The ultimate solo travel guide to Puerto Rico: Everything you need to know
It may be just 100 miles wide, but a big welcome awaits with group solo travel to Puerto Rico. Rich in vibrancy, warmth and charm thanks to its blended cultural history, the island (actually a small archipelago) showcases its indigenous, Spanish and African heritage in its many colourful festivals and traditions.
Factor in world-class beaches, majestic mountain ranges and bioluminescent bays – all just a quick hop from the States – and the appeal of a group solo trip to Puerto Rico is tantalisingly clear.
You’ll find old and new in cities such as San Juan, with colonial architecture, sprawling forts and museums of indigenous Taínos history sitting alongside artsy neighbourhoods and skyscrapers.
Meanwhile the 300 miles of coastline hosts some of the world’s best beaches (officially), but isn’t all about pristine white sand; the magical Mosquito Bay has the brightest bioluminescence in the world, the water glowing neon-bright with tiny life as you gently kayak through. The mesmeric natural beauty keeps coming with the only rainforest in the United States: El Yunque National Forest, boasting stunning waterfalls, rivers and wildlife.
Solo travellers will find a tropical escape filled with music, food and convivial Boricua culture. Below is our Puerto Rican solo travel guide with everything you need – so choose your tipple (the island does a nice line in rum, coffee and, of course, the Puerto Rican-created Piña Colada) and soak up the energy of this Caribbean charmer. Learn more about group solo travel with Flash Pack.
Puerto Rico travel facts
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, so while it is a US territory, it has its own constitution and elected officials (as well as its own team in the Olympics). The archipelagic island – part of the Greater Antilles group – is known for its rich cultural identity arising from its Taíno, African and Spanish roots. Architecture in particular reflects the centuries of Spanish rule, and the military fortifications around San Juan, including the 16th century La Fortaleza and parts of the city wall, are a Unesco World Heritage Site. Spanish is the predominant official language.
Is Puerto Rico good for solo travel?
Fascinating old towns, glorious tropical beaches, incredible ancestry and tradition, delicious food and drink… did we mention a luminous ocean with glowing waters? Just a hop from North America, Puerto Rico has lots to offer for the solo traveller; check out the lively nightlife and centuries of history in San Juan. Then there’s breathtaking coastline, well, everywhere, including on the beautiful island of Vieques – home to mangrove forests, wild horses and the world’s brightest bio bay. One of the easiest ways to explore is with a small group of fellow solo travellers, ensuring good company, local gems and low stress.
Best places to visit in Puerto Rico
What should you do on a group solo trip to Puerto Rico? At Flash Pack, we do solo beach escapes like no-one else, providing a Caribbean adventure that combines fun local experiences with headliners to write home about. Cook up a plantain feast with a chef in San Juan, take a beach workshop in the island’s oldest musical tradition, spot wild horses on the black sands of Vieques and kayak Mosquito Bay by moonlight to watch the unreal glow of bioluminescence ripple through the waters all around you. The best part? We’ll do all the legwork – all you have to do is rock up and enjoy.
Where to stay as a solo traveller in Puerto Rico
What are the hotels like in Puerto Rico? Boutique, modern, luxurious or tranquil: solo travellers will find a warm Boricua welcome no matter the type of stay. Choose from eco glamping in the mountains or beachside opulence in deluxe resorts. How about quirky, historic lodgings bang in the middle of Old San Juan, or hilltop haciendas with private pools on Vieques island? Puerto Rico has wide-ranging options, and travelling with Flash Pack means top-tier accommodation. Plus, you can room share with fellow solo travellers, meaning no solo supplement – often enabling access to beautiful, local and original hotels (although if you prefer to pay for your own private room, that’s fine too).
How to get to Puerto Rico
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, commonly known as San Juan Airport (SJU) is minutes away from San Juan itself. Flights from US cities are regular and direct, taking between 2.5hrs and 4.5hrs depending where you fly from, with prices generally steady outside of major holidays. From Europe, routes are often via New York or Madrid (sometimes both). The island’s smaller airports – Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) and Mercedita International Airport (PSE) – also receive some US flights. As a Caribbean connection hub, it’s easy to build Puerto Rico into a wider holiday and it’s also a popular cruise ship stop.
