Puerto Rico ⎮ Puerto Rico North Coast Vacation Planning Guide
Top Rainforest Tour from San Juan
The North of Puerto Rico is home to San Juan, the capital city, Isla Verde, and Dorado, the most popular places to stay. Conveniently close to the airport, choices of accommodations, and great excursions to the top attractions of Puerto Rico, it is the best region for first-time visitors who wish to enjoy the best of Puerto Rico with the least effort in planning. Old San Juan is a must-visit for all first-time visitors, where you can have cultural experiences, visit UNESCO sites, and learn about the island’s history.
This guide is full of information and organized to make it easy to plan a great vacation and save you much research time. We’ve been sharing Puerto Rico for 20 years, and we love to receive messages from happy travelers; we are confident you’ll have an unforgettable time with beautiful experiences.
Integrity of our guide
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Best Towns to Stay & Accommodations
💠 San Juan 💠 Isla Verde 💠 Dorado 💠 Manati
Things to Do, Places to Visit & Tours
Traveling & Getting Around the North
Getting Acquainted with the North
San Juan is the most popular tourist destination in Puerto Rico, offering visitors impressive landmarks and attractive beaches. Within the capital city, there are three tourist districts, each with its own vibe and unique reasons to stay. We advise you to go over our quick guide to get acquainted with the highlights, pros and cons.
+ Old San Juan Tourist District
Accommodations in Old San Juan: Historic buildings have become charming and elegant small inns and hotels.
Top Hotels in Old San Juan:
Pros of Staying in Old San Juan: You’ll benefit from walking to all major attractions in San Juan from your hotel.
Getting Around: Old San Juan can be explored on foot, and there are plenty of taxis to take you to nearby beaches, such as Escambron, where you can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive. A car is not recommended since parking can be a challenge.
+ Condado Tourist District
Accommodations in Condado: Condado is home to some of the most popular and luxurious beachfront and waterfront resorts in San Juan. For travelers wishing to spend less on hotels, there are various family-friendly hotels within walking distance of the beach. See the top-rated hotels in Condado below.
Top Rated Hotels:
- Condado Vanderbilt
- San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Juan
- La Concha Renaissance Resort
Pros of Staying in Condado: It is a very walkable tourist district, with easy access to restaurants, shops, casinos and beaches such as Escambron Beach, Condado Beach, La Playita del Condado, and the beloved Laguna del Condado (Condado Lagoon) Old San Juan is a short taxi ride from Condado or you can ride a bike there.
Getting Around: Ashford Drive is the main street where most hotels, restaurants, and shops are located; from there you can walk or take a bike ride across the Dos Hermanos Bridge to Escambron Beach and a little farther to Old San Juan.
+ Convention Tourist District
The Convention Center Tourist District was born in 2005 with the opening of the Puerto Rico Convention Center, the premier place for meetings and conventions on the island. In August 2021, Distrito T-Mobile was the new addition to the district, offering one-of-a-kind entertainment, a state-of-the-art movie theatre, many dining options, and an urban park featuring a zip line.
Accommodations: In the Convention Center District you can choose four hotels, Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino features a fantastic pool with sweeping views of the city, Hyatt House San Juan & Hyatt Place San Juan offer a kid-friendly pool and spacious suites, and ALOFT San Juan is the newest addition with a contemporary design.
Pros of Staying in Convention District: The location is perfect for cruisers who need accommodations near the cruise terminals. Spacious family-friendly suites at Hyatt House San Juan with access to pool at Hyatt Place San Juan. It has a less busy feel than Condado and Old San Juan.
Getting Around: No car rental is necessary, but if you choose to, a few garages are within walking distance to hotels. The Convention Center District is within walking distance of Condado and a 10-minute drive from Old San Juan. You can walk to Playita del Condado, La Laguna del Condado, and Escambron Beach. Old San Juan is a short 10-minute taxi ride away.
