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As a local who worked in the hotel industry in Puerto Rico, I’ve seen dozens of families draining their budgets on tourist traps and hotels that don’t fit their needs. To keep you from meeting the same fate, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to make your family vacation in Puerto Rico go as smoothly as possible!
We’ll start with some practical tips, but you can also jump ahead to the section on the best places to stay for families.
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Table of Contents
15 Tips for Planning a Family Vacation in Puerto Rico
Tip #1 – Visit in Late Spring or Summer
A Puerto Rico family vacation will include visiting the beaches, waterfalls, and pools. The best time to visit Puerto Rico to enjoy good beach conditions is between spring and summer. Spring particularly offers warm, yet somewhat fresh, weather.
Tip #2 – Or Visit in Winter Season
Puerto Rico’s Christmas season is filled with festivals, parades, and themed decorations in every municipality.
If your kids love the holidays, you’ll be glad to know Puerto Rico’s Christmas festivities run from early November up to late January and most of them are free.
This is also the best season to catch popular Puerto Rico festivals such as Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián.
Although this is also the freshest season, keep in mind, that the beaches’ conditions during this season are unsafe for swimming.
Tip #3 – Rent a Car
If you’re planning a trip with your family, then you’ll certainly need to rent a car in Puerto Rico.
While Old San Juan is a walkable area, visiting municipalities outside of the metro region without a rental car is close to impossible.
Public transportation is cheap but limited. It doesn’t reach many areas in Puerto Rico. Taxis can take you from San Juan to tourist spots, but the fare for long distances is expensive.
Try out Discover Cars to find the best deals for rental cars in Puerto Rico.
Tip #4 – Stay in a Rental Apartment
Large families with more than 4 people might want to consider staying in a rental apartment.
Some hotels in Puerto Rico can fit up to 8 family members, but the rate per night will likely be over $400.
If you’re visiting Puerto Rico on a budget, then a rental is the way to go. Depending on the municipality, you can find rental apartments that fit the same amount of people for less than $250 per night.
VRBO has over 3,500 properties in Puerto Rico, most of them large enough to accommodate families.
Tip #5 – Or in a Resort
If you’d rather stay in a hotel, then choose to stay at one of the family resorts in Puerto Rico.
Just be aware that, unlike other places to travel in the Caribbean, all-inclusive hotels in Puerto Rico aren’t really a thing.
You can browse family-friendly hotels in Puerto Rico on Booking.
Tip #6 – Check Your Credit Card Benefits
If you use your credit for booking airplane tickets, hotels, or renting a car, make sure you know your benefits.
Some credit cards offer benefits like late checkouts from your hotel or rental car insurance.
If you’ve read Nate’s guide to free travel with credit card points, you know you may even be able to get free accommodation or flights.
Tip #7 – Do Free Activities
You’ll find plenty of free activities in Puerto Rico, which is why it is such a good place for cheap family vacations.
Most beaches, forests, Puerto Rican caves, and rivers are open to the public without any cost.
Both kids and adults will love these places and you won’t need to spend a dime to have a blast on your trip.
Tip #8 – Skip the Tourist Traps
While researching online, you will come across hundreds of Puerto Rico tours.
Before you find yourself booking anything, make sure you’re not paying hundreds of dollars for something you could do by yourself completely free.
For example, some snorkeling tours are great if you don’t have any experience or gear.
Yet, if you bring your own snorkeling gear, you can immerse yourself in Puerto Rico snorkeling spots without having to pay anything.
Tip #9 – Try Street Food
While restaurants in San Juan and Condado are great, they won’t always be the cheapest option for a family dinner.
If you’re on a tight budget, try dining at street food kiosks and sideroad restaurants.
One meal can cost between $2 and $5 less than it would in a tourist restaurant. See what you can find at these kiosks on our guide to the top Puerto Rico foods.
Tip #10 – Check Your Booking Options
For those activities you’re booking, check out where it is best to book. Some attractions offer online discounts if you book online.
For others, it’s best if you book directly through the original website instead of a third-party application.
But, for some attractions, it’s better if you pay in person or book through a phone call, as you can get cheaper rates.
Tip #11 – Stay in San Juan
If you’re not renting a car, then choose to stay in San Juan. Old San Juan is home to historical sites like El Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, and La Fortaleza that both kids and adults will love.
