The Best One Week Itinerary for Puerto Rico - What to do in Puerto Rico With Kids
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I did a solo mom trip to puerto rico with my 3 kids and it was fantastic
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If you’re looking for a perfect one week itinerary for Puerto Rico, you’re in the right place. The best part is that this is a family friendly itinerary with the best things to do in Puerto Rico with kids in tow! This itinerary for Puerto Rico in 1 week is full of activities including exploring waterfalls, beautiful beaches, sliding down rock slides in the Rainforest, and taking you to one of the most iconic spots in all of Puerto Rico - Old San Juan. This is the perfect post for anyone planning at trip to Puerto Rico and looking for what to do with kids in Puerto Rico.
We found these incredible huts along the beach in Rio Grand, Puerto Rico
Let’s dig into the perfect one week itinerary for Puerto Rico.
Table of Contents
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You'll never run out of photo opporunities in puerto rico!
Day 1: Arrive & Explore Old San Juan
Day 2-5: Aguadilla & West Coast
Day 6-8: Rio Grande, Rainforests, and Relaxing
READ NEXT: Top 5 Activities for Families in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
How long to stay in Puerto Rico?
How long should I spend in Puerto Rico?
the kids absolutely loved our time at gozlandia waterfall
If you’re wondering how many days in Puerto Rico is enough, I recommend spending at least 7 days in Puerto Rico and honestly, if you have the time, two weeks in Puerto Rico is still not enough. However, you can visit some of the iconic spots while spending only a long weekend in Puerto Rico
While you can’t see all of Puerto Rico in a week, this guide will show you the highlights of the country while immersing in local foods, off-the-beaten-path spots, and Puerto Rican history.
Map of Puerto Rico
Here is a full map of things you’ll be doing on your trip to Puerto Rico. You can select or deselect the layers to only see certain days. I broke it down by day to make the Puerto Rico itinerary easier to digest!
Day 1-2: Old San Juan
old san juan
Day 1
You have made it to your hotel or Airbnb and settled in. Since you’ve spent a lot of planning a trip to Puerto Rico, it’s time to enjoy every second of this magnificent island.
Historic San Juan is rich in history and great food
Your first day in Puerto Rico is going to start with a self guided walking tour of Old San Juan. Since you are most likely (and I recommend) staying in Old San Juan, you’ll be within walking distance to everything you need to see this morning!
today is going to be a historical and foodie tour kind of day!
We started our self-guided walking tour from our hotel and made a large circle around Old San Juan. If you’d rather have a guide and not think - there are so many amazing options. Our walk took us from the hotel to the IHeartSJ sign to Castillo de San Cristoball where we spent a while exploring and getting a Junior Ranger badge.
Don’t miss a stop at Parque Infantil del Niño José "Remi" Vega - it’s along the old fort wall and has a street market next to it where you can get some delish puerto rican snacks
We kept the tour going with a walk along the waterfront wall (with photo stops) and on to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. After a tour at the fort, we started the walk back with stops for treats and photos. We also stopped for a while at the playground before we had the MOST delicious pina colada from La Casita. See MAP.
Old san juan is a great place to start your trip!
After your walking tour, take some time to wind down. Consider sitting in a local cafe or park or even take a nap.
We chose to have dinner at the hotel restaurant, but Old San Juan is home to so many incredible restaurants. Find one nearby and spend the evening enjoying the authentic Puerto Rican food.
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don’t miss the pina colada from la casita - did you know pina coladas were invented in Puerto Rico?
Day 2
Today is going to be a transition day from Old San Juan to Aguadilla. While you don’t need to wake up early, I would try to be on the road no later than 9AM. First, find some coffee. Then get loaded up and get your maps set.
we live in barbabdos, so a trip to walmart was such a treat! But also a needed stop to stock up on snacks and things for the next week.
The first stop is going to be the Walmart located in Toa Baja. Why? Well, it’s a supercenter and it has some restaurant options nearby if you want an easy breakfast. Also, it’s on the way to where you’re going. Here is where you're going to stock up on all your road trip snacks and things you’ll need for the next week.
