Americas at more than 500 years old, is a mix of Spanish colonial history and contemporary Puerto Rican life. The entire area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is made up of hundreds of rebuilt 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial constructions. Today, you may eat, buy, and even stay in some of these historic buildings. El Morro Fort (Fuerte San Felipe del Morro), jutting out on a peninsula high above the coast and just a short walk from the city center, is the principal attraction. The history, surroundings, and preservation of El Morro, which was built in 1539, make it one of the country’s top tourist attractions.
El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest offers a glimpse of Puerto Rico’s lush inland beauty. El Yunque National Forest, which stretches along the Luquillo Mountains and includes Pico El Yunque, is home to the only tropical rainforest in the National US Forest System. Hikers can get a closer look at some of the 240 tree species and hundreds of plant species, as well as an abundance of smaller creatures, on walking pathways that snake through the forest. El Yunque’s peak rises 3,500 feet above sea level, and the forest occupies 43 square miles, accounting for three-quarters of the remaining virgin forest on the island. El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s most prominent natural attractions, and it’s a frequent stop on tours departing from San Juan. La Coca Falls, Yokah Tower, Bao Grande, Bao de Oro, and La Mina Falls are among the key attractions of El Yunque National Forest. La Coca Falls, which is located alongside the highway and includes an 85-foot cascade over rock formations, is the first significant sight visitors will see in El Yunque. The El Portal Tropical Forest Center is a visitor information center for individuals interested in learning more about the area. Yokah Tower, a 1930s tower that is free to the public to climb and offers excellent views of the rainforest, is close by. The climate is substantially cooler and wetter here than it is along the coast and at lower elevations. Back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 wreaked havoc on the El Yunque National Forest. The park is starting to revive after a long period of repair and rehabilitation.
Condado Beach
If you’re vacationing in San Juan and want to stretch your legs on the sands, Condado Beach is the place to go. For many sunbathers, this is perfectly acceptable. Condado is surrounded by high-rise hotels and resort complexes, as well as being the epicenter of water sports and beach bars. Families, on the other hand, frequently prefer the government-run beaches, or balnearios, because the tide at Condado beach is often too strong for young swimmers. You won’t be disappointed with Condado, according to previous visitors, as long as you keep in mind that it’s not a secluded stretch of sand, but rather a beach that sits near a bustling city. However, the fact that it is close to so many hotels and resorts makes it even more tourist-friendly.