Puerto Rico > Attractions

Attractions

Puerto Rico can be divided into five distinct regions (northern, eastern, central, western, and the southern coast), each with unique characteristics.

Regions

NORTHERN PUERTO RICO

San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico and the center of commerce as well, is located in the northern region. It is a tourist favorite, probably because the north offers Puerto Rico's major resorts and the widest variety of accommodations. The northern region promises you a wonderful experience of diversity and culture, offering archaeological and historical exhibitions, beautiful beaches, forests, and fine dining.

Northern Puerto Rico Hotspots:
Historic Old San Juan district, Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Guajataca State Forest and Lake in Isabela, Rio Camuy Caves in Camuy and Condado Beach in San Juan.

Cities in the Northern region:
Arecibo, Barceloneta, Bayamón, Camuy, Cataño, Corozal, Dorado, Florida, Guaynabo, Hatillo, Isabela, Manatí, Morovis, Quebradillas, San Juan, San Sebastián, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja.

Beaches in Puerto Rico come in every size, color, and form, from the pure white dunes of Isabela to the black volcanic sands near Punta Santiago. There is a beach for any level of seaside activity, from a stroll by the glimmering waters at Luquillo to a thrilling ride in the surf of Rincón.

Ballenas is the "Blue Lagoon" beach, with mangroves, cacti, and coconut palms. The Caribbean Sea runs blue, green and turquoise offshore and the sand is as soft and white as sugar.

Boqueron is lined with more than a mile of white silky sand and clear turquoise water. Although this Puerto Rico beach is very tranquil, it can become crowded on weekends and summer holidays.

Caja de Muerto lies 8 miles off the coast of Ponce in the south of Puerto Rico. It rarely rains in Ponce and its surroundings, so perfect beach weather is almost guaranteed year round.

Guánica's Caña Gorda Public Beach is a favorite among local families and visitors due to its peaceful emerald green waters and broad white coral beachfront. Many islanders have summer homes in the area, and it is one of the few places where houseboats are a common sight.

Crashboat is situated nearby the town of Aguadilla and has a Mediterranean style. Although the beach is not ideal for swimming, the people of Aguadilla come here often to relax under the shade of the palm trees and watch the sun disappear into the sea.

Flamenco has been rated both the "best beach in America" and the "best escape beach." On this exotic beach you can escape from the crowds, jet skis and motorized sea vessels found on many of the major beaches on the main island of Puerto Rico.

Isla Verde is a place to meet with family and friends, share picnic snacks and read books by the sun. The more adventurous people go parasailing, waterskiing, surfing, and body boarding, all of which are offered by the hotels and seaside shops.

Luquillo is one of Puerto Rico's most famous and most visited tourist attractions. The view from the beach is stunning. It features a long gold crescent of sand lined by innumerable coconut palms with the misty mountains of the rainforest gliding in the distance.

Punta Santiago is an amazing stretch of beach located near Humacao. It is where the mountains cascade down into a stretch of coastline, where there are many natural wonders to be found. Punta Santiago is a Puerto Rico beach well worth visiting to spend time with nature and wildlife.

Rincon Bay hosted a World Surfing Championship Competition in 1968 and has since gained the title of the surfing capital of the Caribbean. A number of international surfers have challenged the fast and furious waves of Rincon Bay.

Seven Seas is a popular Puerto Rico beach because of the many holiday activities that is has to offer. You can soak up sun on the pristine sand, snorkel the shallows, go windsurfing or sail.

Shacks Beach is situated on the western tip of the island of Puerto Rico. Here, the vast waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet to provide stunning beaches and idyllic winds. Shacks Beach may be one of many fine beaches in the area, but it has a reason to stand out on its own.

Sun Bay is a beach that is both beautiful and has area to explore. For tourists Sun Bay is considered a place of extreme tranquility and utmost beauty.

