A Local’s Guide to Planning a Puerto Rico Honeymoon

A hot take, Puerto Rico is an underrated travel gem! There’s an array of travel experiences the island offers. We have beaches, forests, and mountains. We have city centers and secluded retreats.

There are leisurely activities as well as adventure-focused ones. Most importantly, there are all types of budget options from luxury locations to wallet-friendly activities. So, if any of these throw you off a bit, do not be discouraged.

There will be many options mentioned for your romantic getaway. What works in our favor is being small enough that anything is no more than a 3-hour drive, but big enough that options beyond an insular retreat exist to explore. The only requirement to have access to a range of experiences would be to rent a car. Some of the most wonderful sites on the island are outside the metro area. While this blog will focus on people looking to plan their honeymoon, it can be a good resource for any traveler!

Ultimately, what makes Puerto Rico amazing is our culture. We are fun, vivacious, and open. Anywhere on the island you visit, you’ll find lovely people ready to help you have a wonderful time!

Table of Contents

1) Places to Stay
2) Dining Experiences
3) Nightlife
4) Adventure & Tourism

Places to Stay

1. Stay at the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort

This high-end hotel is in the municipality of Río Grande, Puerto Rico. This hotel is for those couples looking to relax and disconnect in paradise.

This little enclave of luxury has a wonderful beachfront, nature trails, and a boat house. Enjoy activities like golf, tennis, kayaking, biking, birdwatching, beach volleyball, and more. The hotel offers a kids club, wellness center, spa, and pools.

Río Grande is less than one hour away from the historic center of Puerto Rico, Viejo San Juan. Therefore, if you’re looking for a romantic night out in the city, The St. Regis is a 45-minute drive away.

2. Feel Like a Local at Palmas del Mar

Located in the municipality of Humacao, Palmas del Mar is located on the Eastern coast of Puerto Rico.

Palmas del Mar is like its own little world since there’s a great mix of long-time residents, recently relocated ones, and short-term stay tourists. Palmas del Mar is a medium-sized residential area comprised of villas, homes, mansions, and hotels all interconnected with pools, golf courses, beachfront, restaurants, and more.

If you’re the type of newlywed couple looking to establish a go-to travel spot to build community and rapport with others, Palmas del Mar is a great choice. Just an hour’s drive from the capital, Palmas del Mar is also not a far-off drive to a more diverse nightlife scene in the city.  

3. Enjoy the Luxuries of Ritz Carlton, Dorado Reserve

If accessible to you for your honeymoon, the Dorado Beach Ritz Carlton Reserve is the high-end experience offered in Puerto Rico.

The luxury hotel is known to host celebrities and important people during their stay on the island. This is a bit of an insert, but travelers tend to bucket countries on preconceived notions. So, for example, the Caribbean being a more casual, low-budget region. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, where both low-budget and high-budget, with everything in between, exists. It is just a matter of determining what is most valuable to you in your experience during your travel.

If on your honeymoon you’d like a top-tier rated experience, not just in Puerto Rico, but in the world, the Dorado Ritz Carlton is the place to be. 

4. Stay at the O:live Boutique Hotel

If being in the city is more of your vibe, O:live Boutique Hotel is a great option.

I’d rate this hotel top for young newlyweds since it offers couple-focused activities and is in a bustling part of San Juan, the Condado area. Condado is full of restaurants, bars, speakeasies, and nightclubs – all within walking distance.

During the day, you can also visit Ocean Park, a beach popular with both locals and tourists. Condado is also a 5-minute drive to Old San Juan. You can take an Uber or park in various parking garages and lots around town.

Dining Experiences

1. Celebrate on the Eter Rooftop

Eter Rooftop is in Miramar, an area that is part of the San Juan capital.

The restaurant has a great view of the metro area. If you happen to celebrate New Years there, you’ll have an amazing fireworks experience. Even on a non-holiday, having a nice cocktail at sunset hour at Eter is a lovely experience with your partner.

The menu is also quite delicious, offering Ceviche, plantain with meat, seafood, risotto, and more. If it is great for an engagement party, it will be great as a honeymoon dining experience in Puerto Rico.  

2. Relax on the Kumo Rooftop

Located in Isla Verde, Kumo Rooftop is a Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant.

In addition to a lovely view and delicious cuisine, Kumo offers exclusive services. For example, there’s the Kumo Cocktail Party which is a collection of dishes with cocktail pairing. Foodie newlyweds will love this fine dining experience. 

3. Visit the Distrito T-Mobile

Located in the Convention Center near both Condado and Viejo San Juan, Distrito T-Mobil is like a park, kind of.

Comprised of a music hall, cinema, restaurants, hotel, plaza area, and even a miniature zipline, Distrito T-Mobil can be a fun night out. Make sure to browse their event calendar to reserve fun activities being offered during your stay in Puerto Rico.

4. Savor the Chef’s Garden Experience

Chef’s Garden is a unique dining experience since it is currently the only restaurant in Puerto Rico that uses their own farming land to source ingredients. Delicious and sustainable. It is a curated menu with 20-minute gaps in between. Therefore, portions will fill you up toward the end.

