Seven days is the sweet spot for Puerto Rico. Enough time to experience the highlights without rushing. Here is our recommended day-by-day itinerary, tested and refined through years of hosting thousands of guests.
Day 1: Arrive and Settle into San Juan
Fly into SJU airport. Check into your vacation rental in Condado or Old San Juan. Spend the afternoon at the beach or exploring your neighborhood. For dinner, head to La Placita in Santurce for the quintessential San Juan evening: street food, salsa music, and open-air bars. This is where locals go on Thursday through Saturday nights.
Day 2: Old San Juan
Dedicate a full day to Old San Juan. Start at Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) in the morning before the heat builds. Walk the cobblestone streets, explore Calle del Cristo shops and galleries, grab lunch at El Jibarito for mofongo, visit the San Juan Cathedral, and end with sunset drinks at La Factoria. Allow 6-8 hours to do it justice.
Day 3: El Yunque Rainforest
Reserve your El Yunque entry online in advance ($2 per person). Arrive early (before 9am) for the best experience. Hike La Mina Falls trail (moderate, 45 minutes each way) and swim in the natural pool at the base. Stop at the Luquillo food kiosks on your way back for alcapurrias and cold Medalla beer. Return to San Juan by afternoon.
Day 4: Beach Day and Condado
Relax. Spend the morning at Condado Beach or Ocean Park. Rent a paddleboard on the Condado Lagoon in the afternoon. Shop along Ashford Avenue. For dinner, try Cocina Abierta or Vianda in Santurce for some of the best food on the island.
Day 5: Bioluminescent Bay
Book a guided kayak tour of the Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay in Fajardo (45 minutes from San Juan). Tours depart at sunset and last about 2 hours. Go during a new moon for the brightest experience. On the way, stop at Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo for a swim. This is one of the most magical experiences in all of Puerto Rico.
Day 6: West Coast Day Trip or Vieques
Option A (West Coast): Drive to Rincon (2.5 hours). Watch surfers at Domes Beach, snorkel at Steps Beach, eat at The English Rose for brunch, and catch the legendary Rincon sunset from the lighthouse. Drive back or stay overnight.
Option B (Vieques): Take the early ferry from Ceiba to Vieques. Rent a car on the island. Visit Sun Bay Beach, explore the wild horses, and book a Mosquito Bay bioluminescent tour (the brightest bio bay in the world). Stay overnight on Vieques if possible.
Day 7: Final Morning and Departure
Sleep in. Grab a cafe con leche and a mallorca (sweet bread sandwich) from a local bakery. Do any last-minute shopping in Old San Juan or Condado. If your flight is in the evening, squeeze in one final beach session at Isla Verde (closest to the airport). Head to SJU with plenty of time for the USDA agriculture inspection before TSA.
Pro Tips
Rent a car for days 3, 5, and 6 only. You do not need one for San Juan days. Book El Yunque and bio bay tours in advance, especially during peak season. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a rain jacket for El Yunque. And book your vacation rental directly to save 15-20% vs Airbnb.