4 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary [2024]

Searching for the best 4 day Puerto Rico Itinerary?  This is the guide for you!

Planning a trip to Puerto Rico is an exciting adventure.  The beautiful island has immaculate architecture, beautiful beaches, and lush mountains.

Its tropical climate provides warm temperatures year-round.

This 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary should be exciting and straightforward.  Let’s dive in!

Day 1: San Juan

San Juan is the best starting point for your itinerary because this is where the airport is located.

The top rated neighborhoods to stay in through surrounding San Juan Metropolitan area are all within a 15 minute drive from the airport.

Majority of the day will be spent in San Juan’s historic center: Old San Juan.  Its colorful buildings, historic architecture, and cobblestone roads keep visitors returning.

San Juan Forts

Two of the best places for history (and views!) in the old town can be found at San Juan’s Famous forts:

• Fort Moro
• Castillo de San Cristobal

Tip: If you hold the Annual America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, it can be used for entrance to both forts in Old San Juan.  Alternatively, entrance tickets are $12 and can be used to explore both forts for 24 hours.

San Juan Architecture

It’s time to explore the colorful, vibrant architecture of the old town.  Some of the best San Juan architecture stops include:

• La Puerta de Bandera
• Black Puerto Rican Flag Door

Both doors are popular search result images for Old San Juan!  For maps purposes, type in, “Callejon de La Puerta Bandera” and “Puerto Rican Flag Door” for the correct coordinates.

Old San Juan Snack Stops

Lunch in San Juan

Stop for lunch in between exploring!  I recommend a quick stop at a local cafeteria or Panaderia.  Two top local shops include:

• Manolin
• Mallorca

Tip: If you’re interested in exploring outside of Old San Juan, I recommend lunch at Kasalta in Ocean Park.

Exploring San Juan

Aside from the architecture and forts, some of the best San Juan exploring can be done through wandering at your own pace!

Some of the best things to keep a look out for while exploring are:

• Colorful Streets
• Plazas
• Parks

Colorful Streets

Some of the best streets to explore in Old San Juan are:

• La Fortaleza
• Calle San Francisco

You can find some of your favorite streets by simply exploring at your own pace.

Plazas

The Princesa Promenade is a large waterfront in the old town.  It can be very crowded on days when cruise ships are present, as they dock their ships here!

In any case, it provides a quaint, waterfront stroll.

There are also lots of local vendors selling handmade crafts here and at a nearby park.  You can find them in white tents!

Other notable plazas include:

• Plaza de Armas
• Plaza de Colón

Evening: La Barrachina and La Factoria

La Barrachina

Try La Barrachina’s claim to fame!  La Barrachina is known as the birthplace of the internationally known piña colada.

You can order with or without alcohol.  They are also a top-rated dinner spot in Old San Juan!

La Factoria

Enjoy nightlife at one of the top 50-rated bars in the entire world!  La Factoria has five floors and offers free Salsa dance lessons two nights per week.

I didn’t make it to La Factoria during my trip, but heard recommendations from locals and tourists!

Alternative Options for Day 1: San Juan

• Free Walking Tour

• Placita de Santurce
• Sunset at Condado Beach

Day 2: El Yunque

El Yunque National Forest is the only rainforest in the US National Park System!

You can get here by by taking a day tour from San Juan or renting a car.  I recommend renting a car to take a road trip around the island!

Alternatively, you can wait until day 3 of this Puerto Rico itinerary to rent a car.

El Yunque Hiking Trails

Begin your day enjoying the tropical rainforest on some wonderful hiking trails.

Some of the best hiking trails in El Yunque include:

• El Yunque Trail
• Mount Britton Tower Trail

Tip: As of January 2024, a portion of El Yunque Trail is closed.

Check the National Park Service website for the most up-to-date information about trail safety and closures.

Lunch

El Yunque features tons of picnic tables throughout the national forest, and several throughout the trails as well.

I recommend packing a picnic lunch and enjoying an afternoon surrounded by the rainforest.

El Yunque Viewpoints

Catch some more viewpoints after lunch.  Some of the best viewpoints at El Yunque include:

• Yokahú Tower
• El Toro Peak

Tip: Entrance to Yokahú Tower closes at 2:45.  However, the view outside of the tower is still absolutely beautiful and worth it!

El Toro Peak is a view found at the end of a hard hiking trail.  Read the description on Alltrails prior to completing your hike.