Chef’s Garden is in the municipality of Rincón, a 3-hour drive from San Juan. The recommendation is to stay at least one night in Rincón, a beautiful beach town on the Western coast of Puerto Rico.

Chef’s Garden can be a cute spot for newlyweds looking to dine outdoors with a pleasant view. For brunch, make sure to visit The English Rose. Rincón can also be a great starting point for a West-South Coasts trip. You’ll visit Mayagüez, Cabo Rojo, Guánica, and can arrive in Ponce. 

Nightlife

1. Enjoy Cocktails and Music at La Disquera and Botánico

For newlyweds looking to interact with young locals, both these bars are great for a cute night out. La Disquera is a home repurposed into a maze-like bar with specialty cocktails. Grab a drink and venture off into one of the many sitting rooms it offers.

Botánico, located next to La Disquera on La Calle Cerra in Santurce, is a large outdoor area that plays chill house music. Venture into any of these if you want a youthful and chic local scene.

2. See Local Salsa Dancing Events

Hotels like The Marriott Condado, The Intercontinental, and El Hotel San Juan have salsa dancing nights. This can be a fun activity for newlyweds looking to have a good time dancing to live music.

These hotels also host live salsa dancing performances by local professional dancers or students looking to practice their skills. If you’re interested in viewing, call to find out about their salsa dancing events.

If a more local and casual ambiance is preferred, La Factoría in Old San Juan and De la Vida in La Placita, Santurce are great options. 

3. Semilla Kitchen Speakeasy – Vine 

If you and your partner are looking for a sexy night out, Vine is a great choice.

Located at the back of Semilla Restaurant in Condado, the speakeasy has become a popular location for nightlife fun. The swanky décor paired with a DJ playing a fusion of house and reggaetón makes for a great reason to doll and dapper up. 

4. Enjoy Entertainment at the Fine Arts Theatre

If you’re a cinema connoisseur, a date night to the Fine Arts Theatre can be a great honeymoon activity.

This fine arts cinema is in the financial center of Puerto Rico, Hato Rey, a 10-minute drive from Old San Juan and Condado areas. Make sure to visit their webpage to browse movie selections, dates, and viewing times. The theatre is also a good opportunity for lovers of international ballet and opera to watch big productions and performances by renowned artists.

5. See Performances at the Historic Teatro Tapia

The Tapia Theatre is the oldest on the island located in Viejo San Juan. If you’re looking for an elegant date night that has the bonus of supporting local artists, a live theatre night can be a perfect fit. For viewings, it is best to consult the Municipal Information Tourist Center in Old San Juan. They also hold daytime tours to explore and learn more about the historic theatre.

Adventure and Eco-Tourism

1. Explore the El Yunque Rainforest

The most popular eco-tourist spot in Puerto Rico is the El Yunque rainforest.

It is made up of different trails for different hiking levels. If you’re booking a hike with a tour guide, beforehand ask for the following information: length of the hike, if cancellation is available due to heavy rainfall (trails become very slippery), and if the trail is easy or hard. Some trails do have branches and boulders to climb over that are ideal for those looking for more of a challenge.

Alternatively, there is a 5-minute trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall. When you arrive at El Yunque, there is a large map with all the trails you can choose from. Look at a digital map beforehand with your guide to ensure you pick the right trail for your rainforest adventure.  

2. Zipline and the Longaniza Route Toro Verde, Orocovis

The mountain region, La Cordillera Central, is very underrated! High enough for beautiful sites, but not incredibly high that it causes height sickness, the mountain municipalities are perfect if you’re looking for a very authentic experience of Puerto Rico.

As a day activity, you can visit Toro Verde Zipline located in what we call the heart of Puerto Rico: Orocovis. For visitors that love being outside their comfort zone and trying new things, there’s “La Ruta de la Longaniza.” This route takes you to local restaurants that sell typical Puerto Rican food specializing in the sausage called “longaniza.”

If you’re ready to not be surrounded by tourists, this is the experience for you and your honeymoon partner.  They even have a single-day “couples pass”, perfect for adventuring with your partner.

3. Ride the Bike Trails on Puerto Rico’s West Coast

If biking is an activity you’re interested in, it can become part of a West-South Coast Puerto Rico tour since the best trails are found in the municipalities of Rincón, Cabo Rojo, and Guánica. The most recommended area would be Guánica since it is a dry forest with unique scenery.

Make sure to look up bike rentals near the area you’re planning to go to. 

4. See the Magic of the Bioluminescent Bay in Vieques

There are only 12 bioluminescent bays in the world, and Puerto Rico has 3!

The Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay in Vieques, however, is the brightest one in Puerto Rico. Vieques is an island off the East Coast of the mainland.

We urge you to contact the tour company to find out which day and time is best to have the bay be the brightest. A bright bay does not depend on the moon phases, but rather the moon’s rise and set times. Pitch black night and no rainfall is optimal.

The bio bay can become a romantic and enchanting activity. You’ll need to purchase ferry tickets beforehand to visit. It will be worth it. Look at how stunning!

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Thank you for reading! There are so many romantic things to do in Puerto Rico, and we know you will find the perfect one for your honeymoon plans!

¡Salud y Éxito!

Daniela Barquet