family vacations in Puerto Rico

With Spanish colonial architecture dating from the 16th century, Old San Juan offers colorful, walkable cobblestone streets full of cafes, shops, and restaurants. There's also an old town area with historic fortifications, and great views of the bay.

Offering a laid-back beach vibe with various small towns to explore, the island of Vieques is just over an hour's ferry ride from Fajardo, southeast of San Juan. It’s a great alternative for spending some quiet beach time with your family.

Another one of Puerto Rico's historical treasures, Ponce has many museums and rich architectural influences. Check out the boats in the tranquil harbor along the Caribbean Sea, or head to one of the many parks for your kids to expend some energy in.

Rincón's unique location along the west coast of the island gives you the opportunity to experience both the more active North Atlantic Ocean waters and the quieter Caribbean Sea. The city is known for its many beaches which attract surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers.

Puerto Rico has many great beaches for families to enjoy, including the expansive Isla Verde or the tiny, lifeguarded Playa El Escambrón. There are natural rock-protected kiddie areas at both Playita del Condado and Playa La Posita. Playa Caracas on Vieques is known for being frequented by grazing horses.

Visit the largest radio telescope in the world at the Arecibo Observatory, or see the natural beauty and animals at Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. The 1800s-vintage Fortin Conde de Mirasol fortress on Vieques is definitely worth a visit, as is the impressive Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan, with its cannons pointing from the castle walls to the sea.

Rincón is an awesome destination for both learning to surf on the Atlantic, or to snorkel in the calmer waters of the Caribbean. You can explore the outskirts of the biodiverse El Yunque National Forest by going horseback or ATV riding at the nearby Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park.

When traveling with kids to a sunny location, pack a selection of shorts, T-shirts, sandals, and flip flops, as well as two swim suits, so one can dry while the other is being worn. A light rain jacket, sneakers, and a couple pairs of pants are helpful. Depending on your length of stay, be prepared to do some laundry along the way, or pack patterned clothing that’s less likely to show stains.

With your guidance, let your kids pack a special toy from home, a few snacks, a basic change of clothes, a swimsuit, and anything else they’ll require for the flight into a carry-on backpack. Getting them involved in the packing process helps to ease any potential anxiety and stress about traveling.

While you can always pick up many necessities upon arrival in Puerto Rico, it never hurts to be prepared for the hot sun. Sun exposure can easily cause a sunburn, especially with your little ones. Bring sun hats, sunglasses, and sunblock with a high SPF factor, along with easy-to-pack beach toys. A pair of inexpensive water shoes is always a good idea.