How To Spend 2 Weeks In Puerto Rico – Detailed Itinerary

Are you craving a tropical escape filled with sunshine, adventure and relaxation? Look no further than Puerto Rico! 

This vibrant island paradise is a must-visit destination offering everything from stunning beaches and lush rainforests to historic forts and delicious cuisine. 

If you’re planning on spending 2 weeks in Puerto Rico then this is the guide for you as I cover in detail exactly what to do and where to go.

Let’s jump straight to the good stuff…

2 Week Puerto Rico Itinerary

This itinerary works best if you have a rental car as you can drive round the island on your own schedule. You can alternatively use taxis or public transport to get around.

In the rest of this post, I’ll go into a lot more detail on the itinerary including exactly what you should do each day.

Days 1-2: San Juan

Where To Stay: Condado Vanderbilt Hotel (Top Pick 🏆)

Day 1: Explore Old San Juan

Start the day by exploring the colorful streets of Old San Juan, filled with historic buildings, cobblestone streets, museums and galleries.

The easiest way to see all that Old San Juan has to offer is by joining a walking tour of the city. 

Your expert guide will take you to all of the top attractions and they give you all the history behind it (which is super interesting by the way).

This tour features small group sizes and is narrated by a knowledgeable author.

After you’re done with your walking tour, head up to Castillo San Felipe del Morro which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Puerto Rico’s most iconic landmarks. 

This six-level fortress was built in the 16th century to protect the city from attacks.

You can explore the fort’s many tunnels and dungeons and then make your way up to the top level where you can enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the afternoon, you should visit the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista which is one of the oldest churches in the Americas.

End the day by strolling along the Paseo de la Princesa, a beautiful promenade that leads to the waterfront.

Day 2: Beach Day & Condado Lagoon

Start your day by heading over to one of San Juan’s best beaches, Escambrón Beach, which is known for its crystal clear waters and golden sand.

It’s a great spot for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling as the water is super calm and there’s tons of marine life. It’s also the best place to see turtles in Puerto Rico!

I’d recommend joining this snorkeling tour at Escambrón Beach as it’s the best way to get up close & personal with marine life and it has over 3,400 five-star reviews!

Afterwards you can just spend some time relaxing on the beach!

At sunset, you can head over to Condado Lagoon for a night kayaking excursion. As you kayak around the lagoon, you’ll watch the cityscape as it turns from day to night.

The kayaks are fitted with LED lights so you can see where you’re going.

One bonus is that Condado Lagoon is one of the best places to see dolphins and manatees in the whole of Puerto Rico!

Days 3-4: Luquillo & El Yunque National Forest

Where To Stay: Wyndham Grand Rio Mar (Top Pick 🏆)

Day 3: Beach Day & Horseback Riding

Start your day by driving east from San Juan to Luquillo which is just 45-minutes away.

Your first stop should be Luquillo Beach which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico.

Spend the morning soaking up the sun, swimming in the ocean and relaxing on the sand.

In the afternoon, take a horseback riding tour on the beach with one of the many companies that offer this experience in the area.

Luquillo is actually the best place to go horseback riding in Puerto Rico as you get to ride through the jungle and along the beach and in the water. 

This horseback riding tour is super highly rated and is perfect for all levels of rider including complete beginners.

Enjoy the stunning views of the coastline and the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean as you ride along the sand.

Day 4: El Yunque National Forest

Take a day trip to El Yunque National Forest which is located about 30 minutes from Luquillo.

El Yunque is a lush tropical rainforest that spans over 28,000 acres and is home to hundreds of plant and animal species including some that are endangered. 

You’ll find towering trees, cascading waterfalls and winding streams throughout the forest making it a perfect spot for hiking and swimming.

It’s a pretty cool place to explore if you’re into nature and outdoor activities.

I’d recommend joining this full-day El Yunque guided tour which includes a hike through the rainforest and a kayaking activity in the bioluminescent bay.

The guides will pick you up from the meeting point in Luquillo and off you go!

You’ll spend the morning hiking through the lush rainforest, stopping to take in the breathtaking views and swim in natural pools and waterfalls.

Then you’ll spend the evening kayaking through the bioluminescent bay which glows when disturbed (it’s all due to tiny microorganisms present in the water).

Day 5: Culebra

Take a day trip over to Culebra which is a small island located just off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. 

It’s particularly known for its charming beaches and crystal clear waters which are teeming with marine life. It’s actually one of Puerto Rico’s best snorkeling spots!

The island is just 7 miles long and 3 miles wide making it easy to cover in just one day.