PS - we ate at the McDonalds in the parking lot. It had AMAZING Puerto Rican breakfast sandwiches and an airconditioned play area! We don’t have McDonalds in Barbados, so this was a treat too!
$5 to park at manatial ojo de agua and the kid’s playplace at mcdonalds
After you get the things you need, it’s a 30 minute drive over to Manantial Ojo de Agua. This is one of Puerto Rico’s natural springs and a popular spot among locals. We had THE BEST time here. We paid $5 to park in a woman’s front yard right next to the springs. We were able to come and go from our car as we needed things too, so it was convenient. Entry to the springs is FREE!
They have a few snack spots and a nice pina colada place along the shores of the springs. There are also so many little photo ops, slides into the water, and you can even rent a kayak to boat around. My kids also snorkeled a little - there are many small colorful fish in the water.
If for no other reason, this is an excellent spot for gorgeous photos! Oh and it’s one of the best free things to do in Puerto Rico!
manantial ojo de agua is a must see when visiting puerto rico
Once you’ve relaxed by the springs, it’s time to keep driving over to Isabela, Puerto Rico. This is going to be about a 1 hour drive. If you’re feeling hungry there is a new ChickFiLa in Hatillo! (HA! But seriously, I was so happy to see a CFL!)
In Isabella you’re going to make 3 stops, but they are all very close to each other. The first is to pull over at Mirador de Guajataca. This is a gorgeous overlook of Puerto Rico’s Northern Coast. It’s an exit along the highway going west, so it’s directly on your way. Plan for 5-10 minutes here.
Mirador de Guajataca is a great pull over for a gorgeous view of Puerto ricos northern coast. look closely and you will see your next stop: Túnel de Guajataca
The next stop is more of a leg stretch and walk through history. You’re going to stop at Túnel de Guajataca. Túnel de Guajataca was constructed in the early 20th century. It is a historic railroad tunnel that once connected the towns of Isabela and Quebradillas in Northern Puerto Rico.
The area around the tunel is colorful. Sometimes ther are vendors selling their goods. we went pretty early in the day and had the place to ourselves. There is a gorgeous beach there too!
Today, it’s unique blend of history and natural beauty, leading to scenic coastal views and nearby beaches. Its significance as a cultural landmark makes it a worthwhile stop for those exploring the island's rich heritage and history. Plan to spend 30-40 minutes here walking through the tunnel and along the beach path. Be sure to check out all of the cool wall murals and any local vendors that might be around.
Túnel de Guajataca
The last stop before driving onward to Aguadilla is Cara del Indio. This is a photo stop only. Cara Del Indio is a monument dedicated to Cacique Mabodamaca, a Taíno chief that fought against the Spaniards in 1511 and died during the battle. ProTip: If you have a drone, use it for photos because the angle is hard to get and the monument is directly on the highway. Plan for 10-20 minutes here.
Cara del indio from a phone photo versus the drone angle.
The drive from Cara Del Indio to our Airbnb in Aguadilla was about 30 minutes. We were able to immediately check in and get settled.
READ NEXT: Best Places to Stay in Puerto Rico with Kids
In Aguadilla there are a few restaurants located along the beach boardwalk, but on our first day I walked a block down the road and found the Meña food truck. It was SO good and the service was great. We ordered the Alcapurrias, bacalaitos, ensalada de mariscos, and the Crujientitos. Everything was delish and cheap!
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Day 3
After a comfy night on the West Coast, get ready for a day full of adventure. This morning you’re heading over to Parque de Colon. Here you will find the super cool Casa de Arbol and a playground. If it’s open you can rent paddle boats or grab food from the food trucks. Otherwise, just enjoy the morning on the playground.
parque de colon and casa de arbol — both amazing spots for kids to burn some energy and be free
After everyone has burned off their energy, it’s time to drive toward Gozalandia Waterfalls. BUT you’re going to need to eat breakfast. I highly - HIGHLY - recommend stopping at Linda Vida Coffee Time located directly along PR-111 on the way to the waterfalls.
