sailboat san juan puerto rico

PUERTO RICO SAILING TOURS & CHARTERS

The best sailing experiences in san juan.

March 3, 2024

February 2, 2024

Sail into adventure with the best sailing tours!

Welcome to Sail PR! Come sail with us and experience the beauty of the island from the water. We offer small, intimate sailing experiences that will allow you to see all the best that Old San Juan has to offer, from historical landmarks to stunning natural scenery. Our tours are perfect for families looking to create a unique memory, couples wanting a romantic sail and small groups of friends wanting a private boat for themselves.

Our boat is meticulously maintained and our experienced, professional staff strive to provide the best sailing experience in Puerto Rico. Sit back with a drink in hand and enjoy the sights.

Book your sail online today and enjoy the beauty of Puerto Rico.

Sailing Tours & Private Charters

Morning Mimosas Sail

Enjoy a unique start to your morning, sailing on our spacious catamaran taking in the sights of Old San Juan from the bay.

Make yourself comfortable on the front net and take some sun in or sit back in the shaded cockpit area and sip your drink of choice as we narrate some historical facts along the way.

This one-hour and 30-minute sail includes bottomless mimosas, house rum punch, local Medalla beer, rum and cokes, orange and pineapple juice, soda, and water.

6 spaces are available per sail. To book privately for yourself or a group choose Private Charter.

San Juan Sunset Sail

Our most popular sail! A relaxing cruise around the calm waters of San Juan Bay to enjoy a beautiful sunset and a perfect start to your evening.

See Old San Juan as it changes from daytime to sunset colors and then city lights coming on at night as we are headed back to the marina.

Our two-hour sailing route stays within the calm, protected waters of San Juan Bay for a relaxing experience.

Complimentary refreshments include Prosecco or Cava sparkling wine, our special house rum punch, local Medalla beer, rum and cokes, orange and pineapple juice, soda, or water.

San Juan Bay Afternoon Sail

Soak in the sun with a drink in hand while taking in the sights of Old San Juan and Cataño from a unique point of view.

While the sun is fully out during the time of this sail, the back cockpit area of our catamaran is shaded so you can also enjoy the sail without being subject to the sun.

Bring your lunch and enjoy it aboard; we provide the drinks! Choose from mimosas, house rum punch, local Medalla beer, rum and cokes, orange and pineapple juice, soda, or water.

Our hour and a half sailing route stays within the calm, protected waters of San Juan Bay. Open ocean sail available upon request dependent on weather.

6 spaces available per sail. To book privately for yourself or group choose the Private Charter.

Why choose us?

Top-rated San Juan sails!

We offer the best sailing experiences in Puerto Rico! We have been consistently top-rated in multiple review sites and earned various recognitions. We provide personal attention and top notch service with our crew of expert sailors and hosts. With 3 different sail times to choose from daily, it's easy to fit a great sail into your day. Let us take care of everything aboard so you can unwind and relax.

Environmentally Friendly

In an effort to reduce plastic waste in our seas, we do not serve single-use plastics such as straws and water bottles. We provide 100% Britta filtered water. You are welcome to bring along your reusable bottle and we will fill it up for you. We use compostable cups aboard for included drinks.

Catamaran Sailboat

Our Ohana 2 is defined as “a yacht or other boat with twin hulls in parallel (imagine two separate big canoes joined together by a platform)” it is the most stable sailing experience you can get while still having a full sailing experience feeling the wind in your face and the fluid motion of the ocean. Equipped with a forward net to lay out, shaded area, spacious cabin in case of rain and full bathroom inside your comfort needs are met for a great sail!

Special Sailebrations

What better way to celebrate a special occasion than on a great sail with your loved ones or friends? We’ll make your engagement proposal, birthday party, anniversary, etc. even more special. Let us know of any special requests you may have such as helping to arrange a surprise birthday cake (additional cost), candid pictures, recording of your proposal, or anything else we can do to make your sail memorable.

Set Sail on a perfect adventure in San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan is located in the subtropical region and is the capital of Puerto Rico. It is one of the most visited cities in the world. The main sightseeing attractions include Old San Juan, El Morro, La Fortaleza and Castillo de San Cristóbal. The culture of this City is influenced by its multicultural past and enjoys the reputation of being full of passionate people in music, art and family traditions!

The climate and geography of San Juan, Puerto Rico make it a popular tourist destination. Food is a big part of this place and you won't be disappointed with the local cuisine such as mofongo, a plantain mash or churrasco steak. The flavors of the island are a fantastic combination that you must experience when you visit the city.

Frequently asked questions

Where are you located.

We are a convenient 5-10 minute drive from the major hotels in the San Juan, Condado and Isla Verde area in Puerto Rico. We are located in San Juan Bay Marina at Slip A72. If you are taking a cab, ask your driver to take you to San Juan Bay Marina and reference where the Sizzler Restaurant is at. Once at the Marina, walk through the boatyard towards the lower part of Sizzler Restaurant. Once at sea level, go past a Jetski rental kiosk towards the long dock with boats on either side. Our slip is on the left past the white gate that leads to the dock. Slip numbers are marked on the floor.

How do I book a sail?

You may book online here, or by clicking any of the “book now” buttons. We ask that you call, text, or email us for same-day bookings to ensure availability even if the calendar doesn’t show it. Online bookings are handled through a secure and encrypted provider accepting most major credit cards.

How should I dress?

For daysails we recommend cool, light clothing, hat, sunglasses and sunblock. While San Juan Bay has very calm waters and you will usually not get wet, there is always the possibility of some small splashes of water. Sunset sails have usually calmer breeze and cooler temperatures so you may dress more comfortably, however we do recommend light clothing. If you choose to go out into the ocean, the possibilities of getting wet are more likely as we will be sailing in bigger seas. No shoes allowed on-board.

At what time should I arrive for my sail?

We ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes before your sail for a proper safety briefing and preparations. Sails depart sharp on time. Plan to be on time as in consideration to others that may be present we can not delay departure time. Failure to be on time for departure will result in forfeiting full fare or a $50 rebooking fee.

How many passengers are allowed on a boat?

We can accommodate 2-6 passengers for a personal, intimate experience. If you wish your sail to be private you may opt for the Private Charter or reserve the boat for your group. If you are sailing alone we ask that you contact us so we may schedule you with a current group.

Do I have to aid in handling the boat?

Your crew will take care of all the boat handling maneuvers so you may sit back and relax, but you are welcome to take part if you want a more hands-on experience.

Will I get seasick?

As we usually sail in very calm waters, the possibilities of getting seasick are almost zero. However, if you have gotten motion sickness at other times, we do recommend taking some remedies beforehand.

What drinks are included?

We offer complimentary soda, water, local beer, rum & coke and special rum punch for adults over 18 years of age. Sunset sails also include Spanish Cava or Prosecco.

Are there age restrictions to sail?

We welcome everyone to enjoy the wonderful experience of sailing! However, US Coast Guard requires children under 13 to wear a lifejacket at all times. There is also certain level of physical exertion that may take place to board and move around so we advise caution for the elderly and persons with mobility issues and serious medical conditions.

Can I bring my own music?

Of course! We encourage you to do so. Our speaker is bluetooth ready so you may connect your own device and use your personal playlist. We use Spotify and Pandora and may look up your favorite station.

Are the booking times shown here the only ones available for a sail?

While the times shown are our standard offerings we are always available for special requests. Give us a call or email us to make special arrangements

What If I have to cancel my reservations?

We have a 48 hour cancellation notice policy for full refund. 48 hours or less cancellations forfeit 50% fare. 24 hour cancellations forfeit full fare. No shows, late to departure time or same-day booking cancellations will forfeit 100% fare.

What happens if my sail is cancelled due to weather?

We want you to enjoy a great experience while sailing with us so we would reschedule your sail for another day when the weather is ideal. If this would not be possible due to your travel plans, we would offer a full refund. The decision to cancel due to weather rests solely on the Captain. Tropical weather can change quite rapidly so some decisions to cancel might be last minute, however we always take into consideration your time and alternate plans so we try to always cancel at least an hour in advance from our scheduled departure time.

Anything else I should know?

Just be ready for a great sailing experience! If you do have any additional questions, please feel free to call, text or email us and we will gladly clear up any doubts.

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Sailing – ‘Chili Pepper’

Day sails – $290 | 2 hours, charter sailboat for groups of up to 6 for sailing adventure on san juan bay.  sail on a custom beneteau first class 10 sailboat (34 feet).  see old san juan from the water, experience sailing, and take the helm for a great picture.  reserve a 2 hour day charter on chili pepper for this adventure.  cost is $290 and includes captain and drinks., sunset sails – $390 | 2 hours, sail on chili pepper at sunset and catch the beautiful views of the city as the lights come on.  private groups of up to 6 passengers.  reserve sunset sail on chili pepper for this experience.  cost is $390 and includes captain, drinks and sparkling wine., reserve now, questions please call 939.905.7044.

San Juan Boat Rentals

Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 787.779.9075 [email protected]

San Juan  Private Yacht Cruises Experience a Private Yacht Sail in San Juan Bay

Premier Yacht  Cruises Experiences

Choose your package, private chef   |   equipped bar   |   corporate events private ground transportation, uscg certified captain uscg certified boat.

Brunch Cruise 3 Hours | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Sail in the San Juan Bay over looking  the Morro, Paseo La Princesa, and Old San Juan sightings. Capacity: 12 passengers Experi ence Includes:

​ Captain & Mate

Water, Soft Drinks, Ice

Welcome Mimosas

Brunch Menu

Sunset  Cruise 3 Hours | *4 :00 p m - 7:00 pm Sail in the San Juan Bay over looking  the Morro, Paseo La Princesa, and Old San Juan sightings. Capacity: 12 passengers Experi ence Includes:

White Wine & Sparkling Wine

Charcuterie Board

Premier Dinner  Cruise 3 Hours | 8:0 0 p m - 11:00 pm Sail in the San Juan Bay over looking  the Morro, Paseo La Princesa, and Old San Juan sightings.  Private Chef Dinner. Capacity: 12 passengers Experi ence Includes:

Chef Dinner Menu

Corporate Events Potential Clients, Staff Incentives, Team Building, and more...  

