From recreating the favelas of São Paulo in Fast Five to 007 battling his nemesis on the world's largest radio telescope in GoldenEye, Puerto Rico is a cinematic paradise. With its pristine beaches, tropical rainforest, and a perfect mix of urban and rural settings, the island is a sought-after filming location. Its close proximity to the United States and attractive tax incentives for the film industry further enhance its appeal.
Discover the breathtaking Puerto Rican settings that brought these iconic movies to life.
Visit Hacienda Campo Rico, featured in the blockbuster movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
This highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 blockbuster used filming locations in Puerto Rico to bring the cinematic universe of Black Panther to life. The film features beautiful beaches such as Playa Las Palmas in Manatí and Punta Cibuco in Vega Baja, along with breathtaking spots like Hacienda Campo Rico in Carolina, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña in Old San Juan, and Casa Elvira in Arecibo. The film was directed by Ryan Coogler and stars much of the cast of the first installment, including Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, and Letitia Wright as T’Challa’s younger sister, Shuri.
Interior view of the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan.
Blue Beetle (2023)
Blue Beetle is a DC superhero movie that follows a recent college graduate chosen by an alien scarab to be its symbiotic host, granting him a suit of armor with incredible powers. Boricua director Angel Manuel Soto chose to shoot parts of the movie in his hometown of Puerto Rico. Spot the Castillo San Felipe del Morro and its secret passages in Old San Juan, as well as various locations in Hato Rey such as La Milla de Oro and the Popular Center. The film also features the stunning Teodoro Moscoso bridge and uses the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan to represent the Palmera City Airport. Additionally, the art-filled Calle Cerra plays a significant role in creating the movie's ambiance.
Arecibo Observatory, closed in 2020, was one of the largest and most sensitive single-dish telescopes on the planet.
James Bond: GoldenEye (1995)
Remember the iconic scenes of Pierce Brosnan and Sean Bean’s battle in a giant telescope in GoldenEye? Although this James Bond’s film depicts the location as a secret antenna cradle in Cuba, the scene was actually filmed in the now-closed Arecibo Observatory on the north side of the Island.
Contact (1997)
Dr. Ellie Arroway achieved what seemed impossible: radio proof of extraterrestrial intelligence, and she did it at what was the world’s largest radio telescope, the Arecibo Observatory (now closed). This Academy Award-nominated film follows Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey as they try to communicate with outer space.
The Losers (2010)
A betrayed black ops team is left for dead in Bolivia in this 2010 film. While the storyline takes place mostly between Bolivia and the United States, most of the production was set around Santurce, Hato Rey, Canóvanas, and Río Grande, as well as iconic sites like the now-closed Arecibo Observatory, Piñones, and Caja de Muertos island just off the coast of Ponce. The movie was directed by Sylvain White and starred Zoe Saldaña, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Columbus Keith Short, Óscar Jaenada, and Jason Patric.
Discover Arecibo's Drive-In Theater
Cruise across Teodoro Moscoso Bridge in San Juan, where Fast Five was filmed.
Fast Five (2011)
Dominic Toretto and the familia plan to pull off the ultimate heist, but while the storyline for Fast Five is set in Brazil, the adrenaline-filled movie was shot in the towns of San Juan and Naranjito. The rooftop chase across the favelas is actually La Perla (the same location as Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” video), the car chases were shot at La Milla de Oro in Hato Rey and the iconic Puente Teodoro Moscoso in Carolina, and Gal Gadot’s now-iconic line “you don’t send a man to do a woman’s job” was spoken at hotel La Concha in Condado.
Did you know that 22 Jump Street was filmed at the Caribe Hilton Hotel?
22 Jump Street (2014)
Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill reprise their funny characters as two undercover cops in 22 Jump Street, this time tracking a drug dealer all the way to "Puerto Mexico." You can relive the movie's Spring Break party fun by visiting the Caribe Hilton Hotel and Condado Beach, which served as sets for these "college kids" party scenes.
View of Plaza Las Delicias from the Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
An important sequence in Captain America: Civil War, the third movie in the Captain America trilogy, set in Lagos, Nigeria, was actually filmed on La Milla de Oro in San Juan, the central avenue of Puerto Rico's financial district.
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
Starring Diego Luna and Romola Garai, "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" is a story of love and salsa set in Cuba during revolutionary times, with much of the filming done in Puerto Rico. The colorful streets of Old San Juan and Ponce's colonial architecture, along with the famous Casa BACARDÍ distillery, were used to recreate Cuba in the movie.
