https://youtu.be/oeckJXIyYaUIn this video, we will explain to you how to visit Puerto Rico’s top 6 attractions. This video will save you time in planning your trip there. Many helpful tips are from our own experience, including things that we did not expect. Hopefully this will guide you so that you are prepared when encountering the same situation in a place you are not familiar with.
- Castillo San Cristobal and Castillo San Felipe del Morro
These are two castles in Old San Juan. The San Felipe El Morro castle is bigger and better than the San Cristobal Castle, so if you can only visit one you should visit El Morro. But because paying one ticket is good for both castles for 24 hours, the best is to save that receipt and time well so that you can visit both. We show some clips here for both castles. - El Yunque National Forest
The Visitors Center will cost $8 per person but all other attractions below are free, including La Coca Falls, Yokahu Tower, Juan Diego Creek, El Yunque Peak & Mt. Britton Tower - Cueva del Indio
This has two attractions: the cave and the arch. The main reason people come here is the cave. The upper part of the cave from which you can look down through various openings to the caverns below is not too difficult to access. Getting into the lower caverns is difficult as there are no stairs, ladders, or rails. The entrance is through one small opening, which is itself hard to get into. In this video an experience guide demonstrated how to climb into the entrance. However, liability disclaimer here: we are not responsible for any injuries or damages that result from your watching this video.
Note that the park is a public park with no entry fees. There is one private parking lot from which you can walk to Cueva del Indio. There was a person there who had a table and tent set up, taking entry fees per person, not per car, for parking. Cash only, no credit card. We have heard that other people have paid different fees and that there are other access points for free. Please leave comments to help other viewers about the price you have paid or any other tips. - Cueva Ventana (Window Cave) and Cueva Clara (Clarity Cave)
You will see Petroglyphs, ghost forests, swallows’ nests, poisonous plants Carrasco and termite mounds.
Note that another cave, Río Camuy Cave, was not open when we visited. Be sure to call or email ahead of time to check on the status. - There are many beaches, for example Playa Puerto Nuevo
- Bioluminescence. There are multiple choices of where to go. If you have time you can go further away to the island of Vieques off the east coast of Puerto Rico to the famous Mosquito Bay. We tried a bioluminescent bay in Fajardo but it was a failure. So be aware that the phase of the moon, recent weather, and time of year can all affect the amount of bioluminescence on any given night. And don’t forget your bug spray since you will be out in the evening!
- Old San Juan parking tips: be aware that you cannot park on the street. Hotels may not have parking either. Parking garages’ parking rate and hours are not easily available online, and the sign at the garage may not be in English.
Example 1: Covadonga garage daily rate but closed at night. Example 2: Doña Fela garage hourly rate & open 24-7.
0:0 El Yunque National Forest
0:29 pronunciation of El Yunque
0:40 El Yunque Visitor’s Center
0:51 La Coca Fall
1:05 Yokahu Tower
1:41 Juan Diego Creek
2:09 El Yunque Peak & Mt. Britton Tower
2:31 Cueva del Indio
3:00 entrance of lower caverns
3:56 Petroglyphs
6:11 Seven Arches
6:34 Parking & Entrance Fees at Cueva del Indio
7:27 Cueva Clara (Clarity Cave)
7:50 Petroglyphs
8:50 ghost forests
9:21 swallows’ nests
9:39 Petroglyphs
9:57 Cueva Ventana (Window Cave)
10:24 Petroglyphs
12:18 Compare Cueva Ventana with Río Camuy Cave
13:00 poisonous plants Carrasco
13:30 termite mounds
15:08 tickets for Cristobal & del Morro
15:33 Castillo San Felipe del Morro
17:26 Castillo San Cristobal
19:00 Old San Juan parking tips
19:30 Covadonga garage daily rate
19:48 Doña Fela garage hourly rate
20:03 Playa Puerto Nuevo
20:35 bioluminescence
Puerto Rico Top 6 attractions: Castles, El Yunque, Cueva Ventana, Cueva del Indio, Beaches