🏨 Best Hotels & Resorts in San Juan
In San Juan, you’ll find the most accommodation choices, from luxurious to budget and family-friendly hotels and vacation rentals. See tourist districts further below in this guide for the best hotels within each district.
Main Attractions in San Juan
Top Attractions & Things to Do in San Juan
- Walking Tour of Old San Juan Historic District
- Visit UNESCO sites of San Juan National Historic Site (Forts)
- Go Snorkeling with Sea Turtles at Escambron Beach
- Boat Tours to Icacos, Flamenco Beach in Culebra and Sailing at San Juan Bay
- Cultural Experiences in Old San Juan
- Rum Distillery Tours
- Learn how to scuba dive in San Juan
Best Daytrips from San Juan
- See guide to top 5 day trips from San Juan
- El Yunque National Rainforest
- Bioluminescent Bay Experience
Top Excursions from San Juan
The list of excursions from San Juan is very extensive, just about every major activity can be enjoyed from San Juan with a tour guide that provides transportation from the city.
The following are the most popular excursions
Pros & Cons of Staying in San Juan
Pros of staying in San Juan
- The Luis Muñoz Marin (SJU) airport is just 15 minutes from San Juan.
- There are plenty of attractions, activities, and beaches to explore for a few days.
- No car is needed to enjoy the top attractions in Puerto Rico since all excursions depart from San Juan.
Cons of staying in San Juan
- Dining is pricier in the city when compared to other towns.
- Beaches have more crowds than others around the island but are still nice and relaxed, with plenty of room on the sand to call your own. The water has more waves since San Juan is on the Atlantic Ocean. For calm water and safe swimming, head to Escambron, Playita del Condado, Pinegrove Beach in Isla Verde, and La Posita in the nearby town of Loiza. See more beaches on the north coast and the east coast.
Getting Around San Juan
Getting around is easy; you can walk to many places, rent a bike, or hop on a taxi. A car rental is not recommended due to parking difficulties, especially in Old San Juan. Check out this guide to see the numerous tours departing from San Juan.
Isla Verde – Carolina, Puerto Rico
It is important to know that Isla Verde is not in San Juan; many hotels add the name “San Juan” to the hotel for marketing purposes. Isla Verde is the tourist district in the municipality of Carolina, home to the main international airport of Puerto Rico, commonly known as San Juan Airport. The main attraction is the beaches, commonly known as Isla Verde Beach, which are three separate beaches, each with its own vibe. You can swim, learn to surf, go jet skiing, and enjoy a variety of watersports. If you enjoy casinos, dancing, and a lively restaurant/bar scene, you’ll be happy staying in Isla Verde.
🏨 Best Hotels & Resorts in Isla Verde
Along Avenida Isla Verde, you can choose from a few beachfront resorts, family-friendly hotels, and boutique small inns. Within walking distance, you can visit casinos, elegant lounges, and nightclubs where you’ll get a chance to practice your salsa moves.
Main Attractions in Isla Verde
The beaches of Isla Verde are the main attraction. Within walking distance of the hotels, there are various restaurants and casinos. The colorful historic district of Old San Juan is a quick 15-minute taxi ride, El Yunque is 30 minutes away. Most excursions to top attractions offer transportation from Isla Verde, so a car rental is not necessary to enjoy the best sights of the north and east regions.
Pros & Cons of Staying in Isla Verde
Pros
- It is close to the airport, has many choices of hotels and beachfront resorts for every budget, and many dining choices within walking distance of beaches and hotels.
Cons
- You’ll need a taxi ride to get to San Juan and other attractions.
Getting Around isla Verde
While in Isla Verde, you can walk to the beach, restaurants, and casinos from popular hotels. We recommend you take a taxi or rent a car. You can book tours to main attractions, that offer transportation to and from hotel areas.
Is a car rental necessary in Isla Verde? You may want to use taxis for part of your trip and rent a car for a few days, see below.
- A car rental is not necessary to get around the main tourist area of Isla Verde; you can get to the beaches on foot or by taking a short taxi ride. You’ll need to get a taxi or Uber to see the top attractions of San Juan and nearby, or you can book tours that offer pick-up from Isla Verde.
