Planning a short trip to Puerto Rico is easier than it seems, even with only five days. The island has rainforests, calm beaches, historic streets, and great food, all close to each other. It makes it simple to see a lot without a long travel time.
This plan comes from several visits and gives you a clear day-by-day guide. It covers well-known spots at a steady pace, making it good for first-timers, families, and couples. You will also know the parts you can skip and the places that are worth your time.
You will get help with drive times, food stops, and the best months to visit, though the island works all year. This guide is not just a long list but a plan that truly fits into five days. It aims to make your trip smoother from the start.
Getting Ready for Your Puerto Rico Trip
Before you pack your bags, let me walk you through what you need to know. I’ve made mistakes on my trips, so you don’t have to. These basics will save you time and stress.
What You Need to Know Before You Go?
Here’s the good news. Puerto Rico is easier than most international trips because it’s a U.S. territory. You won’t need to exchange money or worry about passports if you’re a U.S. citizen. Your phone works just like at home, and most cards won’t charge international fees.
Rent a car at the airport, and you’re ready to go. You’ll drive on the right side, gas costs about the same as mainland U.S., and GPS works perfectly fine. Getting around is simple and stress-free.
Most people speak both Spanish and English in tourist areas. I recommend learning a few basic phrases, but you’ll manage fine with just English. Budget $800 to $1,500 per person for 5 days, covering hotel, car rental, food, and activities (not counting flights).
Where to Stay?
I always base myself in San Juan for the first few nights. It puts you close to the airport and Old San Juan. The Condado area has great hotels at different price points, plus you’re near beaches and restaurants.
Here’s my honest take on lodging. Stay in San Juan for Days 1, 2, 4, and 5. Book one night on Vieques for Day 3 if you want to catch the bioluminescent bay at night, or just take the early ferry and return the same day.
Budget hotels run $80 to $120 per night. Mid-range options cost $150 to $250. Book early because good places fill up fast, especially from December through April.
Your Complete 5 Day Puerto Rico Plan
Here’s your day-by-day breakdown covering the best spots on the island, from historic cities to beaches and rainforests.
Day 1: Arriving and Seeing Old San Juan
Your first day sets the tone for everything else. Keep it simple and don’t overplan. You’ll be tired from travel, so this schedule gives you time to adjust.
Morning: Airport and Getting Settled
Land at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, pick up your rental car, and drive 15 to 20 minutes to your San Juan hotel. Drop your bags, put on walking shoes, and head out.
Afternoon: Walking Old San Juan
Walk Old San Juan’s colorful streets in about two hours, stopping at cafés for strong Puerto Rican coffee. Bring water and sunscreen for the heat.
Must Visit: Castillo San Felipe del Morro
This 16th-century fort costs $10 for adults and takes at least an hour to see. The views from the cliff top walls are incredible and worth every minute.
Evening: First Taste of Puerto Rican Food
Try mofongo at local restaurants where live salsa music starts after 7 PM. End your night walking along the waterfront at Paseo de la Princesa.
Day 2: El Yunque National Forest
Day two takes you into nature. Pack differently today. You’ll need hiking shoes, a towel, and clothes you don’t mind getting wet.
Morning: Heading to the Rainforest
Leave by 8 AM for the 45-minute drive to El Yunque. Entry costs $8, and parking fills up by 10 AM, so bring water shoes, a towel, and snacks.
Hiking to La Mina Falls
Hike the 0.7-mile trail to La Mina Falls, watching your step on muddy sections. The waterfall ends at a natural pool where you can swim in cold, refreshing water.
Afternoon: More Forest Activities
Take the Yokahú Tower trail for free views over the forest canopy and ocean. Leave by 2 or 3 PM to beat traffic back to San Juan.
Evening: Return to San Juan
Head back to your hotel around 3 PM, clean up, and grab something light, like tostones or a jibarito sandwich nearby. Rest up for tomorrow’s beach day.
Day 3: Vieques Island Beach Day
Today you’re catching a ferry to a smaller island. Vieques is special. The beaches are cleaner and less crowded than anywhere on the main island.
Morning: Taking the Ferry to Vieques
Book ferry tickets online from Ceiba, an hour drive from San Juan, or fly in 10 minutes. Bring swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and cash for the day.
Daytime: Beach Activities
Visit Sun Bay for $3 entry fee and rent snorkeling gear to see sea turtles and colorful fish. Bring food and drinks since food trucks aren’t always open.
Evening: Mosquito Bay Bioluminescent Tour
Book a kayak tour of Mosquito Bay in advance for $50 to $70 per person. The water glows bright blue when you paddle through it, and tours last 2 hours around 7 or 8 PM.
Day 4: Ponce and the South Coast
Time to see a different side of Puerto Rico. Ponce feels less touristy than San Juan. The city has its own style and pace.
Morning: Drive to Ponce
Leave San Juan by 8 AM for the 1.5 to 2-hour drive south on Route 52. Bring cash for tolls that cost $1 to $2 each.
Seeing Ponce’s Historic Sites
Park at Plaza Las Delicias to see Parque de Bombas, a free red and black firehouse museum, and the Ponce Cathedral surrounded by colonial buildings.
Afternoon: Museo de Arte de Ponce
Visit the art museum for $6, featuring Puerto Rican and European art, open 10 AM to 5 PM except Tuesdays.
Evening: Local Life in Ponce
Return to the plaza at sunset when cafés fill with families, browse shops with better prices than Old San Juan, and grab dinner. Drive back to San Juan after about 2 hours.
