Where to Stay in Puerto Rico in 2024, by an Area Local (2024)

If you’re planning a visit and wondering where to stay in Puerto Rico, then you’ve come to the right place. Choosing the right place to stay in Puerto Rico could very well make the difference between a great vacation and a forgettable one.

Not to worry, though, because I’m a Puerto Rico local who is here to help you map out your trip.

Because I know it’s hard to decide between staying in the capital city of San Juan and other municipalities around the island, I’ve put together this complete guide on where to stay in Puerto Rico to help you choose the perfect stay for your vacation.

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Best Places to Stay in Puerto Rico

Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Puerto Rico? Here are my top picks:

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort
• ✨ Best Luxury Hotel – St. Regis Bahia Resort
• 👪 Best for Families – La Concha Renaissance
• 👔 Best for Business – Sheraton Hotel & Casino
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – O:live Boutique Hotel
• 📍 Best Near Old San Juan – Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel
• 💵 Best Budget Hotel – Boutique Hotel Belgica

Ok, let’s do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Puerto Rico:

11 Best Neighbourhoods & Areas to Stay in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an archipelago divided into 78 municipalities. San Juan is the capital city as you can see on this map. San Juan sports manyPuerto Rico hotels and accommodation options but it isn’t the best place to stay if you’re looking for breathtaking uncrowded beaches or colorful sunsets. Let’s look into the best spots to stay around the island.

Old San Juan

👉 Best Area For Sightseeing | ✨ Best Old San Juan Hotels: El Convento • Sheraton Old San Juan • CasaBlanca Hotel

Old San Juan is the most popular destination in Puerto Rico and the perfect place to stay in the city of San Juan if you want to enjoy historical landmarks, good food, nightlife, and Puerto Rico’s local culture all within a short walk.

San Juan is home to famous attractions like El Morro, Paseo de la Princesa, and the San Juan Gate. The capital city also has plenty of bars and nightclubs that invite visitors to party until sunrise.

Pros of Staying in Old San Juan:

• Attractions within walking distance
• Lots of fun restaurants and bars
• Great Puerto Rico nightlife
• Variety of hotels for all types of travelers
• Options for public transportation
• Renting a car isn’t necessary

Cons of Staying in Old San Juan:

• Gets crowded
• Restaurants and hotels can be pricey
• Limited on-street free parking
• Hard to navigate in a car

Rio Grande

👉 Best Area For Adventure Lovers | ✨ Best Rio Grande Hotels: Wyndham Grand Rio • St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort • Margaritaville Vacation Club

Rio Grande is home to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the entire United States and one of the most popular attractions in Puerto Rico.

Rio Grande is the perfect place to stay in Puerto Rico for adventure travelers.

There are many outdoor activities like hiking difficult trails, sliding down natural waterfalls, horseback riding, and ziplining.

This city also has the most luxurious hotel in Puerto Rico, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, and is close to Luquillo and Fajardo, two great cities with beautiful beaches.

Pros of Staying in Rio Grande:

• Close to El Yunque
• Outdoor activities
• Close the Luquillo Beach
• Variety of accommodation options

Cons of Staying in Rio Grande:

• Far from San Juan’s main attractions
• Rains frequently
• Not many attractions outside El Yunque

Condado

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Condado Hotels: Condado Vanderbilt • La Concha Renaissance Resort • Condado Ocean Club

Condado is a neighborhood conveniently located between the beach and a lagoon. It houses beachfront resorts and some of the top San Juan restaurants.

Condado is one of the best places to stay in Puerto Rico for families and has some fabulous Puerto Rico resorts.

Condado sports multiple accommodation options with an outdoor terrace, swimming pool, dining area, comfy beds, outdoor pool, and in-house casino, and is home to Ford’s four-star hotel, Condado Vanderbilt.

Pros of Staying in Condado:

• Family entertainment
• Lots of restaurants and bars
• Close to Old San Juan
• Close to the airport
• Located near the beach

Cons of Staying in Condado:

• Restaurants and hotels can be pricey
• Heavy traffic
• Limited free on-street parking

Isla Verde

👉 Best Area For Couples and Honeymooners | ✨ Best Isla Verde Hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites • Embassy Suites by Hilton • TRYP by Wyndham

Isla Verde is a luxurious resort area that offers visitors a taste of the Caribbean while staying close to San Juan Airport and Old San Juan’s attractions.

Isla Verde is a great location to stay in Puerto Rico for honeymooners and couples.

Isla Verde restaurants serve everything from authentic Puerto Rican dishes to international delicacies.

The bars and clubs in the area offer top-notch nightlife for night owls. Isla Verde is also next to Piñones, where you can enjoy the best Puerto Rican cuisine.

Pros of Staying in Isla Verde:

• Close to airport
• Lots of restaurants and bars
• Thriving nightlife
• Public transportation option
• Beachfront location
• Accommodation options

Cons of Staying in Isla Verde:

• Gets crowded
• Hotels and restaurants can be pricey
• Not the best area to experience Puerto Rican culture

Fajardo

👉 Best Area For Clear Beaches | ✨ Best Fajardo Hotel: El Conquistador Resort

If you want to stay close to some of the clearest waters of Puerto Rico, book your stay in Fajardo.