Bachelorette partys food & drinks packages available  , the ultimate party yacht vip party at the dock in san juan bay  , the yacht: princess 65'.

Luxurious Yach t: Your private yacht is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including spacious decks, comfortable lounging areas, and premium entertainment systems.

Professional Crew: A highly skilled and attentive crew ensures that your every need is met, guaranteeing a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Customization: Tailor the cruise to your preferences, whether it's a champagne toast, m usic, or a surprise celebration.

Sail into Paradise: San Juan Yacht Cruise Experience

With a modern and luxurious style, we will deliver a one-on-a-lifetime experience cruising around San Juan Bay.

Your journey begins at the historic Old San Juan Harbor, where the blend of colonial architecture and modern luxury sets the stage for an enchanting voyage. Cruise past iconic landmarks such as El Morro and San Cristobal forts, providing a unique perspective of these historic structures from the shimmering waters. ​

​ Escape the ordinary and elevate your experience with a San Juan yacht cruise, where the union of luxury and natural beauty creates memories that will last a lifetime. Immerse yourself in the Caribbean charm as you sail along the shores of this historic city, experiencing the magic that only a private yacht cruise can provide.

Travel with confidence!

Charter a private boat in puerto rico.

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AWAITS

I VENTURES provides the largest variety of private boat charters in Puerto Rico along with five-star local customer service. Explore all-inclusive packages, including our own private ground transportation options from

San Juan, Rio Grande, and Fajardo.

Whether you are hosting a Caribbean getaway, family trip, birthday, bachelorette, corporate gathering, wedding, or anniversary, we will deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Your needs are important to us to personalize your escape, don’t hesitate to ask for add-ons for a fantastic experience. Our private boat charters in Puerto Rico will allow you to experience this beautiful island in an elegant, fun manner.

Departures from San Juan and Fajardo:

San Juan Bay Marina

Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey Marina

Villa Marina Yacht Harbor

Puerto Chico M arina

Sunbay Marina

*All Boat Charter departures are from Fajardo. Marina locations are

a 1-hour drive from San Juan,

ask for our ground transportation services and we will provide a quote.

    Destinations:

San Juan Bay, Icacos, Palomino, Culebra, Vieques

Your needs are important to us to personalize your perfect getaway, don’t hesitate to

ask for add-ons for a fantastic experience.

Chef & Food Service

Ground Transportation

Professional Video & Pictures

Book Online Today!

Yacht Charter With Captain

7 Best San Juan Boat Tours

San Juan is the capital city of the beautiful Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico. It is a mixture of the colonial and metropolitan. 

From ancient forts that once shielded the city to upscale shopping and dining options, San Juan pleases adventures, history enthusiasts, and luxury seekers. 

The city has many quaint and colorful streets in the Old San Juan district and contemporary skyscrapers in the Condado neighborhood.

Its beaches are also phenomenal, like the tiny El Escambron and the longer beaches like Condado Beach.

Whether you are here for the sea and the sand, historical buildings, or colonial architecture, you will find plenty of things to keep you busy in San Juan.

Here are some of the best San Juan boat tours.

San Juan Boat Tours

1. san juan mini boats adventures .

The San Juan Mini Boat Adventure tour is an extraordinary adventure ideal for those who would like to captain their own boat. It is perfect for couples and families. 

Explore San Juan’s intriguing landscapes and pause to learn the highlights of the city’s past.

The departure location is only 15 minutes from Old San Juan’s cruise terminal, where you will meet your guides and prepare for your mini-boat adventure.

After a quick safety briefing, your tour will leave from San Juan Bay Marina. You will grab the helm of a 13-rigid inflatable boat that you will use throughout the tour.

After a quick stop where the guide will identify the areas of interest, the fleet will sail along the southern shores of the islet towards the Historic District. You and your group will admire the Puerto Rico Convention Center and Condado.

On your way there, Old San Juan will expand in front of you in the distance. You will admire Fort San Cristobal, the biggest Fort constructed by Spaniards in all the Americas, and the cruise ports featuring rainforest to the southeast and the green mountains to the south. 

Along the way, you will feel the warm air and may catch a glimpse of some of the local fauna.

You will also learn about the historic district: The Governor’s Mansion, The San Juan Wall, and the most prominent Fort in Puerto Rico, Fort San Felipe Del Morro, the ideal spot to take exceptional pictures.

Your 90-minute tour ends after you have been brought back to San Juan Bay Marines. This tour is undoubtedly one of the best San Juan boat tours.

Address: 482 stop 10.5, Ave Fernandez Juncos, San Juan, 00902, Puerto Rico

Sail PR offers a small, private sailing experience that lets you see Old San Juan’s best sights, from beautiful natural scenery to historical landmarks. 

Their tours are suitable for families who want to create a memorable memory, couples who want a romantic sail, and small groups of pals who want a private boat to themselves. 

Sail PR believes sailing should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age or skill level. They will make your sailing experience relaxing, fun, and unforgettable. 

Their boat is well-maintained, and their experienced professional staff aim to provide the finest sailing experience in Puerto Rico.

With their professional staff and easy-going environment, you will surely have a fantastic time on board. With three sail times to pick from daily, it is easy to fit an incredible sail into your day.

Address: San Juan, Puerto Rico

3. Castillo Tours

Are you hunting for a memorable experience? Castillo Tours is one of the best options to plan the finest Island excursion to enjoy your trip in San Juan.

With over 40 years in the industry, they offer sailing, catamaran, boat tours, and snorkeling on Puerto Rico’s Island.

They are dedicated to providing various marine excursions with well-trained captains and caring crew members. 

Castillo Tours also plans and organizes special events for conventions and groups.

Whether you want to snorkel or take in a beautiful sunset aboard their fun and safe boat, they have a suitable tour.

4. Sailing Dreams and Sunset Cruises

Sailing Dreams and Sunset Cruises is an upscale sailing tour company in San Juan. It provides one of the top San Juan boat tours.

They are dedicated to providing you with the most idyllic, memorable, relaxing, romantic, and fun sailing day while enjoying the beautiful sights and landmarks of old San Juan.

Your experience will be personalized to cater to your anniversary, marriage proposal, birthday parties, friends gateways, intimate weddings, etc.

The variety of experiences they offer ranges from VIP Private Tours, Daytime or Nighttime Tours, Romantic Sunset Experiences, etc. 

Take a break, sit, relax, and allow the Sailing Dream team to provide you with an unforgettable experience.

Address: 482 Avenida Fernández Juncos, 50 Bay Marina, San Juan, 00908, Puerto Rico

5. Sail Old San Juan

Sail Old San Juan offers a unique opportunity to sail at the San Juan Bay. Their boat was initially designed as a racing boat but now is converted into the ultimate tour sailboat ideal for the phenomenal days in San Juan.

Sail Old San Juan offers visitors a choice between tours, including the daily sail, which carries you close to the El Morro Fort in Old San Juan, a sunset tour perfect for couples’ romantic getaways.

The ride can be quick and thrilling or longer and relaxing, depending on what you want. The main thing is that you will have a terrific time no matter what you choose.

They also provide a 3-hour private lesson on sailing for interested visitors. 

Address: 482 Av. Manuel Fernández Juncos, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico

6. La Paseadora Bay Tours

If you are searching for a great sailing experience, La Paseadora Bay Tours is among the fun San Juan boat tours. La Paseadora provides a sunset tour of San Juan Bay by boat.

Your tour will leave from Pier 1 in Old San Juan, strolling distance of all the cruise ship piers.

After a brief safety briefing, the boat will journey through the East, passing by the San Juan waterfront. 

El Yunque Rainforest and Condado can be observed in the distance, as well as Fort San Cristobal, the biggest Fort constructed by Spain in the New World. 

When the boat turns due North, you will see the Bacardi Distillery opposite the bay and Isla de Cabras Island with its Fort, San Juan De La Cruz, close to the harbor’s entrance.

The boat will approach the walled city, and you will get close to the Root Fountains, Paseo de La Princess, San Juan Gate, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Fort San Felipe Del Morro.

The captains will give you enough time to capture the moment and take pictures of the water before returning to Pier 1.

Along the way, you may be lucky to get a glimpse of parrots, native birds, and marine animals, such as stingrays, dolphins, and manatees swimming around. This tour is perfect for all ages.

7. San Juan Land and Water Tours

San Juan Land and Water Tours is an excellent choice for tourists who want to try a custom experience. 

Their land and water tours include boat tours, sightseeing tours, and watersports. It is one of the best San Juan boat tours.

Their priority is to show their guests the beauty of San Juan Harbor while learning about the city’s remarkable history.

If you are looking for a remarkable touring experience, head to San Juan Land and Water Tours.

Address: Capitolio Building Suite 303, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico

Explore more places in Puerto Rico, check out our list of Best Amusement Parks in Puerto Rico , and  the best beaches in Cabo Rojo  for a fun time

Plan Your Trip to San Juan

San Juan is a city and the capital of the Island of Puerto Rico. This historic city was established by Spanish colonists in 1521 and has been occupied since then.

Today, San Juan is a lively city that is a well-known port for Caribbean cruises, boat tours, and many other attractions.

San Juan boat tours are among the fascinating features of the city. It will be best to go on a tour with at least one of the touring companies for a fun-filled experience.

🌅The 6 Best Puerto Rico Sunset Sailing [2024 Reviews]

Enjoy sailing around puerto rico at sunset with one of these sailing cruises.

San Juan, Puerto Rico is one of the hottest vacation destinations for people around the world. Not only is it conveniently-located for those who live in North America, it’s full of rich culture, delicious food, colorful architecture, and beautiful  naturaleza. 

