3 Days in Puerto Rico: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

Are you considering a trip to Puerto Rico? Don’t hesitate to cross this one off your bucket list. With all that there is to see and do in Puerto Rico, it’s now become one of my favourite places. Here’s the best way to spend 3 days in Puerto Rico!

3 Days in Puerto Rico Quick Itinerary

This place literally has it all. It has a diverse tropical landscape with mountains and waterfalls, endless white sand beaches, and an undeniably rich history. Puerto Rico is definitely a Caribbean treasure.

Here’s a quick overview of how to spend 3 days in Puerto Rico. It’s the perfect itinerary with a blend of relaxation, history, and of course, adventure!

• Day 1: Old San Juan, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, La Perla
• Day 2: Surf lessons & Beach Day (Borinquen Beach, Isla Verde, Mar Chiquita, and/or Pinones
• Day 3: Gozalandia Falls, Cascada Las Delicias, Cerro Mime, Cayey Viewpoint, Charco Azul
• Where to Stay: Hotel El Convento (Night 1) & La Concha Resort (Nights 2 and 3)

Getting to and Around Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is the perfect weekend getaway from many US airports. It’s a US territory, so if you are traveling from the United States you do not need a passport or worry about updating currency or your cellphone plan.

I flew from the Orlando airport and it was a quick 3-hour nonstop flight to San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico.

After arriving, I would recommend renting a car in San Juan so that you have the most flexibility during your weekend away.

3 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary

This 3-day Puerto Rico itinerary is the perfect mix of history, adventure, and relaxation. You’ll explore cities, waterfalls, and of course beaches!

Let’s dive in!

Day 1: Old San Juan

I started off my vacation in Puerto Rico in Old San Juan, and I could not get over how colourful it was. Plus, it was also very clean.

As you walk through the area, you’ll see brightly coloured houses along the cobblestone streets. You’ll wander through plazas where you can find some shade amongst cafes and restaurants serving delicious food.

Here’s how I would spend one day exploring Old San Juan!

Stop 1: Old San Juan

There are a lot of great places to visit in Puerto Rico, but there is so much to see in Old San Juan alone. So much so, that I would recommend waking up early and getting out before the crowds if you want to take photos.

Old San Juan is just seven square blocks with nearly 400 colorful Spanish colonial buildings. Spend your morning window shopping and wandering through the streets.

Stop 2: Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Next, head to Castillo San Felipe del Morro (aka El Morro). This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most popular and significant landmarks in Puerto Rico.E

El Morro is right by the water and this 16th-century fort was built to protect the city from an invasion.

Stop 3: La Perla

La Perla is located just outside the city walls of Old San Juan and is a community that is full of history….and also so much colour!

The recently popular music video, Despacito, undoubtedly brought a ton of tourism to this area. However, this bright and colourful barrio was already initiating some big changes in the years leading up to the filming of the video.

The community had started painting their structures with those beautifully vibrant colours they’re so famous for today. They had also begun painting the murals that now decorate the squares and many areas throughout the neighbourhood.

Spend the afternoon snapping some Instagrammable photos, joining a walking tour, and grabbing dinner at La Garita.

Day 2: Beach Day

If you’re itching for the best things to see and do in Puerto Rico, going to the beach is a pretty good bet! The beaches in Puerto Rico are stunning, and the island has hundreds of them—plus an amazing 435km of coastline.

Day 2 is all about exploring Puerto Rico’s best beaches!

Stop 1: Surf Lessons

Surfing is big in Puerto Rico, which was a surprise to me. The best surf spots on the island are on the west coast, between Isabela, Rincon, and Aguadilla.

Here is a map of the best surfing spots on the island.

There are many surf schools in Puerto Rico, so if you want to learn, this trip would be a great opportunity for you.

I took a lesson at the Courtyard Isla Verde…..Isla Verde beach is a great spot to learn, because of the small, steady, well-formed waves. I had never surfed before and I was so happy because I got up during my lesson!!!

It’s the perfect way to spend a morning!

Stop 2: Choose your Beach

After an adventurous morning attempting to catch a wave, it’s time for some relaxation. Pick a beach from the choices below and enjoy an afternoon of sunbathing, seashell hunting, or peaceful strolling!

1. Borinquen Beach

Borinquen Beach in Aguadilla is one of the most stunning beaches in Puerto Rico, and one of the most impressive that I have ever been to. It is an expansive beach with just stunning views.

