Where to Stay in Puerto Rico for First Timers
There are SO MANY amazing places to stay in Puerto Rico — beachside boutique hotels in Puerto Rico’s boho surf-capital, beautifully restored 350-year-old hotels in the heart of colorful Old San Juan, eco-luxe mountain retreats tucked deep in the rainforest, and plenty of other places that perfectly blend adventure and relaxation.
But if you’re unsure of where to start (or simply overwhelmed by the myriad of great options), I’m sharing the very BEST areas to stay on the island with access to charming San Juan (and its airport), picture-perfect swimmable beaches, and must-do rainforest adventures.
I’m also sharing my personal recommendations for hotels and B&Bs in each part of the island, including the best luxury-on-a-budget stays and hidden gems. Let’s get into it! 🏝️
📍 About these hotel recommendations: Many of these spots are highly-rated boutique hotels and locally-run B&Bs because I prefer to support local businesses! I book my hotels on Booking.com which often offers free cancellations, just in case!!
My Puerto Rico photos, plus Tres Sirenas Beach Inn & Casa Grande Mountain Retreat
Where to Stay in Puerto Rico, by Area
1. RIO GRANDE
My personal favorite area to stay in Puerto Rico is laid-back Río Grande, nestled between El Yunque National Forest, beautiful Caribbean beaches, and an abundance of tranquil river swimming holes.
It’s an excellent location if you want to minimize driving but be outside of the city. You’ll be less than 30 minutes from the international airport, 45 minutes from Old San Juan, and right next to El Yunque National Forest. You’ll also find some of Puerto Rico’s best beaches nearby, along with one of Puerto Rico’s three famous bioluminescent bays!
A few of my favorite spots in and around Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Best Rio Grande Hotels & Resorts
- 🌿 MY FAVORITE—Dos Aguas ($300+/night): Serene family-owned bed and breakfast along the Río Espiritu Santo with delicious breakfast, riverside yoga, and kayaking and paddle boarding along the river.
- 🌺 The Serene House Bed & Breakfast ($300+/night): Highly rated (9.9/10 stars!!) bed and breakfast in the rainforest with ocean views, a small pool, and delicious daily breakfast.
- 🌊 Budget-Friendly Oceanfront Condo ($100+/night): Simple, but highly-rated affordable condo in a walkable area near the famous Luquillo Kiosks and beach.
- 🏝️ Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve ($250+/night) is where we stayed because we had Hyatt points to use, and we enjoyed the spacious rooms, but personally would have preferred a smaller hotel. Nearby Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest ($350) is also beachfront and another good option if you prefer a resort.
2. SAN JUAN
You can’t go wrong with Puerto Rico’s gorgeous capital city! But here’s what you should know about staying in San Juan: Old San Juan is the adorable colonial area, and that’s where I’d stay if you’re looking for those pastel colorful streets! If you’re wanting to stay in the city, but near the beach, stay in San Juan’s Condado neighborhood, which is home to tons of beachfront hotels!
While San Juan makes the perfect base (especially for a shorter trip), I highly recommend getting out of the city at least once on a day trip to El Yunque rainforest, and/or the glowing bioluminescent bay!
My exportations of Old San Juan, plus Villa Herencia Hotel
Best San Juan Hotels & Resorts
- ✨ MY FAVORITE—Villa Herencia Hotel ($250+/night): Gorgeous artsy rooms inside a historic hotel on a quieter street in the heart of Old San Juan!
- 🏝️ Trópica Beach Hotel ($350+/night): A short walk from one of San Juan’s most beautiful beaches and a variety of trendy restaurants and bars!
- 🌆 Metro Art Hotel ($120+/night): Cozy modern rooms in a clean, budget-friendly hotel in San Juan! The rooms feature city skyline views and overlook the park across the street.
- 🇵🇷 Hotel El Convento ($250+/night): Charming 350-year-old (but updated) hotel in the heart of Old San Juan, the perfect walkable location with a pool and hot tub overlooking San Juan Bay!
🌺 Save for later: The Perfect 4 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary
3. RINCON
The boho surf-capital of Puerto Rico is Rincón, a dreamy beach town on the western side of the island. It also happens to be home to a handful of affordable beachfront boutique hotels for the perfect luxury-on-a-budget stay!
Besides surfing, Rincon is also simply a lovely area to relax at the beach, go snorkeling (specifically at the marine reserve with a local guide), and since Rincon is on the west side, watching the sunset every night is (almost) mandatory! 🌅
Photo via Tres Sirenas Beach Inn in Rincon, one of the best areas to stay in Puerto Rico
Best Rincon Hotels & Resorts
- 🌊 MY FAVORITE—Tres Sirenas Beach Inn ($250+/night): If this gorgeous beachfront B&B is available, book it!! There are only five rooms, each of which have a perfect water view, and of course, access to the small pool, beautiful beach, and onsite tiki bar.
- 🌴 Coconut Palms Inn ($125+/night): This highly-rated budget beachfront hotel is another great option if Tres Sirenas is booked out. The rooms are simple and there is no pool, but the view can’t be beat!!
- 🌿 Tres Palmas Boutique Hotel ($180+/night): Close to Steps Beach and the marine reserve, this sleepy boutique hotel is adults-only with ocean views!
4. VIEQUES
Vieuqes is a smaller island east of the main Puerto Rico island, known for its slower island pace, beaches and incredible bioluminescent bay! You can either fly here or take a ferry, and the secluded location makes it perfect if you’re really looking to slow down. If you have a longer Puerto Rico trip, I’d spend half of your time here and the other half on the mainland!
Photo via Finca Victoria on Vieuqes island
Best Vieques Hotels & Resorts
- 🇵🇷 MY FAVORITE—Puertas ($280+/night): Beautifully designed artsy colonial rooms with ocean views and complimentary breakfast. It is walking distance to numerous beautiful beaches!
- 🏝️ Esperanza Inn Guesthouse ($150+/night): Budget-friendly rooms and casitas, some with ocean views! This is a great spot for groups and families as they offer suites with numerous rooms, and its walkable to restaurants and beach!
- 🌺 Finca Victoria ($290+/night): Secluded jungle hotel on Vieques with daily yoga classes and plant-based breakfast. It’s walkable from the ferry and to beaches!
5. SECLUDED RAINFOREST STAYS
Puerto Rico is home to the only rainforest in the US’s national forest system, and so many gorgeous mountain waterfalls, creeks, and river swimming holes. If you check out my Puerto Rico itinerary, you’ll notice that I dedicate more time to the rainforest than I do to the beaches (for a beach lover, that’s saying something!)
These secluded rainforest B&Bs and hotels are tucked away on quiet mountainsides throughout the country, and so worth booking for a serene and unique vacation. I’d book one of these stays for half the trip, then spend a few days in Old San Juan as well for a change of pace!
Photo via Casa Grande Mountain Retreat, one of my favorite places to stay in Puerto Rico!
Best Secluded Rainforest Stays
- 🌴 MY FAVORITE—Casa Grande Mountain Retreat: This stunning eco-retreat was on my bucket-list for years. It’s an adults-only property surrounded by mountains with a beautiful pool, spa, and some of the best food on the island!
- 👙 Casa de Campo Rio Arriba ($174+/night): Situated right along the river, this feels more like a homestay than an apartment!
More Puerto Rico Travel Guides
- The Perfect 4 Day Puerto Rico Itinerary: Jungle, Rum & Beach
- The Perfect One Day El Yunque Itinerary (With Hidden Gems!)
- 15 Fun Things to do in Río Grande, Puerto Rico (And Nearby!)
- 7 Puerto Rico Hidden Gems for Exploring off the Beaten Path
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