If you’re going to see all of the beauty San Juan has to offer, we have the perfect tours for you: the best sunset sailing tours! These take place out on the water, where the rich oranges and reds reflect perfectly – offering an unmatchable view that is best enjoyed on a sailboat.

We’ve done the “hard” part for you, making sure you are getting the best bang for your buck, and a sailing experience that you’ll want to take over and over again.

Be sure to see our reviews of Puerto Rico Kayaking Tours , El Yunque Rainforest Tours and Puerto Rico ATV Tours .

Best Sunset Sailing Cruises From San Juan

Quick answer: the 6 best sunset sailing cruises in puerto rico.

• San Juan Catamaran Sunset Sail
• SUNSET SAIL aboard PRIVATE SAIL YACHT in Fajardo
• Janise Sailing Afternoon Charter in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
• Sunset Sail by San Juan Historical Bay
• Sunset Harbor Boat Ride in San Juan
• Private Sunset Sail on the East Coast of Puerto Rico

San Juan Sunset Sailing Reviews

1. san juan catamaran sunset sail.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Departure:  482 Av. Manuel Fernández Juncos, San Juan, 00901
• Departure Time: 5:00 PM
• Includes:  Professional captain and guide, beverages

Let’s start things off with the beautiful San Juan Catamaran Sunset Sail . This 2-hour sail is the perfect way to lead you from the warm day into a refreshing evening.

While sailing on just about any bay will make for a picturesque moment, the San Juan Bay and port have a rich history and various landmarks that make this tour particularly special. You’ll meet up with the rest of your group/guides at Slip A72 on the main dock at San Juan Bay Marina.

The crew makes this process seamless, so everyone can get acquainted, go through safety information, and focus on the incredible view and having fun! The captain and crew are so warm and friendly, and really make the entire experience pleasant from the beginning.

Start off at La Puerta de San Juan, or “San Juan Port”. This landmark is very important in the history of the country. Founded all the way back in the early 1500’s by Ponce de Leon, it has become a major seaport for the country in culture, manufacturing, tourism, and more.

Expand To See More See Less

While a lot has changed in so many hundreds of years, a lot has stayed the same, which makes it such a tourist hot spot.

You’ll then spend the rest of the tour sailing around the bay, catching up-close views of the castle “Castillo San Felipe del Morro”, and the fort, “La Fortaleza – Palacio de Santa Catalina” from the water.

The captain and crew are very experienced and will tell you all about these crucial pieces of history that will only make the adventure that much more interesting!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other puerto rico experiences you may enjoy:, 2. sunset sail aboard private sail yacht in fajardo.

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Departure:  4900 State Road 3 Km. 51.4, Fajardo, 00738, Slip 1089
• Departure Time: Contact tour operator
• Includes:  Coffee and/or tea, bottled water, soda, alcoholic beverages, snacks

Are you looking for a captivating cruise in Puerto Rico, but one that offers style and luxury? If so, then look no further than the Sunset Sail Aboard Private Sail Yacht in Fajardo ! This 2.5-hour cruise simply offers the best seat in the house for appreciating all that this beautiful country and city has to naturally offer.

Start off by meeting with the captain and crew, and board the private yacht. Before you get to sailing around the sparkly azure seas, they’ll brief you on sailing basics and safety precautions to take so that all the fun is to be had.

Sit down on the ample seating aboard, and get ready to just relax and take it all in. According to the weather, the captain will take the best route possible so that you’ll comfortably get to see all around the islands and cays on the eastern coast of the country.

Meanwhile, enjoy some delicious fresh fruit platters and/or platters of cold cuts and cheeses! Wash it all down with up to 2 hard liquor drinks, sparkling wine, mojitos, or sangria!

Something else that really makes this tour stand out is the way that the staff makes an effort in ensuring you have the best experience possible. This isn’t a cookie-cutter tour. Nope, they will offer you planning assistance in your tour to make sure you (realistically) can see everything you want to on board.

While the tour is by default around 2.5 hours, you can add extra hours, photos, video edits, or even make special accommodations for occasions like birthdays, proposals, and more.

Search For San Juan Experiences You May Enjoy:

3. janise sailing afternoon charter in fajardo, puerto rico.

• Duration: 3 hours
• Departure: Puerto Del Rey Marina, 00735
• Departure Time: 2:30 PM
• Includes:  Romantic sailing with a beautiful sunset backdrop, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks

Are you looking for a tour that lasts a bit longer? Then check out the Janise Sailing Afternoon Charter in Fajardo, Puerto Rico . There are various start times to choose from, from the afternoon until the evening so you can choose what works best for you and the rest of your group!

Your tour will take place aboard the Janise Lagoon 380, which is a stunning charter that offers comfortable seating with excellent views of the island and surrounding seas.

No matter if you’re looking for a fun time with friends or a romantic evening with your significant other, this is sure to be one of the best ways to spend 3 hours in Fajardo.

Your voyage will go all around the shores and secluded islands of the eastern coastline, which feel almost like you have them all to yourself. This is definitely one of the top activities to take if you want something away from the hustle-and-bustle of crowds and touristy spots.

After sailing for a nice amount of time, the captain and crew will drop anchor on the coastline, where you’ll be able to select your next activity. You can either take a refreshing dip in the ocean, kick your feet up in the catamaran, or enjoy some mouth-watering snacks and beverages; all while watching the electric sunset.

There are all kinds of snack options on board, along with water, sodas, beer, wine, sangria, and more. If this sounds like a good time to you, then hurry and make your reservation for one of the top-rated San Juan sunset cruises around!

4. Sunset Sail by San Juan Historical Bay

• Departure: 480 Av. Manuel Fernández Juncos, San Juan, 00907
• Includes: Refreshments, beverages, bottled water, snacks, unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks, alcoholic beverages

Are you on the hunt for a tour that combines sportsmanship, history, and exploration all into one adventure-packed activity? Then get yourself ready for the Sunset Sail by San Juan Historical Bay tour!

On this tour, you’ll not only get to see the natural beauty of San Juan, but also learn all about it and its iconic landmarks!

Meet up with the captain and crew to board the awesome 30-foot racing boat! This boat seats 6, which means it’s great for intimate groups, personalized attention, learning, and of course high speeds!

If you have a need for speed, then this is one of the best tours to take, but rest assured the captain will always make sure you’re okay with going that fast beforehand. With his clear competence, you can feel confident that you’re in good hands.

Of course, not everything is about getting the adrenaline pumping. You’ll sail very close to important landmarks such as the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, La Fortaleza – Palacio de Santa Catalina, and San Juan Bay.

El Castillo San Felipe del Morro has been around for hundreds of years, and currently is the governor’s mansion. “El Morro” is very impressive to look at, and was built on the orders of King Charles V of Spain. “La Fortaleza” has been around since 1846 and is the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the New World.

San Juan Bay also has an interesting commercial history, with notoriously flat waters. While you learn, try to keep an eye out for dolphins playing around the boat while watching the sun set over the pristine Caribbean.

5. Sunset Harbor Boat Ride in San Juan

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Departure:  482 Cll Guamani, San Juan, 00901
• Includes:  Bottled water, local beers, sodas, appetizers

Say you’re tight on time or simply want to pack in as many activities as possible into your day, but still want to partake in a sunset tour. If so, then the Sunset Harbor Boat Ride in San Juan is just for you! This 1.5-hour tour may be a bit compact but it sure is full of fun!

With a pickup from select hotels, the entire experience is streamlined so you can make the most of your time and don’t have to worry about finding a meetup point or transportation

. As with the other tours, the captain and crew are very friendly and knowledgeable about the area, ensuring everyone has a great time.

Take a seat on the relaxing boat ride while enjoying some snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. This makes for an excellent precursor to a full dinner on shore while also learning new things and enjoying some fresh air and breathtaking nature.

Partake in some grapes, cheese, chips, and other snacks and beverages. This tour will take you by all kinds of island highlights, such as the Paseo de La Princesa, La Fortaleza, the San Juan City Walls, El Morro, and more!

The excursion involves commentary by the onboard tour guide who knows all about the history of these landmarks, giving you a perspective into colonial times to present-day.

If that weren’t enough, with the sun setting it makes for an even more magical time, illuminating the centuries-old buildings and seas. It makes you feel almost like you’re transported back to “the olden days”.

6. Private Sunset Sail on the East Coast of Puerto Rico

• Duration: 2.5 hrs
• Departure:  Puerto Del Rey Marina, 00735
• Departure Time: 4:30 PM
• Includes: Snacks, alcoholic beverages, water, soft drinks

Are you looking for a perfectly romantic way to spend an evening with your special someone? Maybe you’re just looking for a relaxing tour to enjoy San Juan’s naturaleza ? If that sounds like something up your alley, take a good look at the Private Sunset Sail on The East Coast of Puerto Rico .

Lasting 2.5 hours, this tour is an excellent way to break up the common stress of scheduling in as much as possible or navigating crowds. Here, you’re going to relax and let any tension melt away while you sip on delicious cocktails, munch on some appetizers, and enjoy the picturesque Costa Rican sunset on the water.

You can choose to sit inside or outside on the deck – whatever you prefer. Seating up to just 6 people, the private sail is meant to be personal. This is also a great way to ask your onboard guide and crew any questions that you may have about the area, the sea, or anything else relating to San Juan.

They’re all very knowledgeable and will provide you with an educational commentary on the area on the landmarks.

Start out by sailing from the marina to the private islands on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Once the captain finds the perfect spot, they’ll drop anchor so you can just enjoy all kinds of cocktails and eats while watching the sun set.

This is also the ideal time to take some videos or photos, should you like. You may even see some dolphins or other sea critters, if you’re lucky!