Fajardo is located on the east side of the island and it sports one of the best hotels in Puerto Rico, El Conquistador Beach Resort, with a breathtaking view of the coast and a new waterpark for kids.

Some of the best things to do in Fajardo include the bioluminescent lagoon and Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve.You’ll also find plenty of excellent beaches in Fajardo and the surrounding area.

Pros of Staying in Fajardo:

• Clearwater and sandy beaches
• Good location to visit Vieques and Culebra
• Lots of restaurants
• Has camping sites
• Easy access to a Puerto Rico bio bay
• Tours to offshore islands
• Access to great diving and snorkeling sites
• Lots of tours and equipment rentals

Cons of Staying in Fajardo:

• Far from San Juan
• Few indoor attractions

Ponce

👉 Best Area For History Lovers | ✨ Best Ponce Hotels: Hilton Ponce Golf and Casino Resort • Aloft Ponce • Boutique Hotel Bélgica

Ponce, located on the south coast facing the Caribbean Sea, is a great place to stay in Puerto Rico for people looking for a similar place to Old San Juan.

Ponce has multiple landmarks dating back to the Spanish colonial era that will transport every visitor to the island’s past lifestyle.

It’s also home to multiple museums where you can learn about Puerto Rican art, music, and culture.

The beach is an entertainment option in Ponce, and Ponce’s restaurants will make you experience the best of the local cuisine.

Pros of Staying in Ponce:

• Lots of restaurants
• Central location to visit cities in the south
• Many interesting things to do in Ponce for history lovers
• Access to beaches
• Has both luxury and budget-friendly hotels
• Nightlife options
• Has one of the three Puerto Rico international airports

Cons of Staying in Ponce:

• Far from San Juan
• Food can be pricey
• Heavy traffic in some areas

Isabela

👉 Best Area For Experiencing Local Island Vibes | ✨ Best Isabela Hotels: Parador Villas del Mar Hau • Royal Isabela • Villa Montaña Beach Resort

If you want to stay in a city that’s tourist-friendly but not touristy enough to ruin the local cultural experience, then head over to Isabela.

Isabela is a coastal city with a prime location between the north and northwest attractions.

Besides the beautiful Jobos Beach, Isabela is home to the Guajataca Forest, Cueva de las Golondrinas, Montones Beach, and some of the best restaurants to eat seafood in Puerto Rico.

Isabela is close to other nearby Puerto Rican cities like Camuy, Aguadilla, and Arecibo.

If staying here, be sure to bookmark my guide to the best things to do in Isabela.

Pros of Staying in Isabela:

• Lots of restaurants and bars
• Prime location
• Great beaches
• Luxury and budget-friendly hotels available
• Home to surfing contests

Cons of Staying in Isabela:

• Far from San Juan
• Beaches can be dangerous

Cabo Rojo

👉 Best Area For Young Travelers | ✨ Best Cabo Rojo Hotels: Combate Beach Resort • Douglas Highway Inn Hotel • BOHO Beach Club

Cabo Rojo is home to beautiful sunsets, beautiful beaches, and landmarks filled with natural beauty.

Located in the west of Puerto Rico, Cabo Rojo is the ideal getaway for couples or backpackers traveling in groups who want to experience the culture and beauty of Puerto Rico.

Cabo Rojo offers a few of the best landmarks in Puerto Rico, like Los Morrillos Lighthouse in Cabo Rojo’s National Wildlife Refuge, Boqueron Beach, the Pink Salt Flats, and Joyuda.

Pros of Staying in Cabo Rojo:

• Access to some of the top beaches of Puerto Rico
• Lots of free things to do in Cabo Rojo
• Budget-friendly
• Accommodation options
• Lots of restaurants and bars
• Camping sites

Cons of Staying in Cabo Rojo:

• Far from the metro area
• Beaches get crowded

Rincón

👉 Best Area For Surfers and Beach Bums | ✨ Best Rincon Hotels: Villa Cofresi • Casa Verde Hotel • Rincon Beach Resort

Rincón is a beach town on the west coast that is home to the best beaches in Puerto Rico for surfers.

It’s the ideal place to stay in Puerto Rico for people who want a vacation full of gorgeous beaches, surfing, and small-town peaceful vibes.

It also makes for an affordable base if you’re doing Puerto Rico as a budget traveler, as it has plenty of budget-friendly hotels.

Rincon’s town center has restaurants, souvenir shops, bakeries, and art galleries, plus small colorful houses that make for a great photo background.

Rincon is also the best town in Puerto Rico for whale watching during the winter and spring.

Read my full guide to where to stay in Rincon for more info.