Puerto Rico Fishing
The fishing is good year round; however, October to early March has proven to be the best overall season for dolphin, Dorado, mahi-mahi, Wahoo, white marlin, yellow fin tuna and an occasional sailfish.

Puerto Rico Tennis
With its year-round balmy weather, Puerto Rico is an ideal place to play tennis, and there are plenty of places to do so. All major resorts have courts for guests and many are open to non-guests for a fee. Demand is usually high in the early morning and late afternoon, so you may want to play during the cool evenings on a lighted court. It is suggested to reserve court time before you come to Puerto Rico.

Many local communities and country clubs have tennis courts, but they are usually open only to residents, members, and their guests. Military personnel and their dependents have access to the courts at Fort Buchanan in San Juan and Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba.

A good locale for tennis enthusiasts who are not members of the exclusive clubs is San Juan's Central Park, located in the heart of the Puerto Rico capital. It has 17 courts open to the public from 8 AM to 10 PM and fees are very reasonable. Many towns around the island also have public courts and some tennis clubs in major cities are open to nonmembers for a fee.

Puerto Rico Kayaking
There are many places where you can rent a kayak, join an excursion or take classes. Start your search by contacting Club Kayak de Puerto Rico, whose members know the island like the back of their hands.

Puerto Rico Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Scuba diving and snorkeling, for beginners and experts alike, is the reason why Puerto Rico is often called the Caribbean's best kept underwater secret. Off the southwest coast lies some of the island's most extraordinary dive sites, including the Black Wall, home of the Caribbean's rarely seen black coral. Another top spot is Mona Island, off the west coast of Puerto Rico, known as the Galapagos of the Caribbean. It is home to sea turtles, dolphins and various species of rare marine life.

Puerto Rico Casinos
Players consistently rate Puerto Rico as the most enjoyable gaming destination in the Caribbean. Casinos are regulated carefully by the government and are only permitted in hotels. These regulations have resulted in beautiful and secure locations, delicious food and drinks, and spectacular entertainment, either in the casino or right next door. There are plenty of places to try your luck in Puerto Rico; you're sure to find just the right one for you!

Many of our Puerto Rico golf courses are part of world-class resorts, so after you have played to your heart's content, you can relax in the pool and recharge your batteries in the spa before getting back to breaking par.

A links-lover's paradise, Puerto Rico is home to 18 golf courses, including 14 championship-level courses, and several more are in development. Puerto Rico's luxury resorts offer some of the best golf courses on the island. The Westin Río Mar Beach Resort and Country Club near San Juan features two world-class Oceanside courses. Northwest of San Juan is the Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Resort & Casino and Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort & Casino, the location of the 2004 World Amateur Team Championships. The Wyndham El Conquistador Resort and Country Club and the Palmas Del Mar Resort & Villas in Humacao also offer two of the most breathtaking courses in the Caribbean.

Punta Borinquen Golf Course: Situated in the former Ramey Air Force Base, this 18-hole course is one of the best maintained and breeziest on the island. The course fees are relatively inexpensive, which makes the course very accessible. There are two courses: The Ocean Course was designed by George & Tom Fazio. This classic course is a local favorite and has 18 holes. The River Course is a challenging course with winding fairways and has 18 holes for the golf connoisseur.

Westin Rio Mar Golf Course: A 45-minute drive from San Juan on the northeast coast, the 6,145-yard (5,618m) Rio Mar Golf Course is shorter than those at both Palmas del Mar and Dorado East. One avid golfer recommended it to "those whose games and egos have been bruised by the other two courses." Wind here can seriously influence the outcome of your game. The greens fees are a lot lower than those of its two major competitors.

Hyatt Resort at Dorado (Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort & Country Club): With 72 holes, Dorado has the highest concentration of golf on the island. Two courses, east and west, belong to the Hyatt. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Dorado was the site of the Senior PGA Tournament of Champions throughout the 1990s.

Puerto Rico has the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean at Plaza Las Americas, in the San Juan metro area. There are other smaller places where you can shop till you drop, including: