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Going Places: Destinations |
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There's a reason Puerto Ricans call it La Isla del Encanto, “the Island of Enchantment.” Three hundred beaches, the only tropical rainforest on US soil, a bioluminescent bay that glows blue at night. Plus, rum distilleries, pink salt flats, cave systems that go on for miles, and a food scene anchored by mofongo and fueled by a burgeoning farm-to-table movement.
The beaches and blue bays may be what draws you in, but the culture is bound to be what sticks. Puerto Rico's Taino roots run deep, with words like barbecue, hammock, and hurricane all tracing back to the island's original people. That heritage lives on alongside centuries of Spanish colonial history and a Boricua identity entirely its own.
All of this, and for US travelers, no passport required. Let’s dive in. |
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Never miss a deal to Puerto Rico! Head to the Going app to find deals around $269 roundtrip (that's 55% off the regular price).
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Rainforests, ruins, glowing bays, caves, and salt flats (and that doesn’t even touch the food scene… more on that below). A trip to Puerto Rico is about as rich as it gets. |
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Old San Juan: The city's historic heart, with cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial fortresses, and candy-colored neighborhoods. Start with Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
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El Yunque National Forest: Take a half-day trip to the only tropical rainforest in the US, where you’ll find hiking trails, hidden waterfalls, and a tower with coastline views.
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Bioluminescent bays: Puerto Rico is home to three—La Parguera (the only swimmable one), Laguna Grande (most accessible), and Mosquito Bay (the brightest). Kayak out after dark, and watch the water glow electric blue.
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Cavernas del Río Camuy: Less “don’t miss”, more “know this.” One of the world’s largest cave systems, featuring over 10 miles of mapped caverns, 220 caves, and an underground river, it reopened briefly following Hurricane Maria but reclosed for restoration. If visiting the island, keep your eyes peeled for reopened tours.
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Cabo Rojo Salt Flats: A sprawling 1,249-acre expanse of bright pink salt flats on the island's southwestern tip. The color comes from brine shrimp in the water.
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Ponce: Puerto Rico's quieter second city and its cultural hub, with 18 museums, a preserved 19th-century coffee plantation, and the island's only national pantheon.
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The fight for self-sufficiency
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For decades, US policy has kept Puerto Rico dependent on imported food, but a growing network of local farmers and farm-to-table restaurants is changing that. Small farmers like Frutos del Guacabo focus on establishing networks and getting more locally-grown food to the markets. Other small farms like El Pretexto offer culinary lodging for guests to experience food directly from the source. A farm-to-table movement is spreading across the island, with Covid being a catalyst in forcing islanders to see what they could grow locally.
–Emy Rodriguez Flores, Going contributing writer
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Mofongo, fresh seafood, and rum that'll ruin all other rum for you. Puerto Rico's food scene speaks for itself. Here are the dishes and spots worth trying. |
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Mofongo: The dish to know. Fried plantains mashed with garlic, olive oil, and crispy pork skin (chicharrón). Order it everywhere and compare.
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Piña colada: The drink was invented here by a Puerto Rican pirate. The Caribe Hilton claims the 1954 modernization of the drink by bartender Ramón "Monchito" Marrero. You’ve got to have at least one.
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Arecibo's restaurant row: On the northern coast, more than 10 restaurants within walking distance of each other, all specializing in local Puerto Rican dishes. Less touristy than San Juan, and more rewarding because of it.
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Distrito T-Mobile: A tropical Times Square, if you will. Ten eateries and bars, live music, a concert hall, cinema, and zipline in one entertainment complex.
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Ron del Barrilito: The local rum made in small batches, aged in oak barrels, and a far cry from the tourist-shelf stuff.
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NOAA predicts a below-normal hurricane season this year, so what it brings in showers, it more than makes up for in top-tier cultural moments. These events are just a taste. Check the events calendar for community festivals and weekly markets that run all summer long.
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Noche de San Juan (June 23): A beloved tradition. At midnight, thousands of people walk backward into the ocean to wash away bad luck and welcome good fortune. Expect beaches filled with celebrations, street parties, and live music all day. Free to all.
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Aibonito Flower Festival (June 26–July 5): Mountain town Aibonito fills with tropical flowers like lilies, anthuriums, carnations, and gardenias alongside live music, crafts, and food.
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Piña Colada Fest (July 10–12): Puerto Rico invented the drink, and this is the time to celebrate it. Local bars and restaurants set up shop, each with its own twist on the classic. Also live music, artisan markets, salsa classes, and painting sessions.
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ArteYunque (through July 18): Hike meets immersive art exhibition. It features works by internationally acclaimed artists along the Ciencia y Conservación trail in El Yunque.
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Festival Casals (July 10–21): World-class classical music festival founded in 1957 by cellist Pablo Casals, who made Puerto Rico his adopted home. Two weeks of orchestral concerts and chamber music at the Centro de Bellas Artes.
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Navigating Caribbean hurricane season |
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Norfolk  San Juan
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