The Best Walking Tours in Puerto Rico

Fuente de los Leones, Ponce
Fuente de los Leones, Ponce | © Frederic Gleach / Flickr
Kris Pethick

When you escape to Puerto Rico you embark on a wonderful journey. Take full advantage of its tropical climes by taking some walking tours of some of the oldest and most stunning sights on the island, both man-made and natural. There is so much to see and do, so we’ve picked the best guided tours you can book to make the most of your trip.

1. Cueva Ventana

Park, Hiking Trail

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jcmu / Flickr
There is a number of caves in the northwest region of Puerto Rico, and Cueva Ventana has one of the best views. Trained biologists take you on a guided tour of the caves, where you’ll learn about the plants, animals, insects and the Taíno people, who once used these caves. The hike takes about 45 minutes, and there are a couple of places where you’ll need to climb, but the guides and other explorers will help you. When you get to la ventana(the window), you will see a view like nowhere on Earth. It’s a great place to take silhouette photos, with the wispy clouds and lush valley in the background. To make it even more romantic, make sure you ask about the Legend of Salomé and Aruaca.

2. Isla Caribe Walking Tours

Art Gallery, Casino, Cathedral, Shop

2. Isla Caribe Walking Tours
© plizzba / Flickr

Join Isla Caribe Walking Tours to see part of Ponce, the second-largest city in Puerto Rico. You’ll meet at the wonderful Utopía café and gift shop, and visit the downtown plaza and surrounding areas from there. There are many museums, theaters, and things to do right in the plaza area, including Parque de Bombas, Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral, the beautiful fountains, the Lions of Ponce, and the best pinchos on the island. You can do the Walking Ponce tour, a Night Walk of Ponce or, coming soon, the Prehistoric Nature Tour. Tours are given every Saturday morning, departing from Utopía at 10:00 am, or you can book your own tour with groups of four or more by contacting them.

3. Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve

Forest, Hiking Trail, Natural Feature, Park

3. Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve
© Jack Boucher / WikiCommons
This tour has it all. A bioluminescent bay, dry forest, coral reefs, sandy and rocky beaches, all located between two headlands. Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is made up of 10 islands, which are best accessed by boat from Las Croabas. Visitors arriving at the reserve can see the island’s natural wonders both on land and under water. Each of the islands is surrounded by coral reefs that carry a variety of marine life, including turtles that return to the reserve’s sandy beaches every year to lay their eggs. The historic Faro de Las Cabezas de San Juan is also located in the reserve.

4. Old San Juan Heritage Walking Tours

Building, Casino, Cathedral

4. Old San Juan Heritage Walking Tours
© Roger W / Flickr

Explore the colorful buildings and unique culture of Old San Juan with writer David Rodriguez. You will visit some of Old San Juan’s most famous sites and hear stories and facts that will bring these locations to life. You can expect to visit Christopher Columbus Square and Puerto Rico’s oldest castle, Fort San Cristóbal, La Princesa Walkway and the surrounding areas, Plaza de Armas, City Hall, a front view of La Fortaleza, Christ Chapel and La Rogativa, the San Juan Cathedral and the Ponce de León tomb, as well as the Old San Juan front gate. The tour takes approximately 2.5 hours and they have morning and afternoon departures.

5. El Yunque National Rainforest

Forest, Hiking Trail

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© Ricardo Mangual / Flickr
The trip commences from your pick-up point, at one of the many San Juan hotels. The price includes transportation, a tour guide and entry fees. Discover the wonders of El Yunque National Forest on this laid-back, half-day exploration of the only rainforest in the United States National Forest System. Visit the waterfall, enjoy epic views and see more than 240 different varieties of plants and animals that call this sub-tropical habitat home. At an elevation point of 3088 feet (940 meters) there is a lookout tower with breathtaking views, providing amazing photo opportunities. If you want to tour the rainforest on your own, you also have the option of driving through it, or taking the Mount Britton hiking trail. It has three rest stops where you can relax and take pictures of the rarely seen Puerto Rican parrot, or the indigenous coquí frogs.

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