To make things super easy, I’d recommend joining this Culebra day tour which includes transportation to/from the island as well as a guided tour of the whole island!

You’ll spend the day snorkeling in the ocean with sea turtles, stingrays and tropical fish, exploring the island’s picturesque beaches and sailing up the coastline.

Flamenco Beach, located on Culebra, is often considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. 

It has powdery white sand and the ocean is some of the bluest I’ve ever seen!

You could also take a hike to Culebrita which is a small secluded islet with a lighthouse and tide pools.

Days 6-7: Vieques

Where To Stay: Puertas (Top Pick 🏆)

Day 6: Beach Day & Bioluminescent Bay

Take a morning ferry from Ceiba Ferry Terminal to Vieques which departs several times a day.

You can easily do a day trip to Vieques but I think that 2 days on the island is better to fully experience all that it has to offer.

Once on the island, head over to Esperanza Beach which is one of the island’s most popular and beautiful beaches.

Spend the morning soaking up the sun, swimming in the crystal clear waters and relaxing on the sand.

You can even rent some snorkeling gear and explore the underwater world. You’ll likely come face to face with a range of marine life including turtles, rays and colorful fishies.

At around sunset, head over to Mosquito Bay and join a nighttime kayaking excursion around the bay.

Mosquito Bay is actually the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay so this activity really is a must-do.

You’ll spend the evening kayaking around the bay, watching as the water begins to glow around you every time it’s disturbed. It’s pretty magical to say the least.

After your tour, you can spend the rest of your evening exploring the town of Esperanza which has a lively nightlife scene with plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from.

Day 7: Beaches & Hiking

Start your second day in Vieques with a visit to Sun Bay Beach which is a tranquil golden beach that stretches on for 2 miles. 

You could easily spend all morning here as the beach has tons of facilities and activities. This beach never gets super busy and even has wild horses roaming around!

You can also take a hike along the nearby trail to the top of the hill to see stunning panoramic views of the island and the sea.

In the afternoon, visit the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area that covers almost 18,000 acres of land and sea. 

It features secluded beaches, coastal lagoons, luscious mangroves and jungle areas.

You can join a guided tour of the refuge when you get there to see the island’s wildlife including sea turtles, lizards and a variety of bird species.

Once you’re done, make your way over to Red Beach, which is one of the most secluded beaches on the island, for sunset. 

The sand has a slight red hue (hence the name) which makes it pretty unique. It’s also a popular spot for snorkeling and swimming.

At the end of the day, you can catch the last ferry back to Ceiba on Puerto Rico’s mainland (or take it the next morning).

Days 8-9: Ponce

Where To Stay: Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort (Top Pick 🏆)

Day 8: Explore Ponce

Start your day early by driving over to Ponce from Ceiba. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. 

Ponce is a historic city located on Puerto Rico’s southern coast known for its colorful architecture, cultural landmarks and lively arts scene. It’s known as the ‘Pearl of the South’ by the locals.

I’d recommend joining this Ponce walking tour where an expert guide will show you around the city and explain all of the history.

You’ll visit the city’s top attractions including the historic Ponce City Hall, a beautiful colonial-style building, and the Parque de Bombas, a vibrant red and black fire station that now serves as a museum and symbol of the city’s firefighting history.

After your walking tour, head over to the Ponce Museum of Art which features over 1,000 pieces of art, including works by local artists and famous international artists.

You can take a guided tour of the museum to learn more about the history and culture of the island.

In the afternoon, take a stroll through the Ponce Plaza, a picturesque square in the heart of the city with a wide range of shops, restaurants and historic buildings. 

This is a great place to try out some traditional Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo (mashed up plantain).

After dinner, take a walk along the La Guancha Boardwalk which gets lively in the evenings and is popular with both locals and tourists. 

You’ll find many street food stalls, bars and live music venues.

Day 9: History & Culture

Start your second day in Ponce with a visit to the Museo Castillo Serrallés, a beautiful Spanish Revival-style mansion that was once home to the family behind the famous Don Q rum.

You can join a guided tour of the mansion and learn about the history of the family and their impact on the island’s economy or just explore by yourself.

Afterwards, visit the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center, a fascinating archaeological site that provides insight into the lives and culture of the Taíno people, who were the indigenous inhabitants of the island before the arrival of the Spanish.

The site wasn’t discovered until the 1970s during the construction of a baseball field. 

It’s believed to have been a Taíno village that dates back to around 300 AD making it one of the oldest known settlements on the island.

In the evening, you can spend some time exploring downtown Ponce which is filled with plenty of colorful buildings.

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city to see the sights in a unique way.