During your visit here, you should make sure to walk all the way to the east end of this beach before you head back to the car park at the west end. That way, you can take in all the sights and every perfect angle of this beach.

2. Isla Verde Beach

What most people know as Isla Verde Beach actually consists of three separate beaches…El Alambique, Pine Grove Beach, and Balneario de Carolina. All three beaches provide almost 5km of sand., so even on a really busy beach day, it doesn’t feel crowded!

Fun Fact! The generic word “balneario” is actually a government-run or public beach. These are the ones that will have public showers and restrooms. The ones that are not may be much less touristy, have more natural wild, and have a more untouched feel.

3. Pinoñes

Piñones is a beautiful area and it is just a few minutes east of Isla Verde. It has beaches, mangroves, restaurants, and an 11-kilometer-long nature trail. Nearby to the beach is the island’s largest mangrove forest!

Piñones is also popular for its many open-air seaside eateries. These sand floors and tasty seafood which you can wash down with cheap icy beer have made it popular.

Compared to the other beaches on the island, such as Isla Verde Beach, this one is much wilder and has more of a natural feel. This is an example of a beach that isn’t public, or a balneario.

That also means lots of natural beauty! It isn’t an ideal spot for swimming due to the strong tide and limited shallow water. However, the array of delicious food I mentioned earlier is plentiful.

Overall, this area is a stark contrast to the busy tourist areas of Old San Juan, Isla Verde and Condado.

4. Mar Chiquita

Along the north coast of Puerto Rico, there are various natural pool beaches and Mar Chiquita is one of the most popular ones. It’s just a 45-minute drive from San Juan!

This pool is a sheltered cove almost completely cut off from the surrounding water. It’s enclosed by jagged rocks all around, and people often use it for both swimming and snorkeling.

This area really reminded me of Greece and was probably one of my favourite beaches in Puerto Rico.

Day 3: Go on an Adventure!

This Caribbean island is home to plentiful tropical forests, beautiful waterfalls, caves, and natural swimming pools. In other words, there’s lots to explore!

Experiencing this side of Puerto Rico was my favourite part of my visit.

Side note: If you want to have time for all the following stops, make sure to get a VERY early start as there’s almost 200 km between the first and last stop. If not, just pick one or two of your favorite stops!

Stop 1: Gozalandia Falls

Gozalandia Falls (or Las Cataratas) was one of my favourite places. There are two beautiful waterfalls here—one of them towering to sixty feet in height! One has a rope swing and the other you can do cliff jumping.

It’s located on the west side of the island, in San Sebastian, and is considered more of a locals’ spot. You won’t want to miss adding this to your weekend in Puerto Rico!

Although the entrance to the falls is free, you’ll have to pay $5 for parking. If you don’t see parking attendants monitoring the lot outside, you might need to go into the restaurant located near the parking area.

Stop 2: Cascada Las Delicias

Cascada Las Delicias is a picture-perfect tropical waterfall and I am so glad that we made it here! This waterfall is located in the town of Ciales, which is in the centre of the island.

You have to drive through some winding roads to get there, but it’s definitely worth it. Eventually, you will reach the more elevated town of Jayuya.

You’ll then find the Cascada after a brief walk (just off the road). It’s nestled within the Tres Picachos State Forest, and its water was so refreshing!

Stop 3: Cerro Mime

If you want to go hiking in Puerto Rico, and you’d prefer a less challenging one, Cerro Mime will be perfect for you.

Cerro Mime is located in Orocovis County and is also great for those who enjoy a big reward for little effort! It’s a nice, easy easy hike that only takes 20 minutes.

At the top, you see lush, green mountains…which for me was a very surprising view.

Stop 4: Cayey Viewpoint

This hike is located between Cayey and Salinas and is worth the trip if you enjoy going hiking. Here, you will enjoy great 360° views of the mountains, surrounding towns, and the Caribbean Sea. This viewpoint is truly one of the best when it comes to your options for hiking in Puerto Rico.

You can also see, Arbol Solitario (or Lonely Tree) but we didn’t go quite that far. It’s now a popular stopping point for tourists because of the views you can see from there.

Not to mention the fact that there’s also a swing quite close to the cliff edge where people sit and take photos. That’s one of the places to visit in Puerto Rico on my next trip for sure!

Stop 5: Charco Azul

If you still have time, Charco Azul is a must-stop during your 3 days in Puerto Rico!

