May is the start of the rainier season in
Puerto Rico with
16 rainy days on average. Given the tropical climate though, “rain” means that the
showers pass by relatively quickly and are generally speaking more frequent in the north. The conditions are still ideal for enjoying the beautiful beaches with
highs of 88°F and
water temperatures of 81°F. The
sun shines over 8 hours each day and dinners can be enjoyed outside with nighttime temperatures
hardly ever dropping below 76°F.
For the rainy periods, Puerto Rico has so much on offer. Chocoholics will get their thrill at the
Puerto Rico Chocolate Festival. And there is so much to explore all around in the beautiful
Old Town of San Juan.
Best Time to Visit Puerto Rico
Given its tropical climate Puerto Rico is a beautifully warm place to visit any time of the year. The least rainy months are March and April and as such, probably the best time weatherwise for a beach vacation. From May until August the waves are the highest> and the conditions are ideal for surfers.
If you are planning to visit the Rio Camuy Cave Park or the El yunque rainforest, it’s best to choose some of the drier months, like February, March, April or June. In terms of the least crowded time of year, November and May are the best choices. The peak hurricane months are August and September.
Things to know about Puerto Rico
The insular area of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean impresses with its
beautiful and quiet bays, a lively capital city and a huge amount of nature and greenery. Here is a guide of what to explore on this stunning island.
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Whether you arrive by air or sea, whenever you travel to Puerto Rico you first land in its lively capital San Juan. You should really spend at least one night there before you continue your travels towards the jungle or dream beach vacation. Real Caribbean flair awaits you in the Old Town of San Juan. The UNESCO world heritage site Castillo San Cristobal was built by Spanish colonies and is a must see. An outline of local culture and history can be explored in the Museo de San Juan and on Saturday mornings you can get a taste of all the local specialities during the farmers market (8am - 1pm, 150 Calle Norzagaray). Coffee lovers must try a coffee made from local Puerto Rican coffee beans at ‘Caficultura’ (401 Calle San Francisco). And try a Chichaito cocktail at Bar Los 3 Cuernos (403 Calle San Francisco).
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Around 7 miles east of Puerto Rico you will find the small island of Vieques. You can get there easily by ferry boat from Fajardo or by plane from San Juan. The beautiful and untouched island impresses with stunning beaches and totally empty bays where you might spot a passing wild horse now and then.
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The best accomodation on Puerto Rico is provided by the W Retreat and Spa. It’s directly on the beach, offers plenty of quiet spots for couples as well as stunning areas for families. A highlight is the infinity pool with underwater music. The rooms are beautiful and the restaurant offers unbelievably beautiful views across the sea. Every day you can participate in tours around the nearby national park which occupies around two thirds of the island.
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The Blue Hole, near Villa Montones, is a water hole in the sea. It appears suddenly and offers views of the colourful underwater world- a real snorkeling hotspot!
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On your way to the Blue Hole you will pass ‘The Breakfast Club at Ola Lola’s. Youngsters serve fantastic food and drinks any time of the day and it’s a great place to chill and hang out. Cash only!
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A drive along the Ruta Panoramica, which goes across the island for 167 miles, is a fantastic way to see everything the island has to offer- from mountain regions to bamboo woods, a series of abandoned places and coffee plantages. All the way you have incredible views out over the sea.
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Aguadilla is a great base for further excursions around the island. From here you can easily reach the surfer hotspot of Rincon. In Aguadilla itself is the former Ramey Air force base of the US Air Force and if interested you could visit its museum too.
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The time when Puerto Rico was one of the main sugar producers in the world is gone but what remains are the Lost Places. The ruins of the sugar cane plants have something charming. Most interesting are the abandoned plants of Central Coloso and Playa Lucia as well as the Guajataca Tunnel, which used to connect the towns of Isabela and Quebradillas.
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Isabella, or the ‘garden of the Northwest’ is the perfect base in order to explore the surrounding villages and beaches. The sea is rough and the waves are high. Children and those who can’t swim can splash around Swimming Holes, such as the Pozo Teodoro, where the water collects up to knee level and is warmed by the sun. From here you can also easily reach the surfers mecca of Rincon. You should stay there until sunset which surely is one of the most impressive in the Caribbean.
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Approximately 2 hours by car from San Juan you reach El Yunque. Inhabiting 28,000 acres it is the only rainforest on US territory. Whilst walking along beautiful trails you can see over 240 species of animals and plants. A beautiful refreshment is offered by the waterfall of La Mina.
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