The breakfast sandwiches are to die for the coffee here is super strong. But also - supporting this small business made me so happy because the lady working here was so fast and extremely friendly.
Linda Vida coffee time is a must stop for breakfast food
Now that you’re full, get back in the car. We’re going to go see Gozalandia Waterfalls in San Sebastián. Now, there are two entrances to this waterfall: The Gozalandia Campground or Sha’s. I didn’t know there were two entrances, so we went to the Campground side.
It cost us $5 per person to enter and there was a short hike to get to the falls. However, there was a nice restroom by the parking area and the hike was pretty and short. So, it worked out. However, from Sha’s its not a hike, its just a walk down a steep staircase and they have a restaurant on site. I heard they only charge $10 per car too. So, when you’re headed to Gozalandia - choose whichever side you think you’ll enjoy more.
CHECK OUT MY GUIDE FOR: The Best Hiking Gear for Kids
We got to the campground right at 9AM and thought we’d be the only people there, but there were already a couple of others. I think Sha’s is the way to go if you want to be the only ones there.
Gozalandia waterfall
Once at the waterfalls you can swim, cliff jump, and sun bathe. But something really unique to this spot is that there is a secret little cave you can swim into. It only fits about 2 people inside, but is a cool spot to hang out. If you’re looking at the waterfalls, its on the left side under where people are jumping in.
Check out my Instagram Story to see videos of the waterfalls and cave: CLICK HERE
the big kids were obsessed with cliff jumping. They climbed up up many times and jumped in.
After the falls, we went back to our Airbnb for a rest because we did the bioluminescence this day in the evening. However, if I could do it again, I would have changed my itinerary a little. I would stay North for some time at Crash Boat Beach and do a cave tour. So, that’s how I am going to write this itinerary for you.
From Gonzalandia you're going to head on to Crash Boat Beach where you’ll spend the afternoon through sunset lounging on the beach. Here they have lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent and you will find many food vendors selling authentic Puerto Rican food, drinks and even souvenirs. Crash Boat Beach is one of Puerto Ricos MUST VISIT beaches!
aguadilla at sunrise
If you’re a serious beach hopper, consider splitting your time this day between Crash Boat Beach and Playa Peña Blanca. This beach isn’t recommended for small children or people that have mobility issues due to climbing over rocks and sometimes rougher waters. I also recommend wearing outdoor sandals such as Teva or Keens. The terrain is a little tricky. Playa Peña Blanca has great snorkeling and is extremely picturesque.
Crash boat beach! Photo by Eric Ardito
PRO TIP: Pay to park for access to this beach otherwise you WILL end up with a parking ticket of $100 USD minimum .
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Day 4
No rush for an early wake today. As a matter of fact, wake up slow with a stroll along the Aguadilla board walk before getting ready for the day.
Aguadilla is quiet in the morning
Today, you’re going to be heading down to Cabo Rojo. This is Puerto Rico’s Southwest Corner. When packing for the day you’ll need sunscreen, swim suits, towels, goggles, snorkel gear, and a cooler with drinks and snacks if you want them. I would also pack a dry change of clothes for each person and possibly some body wipes. You’re going to be out of the house until about 10PM today.
Pan N Boca has some excellent Pinon de res!
The first stop of the day is going to be for an early lunch. We personally stopped at Pan N Boca, but there are so many places to stop. Pan N Boca is a quick stop with clean bathrooms and close to the highway. If you stop here, get the Pinon de Res (SO GOOD).
the views of the salt flats from the lookout tower
After grabbing a hot brunch, the next stop is going to be the Centro Interpretativo Las Salinas. While the interperative center is currently closed, they have a lookout tower to see the Salt fields. This is a short 5-10 minute stop to just put eyes on the salt flats. You can try and get out to the Pink Lake, but we struggled to find the entrance.
it’s a pretty long walk from the parking area out to the natural bridge and beach, but worth it.
