The Best Budget-Friendly Hotels on Puerto Rico, Caribbean

Set along a storied street in old San Juan, surrounded by vibrant Spanish colonial-style buildings, CasaBlanca Hotel is a smart choice for your next stay in the Puerto Rican capital. One for the romantics, rooms are light-filled thanks to the arched windows and have plush beds, and there’s a pair of stone tubs on the rooftop to bathe in high above the city streets as well.

Santurcia Hostel will make you rethink everything you know about hostels – the boho-eclectic decor is Instagram-worthy (and you’ll definitely want to replicate it in your own home). As well as sleek mixed and female-only dorm rooms, you can opt for one of the stylish private rooms for a touch more seclusion. For digital nomads, there’s a luxe co-working space – or if you want to catch rays while you tap away, the sun-drenched rooftop makes for a great remote office.

With the expansive Condado Beach just a short walk away, At Wind Chimes in San Juan expertly blends city and beach living. Rooms are well-appointed, with terracotta tiled floors, muted decor and some have bamboo four-poster beds. When you’re in need of downtime, there’s an intimate plunge pool and a small reading nook. When parched, the al fresco Boat Bar is the perfect place to perch while enjoying a cold beer.

Self-described as the “gayest guest house in San Juan”, Coqui del Mar is a haven for LGBTQ travelers. There are several stylish apartment-style rooms – bigger parties can rent the vibrant villas as well. Love splashing in the water? You don’t have to go far for your fix with two pools and a jacuzzi on site, and the nearest beach is just a block away.

The Spanish posada-style Hotel Colonial, built in the early 1930s, was once a chapel; the baroque façade and vaulted roof are remnants of its past life. Inside, no two accommodations are the same, with colorful ceramic-tile floors and up to three full-sized orthopedic beds in each room. As for the surrounding area of Mayagüez on the west coast, the historical downtown is home to plenty of museums, art events and restaurants.

The Dreamcatcher in Ocean Park is the only meat-free property on the island, serving organic vegetarian breakfast and brunch daily, with vegan and gluten-free options too. Juice blends, homemade hemp milk and kombucha elixirs fuel days spent at the beach, which is around 200 steps from the nine guest rooms and three suites at the property, all individually decorated.

A quiet haven in the middle of the city, Coral Princess Hotel is just moments from the golden sand Condado Beach. You’ll love the maze of pot plants that line the common areas, while the rooms are modern, with cooling tiled floors and marble-clad bathrooms. When you want to experience the famed city nightlife, the Latin bar-lined La Placita de Santurce is just a 10-minute walk away.

The Acacia Boutique Hotel might have the largest hot tub you’ve ever seen – it’s the size of a pool. Choose your water temperature, and enjoy a soak while absorbing ocean views. The Spanish-inspired hotel in the heart of Condado is also home to Niche Bistro, a French restaurant serving original dishes created by chef David Chaymol.

At 2,500ft (762m) above sea level, Hacienda Juanita is a mountain resort on the west coast, with 34 rooms and suites with high ceilings and semi-private terraces overlooking the Maricao rainforest. The property is an ode to the 19th-century golden era of coffee production on the island; having been converted from a coffee farm to a hotel, the property still has a cafe on site.

In the Alto del Cabro community, and just a short walk to Condado, Casa Santurce is an ideal spot for solo travelers who want to meet people from around the world. Choose between a double bunk room, a six-bed female dorm, a 10-bed mixed dorm and a double room with a private bathroom. If you are on the island for an extended stay, you can even join their Workaway program, where you receive free accommodation in return for helping out around the hostel.

The swanky rooftop terrace with ocean views is a perfect place to make friends during a stay at the Conturce Hostel. Although it’s set in an ideal location – right in the heart of the San Juan nightlife scene – you won’t have to go far to socialize. Join fellow travelers for weekly movies under the stars and open-air yoga classes. However, those seeking a bit more privacy can request rooms for themselves.

For an intimate stay in Aguadilla, rent one of four rooms in Medusa’s Hostel, a two-story historic building constructed in the 1800s. The first floor has a restaurant and bar with regular live music performances. Pets are welcome, and a complimentary pickup from Rafael Hernández International Airport any time before midnight makes arrivals easy.

As the name suggests, Nomada Urban Beach Hostel in San Juan is just a short stroll from Ocean Park Beach – you can look over the Atlantic from the hostel rooftop. Choose between private rooms, mixed and female-only dorms. And if you want to wake up to glorious Caribbean sunrises, there are rooftop tents (fitted with queen-sized mattresses) you can book.

Dating to 1929, Parador Guánica 1929 offers simple twin and double rooms and an outdoor pool. Choose between breakfast, half-board and all-inclusive packages – the on-site Puerto Rican restaurant specializes in locally caught seafood. Nearby Guánica Bay is also home to one of the best bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico.

The SeaGate Hotel is located on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. Hosts Penny and Kelly will go out of their way to help you settle in – from cooking you breakfast to showing the best secret spots on the island. Located on a hillside, the ocean views are spectacular, especially from the deluxe suite. Basic rooms include a minifridge, air conditioning and a patio, while family suites sleep up to four people.

You can’t miss the bright yellow façade of this splendid colonial building built in 1882. Once an all-girls school, it’s now an independent hotel with 62 standard rooms and seven colonial-style suites. The real draw are the two dining options – Melao coffee shop, arguably serving the best cup of joe in town, and the hip restaurant Lola, which serves succulent pork belly and shrimp mac ‘n’ cheese. Head to the casino afterward to spin the roulette wheel.