Top Multi-Generational Travel Experiences in Puerto Rico

Family Festivals

Explore Puerto Rican culture and Live Boricua, by enjoying some of the many festivals that light up the Island throughout the year. Your family will love swaying and bouncing to the beats of live bands, twirling on rides, browsing art and craft booths, savoring authentic street food, or marveling at parades of towering vejigantes – puppets depicting local folk characters.

In February or March, join the revelry at Carnaval Ponceño in Ponce, and watch  as long-snouted vejigantes with papier-mâché masks merrily tease nearby audiences. Or visit Loíza during the last weekend in July, when coconut and driftwood puppets perform epic battles against Spanish knights during the Festival de Santiago Apóstol (Festival of Saint James, the Apostle).

Puerto Rico’s festivals celebrate diverse aspects of local life, such as Island arts and culture at La Campechada in May or November, the wonders of pineapples at the tasty Festival de la Piña Paradisíaca (Pineapple Festival) in May or June, or indigenous Taíno roots and traditions at the Festival Nacional Indígena at the end of November in Jayuya. Check out our events calendar to see which festivals are happening during your family trip.

Top Family-Friendly Events in Puerto Rico

Family Beach Days

From urban beaches with nearby activities to secluded sandy getaways, Puerto Rico’s coastline has plenty of options to ensure your family has a fantastic time and creates unforgettable memories.

At Crash Boat Beach, kids will never forget learning to surf or snorkel in  crystal-clear waters and will love showing their new skills to family on the shore. The crescent-shaped Balneario La Monserrate in Luquillo has calm waters for swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding and is home to the famous Luquillo Kiosks, an open-air section of stalls featuring mouthwatering menus and local souvenirs.

La Poza del Obispo is a small beach in the north with tranquil, shallow water protected by natural rock formations, creating calm waters for younger and older beachgoers. Cool off in the waves or take a leisurely float in the shallows, followed by an expedition to the nearby Arecibo Lighthouse.

Need help deciding which beach to choose? Visit more than one on beach-hopping tours, like those offered by West Side Destination in San Juan.

Best beaches for families

Indoor Family Fun

Were you looking for some fun out of the sun? Try these indoor multi-generational and family-friendly activities.

Test your familial bonds and skills to make it out alive at Salsipuedes Aventuras, a family-forward escape room in Añasco. Among the cascading waterfalls, lush green mountains, and placid lakes of the Island’s central region, Centro de Educacón Ecológico provides a fun and entertaining way to learn about the planet and Puerto Rico’s diverse ecosystems.

Coffee enthusiasts will relish visiting the Museo del Café de Puerto Rico in Ciales, where you can take barista classes, bask in delightful aromas, and discover the evolution of coffee roasting. Other interesting museums include the Museo Olímpico de Puerto Rico, which houses collections of Puerto Rican sports artifacts from Olympic medals to the running shoes and equipment of notable athletes, and the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, where you can view displays of contemporary art and attend a variety of special concerts and events. If you’re in San Juan, enjoy Distrito T-Mobile, an entertainment venue with restaurants, a movie theatre, ziplines and a concert hall.

Food, Art & Bus Tours

Tours are excellent ways to sightsee while minimizing the need to plan logistics — that’s what knowledgeable staff and guides do best! Guided bus tours allow you to easily visit places outside the cities, like the famous mangrove coves of Guánica or the tropical rainforest of El Yunque National Forest, without needing a rental car. Sample the crisp of tostones (fried plantains), the sweet minty-ness of a mojito, or the buzz of a single-origin café con leche (coffee with milk) on a gastronomy tour with Spoon, Get Shopped P.R. Inc., Sofrito Tours, or Flavors of San Juan Food & Culture Tours. Ask companies for ways to customize tours for your family’s specific needs.

For a budget-friendly tour, use free trolley routes to explore towns and cities like Caguas, Guaynabo, Cabo Rojo, Ponce, Bayamón, Carolina, and Mayagüez. Ponce is recognized as a cultural and artistic hub of the southern region, with many styles and mediums of street art throughout the city. Use the trolleys to hop through different neighborhoods and discover these vivid works of art.

Explore Puerto Rico's diverse culinary scene