A short way down the road, you’ll come to a dead end with a closed gate around THIS POINT. This is where you’re going to park and you won’t be back at the car for a while. From here, you’re going to hike to Playita Puente de Piedra, Faro Los Morrillos, and then Playa Sucia.
In total, you’ll be walking about 5KM. There is very little shade and no place to purchase food or drinks, so bring what you need for 3-4 hours.
Playita Puente de Piedra has a stunning natural bridge but the beach is not safe.
First, you’re going to walk to the stunning Natural Bridge to see it and get some photos. It’s on the map as Playita Puente de Piedra. There is a beach here but it’s dangerous to get down to and I don’t recommend it. This stop is honestly just for photos and to see the natural bridge.
it was so windy my tripod wouldn’t stand up, so it was selfie time
Then you’ll make the short walk over to see Faro Los Morrillos. Cabo Rojo's lighthouse was built in 1882. It marks the southeast entrance from the Caribbean Sea through the Mona Passage into the Atlantic Ocean.
Faro Los Morrillos
After seeing the lighthouse, you’ll keep following the trail over to one of most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico - Playa Sucia. This beach is part of the nature reserve and has breathtaking views. There are no hotels or oceanfront businesses, so you’re getting a unadulterated part of Puerto Rico’s nature. Plan to spend 1-2 hours here.
the water color was like gatorade - bright blue and green. Playa sucia is tucked in side of the cove you see to the left
Boquerón, Puerto rico
After soaking up the sun at Playa Sucia, you’ll walk back to the car and head up to the small town of Boquerón. Here you can easily find free parking toward the North part of town.
Boquerón is home to this famous puerto rican flag pier
Boquerón is a quaint little beachside village, but has beautiful beaches and a lot of cute shops and restaurants. For the next few hours, you can meander the town, take photos, shop, grab a pina colada, and just relax.
FUN FACT: If you’re visiting in the winter months, mid-November to March, Manatees can be seen in in Boquerón!
Boquerón is a slow beach town where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of puerto rico
Around 4:30 PM, you’ll want to make your way back to the car and drive the 30 minutes over to La Parguera to get ready for your Bioluminescent Bay Tour!
We booked our tour in advance through Paradise Scuba and Snorkeling. For us, we had to meet at their shop at 5:30 PM for a 6PM Sailing. First we went for a sunset snorkel along the Parguera keys. This was by far my favorite part of the tour. They handed out hot, delicious Empanadas and had coolers of both beer and non alcoholic drinks. You could take as many as you wanted and every person got 2 emanadas.
the sunset was so beautiful
Once the sun went down, our boat captain got us over to the Bioluminescence Bay in La Parguera. Unfortunately for us, it was a very clear night with a half-moon and the moon light was just too bright. We could see a very slight cloud around us as we swam, but we couldn’t see the bright blue. We knew this could happen, so we just rolled with it. Nature is nature! Even with the moon, every photo I took was solidly black - ha!
sunset in la parguera bay
Check lunar schedules before you book - the very best time to go is with a new moon where there is no moon in the sky. Try to book this tour on the night of your trip with the smallest amount of moonlight.
we got to our airbnb at 10 pm
After we swam in Bio Bay, we headed back to our car and made the 90 minute drive back to Aguadilla. We were home around 10PM!
Day 5
It’s moving day! Today you’re going to have some coffee, pack up the car, and head toward Rio Grande on Puerto Rico’s North West coast. If you were to make the drive straight through, it would be about 3 hours. You will be making some stops and experience some more fun things to do in Puerto Rico with the kids!
this is the view from cueva ventana - photo is from https://cuevaventana.com/ - click the image to book a guided tour!
First stop of the day is Cueva Ventana. This is a cave is the only natural cave in Puerto Rico with a 700 feet high opening to the Valley of Rio Grande de Arecibo. Cueva Ventana translate to Window Cave - it gets it’s name from a famous overlook through a giant rock window opening. The guided tour is 90 minutes - 2 hours, so plan to be here 2.5-3 hours to account for restroom and snack breaks. I suggest booking tickets in advance.