El Yunque Waterfalls

Of course, the incredible rainforest also features amazing waterfalls.  Consider the following El Yunque waterfalls:

• Juan Diego Falls
• La Coca Falls

Tip: One of the most popular waterfalls, Cascada La Mina, is closed as of January 2024.

Beach Dinner in Luquillo

Luquillo is a beach town located 10 minutes away from the entrance to El Yunque.  It is known for its 60 kiosks along the beach- most of which are for food!

I recommend stopping here for dinner before falling asleep for the night after an eventful day at El Yunque.

Alternative Options for Day 2: El Yunque

• Evening Bio Bay tour from Fajardo

• Bonus day in Old San Juan
• Full day in Luqillo and Fajardo

Day 3: Ponce and Yauco

It’s time to head to Southern Puerto Rico!  Start your morning early on a two-hour drive from Luquillo to Ponce.

Experience the best of Southern Puerto Rico on a day exploring Yauco and Ponce.

Yauco Art

Yauco is one of my favorite hidden gems in all of Puerto Rico!  There are tons of places to explore colorful art throughout the town.

Some of the most colorful places to explore in Yauco are:

• Yaucromatic
• La Escalanita de Yauco
• Crochet Tree Swing

Ponce Exploring

Some of the best things to do in Ponce include:

• Castillo Serralles
• Parque de Bombas
• La Guancha

Castillo Serralles is known for the best viewpoint of Ponce.  Locals and visitors love to take a casual stroll at the La Guancha waterfront.

Tip: As of January 2024, Parque de Bombas is under construction.

Read Next: 20 Best Things to Do in San Juan, San Juan on Christmas Day

Ponce Nightlife

Ponce nightlife is super fun and underrated!

The city’s laidback feel comes to life during weekend evenings.

Stroll the large, spacious plazas that come to life with live music, people taking walks, and food stands open.

Best of all, it’s really chill.  Calm nightlife is my favorite, where I can walk around and enjoy the evening ambiance without needing to go bar hopping.

King’s Cream

I highly recommend stopping by King’s Cream while on the Southern Coast.  This is some of the most delicious ice cream I have ever had.  It is also a local favorite.

The line was out the door on a weekend evening in Ponce!

Alternative Options for Day 3: South Puerto Rico

• Combine Guánica with Day 3, and take a day trip to Cabo Rojo or Aguadilla tomorrow
• Free walking tour in Ponce
• Take an evening bio bay or sunset tour from La Parguera

Day 4: Guánica

Complete the final day of your 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary in Guánica!

Guánica is a lesser-known town on the Southern coast of Puerto Rico with tons of off-the-beaten-path activities.  It is one of my favorite parts of the entire island!

Gilligan’s Island

Gilligan’s Island is one of the most underrated things to do in Puerto Rico!

Rent a kayak from Copamarina Resort and explore the remote mangrove island. Other local kayak rentals are in the area, but we were not able to find contact information for them during our trip.

Tip: You can snorkel here too!  Wear reef-safe sunscreen to protect the habitat.

Finca El Girasol

Sunflowers are not what comes to most peoples’ minds when they think of Puerto Rico!  Finca El Girasol challenges this notion.

For $2, stroll through the farm’s quaint sunflower field.  Picking sunflowers is not permitted, but you can purchase a sunflower from the shop.

There is even a field of plantain trees at the farm too!  Finca El Girasol makes a lovely stop in Guánica.

Where to get food in Guánica

Guánica has some amazing, local food spots.  I wished I had time to try them all!

My favorite was El Desafio.  The mofongo and rooftop views were on point!  There are also tons of surrounding restaurants and bars nearby.

Some of the best places to get food in Guánica are:

• El Desafio
• Caños Pizza

Guánica Dry Forest

The Guánica Dry Forest is something pretty special and unique amidst the tropical rainforest of Puerto Rico.  The small parking lot has ample spaces to park.

Most of the trails were relatively dry without views, but my favorite viewpoint we discovered was at El Vigia. (This is the viewpoint in the photo!)

Alternative Options for Day 4: Guánica

The Southern and Eastern coasts of Puerto Rico are both rich in things to do.  If Guánica is not for you, consider one of the following options:

• Cabo Rojo

• Aguadilla
• Rincon

4 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary

To sum it up, the best things you can do on a 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary are limitless!

It’s absolutely worth visiting Puerto Rico for 4 days.

4 days allows you to begin scratching the surface of the best this beautiful island has to offer.