Puerto Rico is the easternmost island of the Greater Antilles and is located east of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Sea.
This is a perfect trip for those travelers who want to visit cities and then rest on idyllic beaches. The island is suitable for all types of visitors, from families with children, newly married couples, retirees, friends who come in search of adventure, etc.
Puerto Rico offers a variety of accommodations. Ponce is Puerto Rico’s other great city in history and known as “The Pearl of the South” can serve as a base for exploring the south of the island. Fajardo is very popular with tourists, especially local tourists, because of its seafood, hotels, the proximity to the small islands of Palomino, Icacos and Palominito, and the many daily trips that are available to Vieques and Culebra. Vieques Island is the perfect island for sunbathing and contemplation.
If you are interested in knowing where to stay in Puerto Rico you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in the Dominican Republic, where to stay in the Bahamas and where to stay in Bermuda.
Best places to stay in Puerto Rico
San Juan
Officially called Municipality of San Juan Bautista, it is the capital of Puerto Rico and is located in the northwest region of the coastal plains.Surrounded by Aguas Buenas and Caguas to the north, Guaynabo and Bayamón and to the west by Carolina and Trujillo alto.
This lively city provides the visitor with a great repertoire of leisure attractions.The historic district of Old San Juan, located on the islet of San Juan, is the most touristy part of the city, characterized by cobblestone streets and brightly colored colonial buildings. Visitors should not miss the Fort of San Felipe del Morro, the Fort of San Cristobal, the Fort of San Geronimo, the Cathedral of San Juan, the Chapel of Christ and the Plaza Quinto Centenario.
In the area of the Plaza del Mercado there is a very authentic atmosphere and you will be able to see the day to day life of the locals, it is a place with abundant restaurants and bars where you will be able to taste the delicious gastronomy of Puerto Rico, another of the most popular places is the Botanical Garden of San Juan, a tropical space within the city that you cannot miss.
In the metropolitan area of San Juan you can also spend a pleasant day of sun and sea in the fantastic beach of El Escambrón, which is one of the oldest in America and the most popular tourist area of the island.
If you want to stay in San Juan you have several options: You can choose to stay in the old town, where you will find rooms for less than 20 euros per night.’, ‘If you prefer a more exclusive area, we recommend staying in the Condado area, where you will find luxury hotels with all kinds of services; casinos, restaurants, boutiques, etc.
Read more about where to stay in San Juan
Ponce
It is the second largest city in Puerto Rico and is located in the southern part of the island, facing the Caribbean Sea.It is possibly the most stately and colonial place in Puerto Rico.
There is a lot to see in Ponce. We recommend visiting the beautiful Guadalupe Cathedral, the Serrallés Castle and the most important tourist attraction, the Ponce Museum of Art (MAP).Another symbol of the city is the Parque de las Bombas from 1863 and is located in the central plaza of Las Delicias.
Formerly an exhibition pavilion, today it houses a museum in honor of the heroic firemen of Ponce.the gothic architecture and the red and black color of its walls have made it one of the most emblematic places of this city.The Hacienda Buena Vista Natural Reserve is another place not to be missed, a museum and coffee plantation that is a true marvel of nineteenth-century green engineering, with exuberant vegetation and beauty, and a perfect excursion for the youngest members of the family.
South of Ponce, half an hour by boat, is the famous Caja de Muertos Natural Reserve.This small island is surrounded by beautiful turquoise beaches and is a little piece of land in a natural paradise.If you prefer to rest in a more exclusive area, there are numerous resorts with spectacular facilities on the outskirts of the city.
Hotels in Ponce
Arecibo
If you want to discover the more adventurous side of Puerto Rico, this municipality offers a wide range of activities.With 126 square miles it is considered the largest town on the island.
It has unparalleled geographical characteristics and a great ecological diversity.dubbed the “Diamond of the North”, you can enjoy beautiful beaches, a wetland-estuary, a system of caves, forests, rivers, reservoirs, etc.
The largest radio telescope in the world was built in Arecibo due to its geographical conditions.
This place offers you a very authentic type of accommodation, it is very common to stay in guest houses where the visitor feels like one of the family, although if you are more used to staying in hotels, you will also find the main hotel chains.
Hotels in Arecibo
Fajardo
In the east of the island is the municipality of Fajardo, also known as “The Metropolis of the Rising Sun” (the city that guards the Caribbean sun).
This area is very popular because of Las Cabezas de San Juan, one of the most important natural areas of Puerto Rico.It extends over 128 hectares and includes several different ecological systems, from coral reefs, dream beaches, lagoons, mangroves, dry forests, etc. Once there, you can also visit the beautifully restored Lighthouse of Las Cabezas de San Juan, where you can have an impressive view of El Yunque National Forest.
In Fajardo there are many charters that will also take you to other beautiful islands such as Icacos, Palominos, Palominitos, Diablos and several uninhabited coral islands.
Here you will find accommodations for all tastes and needs, from 5-star hotels with maximum luxury, next to the beach and with impressive views, to something more economical, where you can rest in local homes and enjoy the authentic Puerto Rican life.
Hotels in Fajardo
Vieques Island
Only 7 miles from the east coast is the town of Vieques, known by locals as ‘Isla Nena’, one of the great tourist attractions of Puerto Rico worldwide.But without a doubt the greatest attraction of Vieques is Mosquito Bay, the most brilliant bioluminescent bay in the world, according to the Guinness Book.
It is only 21 miles long and 5 miles at its widest point: Elizabeth II, where the vast majority of boats are, and Esperanza, an area of beautiful beaches, the promenade, picturesque houses and excellent restaurants.
It is a fantastic place to rest and spend a relaxing holiday.In spite of its size, Vieques has a varied hotel offer, with hotels for all budgets, from 5 stars to guest houses and even a campsite.
