Puerto Rico Activities

While the beach can easily keep children occupied for days, adults should take advantage of Puerto Rico’s historical offerings, many of which will appeal to children. The fort at San Juan is a playground for young ones, while also being an educational daytrip where they can learn about the island’s history, while the Kid’s Museum, also in the capital, is designed especially for children, with all sorts of fun and interactive activities  on offer.

Fort San Cristobal
While the fort is suitable for visitors of all ages, children will especially enjoy this huge maze that stands guard over San Juan. Situated in the northeast corner of the Old City, the fort was constructed in 1634, but amended in the 19th century. It has status as one of the largest fortifications ever built in the Americas and boasts towering walls. Built to protect the city against attacks by mainly European invaders, the cannons and their firing positions can still be seen today, providing much enjoyment for children.

Pigeon's Park (Parque de las Palomas)
Located near the Paseo de la Princesa in San Juan, this park is a popular hang out for families, who come here to feed the infamous pigeons. While this is no Trafalgar Square, the park is a relaxing spot where little ones can purchase a bag of dry corn and feed the birds directly from their hands. The exciting opportunity makes a pleasant change from the beach and adults can grab a moment to relax.

The Kids Museum (Museo del Niño) 
This museum is designed especially with children in mind and is both an educational and fun institution. Situated on Calle Cristo in San Juan, the Museo del Niño will inspire your children. Suitable for an entire day’s exploring, young ones and teenagers will especially enjoy the interactive activities on offer, with all written displays in both English and Spanish.

Puerto Rico is a sportsman’s paradise, with a range of water sports and adventure activities on offer, while it is also the gold capital of the Caribbean. Inland, the mountains and the Caribbean National Forest, locally known as El Yunque, provide miles of hiking trails, nature walks and waterfalls that make perfect territory for ‘canyoning’, a sport that overcomes natural obstacles by any means, whether it be jumping, climbing or swimming.

Canyoning
Adventure sports and travel have increased in popularity over the last decade in Puerto Pico, with the number of activities on offer swelling. Among these is canyoning, which involves visiting uninhabited areas and overcoming natural obstacles. This can be one of the most exciting ways to explore the island, with everything from swimming, rafting, climbing and hiking typically involved. Visitors can either arrange to go on a group adventure, easily booked through a travel agent, or they can choose their own trail through the Caribbean National Forest, locally known as El Yunque.

Golf
As the golf capital of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico will not disappoint those looking to pot a few holes. With a grand total of 23 golf courses, there is a good selection to choose from, with courses ranging in difficulty, variety and landscape. The perfect year-round weather ensures you can play in any season and the gold courses here have excellent facilities, with some being part of a resort, offering accommodation, dining and entertainment in addition to the greens. All courses are open to the general public, but it is advisable to check dress codes and book in advance. Among the most popular courses are: Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort, West Rio Mar Beach Course and Coco Beach Golf and Country Club.

Water sports
Surfing, among other water sports, is hugely popular in Puerto Rico, with hundreds of miles of coastline. Popular beaches from which to surf include; Isabela, Rincon and Punta Santiago.  While the rivers and lakes inland can also provide exciting water sport opportunities including; kayaking and body surfing down mountain streams. Windsurfing and sailing are readily available, with waves often reaching 25 feet high. Rincon hosted the World Surfing Championships in 1968. Scuba diving is also a popular pursuit, with lessons and training available as well as dives designed for the more experienced.

The food is one of the attractions that draw many visitors back to Puerto Rico time and time again. While top cuisine at many holiday destinations can be expensive, some of the most delicious food in Puerto Rico will cost you next to nothing, with roadside food stalls being among the cheapest.

Popular dishes to try include; octopus salad, cod fritters (bacalaitos) and plantain turnovers. For the more adventurous, there is mavi, a local fermented drink, and quenepas, a green fruit that looks like large grapes. Most dishes here are based on rice or beans, with pork and plantain being the two most commonly found ingredients. Tostones (fried, mashed plantains) are delicious, while mofongo, a plantain ball served in stock and stuffed with seafood, is also well worth a try. Paella is also a favourite here, while viandas, different types of roots, can also be eaten on the island, with a range of combinations available.

With miles of coastline, it is no wonder seafood is readily abundant here, with tuna, crab, lobster, snapper, oysters, clams and shrimp all being favourites. The land crabs are actually endangered, so it is best you avoid eating them when offered; you will often see them live at road stands waiting to be cooked.

While the beach is an obvious place to eat, with many eateries lining the more popular stretches on the island, most major towns and cities have a good selection of restaurants. For authentic Puerto Rican food you must head off the beaten track, with the cheaper roadside restaurants often being the best choice. International and Puerto Rican interpretations of fast food restaurants are widespread in the more commercial areas, but these are by far a less delicious and more expensive alternative to eating at the local hangouts.

However, if you do want to branch out, the island does have some exclusive dining experiences on offer. San Juan has some five-star hotels with top-notch restaurants offering excellent views of the coast.

The island is famous for its rum and is home to the Pina Colada, so be sure to enjoy a fresh coconut with some authentic Puerto Rican rum in it to polish off your meal.

There are extensive shopping opportunities on the island, sure to please any spend-thrifty bargain hunter. While the larger towns and cities provide the most extensive opportunities, most beachside resorts have a good selection of traditional goods, handicrafts and souvenirs for sale.

The largest shopping mall can be found in San Juan, Plaza las Americas. It ranks as not only the largest shopping mall on the island, but the largest in the Caribbean and it offers entertainment and dining as well as shopping. The larger towns and cities each have a shopping mall where well known American chain stores are commonly found.

For upscale boutiques and designer goods, Condado in San Juan is the place to see and be seen. Here you will find everything from Cartier to Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel. If you want designer goods, but not at prices to match, head for one of Puerto Rico’s factory outlets, which sell brand names at discounted prices. Belz Factory Outlet, Ralph Lauren Factory Store and Prime Outlet are three of these chains, with goods by Polo, Ralph Lauren and Hilfiger on offer at exceptional prices.

For more authentic goods and souvenirs, Old San Juan has a variety of crafts, while the island’s festivals usually attract a host of artisans who come to sell their wares. Popular knick-knacks to take back home with you include coffee, paintings, handicrafts, clothing and tobacco. There are also a number of art galleries across the island selling excellent paintings, prints and sculptures that make ideal presents, although they can be difficult to carry.