The notebook of Porto Rico
Switch from a port to an open landscape.
Old Hispanic cities, tropical forest and karst relief give the island a rare diversity in the American Caribbean.
At your own pace
Identity summary
2 to 6 days
Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Recommended car
Island · Coast · Forest · Heritage
Variable accessibility
Sweet rhythm
General presentation
Porto Rico
Old Hispanic cities, tropical forest and karst relief give the island a rare diversity in the American Caribbean.
The discovery of Puerto Rico is centred around Old San Juan, the National Forest of El Yunque and the Historic Zone of Ponce. The stay thus alternates between island landscapes, coastline, forests and heritage, giving a concrete picture of the destination beyond its only best known site.
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For a stay of 2 to 6 days, a quiet rhythm works well. Also to be anticipated: variable influx depending on the season. A car is usually the easiest way to connect the different sectors. Accessibility varies from site to site and deserves to be verified step by step.
Strengths and constraints
Strengths
- Old San Juan
- El Yunque National Forest
- Historical area of Ponce
Before you choose
- Variable frequency depending on season
- Parking to anticipate in the center
Places worth visiting
A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.
Place indismissible
Vieux San Juan
The Vieux San Juan Concentrates cobbled streets, colourful houses, wrought iron balconies and Spanish fortifications on a peninsula facing the Atlantic. Between El Morro, San Cristóbal and the shaded squares, the tour alternates views of ramparts, pastel facades and very lively street scenes.
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Forêt nationale d'El Yunque
El Yunque envelope east of Porto Rico in a rainforest, with waterfalls, arborescent ferns, cries of coquí and sometimes misty trails. The weather changes quickly under the canopy; the basins and viewpoints are more pleasant early, before the influx and the strongest showers.
Place indismissible
Zone historique de Ponce
The historic area of Ponce offers another image of Porto Rico, more southern and Creole, around squares, adorned facades and museums. The Bombas Parque, the old houses and streets around the plaza remind the commercial boom of the city, with a more colourful than monumental architecture.
Place indismissible
Baie bioluminescente de Vieques
In the bioluminescent bay of Vieques, water can light up at night under the movement of paddles thanks to the micro-organisms sensitive to the whirlpools. The experience depends heavily on the moon, weather and water quality; framed kayak trips limit the impact on this fragile environment.
Practical tips
This information helps know if the destination matches the planned trip before starting a fuller search.
To go further
More activities
Restaurants, walks, culture, leisure and outings to search without leaving the destination card.
The nearest destinations
The closest ideas on the map, to extend your trip.
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