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The San Juan Catamaran Sunset Sail is our Editor's Choice so the top sailing cruise in Puerto Rico

Robert Baker

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Looking for a fun-filled day in Puerto Rico? Then come onboard The Salty Dog catamaran and embrace the warm tropical breeze while sailing to one of Puerto Rico’s unspoiled islands off the coast of Fajardo. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss!

We are a locally owned and operated family business with an all US Coast Guard licensed crew of 20+ years of experience with a passion for sailing and sharing with the world all of the beautiful sites the eastern coast of Puerto Rico has to offer. We pride ourselves in what we do and making sure our guests have an unforgettable experience onboard.

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We had a group of 8 and the crew was fantastic! We did not experience anything but excellent service. The crew was very engaged and kept the trip fun, specific instructions were given regarding lunch and times of departure. Would definitely do again.

The crew was so friendly and welcoming, the food was outstanding, the drinks were even better and they didn’t stop serving! We had a child (7 years old) who had never been snorkeling and the crew did great having what he needed to learn. Will absolutely be back to enjoy! Keep up the amazing work!

Went with a big wedding crowd. My 7 and 2yr olds LOVED the trip!! It was awesome. The crew was excellent (im a sailor in MA). Professional, courteous to everyone, great service and funny as heck. It was a very nice trip my kids and us will never forget! Thank you guys! Will see you again this winter!

Extremely fun, absolutely beautiful catamaran trip with lively helpful crew! Lunch was perfect, music was as well, snorkeling was amazing and all equipment was above average. The island of Icacos is breathtaking.

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San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico where old-world elegance meets the modern charm of the Caribbean. Give us a call to book the San Juan Boat charters , San Juan Yacht Charters , San Juan boat rental and San Juan Yacht rental . It is a popular destination in the Caribbean that can be reached from major US cities in a short flight. San Juan boasts scenic waterfronts, museums, plazas, old forts, shopping places and restaurants that are sure to provide you a memorable experience during your vacation here. San Juan is going to provide you mixed cultures as this Latin American city is based on Spanish culture and has American, Taino and African influences. It has the biggest natural harbour in the Caribbean and is the second European-founded city. The city of San Juan is divided into three zones: Old San Juan, the Beach and Resort area. Here is some options to explore, visit and experience during your charter vacation in San Juan with San Juan Yacht Charter . Don't wait just call us to book the San Juan yacht rental and San Juan boat rental .

Travel Top Attractions in San Juan with San Juan Yacht Charters and San Juan Boat Charters

• Castillo San Felipe del Morro: El Morro Castle was once an important military outpost for Spain and now it serves as a tourist attraction for cruises that come here every day. Visit the different levels that feature barracks, kitchens, and other facilities. From the top of El Morro, enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean, Old San Juan, the cemetery and La Perla. Give us a call to book San Juan Yacht rental and San Juan boat rental.
• Castillo San Cristóbal: This fortress is a part of the San Juan National Historic Site It was built to protect the city from land-based attacks.
• Balneario El Escambrón: This is one of the finest beaches of San Juan as it features soft sand, a surfing facility and a 17th-century fort in the distance. This palm-fringed beach has plenty of restrooms and snack bars, along with a large park.
• Museo de las Américas: This museum is located in the Old Quarter of Ballaja, Old San Juan. You will get to see the facilities used by the military until 1898. The museum organizes exhibitions twice a year that features sculptures, scenes, habitats and a theater.
• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico: This is an art museum in Santurce that hosts concerts and festivals. Plus, you will get to see many artifactsthat reflect Puerto Rico’s local culture.
• Playa Isla Verde: It is a great tropical beach with amazing nightlife experiences. Isla Verde is a long wide beach that is framed by coconut trees. You can enjoy a laid back and relaxed time here while you experience casinos, dance clubs and elegant lounges.
• Playa Ocean Park: This beach is a favorite among locals. It is protected by offshore reefs and boasts shiny soft sand and phenomenal water sports facilities.
• Casa Bacardí Rum Factory: Take a guided tour of this rum factory, taste delicious rum and become a rum maestro.
• Other must-visit attractions: Cuartel de Ballajá, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de Hostos, Plaza de Colón, Plaza del QuintoCentenario, Plaza de San José, Parque de lasPalomas, Luis Muñoz Rivera Park, La Fortaleza, Alcaldia, El Capitolio, Catedral de San Juan, Iglesia de San José, Capilla del Cristo, Pablo Casals Museum, Casa Blanca, Casa de los Contrafuertes, Casa del Libro and Puerta de San Juan, among others.

With San Juan Boat Rental and San Juan Yacht Rental- Stay and Eat on Best Beaches, Hotels and Restaurants

Beaches: In Puerto Rico, San Juan beaches are the most beautiful, easily accessible, and most popular. Here is a list of our favorite beaches

• El Escambron: This beach is popular for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving Puerto Rico . The fort named Bateriadel Escambron makes it even more popular among families.
• Ocean Park Beach: This beach is great for water sports, sunbathing and working out. It is located near residential communities and restaurants, giving you easy access to food and shopping.
• Playa Condado: It has luxurious hotels and casinos that give you a feeling of Miami beaches.
• Playitadel Condado: It is a great family beach with swimming and water sports facilities.

Hotels: From luxurious beachfront hotels to chic boutique hideaways, San Juan has it all. Here are the top hotels that you consider for your vacation: Hotel El Convento, La Concha Renaissance Resort, Caribe Hilton, The Gallery Inn, Olive Boutique Hotel, Condado Vanderbilt, Intercontinental San Juan, El San Juan Hotel, Tres Palmas Inn, Monastery Art Suites, Marriott San Juan Resort &Stellaris Casino, Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, Hyatt Hacienda del Mar Hotel Dorado, ESJ Azul and Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel Carolina, just to name a few. We are here to make your vaccation memorable. Just call us to book the best San Juan yacht charters and San Juan boat charters .

Restaurants: San Juan is the cultural epicenter of Puerto Rico. From rustic eatery to posh restaurants, you must try Puerto Rican delicacies at these places - La Casita Blanca, Marmalade Restaurant and Wine Bar, Oceano, Santaella, Serafina San Juan, 1919 Restaurant, Cocina Abierta, Jose Enrique, Punto de Vista Rooftop Restaurantand Pannes, among others.

Top Things to do in San Juan with San Juan Yacht Charters and San Juan Boat Charters

• Swimming and Sunbathing: The crystal clear, deep waters surrounding San Juan look incredibly inviting for swimmers. If you want to relax under the sun and splash some water, then visit Isla Verde, Candado and Ocean Park Beach.
• Snorkeling and Diving: When in Puerto Rico, snorkeling in San Juan is a must-to-do activity. There are coral reefs and rock formation under the water where you can expect to see octopus, reef fish, seahorse, and other colorful fish species. Escambrion Beach is the best place for snorkeling.
• Windsurfing: San Juan is a paradise for windsurfers. The best places to enjoy it are Ocean Park, Condado, Punta Las Marías and Isla Verde.
• Fishing: Fishing is a great pastime of San Juan residents. You can catch wahoo, sailfish, tuna and blue marlin.
• Other Activities: Sailing, jet skiing and parasailing, kayaking, sunset watching, and paddle boarding.

With palm tree-filled beaches, blue skies, tropical weather, delicious food, friendly locals and plenty of things to do and see, San Juan is an ideal destination for your next charter vacation. At Yachts Puerto Rico Charters , we can plan your itinerary and provide you with luxurious vessel options for your San Juan trip. We have a trained and experienced skipper, acclaimed personal chefs and professional crew who will be there with you aboard your luxury yacht charter in Puerto Rico to provide you personalized services. Take a look at our wide range of vessels popular San Juan Yacht Charter , San Juan Boat Charter , San Juan Yacht rental and San Juan Boat Rental which suits your vacation needs. Then contact our charter expert to start planning your the best San Juan Yacht Charters and San Juan Boat Charters . Contact us to book luxury San Juan boat rental and San Juan yacht rental .

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In addition to the best offers we have for boat and yacht charters in San Juan, Puerto Rico, see also options available for rent in these nearby locations:

• 41 boat rentals in Viejo San Juan, San Juan Antiguo, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Rent a Private Boat Charter in San Juan with Sailo

Looking for a boat rental in San Juan, Puerto Rico? With Sailo, you’ll find a great choice of private boat charters in San Juan, Puerto Rico for everything from a day trip through to a longer sailing vacation. If you’re visiting old San Juan boat tours with friends or family, you’ll find ample choice to try San Juan water tours with Sailo. Step aboard your own private boat charter in San Juan Islands and discover this amazing sailing location!

Our prime selection of private yacht charters in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Want to rent a boat in San Juan, Puerto Rico? You’ll find 3 boats waiting for you to take them on an adventure here on Sailo. Choose from our line up of TOP San Juan sailboat charters . Prefer catamarans? No problem…. Sailo currently has catamaran rentals in San Juan . Want to see Puerto Rico in style? One of our motor yachts in San Juan will fit the bill. If you’re planning a big party or event with over 12 people, you can also choose from our party boats in San Juan for an incredible day on the water.

How to find the right boat cruise among San Juan yacht charters

Renting a boat in San Juan, Puerto Rico has never been easier! When searching for a boat rental in San Juan, make sure to include your dates, trip duration and number of guests to get a first accurate selection of available charters. Daily experiences last for 2, 4 hours or a full day. You may further personalize your results by choosing the type of boat you’d like to rent, your price range and whether you want to hire a captain or you’re interested in a bareboat. Click on the boat rides in San Juan you like to get to the next page where you can view more photos, read the boat description and the reviews to see if it's the right fit for your old San Juan boat tours. You can always message the owner if you have any questions about their boat or you want to make special arrangements.

How much does it cost to rent a boat in San Juan, Puerto Rico for a day?

The best Sailo deal for daily boat rentals in San Juan, Puerto Rico starts at $250. The average price for a daily San Juan boat cruise is $1100, making it the best choice for a private sunset cruise, a sightseeing tour or an action-packed day on the water with family or friends! For those of you who are looking to splurge, check out our luxury yacht charters in San Juan with prices up to $6500 (service fee and mandatory extras not included).

