Your Guide to Puerto Rico’s Best Beaches and Outdoor Spots

Puerto Rico’s Diverse Array of Beautiful Beaches

Book your Puerto Rico travel today with JetBlue.com and take advantage of nonstop flights from Boston to San Juan.

Many Americans from the mainland likely think of Puerto Rico as only one place, the main island home to both El Yunque and the capital city of San Juan. In reality, Puerto Rico is comprised of over 140 separate islands. Many aren’t inhabited, or are little more than strips of coral, but others are paradisiacal, just waiting to welcome you. Of these, Vieques and Culebra are the two main islands that visitors can explore.

The island of Vieques is home to a US military base, which takes up a large portion of the land. Right away, vistors will notice horses roam free and munch on grass on the side of the road. The towns of Esperanza and Isabel II have most of the island’s shops and restaurants, including panaderias where you can get massive pastries for breakfast. Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts to hostels, but rentals are the way to go, an affordable way to live in relative luxury on your trip. Once you’ve unpacked, head to Sun Bay for access to the island’s most beautiful beach, which features a sea cave, shade from palm trees, and the bluest water you’ve ever seen beyond your computer screen.

Culebra, to the north, is the second of Puerto Rico’s larger barrier islands, also accessible by both ferry and turboprop plane. Nicknamed “Snake Island,” Culebra was inhabited by native Carib tribes before the arrival of Europeans. Now, sanctuaries on the island protect rare species of reptiles, birds, and turtles, making for a peaceful atmosphere of rich natural beauty.

Culebrita, or “Little Culebra,” is an uninhabited island that makes for a great day trip. The island’s nature reserve is accessible by water taxi or even kayak, so bring a picnic to enjoy on white sand beaches, also a turtle breeding ground. Pack a snorkel to spot sea creatures at Turtle Beach, or hop in one of the tide pools, which fill with bubbling water that will make you feel like you’re in a Jacuzzi. But just remember you have to be off the island by nightfall and that everything brought onto the island, namely trash, needs to be brought off, as well.

Back on Puerto Rico’s main island, you can visit Luquillo Beach, one of PR’s most stunning beaches, near the port town of Fajardo, which is also the primary launching point for barrier islands and tours. It’s a part of an ecological corridor where you might spot a leatherback turtle or other wild creature. The beach itself has fine sand and coconut palms with all the amenities a traveler needs, including changing rooms and restaurants. If you’re looking for a more luxurious beach visit than the more remote beaches of the smaller islands, Luquillo Beach won’t disappoint.

The Biodiversity Capital of Puerto Rico

Sprawling over 20,000 acres on the main island, visitors will find the must-see El Yunque National Forest. El Yunque has long been an important site for Puerto Rican culture, as evinced by the native Taino tribes’ petroglyphs, still visible today. Start your trip at the visitor’s center to watch a short film about what you can expect to find in the only tropical rainforest in the United States. You’ll certainly hear the coqui, a small variety of frog that makes a noise that sounds like its name, and countless species of birds. The summer months can be busy with difficult parking, so carpool if you can when you go for hikes. However you reach the rainforest, set up a campsite for the full experience.

Another famed environmental offering in Puerto Rico: bioluminescent bays, which seem to glow with an otherworldly light. Tours, which are only available in a few parts of the country, leave from Fajardo and sometimes Vieques in kayaks, but it depends on the season. The government recently stepped in to protect the Pyrodinium Bahamense, the microscopic plankton that produces the light you see, so double check on tour availability before you go.

If you’re a licensed scuba diver, Puerto Rico offers the opportunity to see gorgeous coral reefs. There are a number of PADI-recommended sites, including those in Vieques and Culebra. Barrier islands of Mona Island and Desecheo Island both have clear visibility and underwater caverns. One thing’s for sure—whether you’ll be putting on a wetsuit during your vacation or not, you need to get outside and spend time soaking up the Puerto Rican sun and the islands' amazing outdoor resources.

Book your Puerto Rico travel today with JetBlue.com and take advantage of nonstop flights from Boston to San Juan.