It’s walkable and taxis and public transportation can take you to nearby areas like Condado, Santurce, and Miramar.
Tip #12 – Bring Your Snorkeling Gear
Including your snorkeling gear on your Puerto Rico packing list can save you lots of money! Particularly if you are making a family trip.
Renting snorkeling gear can cost as much as $25 a day! If you’re visiting Puerto Rico’s beaches for a week, the costs can quickly add up.
Pack your gear and save yourself the money and the trouble. Check out Laura’s guide to what to pack for a family vacation to learn what other things you should bring along.
Tip #13 – Enjoy Local Festivals
Puerto Rico festivals are filled with fun, music, and food. Best of all, they are family-friendly.
Some of the best festivals include Epiphany Day, Festivals de Máscaras de Hatillo, and Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián.
You’ll often find carnival games, parades, and kid stations you can enjoy without an additional cost.
Tip #14 – Keep it Short
Family vacations don’t have to be long to have a great time. If you can’t take a week off, then a long weekend is more than enough to enjoy the best of Puerto Rico.
You can arrive early on Friday and return in late on Sunday, and you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy beaches, historical fortresses, and even waterfalls. Check our guide to a weekend in Puerto Rico to start planning!
Tip #15 – Check the Weather
While Puerto Rico is a great family vacation spot with sunny days throughout the year, the hurricane season and other weather events can affect your vacation.
As a general family vacation travel tip, you should always check the weather forecast and conditions before and during your trip.
Heavy rain and atmospheric events can cause high surf and rip currents at the beaches and flash floods in the rivers, which can be dangerous, especially for kids and elders.
Before heading out for the day, make a quick internet search to know what to expect.
Where to Stay On a Family Vacation in Puerto Rico
Best Family-Friendly Puerto Rico Hotels & Resorts
Puerto Rico is home to a great variety of hotels. You can find everything from budget-friendly hotels to five-star luxury resorts located throughout the island.
You will find most of the best family hotels and resorts in San Juan with access to Condado Beach and Escambrón Beach.
But, if you’re renting a car, you can opt for an off-the-beaten-path hotel outside the capital. Hotels in other Puerto Rico towns are often cheaper and closer to the best outdoor attractions on the archipelago.
Here are some of the best Puerto Rico hotels for families:
- 💸 Budget – Villa Cofresi
- ✨ Mid-Range – La Concha Renaissance Resort
- 💠 Luxury – St Regis Bahia Beach Resort
- 🛏️ All-Inclusive – Caribe Hilton
- 👪 With family suites – Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
- ✈️ Close to the Airport – Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
- 🏖️ Beachfront Location – Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa
- 🌴 Remote Location – Royal Isabela
- 🏘️ For Large Families – Rincon Beach Resort
- 🎭 With On-Site Attractions – El Conquistador Resort
- 🥳 With Kids Attractions – Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa
- 🐄 Farm Stay – Finca Victoria
- 🌊 Breathtaking Visuals – Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- 🏌️♀️ With a Golf Course – Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa
- 🐾 Pet-Friendly – Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino
- 👉 In Vieques – Bravo Beach Hotel
Best Family-Friendly Puerto Rico Neighborhoods & Areas
The base of a great family vacation in Puerto Rico starts by choosing the right neighborhood or city for your stay. If you don’t know where to start, check out the places below:
- Old San Juan ( Search apartments in Old San Juan) – Old San Juan is a walkable area with beaches, museums, and restaurants. Families can choose from a variety of entertainment options and they don’t need to rent a car. Within walking distance, kids and adults will enjoy San Juan’s popular activities like Escambron Beach, T-Mobile District, El Morro, and Plaza Las Americas.
- Cabo Rojo ( Search apartments in Cabo Rojo) – There are a lot of things to do in Cabo Rojo for outdoor-loving families. The wildlife refuge has beautiful salt flats, beaches, and hiking trails. Cabo Rojo is also a short ride from one of Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays in La Parguera.
- Caguas ( Search apartments in Caguas) – Caguas is not a place you would typically find in a tourism guide, but there are plenty of things to do in Caguas for families. Caguas boasts an interactive museum for children, a botanical garden with sculptures, and a waterfall. The downtown hosts frequent festivals and the main plaza has a carousel.