Day 5: Rincón Beach Town
Your last full day. Save the best sunset for last.
Morning: Heading West to Rincón
Drive 2 hours west to Rincón, a laid-back beach town with a surfer vibe. Stop for breakfast and try a quesito with your coffee.
Beach Time Activities
Hit Domes Beach or Sandy Beach to watch world-class surfers and swim in clear water. Grab fish tacos from beach food trucks nearby.
Afternoon: What Else to Do in Rincón
Visit Punta Higüero Lighthouse for cliff views and whale watching in the winter months. Browse surf shops and art galleries, but take your time, Rincón moves slowly.
Evening: Famous Rincón Sunsets
Catch the sunset at Domes Beach by 5:30 PM and have dinner at a beachside restaurant. Drive back to San Juan or stay in Rincón, depending on your flight time.
Practical Tips for Your 5 Day Trip
Little things make trips better or worse. Here’s what I learned the hard way so you don’t have to.
Transportation Tips
Drive on the right side like the mainland U.S. and use Waze for directions since locals update traffic conditions. Download offline maps before leaving San Juan.
Driving tips:
- Gas stations are everywhere
- Tolls cost $1 to $2 (bring cash)
- Parking is free at most beaches
- Old San Juan parking is tight (use a garage)
Main highways are in good shape, but smaller roads have potholes, so drive carefully at night. Park in lit areas and keep valuables in the trunk.
Money and Budgeting
Everything runs on U.S. dollars, and your cards work like at home. Grab cash before heading to beach towns since ATMs are limited there.
Budget breakdown per person:
- Budget: $800 to $1,000 (basic hotels, local food)
- Mid range: $1,200 to $1,500 (nicer hotels, mix of restaurants)
- Doesn’t include flights
Tip 15 to 20 percent at restaurants in the mainland U.S. Credit cards work in tourist areas, but some food stands and beach vendors only take cash.
Food and Dining
Puerto Rican food is simple and filling. Don’t skip the local dishes.
Beyond mofongo, try these:
- Arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas)
- Pernil (slow roasted pork)
- Alcapurrias (fried fritters)
- Tostones (fried plantains)
- Tripleta (sandwich with three meats)
Drink options:
- Medalla (local beer, light and cheap)
- Piña colada (invented in Puerto Rico)
- Fresh coconut water from roadside stands
- Puerto Rican coffee (strong and dark)
Local spots charge $8 to $15 per meal, while tourist restaurants cost $20 to $35, and food trucks run $5 to $10. Food and tap water are safe everywhere.
Weather and What to Pack
Puerto Rico is tropical with temperatures between 75°F and 90°F year-round. The north coast gets more rain than the south, with quick showers, especially in summer.
Pack these items:
- Lightweight clothes (cotton or moisture-wicking)
- Swimsuit (at least two)
- Water shoes for rocky beaches
- Comfortable walking shoes for Old San Juan
- Rain jacket for El Yunque
- Sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher)
- Hat and sunglasses
Dress code is casual everywhere, even at nice restaurants that accept shorts and sandals. Bring a light sweater for cold air conditioning in hotels and restaurants.
Safety Tips
Puerto Rico is generally safe for tourists if you use common sense. Stick to the main tourist areas like Old San Juan, Condado, and major beaches, especially at night.
Stay safe:
- Don’t flash expensive jewelry or electronics
- Keep copies of your ID separate from originals
- Know your hotel’s address in Spanish
- Emergency number is 911 (same as the mainland)
Respect the ocean and check beach flags before swimming at lifeguarded beaches. Get travel insurance for $40 to $80 to cover medical emergencies.
Conclusion
You now have a clear five-day plan for Puerto Rico that covers the island’s top places. Old San Juan, El Yunque, Vieques, Ponce, and Rincón all fit well into a short trip. It gives you a calm and steady way to see a lot without feeling rushed.
Before you go, keep a few tips in mind. Book your stay and bioluminescent bay tour early, rent a car for easy travel, and use San Juan as your main base. Pack water shoes for the rainforest and bring some cash for small stalls.
Planning a visit here is simple since you do not need a passport, and your phone works normally. If you have questions, ask anytime. If you have already visited, share your favorite place with others. Safe travels and enjoy your time on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport to visit Puerto Rico?
No, U.S. citizens don’t need a passport for Puerto Rico. It’s a U.S. territory, so just bring your driver’s license. Your phone works normally, and everything uses U.S. dollars. It’s easier than most international trips.
How much does a 5-day Puerto Rico trip cost?
Expect $800 to $1,500 per person for 5 days, not including flights. This covers hotel, car rental, food, and activities. Budget hotels run $80 to $120 per night. Mid-range options cost $150 to $250.
Is 5 days enough time to see Puerto Rico?
Yes, 5 days covers the top highlights perfectly. You’ll see Old San Juan, El Yunque rainforest, Vieques beaches, Ponce’s culture, and Rincón sunsets. The island is small, so drive times stay short between spots.
What’s the best time to visit Puerto Rico?
December through April offers perfect weather with less rain. But Puerto Rico works year-round with temperatures between 75°F and 90°F. Summer has quick showers but fewer crowds and better hotel prices.
Do I need to rent a car in Puerto Rico?
Yes, rent a car for the best experience. Public transportation is limited outside San Juan. A car gives you the freedom to visit El Yunque, Vieques ferry, Ponce, and Rincón on your schedule. Rental costs run $30 to $50 daily.