My Favorite 7 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary (from a Boricua) 

Thinking of visiting Puerto Rico for a week and want to make the most of it? This Puerto Rico 7-Day Itinerary is for you! As a Nuyorican, my family is originally from Puerto Rico. Now I’ve spent time there exploring with a hybrid Boricua + tourist perspective to experience some of the coolest things to do in PR.

In this itinerary, I recommend places to explore beyond San Juan, but I do recommend you spend as little time as possible hotel hopping. With that in mind, I recommend staying all six nights in San Juan or splitting it with a stay in the east (4 nights San Juan, 2 nights east).

Either way, the activities and restaurants I suggest for your trip will make for an unforgettable Puerto Rico vacation. And if you want a list of activities to make sure you don’t miss, I also wrote a guide on adventurous activities in Puerto Rico – although many of those suggestions also pop up in this 7 day Puerto Rico itinerary. 

Read on and use this as your guide to experience some of the best la isla has to offer!

Where To Stay In Puerto Rico

San Juan is the most popular city to stay in Puerto Rico because of airport proximity and Uber availability. For this 7 day Puerto Rico itinerary, I recommend Old San Juan, Condado, and Isla Verde as the best areas to stay in or near while there (especially if it is your first time visiting).

Luquillo is also a great area to stay in thanks to its proximity to the airport, El Yunque, and other adventure activities. 

• In San Juan, beachfront: I’ve stayed at the Caribe Hilton on the beach, nestled between Old San Juan and Condado, which was fantastic. And since I am a Hilton Gold member through my Amex Platinum card benefit, I got upgraded to an oceanview room and received free daily breakfast for me and a guest. 
• In Old San Juan: You may want to stay in Old San Juan if you are seeking some more traditional or boutique options and less extensive resorts. But fair warning, the options will be smaller in size and limited depending on your budget (also difficult to find a spot with a large pool). I love the Decanter Hotel because it is a nice mixture of contemporary vs. charming, and has a great rooftop terrace (“Bar Cathedral”).
• In Luquillo: I stayed at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in the Rio Grande area (east region), which is also a beach resort. The rooms offer stunning views of either the beach or the rainforest landscape, and the restaurants here are really delicious. 

How To Get Around Puerto Rico

The best way to get around Puerto Rico is via rental car or chauffeured transport because there aren’t as many rideshare services outside the metro areas. Uber is officially available in San Juan and Ponce but if you want to explore more of the island it’ll be harder to arrange. 

I used a mix of Uber within San Juan, and tour companies / private transportation for exploring beyond. If you don’t want to rent a car, I recommend Bespoke Lifestyle Management. They arranged my Puerto Rico itinerary when I went to the east region) and West Side Destinations (they led my tour to the west coast of the island).

Is Puerto Rico Cheap Or Expensive?

Being an island, Puerto Rico does not have a low cost of living. You can expect the cost of hotels, tours, and food to be on the moderate to higher end depending on where you go (which is pretty on par with most islands).

It is totally doable with planning, but many new visitors incorrectly assume there will be South America prices because it is a Spanish-speaking country. (But hey, now you know!)

Like any other place, prices vary with seasonality so you can expect the highest prices during winter travel like December.

• Travel tip: currency in Puerto Rico is in US Dollars. Puerto Rico is part of the United States and US citizens do not need a passport.

Day 1 In Puerto Rico: Explore Old San Juan

Welcome to Puerto Rico! I took an Uber from the SJU airport and it was super easy to get picked up. It cost $12.98 to get to my hotel.

To kick off your one week in Puerto Rico, I recommend you hit the ground running with good walking shoes (my go-to’s are these stylish white sneakers from Dr. Scholl’s). Soaking in the colorful sights in Old San Juan is the perfect welcome to the island.

Stroll on your own or join a walking tour to get a taste of the city. I recommend a food tour if you are into exploring the flavors of San Juan’s foodie scene — my recs are below. 

