Luxury Travel In Puerto Rico: A Deeper Connection To The Island
The Best of the Caribbean
Puerto Rico is one of the best islands in the Caribbean to visit. The country has a strong combination of luxury resorts, cultural immersion opportunities, culinary experiences, and outdoor adventure, all with a sustainability focus. You can feel deeply connected to the place you’re visiting while helping to protect it.
I had the chance to visit Puerto Rico this June with my partner, Virtuoso. They invited a select few travel advisors to experience the island first-hand. They curated a Puerto Rican itinerary that gave us a comprehensive introduction to the island and its offerings so that we can better serve our clients. We scoped out the luxury resort scene and got a sneak peek at some upcoming renovations (my recommendations for the best places to stay in Puerto Rico are below). We also got to see how resilient the island is and how committed the local community is to providing sustainable tourism.
It’s Easy To Travel To Puerto Rico
Since Puerto Rico is a US territory, it makes for a very easy escape for Americans. You don’t even need your passport, and your regular phone plan should work. Plus, there are lots of direct flights and no time difference for my East Coasters.
What To Do In San Juan
Old San Juan is one of the most walkable, historically rich cities in the Caribbean. Established in 1521, Old San Juan is the oldest city under U.S. jurisdiction and has done an incredible job preserving its culture and heritage. Today, you can wander through colorful Spanish facades, historic forts, plazas, churches, and museums that tell the story of Puerto Rico’s past. Interestingly, the layout of the city was purposefully chosen to maximize shade and allow for an ocean breeze. Talk about innovative city planning!
There are tons of local shops, bars, and eateries to explore. Embrace the slower pace of island life and meander from historic sites while enjoying ocean views. A few highlights from my trip that I would recommend:
Old San Juan Food Tours
One of my favorite experiences from my recent trip was the Old San Juan food tour with our phenomenal guide, Pablo. I’ve done a lot of food tours around the world, but this one really stood out. It combined food, history, culture, and storytelling in a captivating way. Plus, Pablo’s enthusiasm and passion for his country was infectious.
I learned so much on the tour: the origins of chili peppers, why white rum exists (you’ll never guess the reason), the history behind the word hurricane, and why alcohol has a proof. It was fascinating to learn about how the spices in the Caribbean blended with African and Asian cuisine to create a lot of the familiar dishes we enjoy today. We also learned why rice and beans are a staple of the Puerto Rican diet. And of course, we sampled a variety of Puerto Rican cuisine.
Casa Bacardí Immersive Experience
I was worried this would be a little too touristy for my liking, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a great experience! The rum production is really impressive, and they offer tastings and mixology classes. Casa Bacardí in San Juan is the largest distillery in the world. They have 16 warehouses with over 700,000 barrels of rum, and each barrel holds 50 gallons of rum — a pirate's dream.
The entire property is covered in fungus, which is not a worry but actually a sign of a good distillery. The fungus feeds off the ethanol vapors that evaporate through the wooden barrels. This phenomenon is known by makers as the “angel share” of the product.
Insider Tip: If you want to take an empty rum barrel home with you, all you have to do is ask (and pay the shipping cost). Talk about a unique souvenir.
The production of rum made the port city of San Juan a popular hub for pirates and privateers to restock. When trading rum, the barrels couldn’t be labeled to hide the illegal trading of alcohol. This meant buyers needed a way to prove the rum they were purchasing was of good quality, containing a high alcohol level, not a watered-down solution.
To test the alcohol level, they would pour a sample of rum into a metal dish, add gunpowder, and set it ablaze. The larger the explosion, the more alcoholic the rum. Of course, the best was reserved for the captain, while the rest was distributed to the crew and sold to nearby island towns. This chaotic quality test was actually pretty reliable and led to the alcohol proof labels we use today.
Unwind On The Beach
You’re on vacation — relax. Watch the sunset, listen to the gentle waves lap onto the shore, and be present. An island vacation is a great way to reset and feel rejuvenated. Lots of my clients love planning a Caribbean getaway for the coldest months of winter to have a sunny escape to look forward to.
The Best Day Trips From San Juan
After exploring San Juan and relaxing at your resort, you might be ready to venture out. Puerto Rico has lush forests, water sports, and historic towns all over the island. Book a driver or a guided day trip and head out on an adventure.
El Yunque Rainforest
The national forest is an easy addition to your Puerto Rico itinerary for active travelers. You can hike, spot wildlife, rappel down a waterfall, or zipline over the canopy. It makes for a great contrast to a beach day.
The rainforest was almost destroyed due to colonisation. 80 years ago, 95% of the island was deforested. Thanks to massive conservation efforts, Puerto Rico is once again a lush green island. Locals are passionate about protecting the local flora and fauna and creating tourism experiences that protect the natural land.
