8 days in Puerto Rico Itinerary

For sixty years until 2003, most of the Isla de Vieques was closed off to the public, with the US Navy using the island's beaches and surrounding waters for drills and testing of new military machinery, such as bombs.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Wed): kick back and relax at Secret Beach, glide peacefully along the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, and then take in the waterfront at Malecon. On the next day, take an in-depth tour of Fortin Conde de Mirasol Museum, enjoy the sand and surf at Media Luna Beach, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Navio Beach.

To see reviews, maps, ratings, and tourist information, read our Isla de Vieques trip itinerary builder .

New Orleans, USA to Isla de Vieques is an approximately 9.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and flight; or do a combination of bus and flight. The time zone difference when traveling from New Orleans to Isla de Vieques is 2 hours. When traveling from New Orleans in July, plan for a bit warmer days in Isla de Vieques, with highs around 88°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 79°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Thu) early enough to travel to Luquillo.

Luquillo is a municipality of Puerto Rico (U.S.) located in the northeast coast, northwest of Fajardo; and east of Rio Grande. Kick off your visit on the 19th (Fri): enjoy the sand and surf at Balneario Luquillo, then kick back and relax at Monserrate Beach, and then take a memorable tour with Tours.

To see more things to do, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Luquillo trip website .

Traveling by combination of ferry and car from Isla de Vieques to Luquillo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and shuttle. In July, daytime highs in Luquillo are 88°F, while nighttime lows are 79°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Ponce.

Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. Start off your visit on the 20th (Sat): see the interesting displays at Parque de Bombas, see the interesting displays at El Museo Castillo Serralles, then get engrossed in the history at Museo de Arte de Ponce, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Cathedral of our Lady of Guadaloupe.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Ponce day trip planner.

Getting from Luquillo to Ponce by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: do a combination of shuttle, flight, and car; or take a shuttle. Expect a daytime high around 86°F in July, and nighttime lows around 76°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Rincon.

A seaside playground in the Caribbean, Rincon was a small agricultural and fishing town until it hosted the 1968 World Surfing Championship.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Punta Higuera Light House and El Faro Lighthouse. Step out of the city life by going to Buye Beach and Domes Beach. Change things up with a short trip to Los Morrillos Light in Cabo Rojo (about 1h 25 min away). Next up on the itinerary: look for all kinds of wild species at Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, and enjoy the sand and surf at Sandy Beach.

For where to stay, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Rincon vacation planning app .

Traveling by car from Ponce to Rincon takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and flight. Expect a daytime high around 90°F in July, and nighttime lows around 80°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) so you can travel back home.