The drive around Puerto Rico is approximately 6 hours and takes you through the cities of San Juan, Arecibo, and Mayagüez. It’s a great way to see some of the country’s most famous landmarks, such as El Yunque National Forest and La Fortaleza.
The drive covers approximately 250 miles and takes you through Puerto Rico’s mountains, rainforest, and coastline.
In this article, we’ll discuss the drive around Puerto Rico, how long it takes, what to expect and where to stop along the way. We’ll also include some of our favorite sights in Puerto Rico for you to visit during your trip.
Driving time in Puerto Rico
The length of your drive depends on how many stops you want to make and how long you want to stay at each one.
You can drive around Puerto Rico in just a day, but that would mean rushing from place to place and not having time to stop for meals or enjoy the beach.
You’ll need at least four days, probably more like five or six, if you want to stop along the way and have time to explore each town.
Recommended itinerary
If you’re looking for the ultimate vacation, look no further! We have put together a comprehensive itinerary that will allow you to visit all of the most exciting landmarks in your destination.
This itinerary will allow you to visit all the most famous landmarks in your destination.
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El Yunque National Forest
The El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s most popular tourist attractions.
Located in the Luquillo Mountains, this forest allows visitors to explore its unique vegetation and beautiful scenery.
The forest is home to over 400 species of plants, including around 100 types of trees that grow nowhere else on Earth.
It also has several animals living within its boundaries, such as endangered birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
From San Juan, it’s a 45-minute drive to the El Yunque National Forest.
You can access the forest via Route 165 and Route 191. If you’re traveling from Old San Juan, take Route 165 until it ends at Km 10; follow signs for El Portal.
Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve & Lighthouse
Heading to Las Cabezas is like going back in time—to a time before the advent of modern technology, that is.
The area is home to several natural habitats, including mangroves, beaches, and over five hundred plant species. It’s also home to a lighthouse that was built in 1892.
This nature reserve has been designated as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International because it provides nesting grounds for several species of birds, including pelicans and frigate birds.
The U.S. National Park Service has also recognized the lighthouse as an official historic site because of its architectural significance and historical value to the people who lived there during its time in operation (between 1892 and 1957).
The drive from El Yunque to Las Cabezas is about 45-munites long and worth it. The scenery is beautiful, and the roads are well-maintained.
You’ll pass through several small towns along the way, which offer great opportunities to buy souvenirs or grab a quick bite at local restaurants.
Ponce, a city with great architecture and museums
Ponce is a city located in the southern part of Puerto Rico and is known for its great architecture and museums.
It has been named one of the most beautiful cities in America by Forbes magazine and has many things to offer to tourists like beaches, shopping centers, restaurants, and more.
The Museo de Arte de Ponce is one of the best museums in this area. It was established in 1879 and contains over 10,000 pieces of art collected over time by its founder Don Luis A. Ferré.
Some of these pieces include paintings by famous artists such as Picasso, Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh among many others.
Another great museum is Museo de Bellas Artes which was built in 1936 by Rafael Carmona as part of his plan to revitalize Ponce after Hurricane San Felipe II destroyed most of its buildings.
The drive from las Cabezas to ponce takes about two to two and a half hours, depending on traffic. During the drive, you will see many different landscapes and beautiful beaches along the way.
There are also many great places to eat in Ponce, such as La Casa de Café, where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch with friends or family at affordable prices.
Rincon Beach Lighthouse & Museum
Located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, the lighthouse offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding beaches.
Visitors can climb up to the top of the lighthouse and explore its history or just relax on one of its many benches while watching all kinds of marine life swim by.
The museum also has exhibits on local wildlife and plants and is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily, but visitors can enjoy an even longer visit after hours by booking one of their overnight tours!
The drive from Ponce to Rincon beach lighthouse is about an hour and fifty minutes, but the scenery along the way is beautiful enough to make it feel much shorter.
Camuy River Cave Park
The Camuy River Cave Park is a hidden gem of Puerto Rico. The park is home to the longest cave system in the Caribbean and the second-longest in the Americas, with more than 35 miles of underground tunnels.
The Camuy River runs through it, and its waters are filled with fish that have adapted to life underground. The cave’s entrance is located 2,000 feet above sea level, so be sure to bring a jacket if you visit during cooler months!
Visitors can tour these caves via boat or kayak or hike along one of many trails that lead into its depths. The park also features a visitors center where you can learn about the history of this fascinating place.
The drive from Rincon Beach Lighthouse to Camuy River Cave is about 30 miles, but you’ll want to allow yourself some extra time to explore this incredible destination.
If you want to make a day trip of it, consider stopping by the Arecibo Observatory or taking an aerial tour over the area’s lush vegetation and beautiful beaches.
Arecibo Observatory
The Arecibo Observatory is the largest single-dish radio telescope in the world, and it’s been used by scientists since 1963.
The observatory is home to a massive 305-meter (1,000-foot) diameter reflector made of aluminum panels that can be moved to focus on different areas of the sky.
The observatory has been used for a wide variety of research projects over its history, including searches for extra-terrestrial life, gravitational waves, and asteroids.
The drive back to San Juan is about one hour and a half, so you’ll have plenty of time to reflect on your trip and enjoy the view from the car.
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Puerto Rico is a great place to drive around because all of the things you can see are so close together
If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico, take the chance to drive around and explore the island.
The roads are smooth and easy to navigate, and you’ll be able to see all the beautiful sights in no time!