San Juan Island boat rentals: Do I need a licence to rent a yacht on Sailo?

No, you do not need a license to charter a yacht in San Juan Island on Sailo as long as you are renting a boat with a captain included. There are two types of boat tours in San Juan, Puerto Rico available on our website: bareboat and captained charters. If you rent a bareboat yacht, then your charter comes without any crew, and you or someone in your group will need a license. The boat owner will require you to upload the boating resume or license of the person who will drive the boat. Most of our boat owners might also like to test your boating skills before you take your bareboat charter out on the water. When you charter a yacht in San Juan with a captain included or add the captain and/or crew as an extra to your sailing adventure, then a certified skipper will be provided.

Responsible boating guidelines

However long you’re on a boat, it’s always a thrilling and fun experience. Here at Sailo, we like to make sure that the stunning beauty of the seas, lakes and rivers of our planet stay as pristine as possible. If you’re going to charter a yacht, from a few hours to week, try to follow these sustainable boating tips:

• Take your rubbish home
• Use eco-friendly sunblock
• Avoid single use plastic

Much of the world’s plastic ends up in the sea, so reduce, reuse and recycle. Read more about responsible boating.

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An Arsenal of Mysteries: The Terrifying Allure of a Remote Caribbean Island

Why had immigrants, seekers and pilgrims been drawn for centuries to the treacherous shores of Mona Island? I set off to find out.

In Cueva Lirio. Even after many decades, the island’s sculptural inner terrain can be difficult to navigate. Credit... Christopher Gregory-Rivera for The New York Times

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By Carina del Valle Schorske

Carina del Valle Schorske is a contributing writer for the magazine. She spent four days on Mona Island, where, among other things, she climbed a ladder made of driftwood to report from a cave.

• Published March 20, 2024 Updated March 21, 2024

Every year, I spend a month or two in Puerto Rico, where my mother’s family is from. Often I go in winter, with the other snowbirds, finding solace among palm trees. But I’m not a tourist, not really. I track the developers that privatize the shoreline; I follow the environmental reports that give our beaches a failing grade. I’m disenchanted with the Island of Enchantment, suspicious of an image that obscures the unglamorous conditions of daily life: frequent blackouts, meager public services, a rental market ravaged by Airbnb. Maybe that’s why I turned away from the sunshine and started to explore caves with my friends Ramón and Javier, seeking out wonders not yet packaged for the visitor economy. I’ve been learning to love stalactites and squeaking bats, black snakes and cloistered waterfalls — even, slowly, the darkness itself.

Listen to this article, read by Almarie Guerra de Wilson

Open this article in the New York Times Audio app on iOS.

The Greater Antilles and the Yucatán Peninsula form one of the most cavernous regions in the world, and many of these grottos contain precolonial inscriptions. But no other site can match the density of designs found on Mona, a semiarid mesa halfway between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The island is ringed by sheer cliffs and honeycombed with miles of subterranean passageways. Most of the inscriptions are tucked away in the so-called dark zone, far from access to the upper world, congregating around rare pools of freshwater. More accessible chambers harbor other histories: an Incan vase filled with gold coins, shards of a Spanish olive jar stained with the oldest wine in the Americas. In one cave, a foreign visitor from the 16th century carved a kind of commentary alongside ancient petroglyphs: “ plura fecit deus .” “God made many things.” I kept repeating the phrase to myself like a mantra, trying to impose divine order on the contradictions of the New World, the only world I’ve ever known.

Mona now “belongs” to Puerto Rico (and thus to the United States), but the island has always retained a certain rugged self-possession, rising fatherless and fully formed from the sea like an American Aphrodite. The archaeologist Ovidio Dávila famously described the island as “a floating fortress”: remote, inhospitable, an arsenal of mysteries. But Mona also teems with life: flowering cactuses, swirling flocks of seabirds, orchids and iguanas and frogs found nowhere else on Earth. Hawksbill turtles from as far away as Panama crawl onshore to nest under the summer moon. Enormous basket sponges and gorgonian corals cling to the sea wall. Many migrant species rarely seen from Puerto Rico proper come close to shore: dolphins, pilot whales, tiger sharks, bluefin tuna, flying fish. Mona’s remote beaches receive tribute from faraway waters, as if this might be the secret center of the world.

But for many Puerto Ricans, Mona is a legendary backwater, the punchline for a whole genre of jokes: Your political enemies “couldn’t even win the mayor’s race on Mona,” the socialists should “go live with the iguanas,” the Supreme Court might consider setting up “its little theocracy” over there. Like Robinson Crusoe, even locals who should know better view this other island as a blank slate for exile or utopia. Of course, Mona wasn’t always an abstraction. Before Europeans wandered west, Indigenous people settled the island as early as 3000 B.C. When Columbus first came to Mona in 1494, there was a community cultivating a marvelous variety of fruits and tubers from a thin fringe of arable soil on the island’s western side. Indigenous people continued to survive on Mona for another hundred years — much longer than elsewhere in the region — taking refuge in the island’s mysterious interior. Since then, the island has hosted a vivid procession of conquistadors, conversos, maroons, priests, pirates, prisoners, guano miners, military men, treasure hunters, scientists and refugees.

‘God made many things’ — so many more than the Old World predicted!

Now Mona is a protected nature reserve, and the only residents are park rangers. Researchers and amateurs alike must apply for a permit from Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources in order to travel there. Hunters come to subdue the feral descendants of goats and pigs introduced by the Spanish. Scuba divers wander the reefs.

But the Mona Passage — fast-flowing, shark-infested, one of the roughest stretches of water in the world — remains a troubled crucible of imperial traffic. Every year, migrants from Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic crowd small boats and try to make the dangerous crossing to Puerto Rico, the local gateway to the American dream. Many drown, uncountable bodies at the bottom of the sea. Hundreds wind up stranded on Mona, abandoned by smugglers looking to cut corners on the journey, then deported by authorities within days. Even those who visit Mona for recreation sometimes stumble into the island’s traps. In 2001, a Boy Scout got lost and died of dehydration. Just last month, a hunter disappeared near a well-known cave not far from camp.

Why did these frightening stories seduce me? If so many people were willing to suffer the island’s torments, I figured they must be suffering for something: freedom, beauty, maybe even wisdom. The travel industry sells the Caribbean as a gentle paradise where the workers of the first world can escape to rest at last on the shores of an infinite resort. But Mona remains incompletely mastered, a wilderness where you won’t be welcomed, where it’s still possible to lose your way and lose your life.

“This curious world,” Thoreau wrote, “is more wonderful than convenient,” and his words came to me as I gathered my hiking boots and helmet, laxatives and Dramamine, batteries, baby wipes and safety wardrobe of neon orange. After nearly a year of bureaucratic tribulations, I was finally going to Mona. The two most popular tour companies never wrote me back, so I planned the trip with Jaime Zamora, a freelance guide who had been exploring the island for more than 40 years. But it was better this way. I liked the purity of his passion and his disdain for institutions. Instead of a website or brochure, he directed me to a private Facebook group where he maintained a meticulous archive of old maps, news clippings and personal photographs of artifacts he found on the island: a creamy conch shell with a hole drilled through it, the ornamental handles of a broken urn.

In December, the stars suddenly aligned: Our permits were approved, the seas calmed and we pulled a team together. I crossed Midtown with cash in my coat to wire to a boat captain named Mikey. My friends Ramón and Javier came through; so did my friend Elisa. Our photographer, Chris, would bring his partner, Andrea. Jaime recruited some old comrades: Chito, Manuel and Charlito, the cook. The ecologist Hector Quintero, known as Quique, signed on and suggested we might invite Tony Nieves, who had recently retired from 33 years as Mona Island’s director. Finally, Jaime texted to say the moon would be full for our visit: “In one week,” he promised, “your magic will begin to shine.”

The boats arrived at the pier in Joyuda, on the western shore of Puerto Rico, near dawn. We were relieved to discover that the sea was quiet: “ plancha ’ o ,” the captain said, like an ironed sheet, only this gracious once or twice a year. He warned me not to get the wrong impression: “ Mona no es así .” Still, I could feel it when we crossed into the Mona Passage proper, where the waters of the Atlantic and the Caribbean come together in a cauldron of treacherous crosscurrents. The prow began to jump across the waves, so that we had to brace hard against the railing to keep our tailbones from bruising. I realized I had never been this close to the water for this long — I always approached Puerto Rico from above — and I tried to imagine the first people who came this way, rowing with no land in sight, searching the sky for congregations of clouds, the sign of green things breathing.

Over the last several years, I’d been unlearning the standard narrative about precolonial history. In Puerto Rico, the Department of Education still promotes the tired narrative that the people who greeted Columbus were simple and docile, with a rudimentary culture. But Reniel Rodríguez, an archaeologist, told me that the recent research is very clear: The migrants who left Central America and the Amazon basin to populate our archipelago were great mariners, like the Polynesians, navigating by stars and currents and wind patterns. Over generations of migration, they formed multiethnic polities and maintained vast trade networks: jade from Guatemala, gold and copper alloys from Colombia, jaguar’s teeth from continental jungles. None of these materials arrived by accident. As we bumped along, I wondered what it was like to bring, say, a passel of guinea pigs from Colombia to Puerto Rico in the bottom of a wide canoe.

The oldest carbon-dated evidence of human habitation on Mona dates from about 2800 B.C. They were probably attracted to the island’s majestic underworld. Indigenous mythology names symbolic caves as the great cosmic incubators, giving birth to the moon, the sun and the archipelago’s first people. Mona’s residents filled the caves with signs. The island was never a land of milk and honey, so its importance must have been strategic and spiritual rather than strictly productive: Ovidio Dávila imagines “a meeting point and tribal crossroads,” hosting chiefs and traders, “parliaments and pilgrimages.” The rigor of the journey to Mona conferred a kind of gravity on every human drama that unfolded on the mesa’s barren stage.

