I don’t know about you, but I always learn so much about what I should have done on a trip…after the fact.
So, here is my list of tips before going to Puerto Rico.
If you find this article helpful, be sure to also read: Puerto Rico 3 Day Itinerary
1. Rent from Car Rental Company at Airport
San Juan International Airport is a small airport. When I booked my rental car, I was making the assumption, I would pick up my car at the airport. When I arrived, I realized the rental company was a 20-minute drive from the airport.
So here is my tip, make sure you rent a car from a company at the airport. This will save you time. Renting from an on-site rental company was a little more expensive, but not by much. With the time it took to drive there and back, it was not worth saving the money.
2. Rent Car With Insurance
In Puerto Rico, it is required you get insurance with your rental car. If I would have known that beforehand, I would have added car insurance to my quotes to get a better price comparison.
3. Be Careful Driving
Let me say this, I was happy I got the insurance I needed for my car. There is some crazy driving going on in Puerto Rico! Be careful. It definitely takes some adjustment, but once you get the hang of it, you will be fine.
4. Look Up Good Places To Eat
This is always a tough one for me. If I don’t research places to eat before I go on vacation, I find myself either going to touristy restaurants, which are not my top choice, or I go to places that are not very good. Make sure you do your research beforehand.
Instagram and Tik Tok are great places to look for restaurants.
5. Explore Hole In The Wall Restaurants
There are so many delicious restaurants in Puerto Rico. Many of those are small hole in the wall spots. Do yourself a favor and try them. One restaurant that is out of the way, but was really good was Degetau Seafood.
8. Take Mixology Class at Bacardi Factory
Bacardi Rum is by far the most popular rum in Puerto Rico so of course, this is the first place tourists go to for a rum tour. The company offers three tours; a regular tour, rum tasting tour and a mixology class tour. Do the mixology, you won’t regret it. It’s fun, interactive and you will learn how to make 3 new drinks.
6. Go On A Barrilito Rum Tour
Big mistake that I didn’t go on a Barrilito Rum Tour! If you have the time, do yourself a favor and go on this tour. It is one of the best rum companies in Puerto Rico. It’s also very difficult and expensive to find that rum outside of Puerto Rico. So treat yourself to something unique.
7. Bioluminescence Tour Is A Must
One of my favorite things in Puerto Rico. It was a great experience. Our tour included kayaking before being in the middle of the water and surrounded by bioluminescence.
When you are in the middle of the water, you get to experience the bioluminescence miracle. It’s exciting to put your hands in water and watch it glow.
TIP: Before you book, check out all the tours. There are options where you kayak and put your hands in the water, but there are other options where you get to swim in the water.
9. Grab A Beer And An Empanada at Airport
This is a no-frills meal before you take off. Grab an empanada and then grab a beer. You will find a beer can where they have all the sodas. It was a simple and enjoyable meal. This was the only time I had a local beer and it was very satisfying.
15. Go To Both Castillos
When you are visiting el Castillo San Felipe del Morro, do yourself a favor and give yourself enough time to enjoy such a beautiful historical site. I would recommend spending two to three hours at this castle. You can walk around quickly or you can enjoy and take in all the views.
Be sure to also visit Castillo San Cristobal. I would recommend visiting this castle first. Then head over to the famous Morro. The Castillo San Cristobal is smaller so you can go through it quickly. If you choose to see it after el Morro you might run out of time or be too tired to go to another Castillo.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to read Puerto Rico – 3 Day Itinerary