- Fajardo ( Search apartments in Fajardo) – Some of the top Fajardo activities for families include swimming on top-notch beaches, snorkeling, diving, hiking, visiting a bio bay, and taking trips to offshore Puerto Rico islands. Fajardo is also a short trip from El Yunque.
- Rio Grande ( Search apartments in Rio Grande) – Rio Grande is home to multiple luxury and all-inclusive family resorts, with top Puerto Rico golf courses, tennis courts, on-site restaurants, and swimming pools. In Rio Grande, you’ll also find El Yunque National Forest and Las Picuas, a popular beach for horseback riding.
- Isla Verde ( Search apartments in Isla Verde) – Isla Verde is a great Puerto Rico neighborhood for families on a short weekend getaway. It sports some of the best resorts in Puerto Rico with direct beach access like Fairmont El San Juan Hotel. It’s also centrally located between San Juan, Piñones, and the airport. The Carolina Public Beach is great for doing watersports.
- Condado ( Search apartments in Condado) – Condado hosts a few of the best family resorts in Puerto Rico like La Concha Reinassance Resort. Condado Beach is a popular beach for sightseeing and walking. Besides being close to many tourist attractions, most family hotels in the area have pools, kids’ entertainment programs, bike rentals, and even playgrounds.
- Vieques ( Search apartments in Vieques) – For beach-loving kids and grown-ups, Vieques is the perfect destination to stay at. Vieques is home to some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving! This beautiful island off the east coast of Puerto Rico also hides the brightest bio bay in the world.
- Rincon ( Search apartments in Rincon) – Rincon is home to some great family resorts in Puerto Rico. This city has more than a dozen golden sand beaches on its coast with the best surfing and snorkeling spots in Puerto Rico. One thing that families will love about Rincon is that it is a whale-watching destination during the winter.
- Guanica ( Search apartments in Guanica) – Guanica is a budget-friendly town in Puerto Rico. It boasts a dry forest with walking trails and beaches. In Guanica you’ll find one of the top resorts in Puerto Rico, Copamarina Beach Resort. This resort offers all-inclusive packages with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Utuado ( Search apartments in Utuado) – Utuado is an outdoor paradise for families. It’s home to rivers, waterfalls, and some great Puerto Rico camping sites. Utuado also hosts a Taino ceremonial site with petroglyphs.
- Ponce ( Search apartments in Ponce) – In Ponce, the whole family will love landmarks like Parque de Bombas, the Japanese Garden, and La Guancha. The beach at La Guancha is also an inclusive beach with a road for wheelchairs.
- Salinas ( Search apartments in Salinas) – Salinas is an off-the-beaten-path town with many attractions to offer for families. The Jobos Bay National Research Reserve is home to multiple cays and beautiful beaches. Salinas also has a marina, a racing track, and one of the best waterparks in Puerto Rico.
- Arecibo ( Search apartments in Arecibo) – Arecibo is a fun city with some of the best beaches, caves, and rivers in Puerto Rico. It also has the Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park, which has an aquarium, a waterpark, and a mini farm. Although family-friendly resorts are scarce in the area, you’ll find plenty of apartment rentals to choose from.
👉 Related Reading: Where to Stay in Puerto Rico Guide
FAQs
Is Puerto Rico a good place to vacation with family?
Puerto Rico is a great family vacation destination. Outdoor-loving families will find a variety of beaches and natural pools for swimming, diving, and snorkeling.
Is Puerto Rico safe to visit with family?
Puerto Rico is completely safe to visit on a family vacation. Families will find good weather throughout the year and most Puerto Ricans can understand basic English. Besides occasional petty theft, which is easily preventable, tourists and non-tourist areas are safe for families visiting the island.
How much is a family trip to Puerto Rico?
A family trip of four persons to Puerto Rico for one week can cost between $4,500 and $8,000 depending on the style of traveling and the season they are visiting. Most of that budget will be spent on a hotel if travelers decide to stay in a mid-range or luxury hotel.
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Thanks for reading this guide! Since you know where to stay, check out our guide to the popular places to visit in Puerto Rico to know where to go to have a blast on the island.
