Top 10 Activities for Kids in Puerto Rico

Renowned for its vibrant culture and breathtaking scenery, Puerto Rico is a beloved spot for families.

With countless beaches and historic towns, the options for family fun in Puerto Rico are limitless, ensuring everyone has a great time.

The highlights of this beautiful archipelago include snorkeling, hiking, and ziplining, all set in a friendly culture where children are warmly welcomed and cared for.

Explore the top family-friendly activities in Puerto Rico, along with essential tips to help you organize your visit.

Is Puerto Rico suitable for children?

Puerto Rico offers attractions for every interest and age group. Many popular activities for families are mostly free or affordable, ensuring you can have an unforgettable vacation without overspending.

Children are warmly welcomed in restaurants, on beaches, in museums, and at malls. Most dining establishments provide high chairs and kid-friendly menus, while family restrooms with baby changing facilities are common in shopping centers.

You'll need a rental car to explore the island, as public transport is limited and not ideal for families traveling with kids.

For those with a baby, a carrier or sling is the best choice for navigating Puerto Rico's outdoor attractions like rainforests, reserves, waterfalls, and beaches, which often have rough and uneven paths. In urban areas, an umbrella stroller works well.

What are the best spots in Puerto Rico for children?

Coastal towns like Cabo Rojo and the nearby islands of Vieques and Culebra offer a delightful beach getaway. Experience history in San Juan, Ponce, and San Germán, featuring family-friendly museums and historical sites.

Visit El Yunque National Forest in the northeast for an immersive nature experience through hiking, ziplining, and horseback riding. This mountainous area, while tricky to navigate, boasts rivers, farms, and budget-friendly dining options perfect for a retreat.

Even the Metro Region combines excellent accommodations and shopping with beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and outdoor activities.

Visiting San Juan? Discover the top activities in the city

Top activities in Puerto Rico for families with babies and toddlers

Enjoy a day at a water park

Puerto Rico features water parks where families can cool off from the heat. The island’s largest parks include Las Cascadas Waterpark in Aguadilla, Surf N Fun in San Germán, and Albergue Olímpico in Salinas.

Toddlers can splash in water jets and shallow pools while adults unwind at wave pools and lazy rivers.

Explore the vibrant murals of Casitas de Colores

Marvel at the striking Casitas de Colores (colored houses) murals crafted by the community group Pintalto. These artworks are known for completely covering buildings in asymmetrical, vivid shapes that resemble puzzles or mosaics.

Manatí features the first mural, but the most popular is Yaucromatic in Yauco among these stunning exhibitions. You can also find more Casitas de Colores in Las Piedras, Añasco, Río Grande, and Aguadilla.

Experience hands-on fun at Puerto Rico's museums

At Museo del Niño in Carolina and C3Tec in Caguas, children can engage with interactive science exhibits. Smaller venues like the art museums in Aguadilla and Bayamón, along with the History, Anthropology, and Art Museum, offer free crafts and art workshops on weekends.

Immerse yourself in the festive Christmas spirit

From November to January, Puerto Rico transforms for the holidays. During this season, each municipality adorns itself with Christmas decorations, culminating in events called encendidos to light up the festivities.

If you're in Puerto Rico during the holiday season, one of the best activities for toddlers is to visit public plazas and enjoy the vibrant decorations on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's, and Epiphany.

Alternatively, check out shopping malls like Plaza las Américas, which transform into festive Santa Towns complete with snow simulations.

Excited to plan your trip to Puerto Rico? This seasonal guide will help you decide when to visit

Top Activities in Puerto Rico for School-Age Kids

Go Snorkeling

Snorkeling is one of the most enjoyable activities for kids in Puerto Rico. The archipelago's beaches offer excellent underwater visibility, making it easy to see sea turtles, manta rays, corals, and schools of fish from afar.

For instance, you can spot turtles, blue tangs, yellowtail snappers, and damselfish swimming around the artificial reefs at Escambrón Beach, right in San Juan. Offshore, Vieques and Culebra captivate visitors with their vibrant reefs along the coast.

You can rent snorkeling gear at popular public beaches like Flamenco Beach and Seven Seas Beach, but if you plan to explore more secluded beaches, it’s advisable to bring your own equipment.

Discover San Juan's Historic Fortresses

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, commonly known as El Morro, and Castillo San Cristóbal are among the top family-friendly attractions in San Juan. These fortresses were constructed by the Spaniards in 1539 and 1634.

Kids will be thrilled by the secret tunnels, dungeons, and courtyards while learning about pirate raids and legendary battles. The esplanade outside El Morro is a favorite spot for kite flying, especially in the late afternoon when temperatures cool down.

Enjoy the excitement of a colorful festival

All festivals in Puerto Rico showcase lively music, dancing, and delicious cuisine. The Festival De Las Máscaras de Hatillo (Hatillo Mask Festival), held every December 28, captivates kids for hours with its vibrant costumes and lively parades.

If you're visiting in late February or March, take your kids to the Ponce Carnival, famous for its vejigantes, playful folk characters that interact with festival-goers. The Aibonito Flower Festival from June to July and the Festival of Cold in Adjuntas at the end of February are also family-friendly events in Puerto Rico.

Top Activities for Tweens and Teens in Puerto Rico

Discover the breathtaking bioluminescent bays

Puerto Rico boasts three 'bio bays' filled with a high concentration of microscopic algae that produce a stunning glow in the dark. Embark on a family adventure to kayak in the world’s brightest bio bay at Mosquito Bay in Vieques or Laguna Grande near the main airport.

For an unforgettable experience, dive at La Parguera in Lajas and watch the water illuminate with every movement.

Puerto Rico’s bio bays dazzle year-round, but plan your visit during the new moon phase to see the glow at its most spectacular.

Soar through the sky on a zip line

Adventure-seeking families should not miss the second-longest zip line in the world at Toro Verde Adventure Park in Orocovis or the tallest zip line in the Caribbean in Jayuya. El Yunque also features several zip line parks for an exciting family outing.

Learn to Surf

Puerto Rico is home to numerous beaches where your family can catch waves any time of year. Popular surfing spots on the West Coast include Surfer’s Beach in Aguadilla, Middles Beach in Isabela, and Domes Beach in Rincón.

You can find surf shops and rentals near Hobie Beach in Carolina, Aviones Beach in Loíza, and La Pared in Luquillo along the north coast. Don’t hesitate to try the sport if you’re a beginner; Rincón Surf School, Water World Surfing School, and Surfing Puerto Rico provide group lessons to keep active teens engaged.

Planning Tips

While beaches are among the top attractions in Puerto Rico for families, not all are suitable for swimming. Always check local conditions and be cautious of red flags before taking a dip.

To avoid mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya, or Zika, be sure to use bug repellent, which is readily available at drugstores and supermarkets throughout Puerto Rico.

While having a car is advisable for traveling between towns, the historic centers or downtown areas (often referred to as pueblo) in places like Old San Juan, Ponce Pueblo, Aguadilla Pueblo, Rincón Pueblo, Isabel II in Vieques, and Dewey in Culebra are great for walking. These pedestrian-friendly areas feature main plazas, restaurants, shops, attractions, and hotels all within easy reach.