It took a long while for Puerto Rico to fall out of view, and hours more for Mona to appear, so that I felt suspended in time as well as space. I could imagine the Spanish ships prowling the Caribbean, snatching people from the Lesser Antilles and the coast of South America to “replenish” their depleted work force. I could imagine the first coffle of stolen Africans that would arrive in Santo Domingo. This passage still teems with human traffic. No one who worked these waters — our captain, the Coast Guard, local fishermen — wanted to talk to me about what they’d seen. Édouard Glissant was right: Even the brightest voyages bring to mind the depths of the sea, “with their punctuation of scarcely corroded balls and chains.”

I had taken off my glasses, foggy from the spray, so at first I wasn’t sure if the smudge of cream in the corner of my eye was just a trick of light. But then Quique pointed in the same direction, and the distant citadel began to shine — first the pale naked flanks of the highest cliffs, and then, slowly, the regions shadowed with underbrush. The island’s shape sharpened: a thin slice of stone floating like a cataract on the dark iris of the sea.

When we finally moored at Playa Pájaros, I woke up from my precolonial daydream. The beach was covered in trash. Quique blamed austerity: The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, like all government agencies, has been defunded to prioritize the debt. There wasn’t money, anymore, to service the island properly. The rangers live on the other side, at Playa Sardinera, so our camp — Playa Pájaros — was wilder, both more private and more neglected. I was ashamed of my disappointment, realizing that it revealed some measure of willful naïveté: I knew the currents of the Mona Passage carried seeds and shells from far-off places, so why not shoes, plastic bottles, rubber tubing?

Still, there were hermit crabs and lizards creeping among the sea grapes, as there had been for millions of years, and wild cotton along the edges of the cliffs. Ramón helped me hang my nylon hammock from two sturdy trees, and I thought of the cotton slings — hamaca , an Arawak word — woven by the people of Mona, so finely made that the Spanish set them to work as suppliers for the imperial machine. I had never slept in a hammock before, but after the roughness of the voyage, it felt natural to sway, gently, and I dropped into a deep slumber for an hour, until I could hear Jaime pacing and singing, summoning us to our first cave.

If there had ever been a trail to Cueva Caballo, there wasn’t anymore, and so we had to shake the sleep from our senses in order to climb, almost crawl, through thorned bushes and over jagged limestone up toward the mouth of the cave. I was surprised to find a paved road just inside, punctuated by the rusted remnants of carts and rails. Tony explained how Cueva Caballo was mined for guano in the 19th century, when Western powers realized the nitrates in bat feces made it very good for gunpowder and fertilizer. The workers slept right here, among piles of excrement dredged up from the darkness. Eventually, they went on strike for lack of water. There was still fresh guano in Cueva Caballo — the color and texture of finely ground coffee — and the smell of ammonia saturated the tighter chambers, so that we passed through them quickly and sought out crevices in the stone where we could catch currents of fresh air.

“ Hay un chorro de formaciones ,” Jaime said, and it was true: The walls of the cave seemed to undulate like water, and a glittering white powder frosted the figures, crystallizing in chandeliers and sliding over smooth hills of stone like a gown over the hips of a beauty queen. “ Sorbeto ,” Tony told me it was called, as Jaime moved through the cave seeking his favorite free-standing sculptures and addressing them by his own private names: “ Huevo Frito ,” “ Dragón .” He was looking for “pearls,” the perfect mineral spheres that form over centuries in pools beneath dripping stalactites, especially one particular pearl he called “ La Cabeza, la perla más hermosa de toda la isla .” Tony, subtly competing, told me he had walked through every chamber in these caves — “ to’ completo ” — and was the only one who never lost his way on Mona.

Still, even after many decades, I could see how Jaime and Tony hesitated between branching passageways, retreating into memory’s inner topography before disappearing behind a blind curve. So many of the conversations I caught on tape were merely directional: “ Vamos pa’llá, ” “ No, más adelante, ” “ Y dónde está Javier? ” Cross-talk, muffled laughter. Jaime told me they sometimes stumbled upon the skeletons of goats that died lost in the labyrinth. We learned to listen for one another’s voices.

‘Yo la adoraba,’ he explained helplessly.

In Cueva Caballo, Jaime cried out: “ Se la robaron, Tony! ” When we found him, he was kneeling in front of what looked like an empty altar. La Cabeza — a glittering stone in the shape of a skull on a slender neck — had been carefully decapitated. There was a market for that kind of thing: Manuel said he had seen small-time hustlers selling stalactites on the roadside in the Dominican Republic. Even in the dim light of our headlamps, I could see Jaime’s face turn red, and I was worried he might cry. “ Yo la adoraba ,” he explained helplessly, using the word that blurs the boundary between love and worship. “If I were an Indian, this would be sacred for me.”

The older men in our group often spoke as if they had taken the place of Indigenous people. Jaime wore a necklace strung with three finely polished beads of shell and stone that he took from a cave years ago. Chito analyzed our dynamics as a “clan.” And Quique summoned scientific theories: Had I heard of epigenetics? How Native Americans transmitted the traumas of starvation, displacement and genocide across generations? Puerto Ricans, he continued, must be carrying our own ghosts. I was wary of these analogies, but I could also understand their emotional logic. Our guides had lived through “ el carpeteo ,” the U.S. government’s campaign against the Puerto Rican independence movement, when activists were surveilled and imprisoned, when close comrades turned out to be snitches. They were nostalgic for whatever came before the colonial encounter, when the islands they loved were sovereign. When we got back from Mona, Quique gave me a thumb drive of scientific documents and a short essay he wrote himself, simply titled, “Colonies Are There to Be Exploited.”

I struggled to absorb the intensity of information directed at me. Elisa, often at my side, said it was like standing next to a fire hose. Buried treasure, political intrigue, grand theories, deaths and disappearances. I was missing so much, but at least I could record the poetic names and properties of local plants: tourist tree, for its red and peeling bark, the cactus called snowball for its crown of white fuzz and thorns, the plumeria called alhelí cimarrón . In the mornings when it bloomed you could close your eyes and almost find your way across the island by following its fugitive perfume. Tabaco marino , rolled and smoked, might get you a little high. Chicharrón , higo chumbo , coca falsa . Jaime and Tony often returned to the same refrain: “ Eso es de aquí na’ más .” Only on Mona. Some of these species were immediately striking: The Mona land iguanas were enormous, with the terrible dignity of dinosaurs, and we had to fight them off whenever we took sponge baths by the cistern. Others seemed modest, enchanted only by the spell of our attention.

On the long, hot walk to the ruined lighthouse, Jaime and Tony peeled off, and Chito told me they were tired and had gone to camp. But on our way back, hours later, we came upon Jaime sitting in a patch of meager shade along the road. Our guides had finally found Psychilis monense, Mona Island’s endemic orchid, and Jaime was waiting to introduce us to this natural wonder. Last time he was on Mona, he spent an afternoon searching in vain, but this time — this time, just for us — she had revealed herself and would step into her stardom. Jaime had been so patient, had shown such fortitude, and now he was almost trembling with urgency as he guided us to the spot, off road, that he had marked with his staff so he wouldn’t lose the little flower.

The flower was indeed so little that I almost missed her, a bit of pale silk no larger than my thumbnail on the end of a long bare stem. When I bent the stem toward me to specify her beauty — a purple striped calyx, a clutch of green buds — I was worried it might snap. The tiniest dancer. How strange, I thought, to be so rare and lonely — endemic, endangered, the only flower in the stony field — and at the same time so unremarkable. Or was my own perceptive power unremarkable? My own capacity for feeling? Sometimes, reading research papers on Mona, I was baffled by the effort people made to catalog the most minute phenomena: the scientists in scuba gear who explored a dangerous underwater chamber in order to photograph “the curious case” of a cave-dwelling shrimp called Popeye. But I knew that the argument for protecting Mona depended on the meticulous accumulation of empirical evidence for the island’s singularity. And that love is not love without detail, without risk, without a touch of madness.

I tried to bring the intensity of attention I’d seen among our guides to the library. So much of my formal and informal education had rushed through the conquest of the Caribbean — especially Puerto Rico — as if the Spanish and then American invasions had been so successful that they erased not only the history of those who came before but also the muddy footprints of their own trajectory. Many primary sources confirmed the familiar narrative of unrelenting violence. The archaeologist Alice Samson drew my attention to an inventory of merchandise from Mona: “ grillones con un indio preso ” — shackles with a prisoner attached. But reading the colonial chronicles, I also felt a strange suspense, as if these encounters might have gone another way, as if the future I am living now had not yet been foretold.

Mona’s particular history dramatized the chaos and contingency of those early decades. The island’s location on the route between Santo Domingo and Spain made it a crucial supply station and entrepôt for slave trading. Juan Ponce de León imported roughly 80 captives to ramp up production of pan casabe , the durable flatbread made from yuca that was a staple of the Indigenous diet. Soon, Mona became the breadbasket for the whole colonial campaign: gold mines in Puerto Rico, armadas cruising for slaves, salt and pearls from Aruba to Venezuela. The women of Mona manufactured cotton ropes that might have been used — I can only speculate — to hoist sails, corral horses and bind the wrists of child brides.

But even at this high point of exploitation, Mona retained an ambivalent independence. Very few Spaniards took up permanent residence. Instead they installed Indigenous overseers and left the fragmented community to find its own working rhythm, to sustain traditions and experiment with new religions. Many of these people — colonizers, native islanders and captives from distant territories — would not have had a common language. Together, they had to learn to grapple with their new position at the center of apocalyptic change. They brokered deals with English and French raiders, they formed Creole families and they fled the violence of the island’s coast for caves in the interior, not far from the ceremonial ball courts.