Charco Azul (which translates to blue pond in English) is one of Puerto Rico’s most famous natural pools, and when you see the colour you will immediately know where it gets its name!

It is located in the middle of the Carite Forest about 20 minutes from Cayey.

Where to Stay for your 3-days Puerto Rico

In order to see as much of Puerto Rico as possible, we split up our stay between two different hotels.

Spoiler: Both were AMAZING!

Night 1: Hotel El Convento

Hotel El Convento was built in 1646 as a convent. It housed nuns for 252 years until closing in 1903. It then served as a store, a dance hall, and a flophouse before opening as a luxury hotel in 1962. 1646….that is old!

Some even believe it’s haunted. I didn’t see anything spooky during my stay, but I loved the history!

The Hotel El Convento is located right in Old San Juan (just 15 minutes from the airport), so it is a perfect location to stay while you explore that area.

Nights 2 and 3: La Concha Resort

After staying in Old San Juan I wanted to spend the second half of my stay close to the water, so I went to the La Concha Resort.

La Concha Resort is a luxury hotel located on Condado Beach with a full-service spa, infinity pools, bars, and restaurants. Condado is one of the most popular tourist beaches for those on vacation in San Juan.

I had the most wonderful stay here. They have multiple infinity pools but I think the one pictured above was my favourite with the wind-sculpted palm trees hugging the ocean.

The view from my oceanfront room was gorgeous and it was amazing to wake up to each morning. You can see palm trees and crystal blue water as far as the eye could see.

At the La Concha resort there are several dining options….and even a special gluten free menu. I highly recommend their gluten free pancakes!

Random Facts about Puerto Rico

It’s always fun to learn a few facts about a destination before visiting. Here are some interesting facts about Puerto Rico!

1. There are only five bioluminescent bays in the world and three of them are are in Puerto Rico. The most popular, Mosquito Bay, is located on the island of Vieques off the east coast of the mainland. The other two are Laguna Grande which is located on the north side of the island and La Parguera on the southwestern side of the island.
2. The world’s largest telescope is in Puerto Rico. The Arecibo Radio Telescope is over 300m in diameter making it the largest astronomical observing object in the world. It is located inside a sinkhole and has appeared in many movies and TV shows including the James Bond film, Goldeneye.
3. Puerto Rico Was “Discovered” by Christopher Columbus. Columbus landed on the shore of Puerto Rico in 1493 and claimed it for Spain. Puerto Rico at the time was inhabited by a tribe of Indians called the Taíno. It became a US territory during the Spanish-American war in 1898.
4. Puerto Rico is more than one island. Between the main islands of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are Culebra and Vieques, which are sometimes known as the Spanish Virgin Islands. Between the main island and the Dominican Republic is the island of Mona…plus there are many other small, uninhabited islands.

Puerto Rico Trip Vlog

Don’t miss my Puerto Rico trip vlog! You can watch on YouTube for better quality!

More Things to Do in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has so many hidden gems that I didn’t get to experience this weekend trip. I am already mentally planning a trip back.

Here are some things I want to see and do next time!

• Go kayaking at a Bioluminescent Bay – I saw bioluminescence when I was in Senja, Norway and it was so beautiful! I definitely want to see this natural phenomenon again. A bioluminescent bay is home to millions of bioluminescent organisms, which emit bluish light and it is sure to be quite stunning in the black Caribbean Sea at night. I can’t wait to go kayaking in Puerto Rico on my next trip.
• Visit Culebra Island – Taking a quick flight (or longer ferry ride) to Culebra Island is high on my list for my next trip. This island is 27km east of the mainland and is widely known for its beautiful beaches and nature reserves. Some of the beaches are even protected as marine wildlife reserves. This is also something that I would like to see and do in Puerto Rico during my next trip.
• Spend the day at the El Yunque National Forest – El Yunque is known for having one of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity in the world, especially among its insects, mushrooms, and ferns. Some of them are even bioluminescent (see above). There are so many things to do in El Yunque!

Traveling to Puerto Rico FAQ’s

Have you visited any of the above spots in Puerto Rico already? Do you have any favourite spots on the island?

Let me know what your experience was like below! I hope you found some helpful hints for planning a weekend trip to Puerto Rico. I am sure you will agree that there is so much to see and do in Puerto Rico!

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This Puerto Rico travel blog has been sponsored by Hotel El Convento and La Concha Resort. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me.