Day Trips in Puerto Rico

Get an insider's look at two of Puerto Rico's most massive attractions, the Arecibo Observatory and Rio Camuy Caves Park, on this 9-hour day trip from San Juan. Descend inside a million-year-old cavern (one of the three largest underground river systems in the world) on your Camuy cave tour. Then prepare for an out-of-this-world visit to the world's largest radio telescope at Arecibo, a giant concrete bowl wedged in the hills of Puerto Rico's northern coast. Your tour also includes a guide and pickup and drop-off at most San Juan hotels.

Feel like a real-life explorer as you get off the beaten path to spend 7.5-hours hiking, swimming and exploring in Puerto Rico's El Yunque rainforest. Journey into the beautiful tropical scenery of this lush national park as you hike to stunning waterfalls, visit an observation tower with amazing mountain views and enjoy a natural waterslide where you can zoom 20 feet (6 meters) into a pool of sparkling water below. The more adventurous can even jump from a 40-foot (12-meter) cliff! Finish your day with an authentic Puerto Rican lunch. Your El Yunque trip also includes round-trip hotel transport, a certified tour guide, national park fees and bottled water.

Cruise by high-speed catamaran to Culebra from Fajardo for a fun-filled day trip snorkeling, beach combing and sunbathing on this island paradise. Spend your morning exploring the fascinating undersea creatures that populate the island's coral reefs before enjoying a buffet lunch complete with rum punch and piña colada refreshments. Then take the afternoon to relax and swim on the area's perfect sugar-sand beaches, including Playa Flamenco and nearby Culebrita. Your excursion also includes snorkel equipment and offers optional round-trip transportation from hotels in Old San Juan, Condado or Isla Verde.

This full-day tour allows you to explore Arecibo Observatory, and relax on a black magnetic sand beach. Skip the hassle of renting a car to explore these landmarks and highlights, including Cueva del Indio, with convenient pickup and drop-off at your San Juan hotel.

Immerse yourself in the cultural history of Puerto Rico during this 6-hour day trip to historic Caguas with lunch and visits to its major attractions. Situated just 20 miles (32km) south of San Juan, Caguas is home to a number of intriguing sights, including its Botanical and Cultural Garden, along with its restored sugar mill.  Listen as your guide teaches you about Puerto Rico's indigenous Taíno people, and take a walking tour on the Route of the Creole Heart. The day also includes all entrance fees, lunch and round-trip transportation from San Juan hotels.

Immerse yourself in Puerto Rican history, art and culture during this 10-hour exploration of Ponce with a small group. Join no more than 15 guests to discover this 17th-century city, affectionately known as "The Pearl of the South" by locals. During your visit you'll explore the elegant architecture surrounding Ponce's downtown plaza, learn about the island's indigenous history at the Tibes Ceremonial Indian Park and admire Latin American and European art at The Ponce Museum of Art. A guide, all entrance fees and round-trip hotel transport are covered.

Escape the crowds in San Juan with a small-group, full-day trip into Puerto Rico's mountains and a less-traveled beach. After a pickup at a central location in San Juan, Condado, or Isla Verde, head to Gozalandia Waterfall to take a dip in the refreshing water or just admire the lush view. Then drive to Cerra Gorda Beach for lunch (your expense) and time for relaxation, before being returned to your pickup point.

Explore the elegant architecture and fascinating landmarks of Ponce, Puerto Rico's second-largest city, on this 9.5-hour, full-day cultural tour from San Juan. Join a guide for a look inside three of the city's most important historic buildings, including the colorful Parque de Bombas (firehouse) bedecked in red and black stripes, the renowned art collection of the Ponce Museum and Serallès Castle, once the lavish home of a rum baron. The tour also includes round-trip transportation from select hotels in San Juan and a stop at a Ponce restaurant, where you can purchase lunch.

Explore two of Puerto Rico's most massive landmarks as you spend 9.5 hours visiting the impressive Cueva Ventana and the world-famous Arecibo Observatory. Window Cave, as it is also known, is a network of caves atop a limestone cliff once only accessible to locals. Admire the elaborate stalactite and stalagmite formations, discover impressive fauna of the caves that eventually lead to panoramic views across the Rio Grande de Arecibo Valley. Then visit the world's largest radio telescope at Arecibo, a 20-acre (8-hectare) dish used to observe the universe, exploring a range of natural attractions and scientific exhibits on site. Your trip also includes entrance fees, bottled water and round-trip hotel transport.

Discover two of Puerto Rico's most famous caves, Cueva Ventana (Window Cave) and the Indian Cave, during this 8-hour day trip among the limestone 'karst' formations of the island's north coast. Begin your day at Cueva Ventana, exploring the cave's interior before reaching its beautiful 'window' opening with gorgeous views of the valley below. Then travel to the ocean-front Indian Cave, a beautiful location used in a number of films, to admire the beautiful setting and ancient Indian carvings that adorn its walls. Your cave-themed trip also includes round-trip hotel transport, helmet and flashlight, water, admission fees and a guide.

Enjoy a sunset cruise followed by an exploration of one of Puerto Rico's bioluminescent bays during this 10-hour excursion from San Juan. Experience the glowing rays of the sun as they fade into the ocean. Then see a different type of glowing as you explore the bioluminescent waters near the town La Parguera.

Spend an adventurous day exploring two of Puerto's most incredible natural wonders on this 11-hour day trip to hike in El Yunque rainforest and kayak at the island's famed Bioluminescent Bay. Start your morning with a hike in the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest system, enjoying incredible mountain views and an optional waterfall swim to cool off. Then continue with a nighttime kayaking trip to the magical Laguna Grande, a bay on Puerto Rico's east coast featuring a unique variety of plankton that glow when the water is touched or moved. Your Puerto Rico outdoor adventure also includes round-trip hotel transport, snacks, professional guide and national park fees.