Things to Do in Puerto Rico with Kids: A Local Captain’s Guide

Families ask me all the time whether Puerto Rico is a good trip with children. My answer is always yes. It is a short flight from most of the East Coast, U.S. citizens do not need a passport, the water is warm all year, and Puerto Ricans love kids. Restaurants welcome them, strangers smile at them, and nobody minds a little noise.

I have had hundreds of families on my boat over more than 13 years, from babies in arms to grandparents. These are the things to do in Puerto Rico with kids that I see work best, with honest notes on what suits each age.

1. Fly a kite at El Morro

The big green lawn in front of Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan is the best free playground on the island. The ocean breeze never stops, so local families come here to fly kites, called chiringas. You can buy one from the vendors near the entrance. Afterwards, walk into the fort. Children love the tunnels, the cannons and the lookout towers. Go before 10 in the morning or after 4 in the afternoon to avoid the strongest sun.

2. Pick a beach with calm water

Not every beach in Puerto Rico is good for small swimmers. The north coast has waves and currents, especially in winter. These are the ones I recommend for families:

• Isla Verde and the Carolina public beach: wide sand, gentle water most of the year, and close to the airport hotels.
• Playa El Escambrón, San Juan: a cove protected by a rock barrier, with calm, shallow water.
• Luquillo Beach: about 45 minutes east of San Juan, protected by a reef, with food kiosks next door. It pairs well with a morning in El Yunque.

For more on the area around the airport, see my guide to Isla Verde and Carolina.

3. Take a calm, dry boat ride

Most boat trips in Puerto Rico are big catamarans with 40 people, loud music and snorkeling in open water. That can be a lot for a five year old, and for a grandmother too. What we do is different. Our private family boat charter takes only your family, up to 6 guests, on a slow ride through protected lagoon and mangrove channels where the water is flat.

Nobody has to get wet. There is full shade, comfortable seats with backs, and life jackets for every guest, children included. Kids look for herons, pelicans and iguanas in the mangroves, and on a lucky day a manatee comes up for air next to the boat. A private two hour charter starts at $450 for the whole family, and we leave from Cangrejos Yacht Club, 10 minutes from Isla Verde.

4. Walk an easy trail in El Yunque

El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. You do not need to be a hiker to enjoy it. There are short paved trails, roadside waterfalls you can see from the car, and observation towers kids like to climb. Bring a rain jacket and a change of clothes, and check the Forest Service website before you go, because some areas need a reservation and trails can close after heavy rain.

5. Visit the children’s museum in Carolina

The Museo del Niño in Carolina is a hands on museum made for children, and a good plan for a rainy or very hot day. Check its current schedule before you go, since hours change by season.

6. See the water glow at a bioluminescent bay

Older kids remember this one for years. Tiny organisms in the water light up blue when you move your hand through it. The closest bay to San Juan is Laguna Grande in Fajardo, where you go by kayak, so it suits children who can paddle and stay up late. Tour companies set their own minimum age, so ask before you book. Go close to the new moon, when the night is darkest.

7. Eat like a local family

Puerto Rican food is easy for children: rice and beans, fried plantains, grilled chicken, and fresh fruit shakes called batidas. For a fun lunch, drive to the kiosks in Piñones or Luquillo and let everyone choose a fritter. On a hot afternoon, buy a piragua, shaved ice with fruit syrup, from a cart in Old San Juan.

8. For teens: ziplines in the mountains

If you are traveling with teenagers, Toro Verde adventure park in Orocovis, in the central mountains, has some of the longest ziplines in the world. It is a full day trip from San Juan and there are height and weight requirements, so check them before you promise anything.

Practical tips for parents

• Sun: it is strong all year. Plan outdoor time before 11 AM and after 3 PM, and bring hats and reef safe sunscreen.
• Strollers: the blue cobblestones in Old San Juan are bumpy. A carrier works better for babies.
• Car seats: rental companies offer them, but reserve ahead in high season.
• Naps: one activity in the morning and the pool or beach in the afternoon is the rhythm that works for most families.
• Where to stay: Isla Verde is my pick for families: calm beach, short ride from the airport, and close to both Old San Juan and Piñones.

Frequently asked questions

Is Puerto Rico good for toddlers?

Yes. Choose a hotel on a calm beach such as Isla Verde, keep activities short, and avoid long drives. A slow boat ride in protected water and a morning at El Morro are both easy with toddlers.

Do kids need a passport to go to Puerto Rico?

No, if you are U.S. citizens flying from the mainland. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, so it is a domestic flight. Check your airline’s ID rules for adults and for children traveling with one parent.

How many days do you need in Puerto Rico with kids?

Five days is comfortable: two for San Juan and the beach, one for a boat ride and Piñones, one for El Yunque and Luquillo, and one to rest by the pool.

What is the best time of year to go with children?

December to April has the driest weather. Summer works well with school vacations and the sea is at its calmest, but it is hotter. I explain each month in my guide to the best time to visit Puerto Rico.

A trip they will remember

The best family trips here mix a little history, a lot of water and plenty of time to rest. If you would like a calm morning on the boat with only your own family on board, I would be glad to take you out. For more ideas in the capital, read things to do in San Juan.