We weren’t able to do one of the tours at Cueva Ventana because my youngest was 2.5 and children have to be 3 years old to enter. They are very serious about this rule due to their business insurance. However, it was very high on my list and I was super bummed to miss it.
you can see people down in the cave - they are able to see the petroglyphs.
The next stop is less than 30 minutes away in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. It’s another cave, but this one is one the ocean! Cuevo Del Indio is technically free to enter, but you’ll have to pay to park. I paid $20 usd for me and my three kids.
this natural cave is stunning and a must visit on your trip to puerto rico.
Cuevo del Indio is an archaeological site and it contain dozens of petroglyphs carved by the Taíno, the pre-colonial inhabitants of the island. There are also the Seven Arches; seven rock formations along the coast. It was such a cool spot to explore with kids.
the gorgeous rocks and water pools on top of cueva del indio
You are definitely able to go down into the caves and I would have if I didn’t have a baby strapped to my back. We saw people in them exploring and finding the petroglyphs. However, even if you don’t want to climb down - the beauty from the top is insane. SO many arches and cliffs and just gorgeous formations. Plan to stay about 90 minutes.
PRO TIP: Bring enough water for everyone and apply sunscreen before exploring. There is no shade. You’ll also want to wear good shoes for climbing on very jagged, sharp rocks.
cueva del indo is stunning - note the sea arches in the background!
From Cueva del Indio, it’s going to be about a 1.5 hour drive to the hotel. (or to Rio Grande/Luquillo) So, grab a road trip snack, put on some good music and enjoy the ride.
another long car ride after hours in the sun - they are pooped!
Once we arrived at our hotel (The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort), we dropped our bags in our room and headed straight for the pool! This night we ordered food poolside and relaxed all evening!
However, if you’re feeling energetic - head over to the famous Luquillo Food Trucks for some authentic and local Puerto Rican food and vibes.
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the only thing we had eyes for after our drive to rio grande was food and the pool
Days 6-8: North East Coast
Day 6
Today is going to be the most relaxing day of your trip to Puerto Rico!
today is for relaxing. Whether you are in an airbnb or a resort - this is a day to soak up the slow pace of Puerto Rico.
You’ve made it to your resort, you’ve been exploring heavily for days, and now it’s time to sit by the pool or sit by the beach and soak up the Puerto Rican sun. For us, we used this day to relax by the pool, go to the kids club, and eat food that was delivered to us by the pool.
we had chocolate milk shakes, frozen lemonades, pizza, and did a lot of playing
Since we live in barbados, we felt ok with not going to an island for the day. we sat an enjoyed the rainforest.
Day 7
After a day on the islands or a day of rest and relaxation at the resort, you’re going to head out for an epic day of hiking and rock slides in the El Yunque Rainforest. It is best to hire a guide for this.
Moray is a fascinating place to experience.
Breakfast at the hotel opened at 6:30, so we grabbed food and headed out. We met our guide in Fajardo at 08:00. It was about a 30 minute drive to the meeting point. Then we drove ourselves, following the guide who was in his own car out to the start point. Another 30 minutes or so. Be sure to use the restroom at the meeting point!
Our guide, Alex, was INCREDIBLE. I was solo with my 3 kids, so I was hiking with my toddler on my back. My 10 year old daughter was carrying our small backpack. However, Alex offered over and over to carry all of our stuff and he helped me maneuver up and down the rock scrambles with the babe. He was clear about safety and was always right there ready to help me. I could not have asked for a better tour guide.
get ready to cliff jump and rope swing!
Since we got their so early, we had time to do the rock slide twice (most tours only get to do it once) and the kids did a ton of rock jumping and rope swings. If you’re looking for what to do with kids in Puerto Rico - this one will make everyone happy!
the hike was moderate due to the wet rock scrambles and loose footing
The hike was moderate - the trail was easy, but at the end there are rock scrambles that are wet and you’ll be ducking and weaving through rocks.
