Posted on 04/03/2024
When it comes to family travel destinations with plenty of things to do, Puerto Rico’s got you covered. The island is perfect for family vacations with delights that will excite adults and kids of all ages. Discover all around enjoyment and fun, from historical colonial neighborhoods, bioluminescent bays and lush nature refuges teeming with colorful birds to exciting arcades, and engaging edutainment experiences. U.S. citizens and permanent residents don’t need passports, making this slice of paradise an effortless trip for your next Caribbean family getaway. Get ready for a family vacation filled with extraordinary adventure and the makings of lifelong memories. This itinerary will take you across the island, so book a rental car and bring an appetite for a great time.
Day 1: Parks and Museums in San Juan
Start your family vacation in and around its capital with all the cultural and technological perks you would expect from a modern city close to home. You can visit the Museo del Niño de Carolina, this is your headquarters for hands on exhibits that make learning fun. Dive into physics, nature, art, and music before racing go-karts, riding pedal boats, or meeting the minizoo’s macaw parrots. For a quick adrenaline stop spend an afternoon at Distrito T-Mobile, the island’s premier entertainment destination with restaurants and family activities including TOROVERDE Urban Park. Everyone will sleep well after the excitement of ziplines, ropes courses, virtual-reality machines, and arcade games ranging from classic to cutting-edge. Adults who want to see San Juan’s sights while keeping the kids and teens happy can check out guided explorations. Cruise on ATVs, saddle up a sleek horse or sail past colonial castles and fortresses.
Day 2: Resorts, Rainforests & Beaches
The east region of Puerto Rico boasts family-friendly resorts with many activities including lagoon-like pools, championship golf courses, tennis courts, spas, and (in one case) an actual waterpark. For a taste of the tropics, El Yunque National Forest provides 24 miles of tropical-rainforest trails to swim in pools created by tumbling waterfalls, spy emerald Puerto Rican parrots, and ride horses and UTVs with Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park. Less than 2 miles from Puerto Rico’s stunning east coast is Cayo Icacos, an uninhabited island with pristine white sand beaches. Take a short water taxi or boat charter ride from Fajardo or San Juan to the beach, where you can suntan, snorkel, and scuba dive with all the family. At night, embark on an unforgettable adventure under the starlit skies of Puerto Rico as you paddle through the shimmering waters of an enchanting bioluminescent bay.
Day 3: Sports, Speed & Snorkeling
All over Puerto Rico there are family oriented recreational opportunities. Puerto Rico’s Olympic training center Albergue Olímpico Germán Rieckehoff has a water park, aviary, playgrounds, a botanic garden, and a cozy museum dedicated to Puerto Rico’s Olympians that will make for a fun and educational day for the family. At the Salinas Speedway, you can cheer on cars of all makes and models as they speed down a racing strip that gets rave reviews for having a good family atmosphere. For water enthusiasts, you can go snorkeling, kayaking, and ride jet skis. You can join Adventure and Water Sports for a tour and spend a day enjoying the island’s beautiful blue waters. To end the day, venture into Ponce’s bustling food market (Plaza del Mercado), where the entire family can marvel at the array of fresh produce and interact with local vendors.
Day 4: Wildlife, Wellness & Watersports
As you continue to explore the island, you can admire natural wonders and tropical creatures from land and in the sea as you continue your family vacation in the island’s West region. In the town of Cabo Rojo, in the southwest, stroll around a natural wildlife refuge as you keep an eye out for birds, you will also find dusky pink salt flats that are a must-see and are perfect for a family picture. Take relaxation to the max with a few nights at one of the West region’s quaint resorts. Unwind with spa experiences, sunset cruises, and fine dining. The younger ones will enjoy perks like volleyball courts, palm shaded pools, kite surfing, and riding bikes on the beach.
Day 5: Easy Day at the Beach
After some days in Puerto Rico the whole family will also crave some sun and relaxation. With many miles of beaches, you will find one that is a fit for everyone. Nestled against the backdrop of El Yunque, La Monserrate in Luquillo is known for its crescent-shaped beach with shallow waters, golden sands, and activities like swimming and flyboarding. This beautiful beach offers lifeguards, vendors, and camping areas with showers, making it family friendly. Adjacent to Luquillo Kiosks, which provides diverse dining options and authentic Puerto Rican flavors. Balneario de Carolina, close to many of the San Juan hotels, is popular for cleanliness and facilities such as a waterpark and microbrewery. Puerto Nuevo in Vega Baja features a Blue Flag beach with stunning limestone rocks, creating a protective barrier and offering both calm natural pools and open-water beaches for a varied family experience.
After 5 days you are just scratching the surface when it comes to family vacations in Puerto Rico. Contact our travel agency for more inspiration and to start planning your getaway.
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