Snorkeling, Boating & Surfing
The turquoise waters are home to vibrant marine life, making it a popular snorkeling destination. Take a boat out to one of the offshore islands for the best experience. You can expect to see turtles, rays, and healthy coral reefs. Puerto Rico is also a top surfing destination. Whether you're looking to catch your very first wave or you’re ready to tackle powerful reef breaks, there’s a beach for every skill level. Beginners can book a surf lesson at one of the island’s many beginner-friendly beaches.
Sustainability In Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has put huge emphasis on its conservation efforts. This means increasing local agriculture, supporting the community, and continuing to reforest the native biodiversity. The tourism industry provides meaningful opportunities for travelers wanting a deeper connection to the destination.
As a travel advisor, I understand that my clients don’t want to feel like they are sacrificing luxury for sustainability. Puerto Rico has created sustainable experiences that are stand out activities. They are so good that people want to include them in their itineraries, and it’s a bonus that they support the local environment and communities.
Agritourism & Regenerative Farming Experience
My favorite excursion was to Frutos del Guacabo. We learned about Puerto Rico’s food systems, hydroponic farming, hurricane recovery, and biodiversity regrowth efforts. The tour was interactive, educational, and family-friendly.
Currently, 80% of food in Puerto Rico is imported and, because Puerto Rico is an American territory, it all has to go through the continental US. This means food grown in the nearby Dominican Republic has to be shipped to Florida first before getting shipped back to Puerto Rico. In an effort to create a more sustainable food growth and distribution system, Frutos del Guacabo is innovating the farming experience. They collaborate with local chefs to grow what is in demand. They share their growing techniques with local farmers, so even more food is sourced locally, and the economic benefits are shared throughout the community.
Where to Stay in Puerto Rico
The luxury hotel scene in Puerto Rico is continuing to expand and elevate, so it’s always a good idea to check with a travel advisor before booking. We stay up to date on the latest renovations and get alerted to the new hotel openings.
Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
For travelers seeking a true luxury Caribbean experience, Dorado Beach has elevated service, upscale rooms, and gorgeous amenities. Personalized touches throughout your stay make it truly special. Built on a former pineapple plantation, the resort still has a strong connection to the lush nature, and pineapples are used throughout their branding. For added tranquility, there is an adults-only pool, and the east side rooms are more private due to a less swimmable shoreline.
A winning feature is Dorado Beach’s stunning spa. This is easily the most impressive spa on the island. Styled after a historic apothecary, the spices of the Caribbean are included in treatments. Even if you don’t stay here, the spa is worth a visit.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico
The newly renovated Four Seasons resort, formerly the St Regis, is situated on two miles of essentially private shoreline, creating a more peaceful, uncrowded beach day. This resort provides easy access to El Yunque Rainforest, bioluminescent bays, and adventure activities. To give guests even more, they are adding enhanced water sport offerings this November. With a massive pool area and spa facilities open to guests without a treatment, there are plenty of places to unwind. The Four Seasons is a great option for travelers wanting elevated service at a more approachable price point.
With so many fabulous activities on and near the property, the Four Seasons has a strong appeal for families and multi-generational groups. One unique experience offered at the Four Seasons, that is interesting for all ages, is visiting their protected leatherback turtle nesting area. An on-site marine biologist will give you a detailed look and answer any questions.
My favorite option in Old San Juan is Hotel El Convento. Originally built as a convent in 1652, it was converted into a hotel in 1903. The religious design is incorporated throughout the hotel. The chapel is now used as a unique event space, and scripture written by the nuns can be found around the property. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) group, Hotel El Convento has a strong connection to Puerto Rican culture. It is an unbeatable location for exploring Old San Juan’s restaurants, shops, galleries, and historic sites on foot. If you’re planning a longer Puerto Rican vacation, you could split your time between this hotel and a more secluded beach resort to get the best of everything the island has to offer.
This is everything you’d expect from a Fairmont hotel. Nightly music, expansive pool spaces, a beautiful swimmable beach, and high-quality service. El San Juan Hotel has a very energetic, social environment, making it great for families, multi-generational travel, and friend groups. When we were there, El San Juan Hotel brought in a local musician and an artist who painted sunhats.
La Concha Resort, Autograph Collection
At a more approachable price point, especially for Marriott loyalists, La Concha Resort is a great home base for exploring. It has a social atmosphere at its beach club, restaurants, sports bar, and pool areas. While it doesn’t have a dedicated kids club, it’s family-friendly. With lots of connecting rooms, it makes multi-generational group travel easy.
Your Island Vacation Awaits
Puerto Rico proves that luxury travel and responsible travel can go hand in hand. With newly improved resorts and innovative sustainable tourism experiences, the island offers a deeper way to connect with the Caribbean.
My trip helped me discover insider tips to make your Puerto Rican vacation even better. Tips on how to avoid the busy wedding season and when the best seasonal events are happening. If you’re ready for an island vacation full of adventure, history, and, of course, beautiful beaches.
Let’s start planning.
