Day Trips in San Juan

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.