Day 10: Guanica

Where To Stay: Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa (Top Pick 🏆)

Start your day by driving over to Guanica from Ponce, the drive takes just 35 minutes (alternatively you could drive the night before if you prefer).

Guanica is known to be one of Puerto Rico’s most breathtaking areas due to its natural beauty.

Once you arrive, head over to the Guanica Dry Forest Reserve which is one of the most unique and ecologically diverse places on the island. In a nutshell, it’s a tropical heaven!

You can take a hike along one of the reserve’s many trails and explore the area’s unique flora and fauna. There’s actually over 600 different types of animals and plants to see.

Some of the trails lead to remote beaches whilst others lead to natural caves and epic viewpoints.

After exploring the reserve, head over to Gilligan’s Island which is a small islet that lies just off the coast of Guanica. This little island is completely untouched so has a natural, rugged feel to it.

You can rent a kayak from the Copamarina Beach Resort and paddle over to the island to spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach, snorkeling or swimming in the crystal clear waters.

The water surrounding Gilligan’s Island is absolutely teeming with marine life so you’ll likely come face to face with turtles, tropical fish, rays and more.

As the sun starts to set, head back to Guanica and enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants. 

End your day with a stroll along the beach or a drink at one of the beach bars.

Day 11: La Parguera

Where To Stay: La Jamaca (Top Pick 🏆)

Start your day by driving over to La Parguera from Guanica. The drive takes just 20 minutes.

Spend your morning exploring the mangrove channels and small islands near La Parguera on this guided water bike tour.

You’ll pass by floating houses and you might even be able to see manatees, turtles or even iguanas swimming amongst the mangroves!

In the afternoon, take the boat over to Isla Mata La Gata which is a small mangrove island near La Parguera that offers beautiful views of the mainland and great snorkeling opportunities. 

On the island, you can relax on the beach, take a walk through the mangrove forest, take a dip in the ocean or go snorkeling. It’s super peaceful and doesn’t get too busy.

In the evening, you can explore La Parguera’s waterfront boardwalk which offers great views of the ocean and is lined with restaurants and bars.

Days 12-13: Rincón

Where To Stay: Tres Sirenas Beach Inn (Top Pick 🏆)

Day 12: Lighthouse & Beach Day

Start your day by driving up to Rincón from La Parguera. The drive will take around 1 hour.

Once you arrive, head over to the El Faro Lighthouse which is located on a hilltop overlooking the ocean. 

You can spend some time enjoying the panoramic views and take a walk around the lighthouse grounds.

Spend the afternoon relaxing on one of Rincón’s beautiful beaches. My personal favorite one is Domes Beach but Sandy Beach is another popular one.

Both of these beaches are known for their excellent surfing but also offer plenty of space for swimming and relaxing on the sand.

End your day by watching the sunset from Steps Beach. This tranquil beach offers stunning views of the sun setting over the water and even has a swing to sit on.

Day 13: Snorkeling & Culture

After breakfast, head out on a snorkeling adventure by joining a snorkeling tour like this.

Rincón offers some of the best snorkeling in the whole of Puerto Rico so it’s a must-do activity. You’ll come face to face with sea turtles, coral and tons of tropical fish species.

This snorkeling tour features small group sizes so you’ll get lots of attention from the guide who will explain what it is you’re looking at.

In the afternoon, you can spend some time exploring Rincón’s downtown area, which offers plenty of shopping and dining options. 

Make sure to check out the farmer’s market and the Rincón Marina area so you can grab yourself a locally made craft item as a souvenir.

Stop off at the Rincón Art Walk which is a collection of galleries and art shops that showcases the work of local artists.

Finally, watch another beautiful sunset at one of Rincón’s many beach bars or restaurants. My personal favorite for sunset is Caddys Calypso Cafe which looks out over the ocean.

If you’re visiting between January to March then lucky you, that’s when you can go whale watching in Puerto Rico! 

Rincón is one of the island’s best spots for spotting whales, you’ll often be able to see them jumping out of the water from the beaches or from the viewpoint at El Faro lighthouse.

Day 14: Departure

It’s home time!

You can drive back to San Juan in the morning from Rincón. The drive takes approximately 2 hours.

If you have an early flight then you might want to drive back the night before.

And that’s a wrap on this 2-week itinerary which tells you exactly how to spend 2 weeks in Puerto Rico.

From the vibrant culture of San Juan to the stunning natural beauty of the island’s many beaches, forests and islets, there’s truly something for everyone in this tropical paradise.

Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation or a bit of both, Puerto Rico offers endless possibilities for exploring and discovering something new. 

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How To Spend 2 Weeks In Puerto Rico – Detailed Itinerary