Destinations

The 3 Best Day Trips in Puerto Rico—That Will Get You Out of San Juan

Our guide for what to see and do—and where to stay—in Rincòn, Adjuntas, and Ponce.

August 19, 2019

Most travelers make San Juan the main event of their trip to Puerto Rico, and stop there. We can't blame them—it's the island's main hub, and it understandably garners a lot of action. But, there’s far more to the main island of Puerto Rico than its capital city, and you'd be short-changing yourself if you didn't do a little exploring. On the west coast, chill out at some picturesque surf towns and speakeasy bars. Down in Ponce, get a taste of a city with its own distinct take on the island’s culture and cuisine. Or if the mountains are what you're after, stay at the top of one in Adjuntas, from which there are coffee farms, family restaurants, and natural wonders to experience. Truly, the island is too diverse to stay in just one place, so use our guide to Puerto Rico's best day trips to cover as much ground as you can.

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RINCÓN
Courtesy Tres Sirenas
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Tres Sirenas Beach Inn
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It's impossible not to breathe in deeply once you arrive at Tres Sirenas, a white-washed oceanfront property. Soothing waves beckon from the beach, and bustle of busy San Juan feels worlds away. The hotel's five rooms all have ocean views and feel like tropical villas, with clay tiled floors, wood furniture, breezy ceiling fans, and private terraces. You can borrow paddle boards, kayaks and snorkel gear. An oceanfront pool is flanked with canopied daybeds, while an adjoining swimming cove offers a nice alternative to Rincón's wavy surf beaches.
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Courtesy Levain Artisan Breads
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Levain Artisan Breads
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Levain's motto translates to: “yeast is our culture and our culture is yeast,” which demonstrates the west coast bakery's commitment to its craft. Try the tricked-out Monte Cristo sandwich: challah that's topped with salami, pepperoni, cream cheese, and strawberry marmalade, then soaked in French toast batter, pan-fried in butter, and sprinkled in powdered sugar with a touch of maple syrup. There's also eggs Benedict on a house-made English muffin with classic Hollandaise and smoked salmon or spinach. This is a great for a stop if you're flying in or out of Aguadilla, the hub of the west.
Courtesy Rincon Surf School
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Rincón Surf School
Rincón Surf School, a serious educational center that opened in 1999, is staffed by coaches who offer private, group, and private group lessons, along with guided tours. They can work with every skill level, so need to worry if you've never stepped foot on a board before. Rincón is a laid-back surf town, and these lessons broaden your understanding of the city's culture. Be sure to reserve in advance.

Courtesy Timber & Blues
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Timber & Blues
Timber and Blues' darkened speakeasy vibe can seem played out, but here it's just a cover for a great dive with excellent craft cocktails. Anyone hanging out on the west coast of the island should adopt this bar as their local—even if it's just for a night or two. This is one of those ambidextrous joints that goes both ways: they're happy to crack open a beer, but they'll also shake up something custom-tailored to your unique tastes.
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Tres Palmas Marine Reserve
At Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, the first marine reserve established in Puerto Rico, you can walk right up to Steps Beach, which boasts an incredibly healthy reef that draws scuba divers in droves. Check out the elkhorn coral, a federally protected endangered series, as well as the wealth of marine life—you might even catch a glimpse of a dolphin. The reserve is easy to find. There's also signage for Steps Beach, though it can be a bit rocky to get to, and the water can be choppy.

Emily Elisabeth
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La Copa Llena at The Black Eagle
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A breezy oceanfront restaurant so gorgeously picturesque it feels like you're walking into the last scene of a rom-com. The outdoor terrace is framed perfectly by swaying palms, strung with delicate fairy lights, and looks directly out over the sunset. The tapas-style appetizers are tiny but pack a punch: think bites of smoky chistorra sausage with roasted red peppers, anchovies and eggs on slices of crusty baguette, and perfectly fried tostones. The mains are seafood-centric and dance with global and local flavors, like the catch-of-the-day curry, served with plantains and coconut rice. Most of the ingredients are sourced locally and so the menu changes often, but you can expect playful and inventive Puerto Rican fusion cuisine that doesn't take itself too seriously.
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Faro de Punta Higuero
The original Punta Higuero Lighthouse was built by Spain in 1892, then redone in the '20s by the U.S. government. There's no effort involved in getting here and scoping it out, even if you don't fancy yourself a lighthouse aficionado; in fact, it's unmissable when you're hanging out in Rincón and visiting the surrounding park. The lighthouse, a sight unto itself, also offers views of surfers on the ocean and great sunsets over this tranquil beach town.

ADJUNTAS
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Sandra Farms
Sandra Farms, a working coffee farm in the mountains of Adjuntas, offers daily Trip to Origin tours where you can taste the coffee, learn about the island's history of production, and sample the housemade chocolate. There's pick-up and drop-off in San Juan, but you can also arrive at the farm—way up a very windy mountain road—on your own, whether you brave a drive or hire independently. Tour guides work on the farm, and can speak about the history of sustainable agriculture in Puerto Rico as a whole. No doubt you'll appreciate enjoy the view—and likely the chocolate samples, too.