Bad Boys II (2003)
In their roles as two Miami P.D. agents, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence wreak havoc all over the north coast of the Island. Director Michael Bay transformed Puerto Rico into Cuba for his sequel to 1995's Bad Boys with the towns of Manatí and Arecibo setting the scene for over-the-top car chases, military shootings, and explosions. And keep your eyes peeled for Boricua stars Noris “Taína” Díaz y Denise Quiñones that debut on the film!
Boricuas on the Big Screen!
Fajardo’s most secluded beaches are Playa Escondida and Playa Colorá.
The Rum Diary (2011)
Based on Hunter S. Thompson’s memoir of his time as a journalist in Puerto Rico, The Rum Diary is set in the 1960s and offers viewers a glimpse into life on the Island during that era. The film was primarily shot in Puerto Rico, capturing the pastel colors and colonial architecture of Old San Juan. Spot the stunning beaches of Vieques and Vega Baja, where the aerial shots of Depp driving the Corvette along scenic roads were filmed. If you are wondering where Sanderson's beautiful home is located, the crew used the governor's beach house in Playa Escondida, Fajardo.
La Perla has been the backdrop for several movies, including Fast Five and Runner Runner.
Runner Runner (2013)
This gambling drama takes a grad student portrayed by Justin Timberlake to Costa Rica as he confronts a tycoon played by Ben Affleck, but once again, the movie was filmed in the beautiful Puerto Rico. Catch a glimpse of popular locations in the capital city like La Perla, Club Náutico de San Juan, and the Gallery Inn hotel. As well as Piñones, luxury mansions in Dorado and Río Grande, and even the majestic casino at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel in Carolina.
El Morro, located 20 minutes from the port, is one of San Juan's most iconic and historic landmarks.
Multiple Disney Channel Productions
Disney fans will be happy to know that many Disney Channel movies filmed scenes in Puerto Rico. Princess Protection Program was the first Disney Channel Original Movie filmed on the Island, following a young princess (played by Demi Lovato) who, when her kingdom is threatened, is taken into protection and relocated to live with a covert agent and his daughter, learning to behave like a normal teenager. The school and homecoming scenes were filmed at Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola and Colegio San José in San Juan, the lake scenes at Lago Carraízo in Trujillo Alto, and the castle scenes at Castillo Serrallés in Ponce, with the coronation scenes set in the interior courtyard of Casa de España in Old San Juan.
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie tells the tale of a summer vacation gone wrong, as Alex's (played by Selena Gomez) magic nearly causes her parents to have never met, threatening the existence of her and her siblings. The movie was primarily filmed in Puerto Rico, with the hotel scenes shot at the Caribe Hilton, the ancient battlefield scenes at Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan, and the main cave scene inside Cueva Ventana in Arecibo.
It's no secret that Puerto Rico boasts postcard-worthy beaches, making it the perfect filming location for Teen Beach Movie and Teen Beach 2. Most beach scenes for both movies were filmed in Fajardo on the east coast of the Island, including scenes at the beach house of the Governor of Puerto Rico.
TV Shows Filmed in Puerto Rico
Aerial view of the historic Hotel El Convento in Old San Juan.
More movies shot in Puerto Rico:
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Axis Sally (2021)
Force of Nature (2020)
Chick Fight (2020)
Trauma Center (2019)
Primal (2019)
Driven (2018)
Imprisoned (2018)
Replicas (2018)
Speed Kills (2018)
Extortion (2017)
The Do-Over (2016)
Our Brand is Crisis (2015)
The Caller (2011)
Act of Valor (2012)
The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia (2009)
Perfect Getaway (2009)
Feel the Noise (2007)
Christmas in Paradise (2007)
Under Suspicion (2000)
Amistad (1997)
Assassins (1995)
Captain Ron (1992)
Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
Lord of the Flies (1963)
Recommended Articles
Dorado is one of Puerto Rico's premier golf destinations.
Puerto Rico is a Must-Visit Golf Destination
Warm weather, a cornucopia of courses, alluring ocean views, delicious food, and glorious nature revive visitors.
6 Days in the South of Puerto Rico
Experience Puerto Rico’s take on southern charm and hospitality.
Puerto Rico Golf: Several Non-Resort Courses Beckon
Most island courses are resort amenities, and an array of daily fee options exist.
Explore Puerto Rico’s Architectural Gems
Dive into the history and enchantment of the structures that built us.
A couple explores Cañon de Tanamá.
Sustainable Experiences in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a bountiful array of experiences that allow you and paradise to exist in complete harmony.
Unforgettable Hikes in Puerto Rico
Sea caves, a secret beach, volcanic rocks, and more on hikes in Puerto Rico.