- A car rental is recommended for a few days of your vacation to go beach hopping and if you wish to explore sights on your own to save some money.
If renting a car, consider parking fees in the city; it may be worth taking a taxi or booking a tour, depending on your budget. There are parking garages in Isla Verde.
Dorado, Puerto Rico
Travelers seeking a tropical escape with the ultimate luxury and privacy ought to consider the town of Dorado, about 40 minutes from the capital city of San Juan. Dorado has always been recognized as one of the best-preserved and cleanest towns in Puerto Rico.
🏨 Best Hotels & Resorts in Dorado
- Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is one of the top three resorts in Puerto Rico, offering world-class golf courses, a spa, and luxurious accommodations.
- Villa Rental at Dorado Beach
Main Attractions in Dorado & Nearby
Top Things to Do Near Dorado
- Please see our guide to top attractions and activities on the north coast to find your perfect experience.
- The best beach nearby is Balneario El Escambron in San Juan, and there are several beautiful beaches on the north coast.
Things to Do in Dorado
We invite you to visit the charming plaza (square) of Dorado, the last remaining plaza with a traditional Spanish design; you may also visit the small but interesting museums within walking distance of the square.
Top Excursions from Dorado
We are updating this part with tours that offer pick up in Dorado. For now you can search on Viator, you can reserve and pay later and cancel within 24 hours.
Pros & Cons of Staying in Dorado
Pros
The Luis Muñoz Marin (SJU) airport is 30-45 minutes from the resort area in Dorado. You can get a taxi to the Cataño ferry terminal going to Old San Juan to enjoy all the historic district has to offer.
Cons
You’ll need a car rental to explore the beaches of the north coast and top attractions, however, there are plenty of tours that provide transportation to and from major attractions.
Getting Around Dorado
You’ll need a car rental for a few days to explore interesting places around Puerto Rico at your own pace. You may wish to book a tour that handles all the logistics.
Manati, Puerto Rico
Manati is not touristy; if you are the type of traveler who needs a clean, comfortable hotel, and you wish to rent a car to explore the island on your own, Manati is a great choice in the north coast. Manati is home to the beautiful Playa Mar Chiquita, and a good starting point to explore the best attractions and beaches on the north coast region. Be sure not to miss the amazing caves of Puerto Rico along the north and central karst region. You can dine at local restaurants and bakeries, and there are plenty of American chain restaurants you will recognize.
🏨 Best Hotels & Resorts in Manati
Main Attractions in Manati
Manati is home to beautiful beaches, the best are the following:
Pros & Cons of Staying in Manati
Pros
Manati has a central location on the island’s north coast, offering travelers easy access to many beaches and attractions. Hyatt Place Manati offers more affordable rates in comparison to the city.
Cons
Besides the beaches in Manati, there is not much to do, but with a car rental, you’ll have endless sights to see and explore.
Getting Around Manati
You’ll need a car rental to get around, taxis can get quite expensive, and they’re not suitable for stays in Manati.
Airports near the North Coast
- The best and most convenient option is flying to Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU), offering the most daily flights. You can take a taxi to your hotel or book a private transfer ahead of time for peace of mind.
Getting Around the North Coast
- If you stay in San Juan & Isla Verde: You can get around by taxi or Uber to the top attractions on the north coast. The most popular tours to top attractions offer transport from San Juan and Isla Verde, so seeing the island without a car rental is convenient.
- If you stay in Dorado: You can get a taxi to Cataño and take the ferry to Old San Juan to save money. You may also take taxis, but the cost will add up. The most popular tours to top attractions offer transport from San Juan and Isla Verde, so seeing the island without a car rental is convenient.
- If you stay in Manati: A car rental is recommended to get around.
Exploring Beaches of the North Coast
If you wish to go beach hopping, you can rent a car for a day or two. Another option is booking a tour to the most popular beaches.
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