Sailing Guide Puerto Rico
Charter a yacht in Puerto Rico for a fun boat vacation with your friends or family. Discover the stunning coastlines, the colourful buildings of San Juan and the breathtaking remote beaches.
Things to do and see when sailing in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has more to offer than its beautiful capital and the stunning beaches. Of course you can take your boat rental around the island and sail to other islands that are close by, but Puerto has a rich and interesting history that you can witness just by roaming around the streets of the island.
Activities in Puerto Rico
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Rent a boat in Puerto Rico to get the full experience of visiting this paradise island state
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Visit Culebra Island which is just 17 miles away from Puerto Rico and a true paradise. The island is only scarcely populated and therefore barely touched. While you get to see some of the most stunning beaches in the world, you should take the opportunity to stop by some of the beach tanks which are remnants of the time when Puerto Rico served as a naval base for the United States of America
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Snorkelling in Puerto Rico is an amazing opportunity to discover the beautiful and rich wildlife underwater
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Roam around the capital San Juan
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Visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro, an old castle located just off the coast of the capital city that was built by the Spanish when they colonized the island
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Castillo San Cristobal is even more impressive fort in Puerto Rico and known as the biggest fort in the New World
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Walk along the Paseo de la Princesa to end a very relaxing evening
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Need a break from sailing all day long? Go and see some art in the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
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El Yunque National Forest is a magical place. Discover this tropical rainforest in all its glory. Beautiful waterfalls and stunning hiking trails are just waiting to be discovered by you
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The green lawn in front of El Moro invites locals and visitors alike to fly a kite. How often have you done that since you were a child?
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Visit Museo de Las Americas to learn more about the indigenous population of Puerto Rico
Beaches in Puerto Rico
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Playa Flamenco offers turquoise waters and a white sandy beach where you get to enjoy a relaxing day with your family and friends. Sail to Culebra Island to discover this little piece of paradise.
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Condado Beach is one of those beaches that look like paradise, but that are so overcrowded that you might consider going to a more secluded location. However, if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of a place like this while sipping on a drink, you will feel right at home
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Playa Sucia is a wonderful beach located in a quiet bay. Swim in the turquoise waters and enjoy the peace and quiet you will find here. It gets less crowded than other beaches on the island
Restaurants in Puerto Rico
Casual dining in Puerto Rico:
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Buns Burger Shop offers, you might have guessed it, burgers. Tourists and locals alike flock to this wonderful restaurant for a juicy burger and crispy fries.
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Enjoy delicious tacos and nachos at Vagon. If you like fish, you should go for the fish tacos. A true delight for anyone who takes a bite
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Kabanas is a cute little eatery where you can enjoy some tasty tacos and cocktails. Great prices for delicious food.
Beach restaurants in Puerto Rico:
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CAÑA in Fairmont El San Juan Hotel offers seating indoors and outdoors. Chef Gonzalez is creating dishes inspired by the local Puerto Rican cuisine and mixing this with modern flavours. Enjoy the sea view from the terrace.
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Numero Uno Beach House is located right on the beach. Sip on a tasty cocktail and eat a delicious meal feeling the sand underneath your toes. Hearing the waves break in the background will surely make you scream: I am on vacation!
Fine dining in Puerto Rico:
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Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar: This is the perfect restaurant to enjoy Caribbean cuisine mixed with the best international cuisine. This is not the place to order a la carte as the menu is more like a tasting menu creating individual dishes to try. You surely like surprises if you decide to eat here.
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Trois Cent Onze is an elegant restaurant serving European dishes. The highly praised duck breast is a must. If you still have room for dessert you can savour a mousse au chocolat.
Bars and Clubs in Puerto Rico
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El Batey is a bar full of graffiti where you get to enjoy your beer in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot to get away from the glitzy bars and chic resorts for an evening
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Patrick’s Irish Bar: Of course you can find Irish pubs around the world, but the one in San Juan is particularly fun. Juicy burgers and refreshing beers - do we have to say more?
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Club Brava in San Juan is an amazing place for fun mainstream music and popular Latin tunes. Dance the night away to the best sounds
Explore historical Puerto Rico
The history of Puerto Rico starts around 430 BC, but takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493 on the island. Diseases that were previously unknown spread like wildfire among the indigenous population - amongst the exploitation by the Spanish and the involvement in war, it led to many deaths on the island. Due to its geopolitically strategic position, it became a playground for various European powers until 1898 - the year it fell into the hands of the United States. The country is still under US control until today.
Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana is a park where many remnants of the indigenous population have been found. Stones with interesting paintings can be admired here. The plazas that have been discovered here, are known to have been used for all kinds of ceremonies. Similar sites can be found in Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a UNESCO world heritage site, was built in the 16th to protect the island from invaders - after the Spanish had conquered the island. You should visit the fort to learn more about its history AND to enjoy the most stunning view over the ocean as well as the island.
Discover mystical Puerto Rico
Every country, tribe or people have their own explanations on how the world was once created. The story of the indigenous people of Puerto Rico, the Taino, revolves around Atabei who was said to be mother earth who had two sons. One of her sons, Yucajú, turned this earth into a more beautiful place than the one his mother created. He is also said to have created the sun and the moon. He even created his own son, a cross between g’d and animal - Locuo. His brother became increasingly jealous and tried to destroy everything Yucajú had created. Lucky for him he had his son Locuo, who created the first woman and the first man. The Taino believed that they all descended from these first people on Earth. Isn’t it interesting that the same stories were told in different ways in other parts of the world as well? People are often much more alike than they think they are.
Sailing conditions in Puerto Rico
The tropical climate in Puerto Rico ensures that it stays warm all year round. An average temperature of 26 degrees is dominating the island. But beware: Hurricane season in late summer is probably not the best time to go out on a sailing adventure. We would recommend you to rent a boat in Puerto Rico between January and April. The temperatures are ideal and it stays dry. If you want to visit the island between May and October, you should expect a little bit more rain.
Puerto Rico is the perfect spot for a yacht rental in the Caribbean. You will find perfect wind conditions that allow for an unforgettable sailing adventure without dangerously rough seas. However, if you prefer to have a bit more of an adventure, you might consider sailing out into the open ocean - we would only recommend this option with a promising weather forecast and to experienced sailors. You might want to consider a boat rental with a skipper who knows the waters in this part of the Caribbean very well.
How much does it cost to rent a boat in Puerto Rico?
How much it costs to rent a boat in Puerto Rico depends on many factors like the season, the boat type, the size of the boat and how many people will join you on the boat rental. A bareboat charter will mostly be used for anyone travelling on a boat.
Renting a boat in Puerto Rico is not the cheapest kind of holiday, you will pay 321 EUR on average per person per day for a motorboat.
What type of boat is best for sailing in Puerto Rico?
What kind of boat you should rent for a sailing holiday in Puerto Rico totally depends on the type of boat vacation you would like to experience. If you aim to see all the wonderful remote beaches Puerto Rico has to offer, you would go for a different type of water vehicle than when you want the wind on your skin to make you feel completely free.
Rent a catamaran in Puerto Rico
Pros of renting a catamaran in Puerto Rico
One of the advantages of renting a catamaran in Puerto Rico is the fact that the shallow draft allows you to sail closer to the shore. This makes this type of boat the perfect yacht to discover hidden beaches and to anchor closer to the shore without any worries about hitting something that is hidden underwater. Especially the islands of Vieques and Culebra to the east of Puerto Rico are popular sailing destinations in this part of the Caribbean due to its untouched and incredibly beautiful sandy beaches.
Catamarans are also more stable than other types of boats - a great advantage for anyone who tends to get seasick easily. Standing on two hulls makes it the perfect boat rental for a family vacation.
Equipped with both an engine and a sail, you are well prepared for your sailing vacation in Puerto Rico. Use the sail to make the most of the winds, but use the engine when the wind stops blowing so that you don’t get stuck anywhere in the middle of the ocean.
One of the most popular catamarans to rent in Puerto Rico is the brand new Catamaran Lagoon 42. Up to six people can sleep on the boat. For some extra fun, rent a SUP or a kayak in addition to the bareboat charter.
Cons of renting a catamaran in Puerto Rico
One of the downsides of renting a catamaran is its size. In high season it might become difficult to find a spot for mooring in the marinas. Rather than trying to find a spot in a marina to spend the night, you should try and find a quiet bay where you can anchor for the night and wake up to a beautiful sunset. This beats any spot in any harbour!
Rent a catamaran in Puerto Rico
Rent a sailboat in Puerto Rico
Pros of renting a sailboat in Puerto Rico
With ideal wind conditions, renting a boat in Puerto Rico is the perfect choice for anyone who loves sailing over turquoise waters along the most stunning coastlines. While you get to enjoy some beautiful views in the Caribbean, the sailing experience is the most important factor in choosing a sailboat rental in Puerto Rico. Ideal wind conditions make it the perfect water vehicle in this part of the world.