How to get around Puerto Rico
The capital San Juan is easily traversed with taxis, Uber and buses, and many cities and towns run free public trolleys around points of interest. However, further afield, renting a car is the most convenient way to explore. Traffic is notoriously busy, so try to travel off-peak and be aware that mountain roads can be narrow and winding. You can fly to Puerto Rico’s smaller islands, Vieques and Culebra, but many prefer the ferry (30-45 minutes) from Ceiba in the northeast. All internal travel in Puerto Rico, including secure private transfers and island ferries, is built into the price of Flash Pack’s group solo escape.
Best time to visit Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is loved for its year-round sunshine, with its tropical climate promising average temperatures of 25-30°C (77-86°F). High season lands in December and stretches to April, with drier weather and some of the biggest festivals – not least the huge Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián in January. However, no matter the month you visit, there’s no shortage of colourful festivals celebrating the island’s arts, indigenous traditions and plenty more (such as a whole event dedicated to locally grown pineapples). April to June sees lower prices and the start of the rainy season – also the Caribbean’s official hurricane season – which runs ‘til November.
Puerto Rico travel itineraries
It’s not just any old beach trip with Flash Pack: our five-day Puerto Rican getaway hits those sunkissed sands and coconut cocktails, of course, but you’ll also cook plantain with a local chef, take in Afro-Puerto Rican culture in coastal Loiza, learn bomba dance, explore the historic charm of cobblestoned Old San Juan and snorkel among tropical fish in that incredible sparkling ocean. You’ll top off the beach-hopping on Vieques island with Mosquito Bay, kayaking in a glass-bottomed craft with neon-bright bioluminescence shimmering beneath you. Don’t forget your own time to explore is baked into the trip format, and there’ll also be plenty of Caribbean cuisine and nightlife.
What to pack for solo travel in Puerto Rico
Travel insurance is essential, currency is the US dollar and plugs in Puerto Rico are A and B: the same as North America. Puerto Rico is a US territory, so American citizens don’t need a passport, but should bring valid ID, such as a driving licence or state card. Citizens of many countries – including Australia and the UK – are entitled to a visa waiver, but must obtain the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online before travel. Given the tropical climate and the fact that mosquitoes can carry disease (not to mention be very irritating), DEET-based mosquito repellent is vital, as is sun protection.
Solo travel advice for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has so much to explore – nightlife, historic architecture, lush mountains and world-class beaches – that one of the best ways of hitting all the solo travel highlights is to leave the planning to us. Flash Pack offers solo travel with the security, ease and support of a group trip, curating a Puerto Rican showcase of unmissable experiences, such as kayaking bioluminescent bays by moonlight and cooking up a feast with a local chef. Check out Flash Pack’s group solo trip to Puerto Rico for a memorable standalone break or as part of a bigger adventure into the Americas.
Is it safe to travel solo in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is generally regarded as safe for tourists and for the majority, trips are trouble-free. However, do check out the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (for UK solo travellers), the Department of State Travel Advisories (for US solo travellers) or your country’s local government guidelines for the latest advice before travelling, and ensure you have adequate travel insurance. It’s also helpful to pay attention to weather reports if you’re travelling during hurricane season.
Take sensible precautions against crime, such as staying mindful of your surroundings, not leaving valuables on show, being aware of pickpocketing in busy areas and avoiding walking alone at night. On Flash Pack trips, you’ll have the constant support of your local Pack Leader, as well as a group of like-minded fellow solo travellers to explore with.
Ready for your next adventure? Try group solo travel to Puerto Rico with Flash Pack – designed exclusively for people in their 30s and 40s, seeking the independence of solo travel within the safety of a group.
A cool 98% of Flashpackers arrive solo to join our group adventures. So, you’ll be in good company – whether you’re a first-time solo traveller or a seasoned pro looking for like-minded new friends.
Images: iStock and Unsplash