Mona was never abandoned for long. Exiled islanders returned to fish, forage and visit sacred sites as their ancestors did for thousands of years. Sailors sick with scurvy came to gather oranges gone to seed. All through the 17th and 18th centuries, pirates frequented the island, making the surrounding waters some of the most perilous in the Atlantic world. The researcher Walter Cardona told me how Blackbeard, the notorious English buccaneer, used Mona to barrack twice-stolen Africans, reselling them on the black market once they became “acclimated” to hard labor. At the height of the Haitian Revolution, rebels moored ships along Mona’s coast. The island had become both a prison and a sanctuary, contested terrain where empire’s exiles hashed out new identities. In a recent article, Cardona included a photograph that Tony took of a skeleton recovered from Sardinera: DNA testing revealed a young man of African and Arawak ancestry, just a teenager when he died, maybe a maroon himself. Or maybe this was just wishful thinking, my desire for a story with a taste of freedom in it.

Something about the photograph — the arrangement of bones, the knowledge that Tony had touched them — made the limits of my reading obvious. I had come to Mona to go beyond the syllabus, and wasn’t it already working? Every feather and every grain of sand seemed like evidence. Every jagged window framing the sea looked like a wound torn open. Even the drooping casuarinas — imitation pines imported from Australia — seemed to lament their own story of displacement and adaptation. But there was one cave on Mona I still wanted to visit. Maybe seeing colonial signatures in stone would help me bridge the gap between the authority of documents and the testimony of the senses.

The entrance to Cave 18 was luminously pale and multicolored: blue, pink, yellow, the skyscape of a Renaissance painting. Right away, we had to bend at the waist, feeling our way through a wide, dim tunnel until it opened into a larger chamber. We were in the dark zone now, so that it wasn’t possible to go without our headlamps. Probably, the foreigners who visited this cave would have had to rely on local guides, the way I was now relying on Tony. I tried to let my senses adjust to the environment. This was my favorite kind of cave — not a cathedral but a chapel, damp and close as a pair of cupped hands. Later, reading Alice Samson’s analysis of Cave 18, I would learn that I had walked past the word “ entra ,” repeated three times in the same crude hand: a 16th-century visitor trying to formalize a route the first artists had established by feel, through the ceremony of repeated gestures.

The first signs I noticed myself were undulating lines traced into the soft, crumbly walls near eye level — “finger fluting,” Tony called it, an Indigenous technique common on Mona, where many caves are frosted with “ sudor de roca ,” as if stone, like human skin, could breathe and sweat. “Careful,” he warned me: It was easier to erase the delicate designs than it had been to create them.

I had just found an Indigenous petroglyph drawn high up on the curving ceiling — a round face with ornamental earrings — when Tony let out a small cry and beckoned me closer. This was the line I’d read about: plura fecit deus . The first word was written in perfect cursive, but the other words were messy, as if the writer had underestimated the effort it would require to inscribe his message. There’s no exact match for the Latin phrase in the religious writing of the period, so Samson suggests we take it at face value, as “a spontaneous response” to the cave itself. “God made many things” — so many more than the Old World predicted! Pineapples, manatees, reefs so thick with fish that boats could barely row to shore. Songs longer than books, clans ruled by women, caves that flickered with a thousand tiny faces peering out from the stone. Even familiar things, like Spanish melons, seemed transformed on Mona, swollen by the relentless sweetness of the sun. Was this not revelation? I tried to imagine landing here after months on a leaking caravel — outnumbered, now, by foreign people, encircled by charismatic foreign signs, compelled to register my wonderment with the sharpened point of a rusty nail.

Or maybe it was the other way around, and some of the crosses carved into the stone were made by mestizo conversos trying to reconcile competing cosmologies in the artistic language they knew best. Walter Cardona had combed the colonial literature for information on Mona’s Indigenous leaders, and he emerged with a document from 1517 listing every resident of the Sardinera village, many with hybrid names that reflected hybrid lives: Juan Yahagua, Francisco Maguatica, Isabel Bocoana, Luisica Guacoyo. Some of them might have kept visiting old sites of ceremony. Some of them might have shown strangers those hidden pathways and sacred chambers. Some of them might have disappeared together, preferring internal exile to the forced surrender of the island’s secrets.

When I met Walter Cardona in person, he told me he once spent nearly 10 hours in Cave 18, trying to catalog every human mark that was made there. Satisfied after his long effort, he announced, out loud, that he wasn’t planning to return. But the cave wouldn’t let him leave: “Something took me and threw me against the rock,” and he stayed there, pinned and paralyzed, for several moments before he realized he had spoken too soon. This was not a history you could finish. I remembered something I heard Tony say in a documentary: “No one can say they know Mona completely.” He was talking about space — the island’s intricate topography — but I was thinking about time.

Cave 18 is not a diorama, and Mona is not a museum. People still traverse these subterranean passageways in search of things they need: knowledge, freedom, temporary cover. Quique’s uncle was a rumrunner during Prohibition, or so the story goes, storing caches of liquor in caves. Now drug traffickers work the age-old route between South America and the Caribbean, stopping over on Mona to stash parcels of cocaine. And then, of course, there are the migrants: When Elisa and I arrived in Aguadilla, the airport guard told us how his father, a hunter, had stumbled upon a Dominican family in Cueva Negra, seeking shelter from the midday sun, trying to imagine an alternative to turning themselves in.

On the way back down from Cave 18, Tony walked us along Playa Mujeres, a dreamy stretch of white sand where sea turtles come to nest. We spotted the tracks of the animal’s soft, angled fins in the white sand. I took off my hiking boots to soothe my blisters in the surf. This beach seemed so much gentler than Playa Pájaros, I told Tony — and this, he replied, was why so many migrants landed here. Just a few weeks earlier, on Dec. 1, coyotes abandoned a group of 48 Haitians right where we were walking. Hundreds of migrants wind up on Mona every year — when the seas are calm, they come every week — and from all walks of life. There are doctors and ballplayers, mothers with babies and pets. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are both in crisis, Tony told me, and Puerto Rico seems to promise a more dignified style of poverty, perhaps a backdoor to U.S. citizenship.

The rangers at Sardinera gestured toward the graveyard of boats left behind on the island: “This is trash for us.” No one comes to clean up the evidence of Mona’s ongoing role in the underground economy. I walked closer to get a better look. Some had whimsical names like La Niña Coqueta that reminded me of slave ships called Friendship or Hope. The Middle Passage haunts these supposedly voluntary journeys. The rangers told me some coyotes throw menstruating women overboard so the sharks won’t track the smell of blood on the boat. When I see footage of migrants on Mona — lining up for food or singing a hymn in Kreyòl while they wait to be deported — I think of all the rebels, maroons and twice-sold people who made this island their temporary home.

The next day was our last on Mona, and we moved with a strange synchronicity, as if we had been rehearsing all along for a final performance. Like the other people thrown together there, we were beginning to fashion a shared culture of jokes and symbols, rhythms of rest and collective labor. Most of the footpaths through the coastal forest had been erased by recent hurricanes, so we had to open new corridors together, using our feet and knees to tamp down the underbrush and our hands to snap back dry branches. Jaime took me and Elisa to a heart-shaped chamber filled with impossibly velvety sand, talking us through what I can describe only as a matrimonial ritual. “Close your eyes,” he directed. “Can you hear that? The pulsing?” Now, he said, we belonged to Mona. We knew he practiced these lines on other people before, but we didn’t mind. Later, I told Elisa about a pictograph of a bird I’d seen in Cueva Lucero in Puerto Rico, and how Reniel, the archaeologist, identified an almost identical pictograph in other caves in the Dominican Republic. Jaime’s poetic repetitions were like that bird: a technology for creating community among people who might never meet.

That night, the moon was so completely red that it left a trail of blood across the sea. I wondered if the sky was always staging these operatic scenes behind scrims of light pollution. Not a scientific way to think, of course. The moon remained the moon regardless of our position or perception — mostly, if not completely, impervious to our corrupting touch.

But I still thought of all the natural wonders that had faded in the centuries since colonial contact. The chronicles suggest that all of Puerto Rico’s bays once glittered with bioluminescence. The afternoon sky would go dark when massive murmurations of green parrots from El Yunque blocked the sun. It was tempting to imagine they could skim the cream from the Milky Way and drink it. But I also knew that future generations would look back in wonder at what we have now, helpless with rage over what we’ve ruined.

Everyone went to sleep early. We knew that it was unlikely we would return to Mona together, and that even if we did, the island would be different: the infrastructure even more degraded, or worse, privatized. On our way back, there were flying fish, rainbows in the foam, bachata on the radio. Then the police stopped our boat — a reminder that government resources are always directed to limiting, rather than facilitating, the movement of people across the archipelago. I tried to keep Mona in my sightline the whole time, so that I could perceive the precise moment when the island disappeared. Or maybe that wasn’t possible. I blinked. I could already feel the fragile bonds among the people on the boat starting to loosen. I knew such losses were ordinary: Most contact is fleeting, most histories are forgotten. Ramón described Mona as a beautiful ruin, and I couldn’t disagree. The island dramatized every rupture, deepened every longing. But don’t we always make our lives among ruins, run to catch the bus over unmarked graves, cross paths with stateless people? I promised myself that when we landed, I would watch where I walked. I would keep trying to find out where I really stood.

Carina del Valle Schorske is a writer and translator living in Brooklyn. Her first book, “The Other Island,” is forthcoming from Riverhead. Her feature for the magazine about New York City’s Covid-era dance floors won a National Magazine Award. Christopher Gregory Rivera is a Puerto Rican photographer and director based in New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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Discover 21 Must-Do Experiences In Puerto Rico

Posted: February 26, 2024 | Last updated: February 26, 2024

The Caribbean’s hottest destination

Miles of sandy beaches, a lush forested interior, elegant upscale resorts, and an exciting blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous Taíno culture have seen Puerto Rico become one of the Caribbean’s go-to destinations. Lying 1,000 miles southeast of Miami, this unincorporated United States territory is a short hop from mainland America, but the archipelago’s incredible natural biodiversity and infectiously joyful vibe are uniquely its own.

