Nearby is lovely Esperanza, a small seaside town whose malecón (boardwalk) is dotted with restaurants, bars and guesthouses. Start your trip at Sun Bay Beach, one of the most popular beaches thanks to well-maintained facilities: lifeguards, bathrooms, showers and a restaurant. To explore the island by car, take the cargo ferry from Ceiba (approximately 30 minutes), or catch a 25-minute flight from San Juan and rent a car upon arrival. Famous for its undeveloped beach coves, lush vegetation and roaming paso fino horses, it has a laid-back, small-town vibe that makes it the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of its (much) bigger neighbor. Often overlooked by visitors, Vieques is located 7 miles off the east coast of the big island of Puerto Rico. Hop on a ferry to explore charming Viequesīest route for a laid-back vibe Ceiba–Vieques 50 miles (including roundtrip ferry) Take the car ferry to the island of Vieques for undeveloped peaceful beaches © Billy Robin McFarland / Getty Images 5. And no road trip experience in Puerto Rico is complete without a day spent “ chinchorreando,” which usually consists of scenic drives through the mountains with stops at various establishments to experience food, drinks and sweeping views of the lush countryside along the way. Drive the Chinchorro Routeīest route for roadside restaurants Bayamón–Comerío 20 milesĪ chinchorro is a small, typically roadside restaurant or kiosk that serves all kinds of Puerto Rican foods, especially the deep-fried variety. Planning tip: You’ll come across plenty of beaches en route, but swimmers beware: the tide is strong on the north shore, with large waves in the winter months that are perhaps better suited to surfing. End your day in Islote, where countless bars look out over the sea and afford ideal spots to take in the sunset with a refreshing drink in hand. We recommend unwinding at La Poza del Obispo beach, with its turquoise waters, towering limestone rock formations and historic lighthouse. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and featured in movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, this seaside grotto has Taino petroglyphs dating back nearly a millennia.Īny seafood restaurant along the road – like Salitre or Playa Brava – makes a great spot for lunch or dinner.

Make a quick pit stop at Rolyn’s seafood kiosk, known for manta-ray empanadillas (turnovers), as you make your way to La Cueva del Indio (the Indian Cave). Start your journey on Route 684 north and follow the farmlands along the river until the road continues as coastal route 681. The northern coastal roads of Barceloneta and Arecibo offer easy drives by the seascapes of the rugged, dramatic Atlantic shore. Best route for dramatic coastline Barceloneta–Arecibo 10 miles

Walking map of old san juan