Puerto Rico: Where Rainforest Meets Rhythm.
Discover Puerto Rico’s best luxury hotels, restaurants and experiences — from The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort to Old San Juan’s colourful streets and Caribbean island adventures.
Long prized for its sun-drenched coastlines, rhythmic soul and richly layered history, Puerto Rico offers a Caribbean escape with unmistakable personality.
Here, rainforest-covered mountains tumble toward turquoise seas, pastel colonial cities hum with music and culture, and the scent of garlic, plantain and rum drifts through the streets. It is a destination where nature, cuisine and heritage intersect — and where life moves to a distinctly Latin rhythm.
Whether you come for beaches, rainforest adventures or culinary discoveries, Puerto Rico invites travellers to slow down and tune into the island’s vibrant energy.
Where to Stay
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort
On the island’s northeast coast, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort sits quietly between rainforest and sea in Río Grande, a region defined by waterfalls, mountains and lush tropical forest.
Spread across 500 acres of former plantation land, the resort feels wonderfully cocooned by nature while remaining just forty minutes from San Juan airport and close to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system.
Wooden boardwalks wind through lagoons, tropical gardens and mangroves before opening onto a mile-long stretch of golden beach, creating a sense of secluded calm that feels far removed from the city.
Rooms and suites, designed by Puerto Rican designer Nono Maldonado, reflect the coastal landscape through a palette of ocean blues, sand tones and soft whites. Spacious layouts, custom furnishings and private terraces prioritise comfort and tranquillity, while oversized marble bathrooms feature deep soaking tubs, rainfall showers and dual vanities.
Wellness plays a central role at the resort. The 10,000-square-foot Iridium Spa focuses on bespoke treatments incorporating local ingredients such as rum, coffee and tropical fruits. Treatment villas, hydrotherapy areas and relaxation spaces offer a restorative escape, while guests seeking more active pursuits can explore the Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course, paddleboard along the coast or join yoga sessions among the gardens.
Check availability and best rates at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort.
La Concha Resort
For travellers who prefer to be closer to the city’s nightlife and cultural energy, La Concha Resort places you directly on the beachfront in the lively Condado district of San Juan.
Originally opened in 1958, the hotel was once considered one of Puerto Rico’s most glamorous addresses. Following a major renovation in 2019 by the Renaissance Hotels group, the property has been thoughtfully revived while preserving its iconic modernist character.
The architectural centrepiece remains the celebrated seashell-shaped structure designed by Mario Salvatori, an engineering marvel that continues to define the hotel’s visual identity.
Inside, the lobby functions as a social hub where guests move effortlessly between check-in, cocktails, pool and beach. By day it hums with activity, while by night it transforms into one of Condado’s most stylish bars, drawing locals and visitors alike.
Rooms lean into retro charm with contemporary comforts, many featuring balconies and ocean views. Suites offer additional living space, while curated packages for couples and groups often include dining credit, breakfast and celebratory touches such as champagne on arrival.
View rooms and rates at La Concha Resort.
Where to Eat
Puerto Rican cuisine, known locally as cocina criolla, reflects the island’s layered cultural history. Spanish ingredients such as rice and olive oil combine with African cooking techniques and American influences to create a cuisine that is soulful, generous and deeply rooted in tradition.
Flavours Food Tours
One of the most engaging ways to explore the island’s culinary culture is through a walking food tour in Old San Juan.
The three-hour experience moves through the cobblestoned streets of the historic quarter, stopping at six carefully selected restaurants. Along the way, a knowledgeable local guide shares stories about the city’s past while guests sample specialities ranging from mofongo and traditional rice dishes to local coffee and passion-fruit desserts.
It’s an immersive introduction to Puerto Rico’s flavours and history in equal measure.
Eclipse Restaurant
Located within Villa Montaña Beach Resort on the island’s northwest coast, Eclipse Restaurant offers one of Puerto Rico’s most atmospheric brunch settings.
Led by chef Rafael Grau, the menu blends Caribbean flavours with contemporary influences using ingredients sourced from local farmers, growers and fishermen.
The restaurant pairs rustic industrial elements with vintage driftwood tables and expansive ocean views. The brunch menu ranges from oysters and smoked salmon to buttermilk waffles, stuffed French toast and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, accompanied by an excellent selection of wines, champagnes and cocktails.
Iguana Cocina Puertorriqueña
Located within the Rio Mar Country Club, Iguana Cocina Puertorriqueña offers a relaxed yet elegant setting overlooking rainforest greenery.
The menu focuses on traditional Puerto Rican dishes including fried local cheeses, garlic shrimp, slow-cooked pork belly and classic arroz con pollo. Caribbean lobster and organic chicken dishes complete the menu, while cocktails lean into tropical flavours with favourites such as cucumber martinis and the ever-popular piña colada.
Things to Do
Sail to Culebra Island
Sailing excursions to nearby islands provide some of Puerto Rico’s most memorable experiences. Trips to Culebra include snorkelling over coral reefs, encounters with sea turtles and time spent in pristine Caribbean waters far from busy resorts.
The island’s protected marine environment and minimal development give it a wonderfully untouched atmosphere.
Explore Condado Lagoon
Back in San Juan, Condado Lagoon offers a more urban water adventure.
Visitors can try bicycle kayaking, a unique twist on traditional kayaking that allows you to pedal across the lagoon while discovering its natural and artificial reef systems.
Cooking Classes at Cocina Abierta
Cooking classes at Cocina Abierta introduce travellers to the fundamentals of Puerto Rican cuisine through guided preparation.
Participants learn to create classic dishes such as mofongo and tembleque while discovering the ingredients, techniques and culinary traditions that shape the island’s food culture.
Places to Visit
Isabela, Puerto Rico
On the island’s northwest coast, horseback riding excursions through Isabela take visitors along coastal trails, forest paths and secluded beaches.
Small groups and carefully matched horses ensure the experience remains accessible while maintaining a sense of adventure.
Old San Juan
Few places capture Puerto Rico’s character quite like Old San Juan. Pastel-coloured colonial buildings line cobblestone streets where cafés, galleries and local markets spill into historic plazas.
It’s a place best explored slowly, ideally with strong coffee in hand and time to wander.
Wellness in Puerto Rico
Wellness is often defined as the pursuit of habits that support physical and mental wellbeing, yet its meaning varies from person to person. Puerto Rico offers a refreshingly natural approach to the concept. Between rainforest hikes, ocean swims, fresh cuisine and restorative spa treatments, the island provides an environment that encourages travellers to reconnect with themselves. Here, wellness is less about strict routines and more about balance — embracing nature, movement, culture and good food in equal measure.
To learn more and plan your trip, visit www.discoverpuertorico.com
Written by Esohe Ebohon