Where To Stay In San Juan:

• Outside of Old San Juan: Caribe Hilton beachfront resort 
• Within Old San Juan: Decanter Hotel

San Juan Food Tour Recommendations:

I used The Spoon Experience for my walking food tour and they have both a morning and sunset food tour (I chose sunset for cooler weather) that also includes a bit of history. 

If you are on a budget but still want some guided history lessons, I recommend trying a free walking tour instead. OSJ Free Walking Tour has a guided walk every day at 10 am.

If you’re not too lethargic after a day of walking and eating, put on your salsa-dancing shoes while you’re out! La Factoria is a top 50 bar in the world and a hip place for cocktails and dancing in Old San Juan.

San Juan Lunch Recommendations:

If you do the evening food tour I suggested, I recommend keeping lunch light because there’s a lot of food and you will be full by the end. 

• Try the Ikura Bistro Sushi Bar near the Caribe Hilton: a hole-in-the-wall spot that had surprisingly amazing sushi and gyoza. You order through a window for takeaway.
• Alternatively, if you prefer Puerto Rican frituras (fried appetizers), I recommend Cafe Tropical, also near the Caribe Hilton, which I went to a couple of times for alcapurria and pastelillos (like empanadas).

Old San Juan Restaurant Recommendation:

If you do the morning food tour, you might have regained your appetite, so I recommend you treat yourself to a luxurious 5-course chef’s tasting menu at Marmalade. It is steep, at about $135 per person but we felt it was worth it. We even had a friend ask for the recipe for their famous soup.

Day 2 In Puerto Rico: Visit Famous Sites In San Juan

Castillo San Felipe del Morro (or just “El Morro”) is one of San Juan’s most famous landmarks, and if you are a history buff or love visiting National Historic sites, you might be interested in this one! Head there in the morning (9 am) after your hotel breakfast or cafecito so you can avoid the high sun.

There’s also Casa Bacardi nearby in Cataño, which is a popular spot to visit as Puerto Rico is known for its rum. Take a distillery tour there – it is easily accessible by ferry from Old San Juan to Cataño Pier (plus you’ll get to ride the ferry!) 

With any downtime in your schedule, take advantage of your hotel’s beach or pool for ultimate relaxation too – you are in paradise after all!

This is a great opportunity to try a Piña Colada, as Puerto Rico (and the Caribe Hilton specifically) is the birthplace of the popular cocktail. You can also ask for a non-alcoholic version too, which is equally yummy.

San Juan Tour Recommendations:

• Castillo San Felipe del Morro guided tour with entry to El Morro included and a guided walking tour of Old San Juan (you can also just visit El Morro on your own; entry is $10 or free with your national park pass.)
• Visit Casa Bacardi via ferry from Old San Juan; tour options can be selected on their website in advance and run every 1-2 hours.

San Juan Restaurant Recommendations:

Enjoy a scenic lunch at La Garita near El Morro before visiting the Bacardi Distillery. They specialize in different mofongos and seafood salads. Plus there are plenty of traditional Puerto Rican sides you can enjoy (plantains, rice, and beans) while enjoying the serene ocean view.

For dinner, I highly recommend you head out to Cocina Abierta for what I consider to probably be my favorite elevated dining experience in all of Puerto Rico. This restaurant has a locally-sourced five-course tasting menu and costs $85 per person. I’ve been multiple times and it consistently exceeds my expectations.

Day 3 In Puerto Rico: Day Trip To The West

The great thing about Puerto Rico is you can drive around the whole island in one day. There’s so much to see but in terms of driving distance – you have an advantage. 

That’s why your third day in Puerto Rico is a great opportunity to get out of San Juan and explore the western region. I used the tour company West Side Destinations to help navigate that since I didn’t have a car to do it on my own. 

We visited Isabela, Aguadilla, and Rincón and it took a full day. The tour provided a mofongo lunch (which is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made of mashed green plantains) as well as a trip to Crash Boat Beach, so bring your swimsuit and be sure to try piragua icees to cool off. 