Click or scroll through the gallery to discover 21 reasons to add Puerto Rico to your vacation wish list...

1. Step back in time in Old San Juan

Spend a couple of days wandering the blue-grey cobblestone streets, buzzing plazas, and UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortifications of Old San Juan: a unique Caribbean city shaped by five centuries of history. Old San Juan is the second oldest city established in the New World and from the well-preserved Spanish citadel of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, to its rows of rainbow-coloured townhouses and elegant Moorish-inspired facades, the city reveals snapshots of its past at every turn.

2. Bask on one of the world’s best beaches on Culebra

A perfect, horseshoe-shaped curve of white sand fringed by swaying coconut palms, sloping gently into a warm sea. Sound like paradise? Flamenco Beach on the island of Culebra consistently ranks as one of the best in the world, and you can explore this tropical idyll on a boat cruise with Sail Getaways from Fajardo, stopping at snorkeling spots along the way. Walk along the beach to see The Tank, left behind by the US Navy.

3. Kayak on a bioluminescent bay

There are very few places around the world where natural bioluminescence lights up the ocean at night, and Puerto Rico is home to three of them: Laguna Grande in Fajardo, La Parguera in Lajas and Mosquito Bay on the island of Vieques; the brightest bio bay in the world.

Join a kayak tour with Taino Aqua Adventures or Kayaking Puerto Rico to experience the neon-blue aquatic displays, created by microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates, which illuminate these magical marine realms, which are particularly visible on moonless nights.

4. Relax and recharge at an upscale resort

Set on a coconut plantation between two of Puerto Rico’s stunning natural attractions, El Yunque National Forest and Espíritu Santo River State Preserve, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is the perfect base for some hiking adventures, but equally as inviting if you’re here to relax and recharge. With two miles of sandy beach overlooking the Atlantic, guests can enjoy water sports, a round of golf on the 18-hole course, and pampering in the sanctuary of the Iridium Spa.

5. Follow the call of the coquí frog

When night falls in Puerto Rico, the territory's mountains and forests ring with the mating calls of thousands of coquí tree frogs. Named after their distinctive, uplifting song, which sounds like “Co-Kee! Co-Kee!”, the amphibians inhabited the archipelago long before the indigenous Taíno people immortalized their image in petroglyphs thousands of years ago. The coquí remains a much-loved cultural symbol for Puerto Ricans today, with the little frogs’ image found on everything from pottery to postcards.

6. Catch some waves in Rincón

A laidback town in northwestern Puerto Rico, with over a dozen beaches and some of the best waves in the Caribbean, Rincón has been a surfing mecca since the late 1960s. Experienced surfers can catch a variety of big breaks around the coast, but there are also plenty of surf schools if it’s your first time on a board and you need some tips. At night, the restaurants and bars around the plaza offer plenty of fun for visitors too.

7. Try the mouthwatering mofongo

Drawing on the territory’s Spanish, African, and Taíno history, the favorite Puerto Rican dish of mofongo features a tight mound of mashed green plantains, traditionally served with meat, seafood, or vegetables. Join an adrenaline-fuelled jet ski tour of the coast, then head to Vittata Gastropub at Rompeolas Beach to replenish with a Cachita Daiquiri, made from rum blended with passion fruit, lime, and coconut foam; alongside their excellent El Mofongo Vittata (fried mashed plantain), served with an earthy porcini broth.

8. Explore the only rainforest in the US

A biodiversity hotspot, El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system and is home to sparkling waterfalls and pools, more than 830 native plant species, wildlife including bats, geckos, and anole lizards, and 97 species of bird including hummingbirds and the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.

You’ll also find 13 of the 17 species of coqui frogs here, and plenty of hiking trails through the soaring tabonuco trees, bromeliads, and ferns.

9. Go on a jet ski adventure in Aguadilla

Get a different view of Puerto Rico’s legendary beaches on a jet ski tour along the coastline with Aguadilla Water Sports . The family-run business has a ‘Top Gun’ fleet of yellow Sea Doo jet skis, and fun guides leading the exploration of the northwest coast’s coves and bays. Ride solo or with a buddy on the back, and don’t forget to pair your phone with the on-board Bluetooth speakers, so you can listen to tunes along the way.

10. Catch a coffee tour in San Lorenzo

With a restaurant, café, and resident peacocks nonchalantly strutting their stuff, Hacienda Muñoz is a serene place to spend a couple of hours learning about Puerto Rico’s coffee-producing past. Surrounded by slopes covered with palms and coffee plants, the family-run hacienda is just 30 minutes from San Juan, and a tour takes visitors through the cultivation process to harvesting, sorting, and roasting, ending with a tasting of some of their award-winning specialty blends in the coffee shop.

11. Search for the endangered Puerto Rican parrot

It’s estimated around one million Puerto Rican parrots inhabited the archipelago at the beginning of the sixteenth century, but the arrival of Spanish colonists took its toll and by 1975, just 13 remained. The Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Plan has helped bring them back from the brink, and despite the devastation caused by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017, there are now an estimated 250 of these endangered endemic parrots in the forests of Maricao, El Yunque, and Río Abajo.

12. Swim with turtles in Culebra and San Juan

The warm waters around the islands of Puerto Rico are a haven for marine life, including dolphins, manatees, and whales, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to swim with turtles on the surrounding reefs. On the island of Culebra, guides lead snorkeling tours of the Luis Peña Nature Reserve, where green turtles graze on the seagrass, while Scuba Dogs at Escambrón Marine Park offers snorkeling and diving a stone’s throw from San Juan, with a good chance of seeing turtles.

13. Explore an underground cave system

Beneath Puerto Rico’s lush mountain peaks and forests lies an equally impressive limestone labyrinth. The Río Camuy Cave Park is the third-largest underground river cavern system in the world. Over 10 miles of caverns and 220 caves have been explored and mapped, but experts believe there could be at least 800 caves waiting to be discovered. There are 18 known entrances and visitors can join tours to see stalagmites and stalactites in the 170-feet-high main cave, Clara.

14. Embrace Barbiecore at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge

Enter a real-life Barbie Land with a visit to the candy-pink salt lakes of the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Puerto Rico. The rosy hue of the pools comes from a combination of algae, salt, bacteria, and water, offering an other-worldly location for an Instagram shoot, before exploring the hiking and biking trails of the 1,800-acre refuge. Nearby, the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse sits high on rugged limestone cliffs, offering epic views of the Caribbean Sea.

15. Live the highlife at classy Condado Beach

Close to the airport, San Juan’s upscale oceanfront district has all you’ll need for a luxe stay, with elegant hotels, beachside restaurants, and big-brand boutiques, plus a long stretch of sand. VIP Adventures  offers water sports rentals, so travelers can explore the lagoon by paddleboard or kayak. Stay at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel for the best views of the coastline, a buzzy cocktail bar, and infinity pool, plus a spa offering the only hammam experience in Puerto Rico.

16. Fly the longest zipline in America

With the longest zipline in America, ToroVerde Adventure Park is not for the fainthearted. The Monster is over 1.5 miles long and hits speeds of up to 95mph, as you fly horizontally above the forested mountain peaks, 1,247 feet up. Meanwhile, The Beast has you soaring like a bird along one of the world ’ s longest single-run ziplines at 4,745 feet, while the Toro Bikes cycle along a cable high in the sky, against a breathtaking backdrop of coastal views.

17. Enjoy a tropical escape in Vieques

Home to a wildlife refuge, the laidback, beautiful isle of Vieques is easily reached by tour boat or ferry from Puerto Rico’s main island. With the world’s brightest body of bioluminescent water at Mosquito Bay, a herd of Spanish Paso Fino horses roaming free, secluded sandy beaches and some of the best snorkeling spots in the territory, Vieques can also be accessed by plane from San Juan and offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury villas to guesthouses.

18. Ride a horse along the beach in Isabela

The dream of horse riding along a windswept beach is a reality in Puerto Rico. Join a two-hour tour with Tropical Trail Rides and you’ll weave through a shady almond-tree forest, before riding along the sweeping sands of Survival Beach on the northwest coast, near Isabela. Owners Craig and Michelle Barker hail from California, came to Puerto Rico for a visit and never went home. As the sun sinks over the ocean, you’ll be tempted to stay too. 

19. See ancient indigenous rock art in Arecibo

When Christopher Columbus sailed into Puerto Rico in 1493 on his second voyage to the Indies, the islands were home to the indigenous Taíno people, and some of their ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings) can still be seen around the island today. One of the most famous spots to view them is the dramatic Cueva del Indio in Arecibo on the Atlantic coast, an hour west of San Juan, which has one of the highest numbers of these culturally significant artworks.

20. Enjoy an extreme adventure in San Cristóbal Canyon

The deepest canyon in the Antilles, San Cristóbal Canyon is Puerto Rico’s adventure playground, offering excellent hiking, rappelling, and swimming amidst its waterfalls, caves, and pools in the central mountains. Go Hiking Puerto Rico keeps thrill-seekers safe and pumped on rock climbing and canyoning day tours, while hikers can enjoy spectacular views of the forests, cliffs, and Usabón River rumbling through the six-mile-long ravine: a protected habitat for a variety of native flora and fauna.

21. Sail to a remote desert island

The coral reefs around Puerto Rico ’ s islands and cays offer some magical snorkeling and diving experiences, and the chance to swim with a huge diversity of tropical fish and larger marine life, including manta rays. Join a catamaran tour or take a water taxi from Fajardo to the deserted island of Cayo Icacos – the largest in a remote collection of sandy cays in La Cordillera Nature Reserve – and you’ll soon be snorkeling in some of the east coast’s clearest waters.

Now check out these incredible private islands you can actually afford to rent

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