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La Terraza by the River Cantina
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La Terraza by the River—indeed, a terrace on the river—is the most popular spot in Adjuntas for drinks, and it's a great place to come after a day of outdoor adventures. Most folks order low-key beers like Heineken, Peroni, and the local Medalla. There are also mixed drinks, as well as nachos and other bar snacks. Expect friendly, but dive-y service, and know what you want when you belly up to the bar.
Courtesy of Sandra Farms
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Greenhaven in the Cloud Forest at Sandra Farms
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As its name suggest, the highest peak of Greenhaven in the Cloud Forest, at the top of a working coffee farm, is practically in the clouds. From the guest cottages, you have a brilliant view of the forests and greenery below; it's a space from which to escape civilization. The rooms are simple, making Greenhaven a place to get off the grind and unwind. While it's a cozy spot to stay, it's an even better launch pad for further exploring the region.

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Cerro de Punta
At 4,400 feet, Cerro de Punta is the tallest mountain in Puerto Rico; on a clear day, you can see the entirety of the island from the top. Adventurers can choose to drive or hike, but after Hurricane Maria, it's more advised to hike, as the driving terrain can be treacherous. Hiking paths are pretty clear, but folks with mobility issues should sit this one out. And only go during daylight.
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Charco El Mango
Park nearby and walk a bit down a dirt path to Charco El Mango, a swimming hole that's well-known among locals but not overcrowded. There are waterfalls, too, making the park a quiet respite that's simply gorgeous to take in. This is a free attraction on a mountainous, rugged route studded with some of Puerto Rico's most significant natural sights. If exploring the island's terrain is a priority, it's a must-see.

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Heladeria Lares
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Heladeria Lares is an old-school ice cream shop right on the town square in Lares, site of a famous anti-Spanish uprising in the 19th century. It opened in 1968 and is still run by the same family, and there are upwards of 50 flavors from which to choose on any given day. There's a reason the shop has been open for more than 50 years, as if its inventive flavors—rice and beans, pumpkin, sesame seed—predicted the kind of hipster ice cream that only recently arrived in Brooklyn.
Courtesy Tierra del Frío
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Tierra del Frío
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The rusty orange facade of Tierra del Frío, widely considered one of the best restaurant in Adjuntas, invites you in for homey, traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. This is a great place to go with a few friends or family and order a lot of dishes to share. Enjoy mofongo, rice and beans, simple salads, pork chops, and other classics from the Puerto Rican cuisine canon. And even though you're in the mountains, there's usually seafood, too.

PONCE
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Museo de Arte de Ponce
Museo de Arte de Ponce is a big, modern museum boasting a permanent collection of 4,500 artworks from Europe, the Americas, and Africa, making it a real destination on the south coast of the island. The museum has a great reputation for sparking conversation between Old World Europe and New World America. Everything is housed in a modern structure that feels very much in line with other major museums throughout Latin America. There are two guided tours a day, in either English or Spanish, and they're free with admission. A tour can go a long way toward contextualizing the rather expansive collection.

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King's Cream
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Set right on the main plaza in Ponce, the historic King's Cream Ice Cream Shop brings in locals and visitors alike. The old-school vibe and signage also make it an ideal photo-op spot. King's makes fruity ice creams—soursop, passionfruit, and coconut—that keep folks coming back. It's hard to make a wrong choice here, so come with family or friends for a cone and enjoy your spoils while people-watching on the plaza.
Courtesy Chef's Creations
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Chef's Creations
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The first thing you notice at Chef's Creations is the stone interior—the perfect setting for well-plated local dishes that come straight from a chalkboard menu. The restaurant is a real draw for serious food-lovers around Ponce, because while none of the dishes—mofongo, burgers, fajitas—are all that surprising, they're all executed to perfection. The restaurant also offers a daily "plato vegano," or vegan plate, plus loads of seafood.

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El Marlin Trópical Drinks Kiosko #23
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Marlin’s 23 at La Guancha is a scenic boardwalk joint right on the water. Because the bar has a reputation for its terrific approach to mixology, it tends to attract locals looking for more than just cheap beer. For instance, it won't be strange to get a drink featuring Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky and Ancho Reyes here—both marks of a well-stocked backbar. If you're looking for a bite, there are plenty of solid places nearby.
Courtesy Museo Castillo Serralles
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Museo Castillo Serralles
Once a mansion that was built upon the highest peak in the city in the 1930s, Museo Castillo Serrallés now serves as a place to learn about Puerto Rico's vast sugarcane and rum industries. The Serrallés in the name refers to the family-owned Destileria Serrallés, makers of the local Don Q rum. Because the castle is owned by the city of Ponce, the museum hosts a lot of public programming, including movie nights.