Pros of Staying in Rincon:

• Beaches for surfing
• Home to great Puerto Rico snorkeling spots
• Budget-friendly hotels
• There are lots of fun things to do in Rincon
• Amazing sunsets

Cons of Staying in Rincon:

• Far from San Juan
• Hard to move around without a car
• Not the best city to experience authentic local culture

Culebra Island

👉 Best Area for Relaxation | ✨ Best Culebra Hotels: Club Seabourne Hotel • Palmetto Guest House • El Navegante de Culebra

Culebra is one of the smaller islands that belong to Puerto Rico, and it’s the perfect destination to relax and disconnect from the daily rush.

The island’s main attractions are its paradisiacal blue turquoise beaches like Flamenco Beach and Tamarindo Beach, some of the best beaches in Culebra and Puerto Rico.

Culebra Island is also one of the places in Puerto Rico where you can swim with sea turtles while scuba diving or find their nests on the sandy beach.

For more, see my full guide to where to stay on Culebra.

Pros of Staying in Culebra:

• Uncrowded beaches
• Relaxing getaway
• Easy access to Culebrita and Vieques
• Top-notch snorkeling and diving

Con of Staying in Culebra:

• Difficult to get there
• Mostly outdoor attractions
• Lack of nightlife

Vieques Island

👉 Best Area For Nature Lovers | ✨ Best Vieques Hotels: Bravo Beach Hotel • El Blok • Blue Horizon Boutique Resort

Nature lovers should definitely include Vieques in their list of where to stay in Puerto Rico.

Vieques Island is a small island located off Puerto Rico’s east coast. Vieques’ attractions go from walking on a black sand beach to kayaking in Mosquito Bay, the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.

If you’re staying in Vieques, be sure to bookmark my full guide to where to stay in Vieques.

Pros of Staying in Vieques Island :

• Access to the brightest bio bay in the world
• Lots of restaurants and bars
• Natural breathtaking landscapes
• Great Puerto Rico diving and snorkeling spots

Cons of Staying in Vieques Island:

• Located offshore
• Difficult to get to

Utuado

👉 Best Area For Experiencing the Countryside | ✨ Best Utuado Hotels: Casa Grande Mountain Retreat

Utuado is located in Puerto Rico’s mountainous region and is a great place to stay to experience Puerto Rico’s peaceful countryside.

Although many travelers shy away from the town due to the curvy roads to get there, Utuado’s charm and relaxing vibe are worth the drive.

Utuado’s things to do include caving, river tubing, kayaking, and swimming in rivers. It’s also one of the best places to camp in Puerto Rico.

The mesmerizing landscapes, the relaxing atmosphere, and the warm locals make Utuado one of the best places to stay on the island.

Pros of Staying in Utuado

• Relaxing and secluded place to stay
• Lots of natural attractions
• Free things to do
• Great camping sites
• Fresh temperatures all year

Cons of Staying in Utuado

• Need a rental car to get there
• Difficult roads to navigate
• Limited hotel offer
• Far from the beach

Tips for Staying in Puerto Rico

Choose the Right Location in Puerto Rico

To get the most out of your trip to Puerto Rico, you must choose where to stay according to your goal vacation. While Old San Juan is central (and the ideal base if you only have 3 days in Puerto Rico), it won’t fit every traveler’s taste.

Puerto Rico offers different accommodation options for surfers, history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and beach bummers so visitors can find the ideal place to stay.

Rent a Car if You Can

Old San Juan is a great city for walking on foot without the need to rent a car or take a taxi. However, travelers who are thinking about visiting other parts of the island should rent a vehicle in Puerto Rico since public transportation is mostly limited to Puerto Rico’s metro area.

Be sure to read up on Puerto Rico’s driving rules, and use Discover Cars to find the best prices for car rentals.

Go Outside San Juan’s Touristic Zone

While Old San Juan, Isla Verde, and Condado are great places to stay in Puerto Rico, they don’t do justice to Puerto Rico’s culture and beauty. Some of the island’s greatest destinations are in non-touristy municipalities like Utuado, Arecibo, Isabela, and Orocovis.

If you don’t dare to go on your own, hire a local guide that takes you to Puerto Rico’s best-hidden gems.

Travel to Puerto Rico in the Off-Season

Puerto Rico can be an expensive destination, especially during the high season. Visiting the island off-season can save you money on hotels, tours, rental cars, and even restaurants. Puerto Rico sports nice weather all year round and you can visit the beaches in other seasons besides summer.

For more, see my guide to the best times to visit Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Doesn’t Have “All Inclusive” Resorts

While many people associate a Caribbean island vacation with an all inclusive resort, you may be surprised to learn that there are no true “all inclusive resorts” in Puerto Rico.

Yes, you can find some Puerto Rico resorts that offer packages including some meals or drinks. But you won’t find a full “all inclusive” resort, like you might in the Dominican Republic or other Caribbean islands.

I wrote a whole article explaining why Puerto Rico lacks all inclusive resorts, if you’re curious about the topic.

FAQs About Staying in Puerto Rico

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That’s the complete guide to the best neighborhoods and cities where to stay in Puerto Rico. I hope this helps you find the best place to stay for your Puerto Rico vacation. While you’re here, don’t miss my complete guide to the 71 best things to do in Puerto Rico.

Have fun exploring Puerto Rico!