By doing a tour you’ll be able to add some context to all the driving, since there are a number of historical sites, like Guajataca Tunnel, and scenic overlooks to visit along the way.  

West Coast Tour Recommendation From San Juan:

This is the Let’s Go West tour that I took with West Side Destinations. They also have a second west coast tour that explores more of Cabo Rojo’s natural salt pools. Both are 12-hour excursions with lunch included.

Santurce Restaurant Recommendation:

Once you get back to your San Juan hotel, you might be starving (I was). So I recommend trying Vianda in Santurce. It is a quick ride from central San Juan via Uber and I’d say it was a very close tie with Cocina Abierta in terms of being my favorites. 

A James-Beard semifinalist, their seasonal menu is fresh and creative, and the restaurant setting is industrial chic. They were also able to squeeze us in last minute even though it seemed like there were no reservations available online – so definitely call if you have any trouble.

If you fancy a night out after dinner, La Placita is right there too. It is a farmer’s market by day that transforms into a hotspot of live music and dancing by night.

Day 4 In Puerto Rico: La Ruta De Lechón

Puerto Rico is known for beautiful beaches, warm island weather, and FOOD – including pork. So naturally, there is a pork highway! Spend your fourth day in Puerto Rico exploring La Ruta de Lechón in Guavate.

• Note for NON-PORK EATERS: I realize not everyone eats pork (or meat), so if that doesn’t speak to you this would be a good time to spend the day enjoying water activities like this Aquatic Biking Adventure or Beginner Scuba Diving Tour with Turtles.

Guavate is a scenic mountainous area located in the southeast region of Puerto Rico. Here you can find a string of lechóneras along Route 184, which are roast pork eateries so to speak. 

This countryside gem offers the best slow-roasted pork (lechón) along with traditional Puerto Rican staples like arroz con gandules, mofongo, platanos, and more. And if you’re all porked out, you can also enjoy roasted chicken too.

La Ruta De Lechon Tour Recommendation:

If you have a car, explore the Pork Highway at your own pace; it is only an hour’s drive from San Juan. Visit restaurants like Lechónera Los Amigos, El Rancho Original, and Lechonera Los Pinos.

For a dedicated guided tour with transportation included, consider a private gastronomic tour of Puerto Rico’s pork highway with Bespoke Lifestyle Management tour company (as mentioned, I used them for my east region tour and they transported us in a luxury van). 

San Juan Restaurant Recommendations:

I’d imagine that if you do La Ruta de Lechón it will cover your lunch and dinner – so filling! But if you are hungry (or if you skipped the pork route and chose water activities instead) head to Distrito T-Mobile for a lively dinner experience. 

There are a bunch of restaurants in this outdoor courtyard (of various cuisines) and just an overall fun vibe. When I went my conference threw a party there so it was extra lively, but there are plenty of local people who go regularly. 

Alternatively, head back to Old San Juan and dine at Princesa Cocina Cultura — try their acclaimed firewood-roasted fresh catch of the day.

Day 5 In Puerto Rico: Luquillo And Eastern Region

Next, you have a choice: you can either remain at your San Juan hotel for the entire 7 Day Puerto Rico itinerary or split your accommodation schedule and head a bit more east for a different vibe. 

I chose the latter because it is closer to the rest of the adventure activities in Puerto Rico, as well as the restaurants, recommended on this itinerary. 

I relocated to a hotel in Luquillo, PR at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf and Beach Resort. It was right on the beach and the perfect jump-off point for indulging in local frituras, frolicking in the rainforest, and exploring Puerto Rico’s emerging BBQ scene. If you come before check-in the hotel will hold your bags so you can enjoy adventures for the day.

Fajardo Boat Tour Recommendation: 

This would be a fantastic day to go boating. Fajardo stretches the farthest east and is ideal for exploring the other islands for a snorkel adventure. I did a morning mini-boat tour to Icacos Island and it was so much fun! They also offer an afternoon tour.

Fajardo Restaurant Recommendations:

After boating, visit El Cayo for a quintessential coastal lunch; try the fritura appetizer platter, maduros (sweet plantains), and fish tacos. 

