From day to night and the from rainforest to the beach, Puerto Rico is an outdoor playground for all levels of thrill-seekers. Extending 111 miles across from east to west and 39 miles north to south, diverse terrain and distinct geography—all within a very doable radius for mixing it up—make this Caribbean Island an ideal destination for getting outside. Along the shore, calm, tropical beaches and exciting surf spots fringe Puerto Rico, while hills, mountains, and lush vegetation cover its rugged interior. In fact, nearly 25 percent of the island is mountain. Running laterally, the Central Mountains or Cordillera Central are the hub of the island’s rich coffee-growing culture.
And when it comes to a must-try outdoor adventure that almost anyone can undertake, visiting a bioluminescent bay tops the list. Of the only five ecosystems in the world considered bio bays, (places where high concentrations of glow-in-the-dark plankton light up the water at night), Puerto Rico is proudly home to three. It’s also home to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service.
Puerto Rico is committed to providing a safe travel experience. Check out the Visitor Health & Safety Guidelines to learn how Puerto Rico is prioritizing your safety and to get an idea of what to expect when you arrive.
Hike in El Yunque, the rainforest in San Juan’s backyard
In luxurious enclaves near San Juan, you can stay active with well-maintained golf courses and tennis courts—or head out for wild adventures, like mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and surfing. (Pack your equipment or rent gear from local outfitters.) Convenient access to the outdoors from the capital city includes the lush rainforest El Yunque. Power up for a big day out with fresh juices and smoothie bowls at Crush Juice Bar—and then reward your muscles at luxury spas in San Juan, such as the posh Well & Being Spa at Fairmont El San Juan.
For an entry-level adventure, make a reservation to visit El Yunque National Forest, and head to the Yokahú Tower. This vantage point looks out over four forests: Palo Colorado, Tabonuco, Sierra Palm, and Cloud (characterized by persistent cloud cover). Or ratchet up your adrenaline with the challenging El Toro Trail, which summits into a cloud forest. El Yunque is also a hotspot for bird-watching and, if you’re lucky, you may even spot the endangered Puerto Rican parrot, the only native U.S. parrot.
Kayak in the dark in Fajardo, Vieques, or Lajas
Omark Reyes
With three amazing options for checking out bioluminescence, each with its own vibe, Puerto Rico is one of the planet’s only places where outdoor adventure doesn’t start to wind down at sunset. The marine ecosystems’ microscopic dinoflagellates (aka plankton) emit light when jostled, creating an otherworldly effect at nightfall. For the most dramatic excursion, visit during the new moon when the sky is at its darkest.
Just east of San Juan, Laguna Grande in Fajardo is one of the most accessible (and also most popular) ways to experience these glowing single-cell organisms in Puerto Rico. You’ll find guided tours that wind through quiet mangrove forests and see the bay sparkle when you dip your paddle into the dark water. (With extra health and safety protocols in place, you’ll only be paired with someone from your party or go solo.)
A two-hour drive south of San Juan, La Parguera is the island’s singular bio bay that allows swimming for those who want to join the plankton. If you love water adventures, plan it as a stop on a road trip to Lajas, which is a hub for underwater activities including scuba diving at The Wall, a black coral home to brightly colored tropical fish that extends about 22 miles long.
Off the coast of Puerto Rico’s main island, Vieques is a puddle-jumper flight away and home to one of the brightest bio bays in the world, Mosquito Bay. Some local tour operators have glass-bottom kayaks for next-level night viewing. For eco-friendly vibes, stay at the Hix Island House for yoga classes and Zen-inspired interiors. (There’s also a ferry to Vieques, and flying is much easier.)
Mountain bike in Rincón and other westside spots
While Puerto Rico’s western coast is best known for its surf breaks, it also has a serious mountain biking scene. If you want to take on the trails, BYOMB (bring your own mountain bike) or rent wheels from the Rincón Mountain Bike Pro Shop.
For getting your bearings, the Aguadilla Coastal Trail is long and picturesque. But local mountain bikers will probably point you to the mountain bike trail near Domes Beach, also a destination for epic waves. Another hotspot for off-roading on two wheels is Cowboys MTB Rincón.
Zipline in Orocovis and discover waterfalls
ToroVerde
Discover Puerto Rico
Get amped for a day out in the Central Mountains with some locally grown coffee right at the source and served in an Orocovis café like Cafecito del Bosque. Here, the Toro Verde adventure park elevates the idea of a natural playground to amusement park status.
Surrounded by mountains and forest, this one-time local secret offers a mix of family-friendly (for kids over seven) and extreme ziplines. Its most famous draw is The Monster, the second-longest zipline in the world, and if you dare to take on this mighty ride, you’ll be soaring for nearly 1.6 miles. The park also features a massive ToroRoller, or zipline roller, composed of rope fields, obstacles, and climbing towers. Designed exclusively for Toro Verde, it’s one of the only ones like it in the world.
BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS
And, even zipping through the air can’t beat nature’s own awe-inspiring display at the plunging Chorro de Doña Juana waterfall. It’s one of the many al fresco locations, whether you’re looking for kid-friendly excursions or hardcore hikes into the clouds, that make for a plethora of activities in Puerto Rico for doing what you love or trying something new.