NOTE: Most tours (including this one) has an age minimum of 5 years. I wrote to Alex before booking and explained our hiking experience (and sent him some proof of hikes we’ve done) and he allowed us to book. Even so, he was unsure the morning we arrived. We both agreed we’d stop if either of us felt uncomfortable, but we ended up doing the entire tour with him and it was absolutely fantastic. The baby did the rock slides and some jumping too!
We all did the rock slides - check my Instagram highlight to see the videos!
After our hiking and rainforest adventure, we headed back to our resort to relax, nap, and eat. It was so nice to float around the pool! We had dinner at one of the many restaurants on site, however if you’d rather eat locally, head just down the street to the Luquillo Food Trucks!
after a morning in the rainforest, we went back to the resort to swim and relax
some delish food!
Day 8
It’s departure day! Today you’ll wake up and check out of the hotel or Airbnb. Then you’ll either head straight to the airport for an early flight or you’ll do what we did.
having one last frozen lemonade!
Our flight was actually first thing the NEXT morning (at 6AM) so we hung at the resort until check out and then headed in to El Yunque National Forest. Looking back, I wish we had checked out early and been at the park right when they opened to beat the crowds, but alas.
Parking inside the park is extremely limited, so be ready to circle around for a bit until someone leaves.
We parked right at the entrance to Juan Diego waterfall and made the very short hike in. It was so crowded with people that it was almost unbearable. Another reason an early morning is a good idea.
We hiked up to the second falls before returning to our car. There is a 30-minute time limit at the parking area, so you’ve got to be quick! After the crowds and rushing, we felt like we didn’t want to see anything else inside the park. It was just too rushed and chaotic.
juan diego waterfall (upper) in el yunque national forest
The visitor center in the park does charge a fee, but the National Forest is free to enter. Parking was free as well.
el yunque is incredibly pretty, but the crowds were bad. I suggest sticking to exploring the outskirts of the rainfoest with a local instead.
From El Yunque, you can head toward the airport. You can either stop at Playa Vacía Talega which is about half way to the airport OR you can stop at the famous Carolina Public Beach which is right at the airport. If you have an evening flight, you could turn in your rental car, check in your bags at the airport then uber to Carolina Public Beach to soak up your last hours in PR.
the beaches in PR are so nice
We did rent a car, so we woke early and turned it in before our flight. We had such an amazing time in Puerto Rico. I can not wait to go back, I already have a running list of all the things I want to do again!
if you never stopped for souveniers, don’t worry! The Puerto Rico airport has some really great shops and they were open early!
Our trip wasn’t over tho, we boarded the 25 minute flight over to St Thomas to explore U.S. Virgin Islands. Come along with us on that journey!
we flew silver airways to USVI from Puerto rico. It was an easy 25 minute flight and the plane was quite large! The staff was super friendly too!
READ NEXT: A Complete Guide to Antigua with Kids
Did you know it’s only a 1 hour direct flight to go to Antigua from Puerto Rico? And there are direct flights to Antigua from Miami, New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Atlanta?
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do not miss the puerto rican sunsets from Aguadilla or puerto rico’s west coast.
This comprehensive one-week Puerto Rican itinerary for families will take you on an unforgettable adventure filled with diverse experiences and breath taking sights. From exploring the only tropical rainforest in the US National Park system to experiencing bioluminescence to eating the best food ever. Puerto Rico is calling and you must go!
Whether your family has history enthusiasts, nature lovers, or foodies, this one week Puerto Rico itinerary guarantees a well-rounded exploration that will leave your family with memories to last a lifetime. Feel free to combine days if you have less time to spend in Puerto Rico. This itinerary can be shortened or lengthened to meet your family’s trip length. Get ready to embark on your 7-Day Puerto Rican adventure and discover the true essence of this iconic Caribbean island.
Have you been to Puerto Rico? Tell me about where you went and what you loved the most in the comments.
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