But save some room for dinner because I recommend Nuyorican-owned La Estación for a mouthwatering BBQ dinner in the evening. Try the pulled pork kayak and award-winning brisket. 

>> Watch my video highlighting great restaurants I tried in the East Region, including the two I mentioned!

Day 6 In Puerto Rico: El Yunque National Forest

Luquillo is a great town to establish a base because it is only 15 minutes from El Yunque National Forest (which is the only rainforest in the US National Forest system). A day in nature would be perfect for today!

You can go ziplining or ride ATVs if you want a bit of thrill, go for a hike along the forest’s many trails, or have a relaxing visit to explore the visitor center’s interactive exhibits at El Portal del Yunque.

El Yunque Tour Recommendations:

Explore El Yunque from various heights while soaring through the forest canopy on this forest zipline tour. The tour is with Rainforest Zipline and is very beginner-friendly.

If you want to have a day of adventure in both the rainforest and experience the beauty of Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays, I recommend doing something more extensive like this hiking and evening kayaking tour (lunch stop is included but not paid for).

Luquillo Restaurant Recommendations:

If you do a morning half-day adventure in El Yunque, I’d recommend heading back to the hotel to enjoy one of their onsite restaurants. 

I really enjoyed eating at Iguanas Cocina Puertorriqueño onsite — even though it is a hotel restaurant, the flavors are Boricua approved (by me)! This is also a great time to kick back and enjoy the resort’s amenities: hang by the pool or go to the beach. 

If you are loving the BBQ scene here in the east region, definitely check out Smoky Joe’s BBQ Caribbean Grill for dinner. He is an award-winning chef known for his BBQ island cuisine.

Day 7 In Puerto Rico: Culture In Loíza

If you leave on day seven, I recommend having a later flight so you can squeeze in two more quintessential Puerto Rico activities in the morning (the airport is super close anyway, plus the Priority Pass lounges at SJU weren’t great so you don’t want to be sitting bored in the airport).

Use this last day to celebrate Puerto Rico’s African heritage with a visit to Loíza. Puerto Ricans are a beautiful mixture of African, Spanish, and Indigenous roots, yet society often ignores the African part!

The town of Loíza has the largest population of African descendants on the island, and you can immerse yourself in much of our diverse culture there. The below activities are perfect if you have 3-4 hours to spare.

Loiza Tour Recommendations:

Learn to dance Bomba: a traditional dance unique to Puerto Rico and its African heritage. It was created in the sugar plantations and holds deep connection to the spirit of our ancestors. 

A unique dance where the dancer leads the drummer, instead of the other way around, you can take a Bomba class right on the beach with Taller N’Zambi. That’s where I had my Bomba dancing class and it was so much fun (dresses provided) – just inbox her on Instagram to inquire.

Nearby, you can also make a quick visit to the highly respected artist, Samuel Lind’s studio. This Loíza-based artist celebrates Puerto Rico’s Afro-Latino culture through his paintings and murals, and even has some of his work on the mainland. 

Loiza Restaurant Recommendation:

If you want to grab lunch before heading to the airport, there’s a small restaurant nearby called Rafi’s Restaurant that has delicious traditional Puerto Rican dishes like seafood or chuletas (pork chops), and frituras. The food came out a little slow so only go if you aren’t tight on time.

If you have the option to add a few extra days, I highly recommend considering a day or two visiting the beautiful island of Vieques. There are wild horses there, breathtaking beaches, and also a famous bioluminescent bay!

In my Puerto Rico adventure guide I share tour suggestions for activities on Vieques island.

With extra time in Puerto Rico, you can also visit the second biggest city in Puerto Rico: Ponce. Or chill in the laid-back west coast and try some surf classes in Rincón. 

Last, if wellness and connecting with nature are important to you, consider retreating for a few days in the countryside. I haven’t been but Casa Grande Mountain Retreat is on my wishlist!

Whichever You Choose, I Hope You Enjoy Your Vacation In Puerto Rico!

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