Sail to the nearby islands of Vieques and Culebra or even further to the British Virgin islands. Feel the breeze on your face and anchor in some of the most beautiful remote beaches.
One of the most popular sailboats in Puerto Rico is Sailboat Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440, a 14 meter long boat that takes your breath away. Up to six people can sleep on the boat and you can rent the sailboat with or without a captain. If you don’t have a lot of experience sailing in the Caribbean, we would recommend you to hire a skipper or captain to navigate you through the sea.
Cons of renting a sailboat in Puerto Rico
Sailboats require more skills than driving a catamaran or motorboat. This might be one of the downsides if you lack the experience. However, practice makes perfect and with an experienced skipper by your side, you will become a professional in no time.
Another downside is the fact that sailboats are dependent on the wind. If the wind suddenly stops blowing, you might get stuck in the middle of the ocean without any option to move. This might be incredibly frustrating if you only booked your boat in Puerto Rico for a week.
Rent a sailboat in Puerto Rico
Rent a motorboat in Puerto Rico
Pros of renting a motorboat in Puerto Rico
Renting a motorboat in Puerto Rico comes with many advantages. One of them is the speed. Motorboats are generally faster than other types of water vehicles, making them the perfect choice for anyone who wants to experience as much of Puerto Rico and the surrounding islands as possible.
Unlike sailboats, motorboats don’t have a keel. This makes them the perfect choice for anyone who wants to explore the hidden beaches and bays for a truly relaxed vacation. You can sail in shallow waters without worrying too much about hiding something underwater.
One of the most popular motorboats to rent in Puerto Rico is the Motorboat Hydra-Sports 3300 VX which includes a captain. Snorkeling equipment is already waiting for you on board for some extra fun on your sailing vacation in Puerto Rico. The 33 meter long yacht can host up to six guests, making it the perfect vehicle for an intimate vacation with your closest friends.
Cons of renting a motorboat in Puerto Rico
One of the downsides of renting a motorboat in Puerto Rico is the fact that their fuel is not the wind, but petrol. With the ever increasing prices, you might get a juicy bill for all the miles you sailed.
Unless you rent a luxurious motorboat, these types of boats are not necessarily known for their spacious cabins. You will definitely not spend your days hiding away under deck - you will definitely enjoy all the time you have on board with your friends sunbathing, snorkelling or swimming. After all, this is what a sailing vacation is all about, right?
Rent a motorboat in Puerto Rico
Charter a luxury yacht in Puerto Rico
Charter a luxury yacht in Puerto Rico for a very special summer vacation. A luxury yacht offers all the amenities you could hope for while spending your holiday on a boat. Plenty of space, a sundeck to enjoy the sun and plenty of space to have dinner with all your friends who are joining you on this trip. One of our most popular private luxury yachts in Puerto Rico is Motorboat Princess V58, a modern and speedy boat which includes the captain on your trip. Up to 12 guests can find space on this yacht, meaning that you can bring all your friends. Some of the amenities on board include a refrigerator, air conditioning, snorkelling equipment and loud speakers to get the party started. After all, what good is a boat party without the right music?
Charter a luxury yacht in Puerto Rico
What kind of boat license do you need when renting a boat in Puerto Rico?
When sailing in Puerto Rico you don’t need a boat licence to operate a boat - unless you are a resident of the island state. For non-residents it is enough to present their ID and to ensure that they receive sufficient instructions on how to operate the boat that they are renting.
Sailing routes in Puerto Rico
One of the most scenic sailing routes around Puerto Rico is the one from Puerto del Rey on the east coast of the island back to La Chiva Beach. Start your journey in Puerto del Rey before heading out to Isla Palominos where you get to swim in turquoise waters and relax on a white sandy beach. Your next stop is Culebra, where you can sunbathe or go snorkeling. Flamenco Beach is popular with tourists. Snorkelling in the waters by Tamarindo Beach will be a once in a lifetime experience as you get to swim with all kinds of interesting wildlife, including rays and turtles. You will feel just like in Nemo. Your next destination is Bahia del Almodovar. Here you can safely moor on the mooring balls. Explore the stunning coastline before mooring for the night. In the morning head to Esperanza on the island of Vieques. The town is known for its stunning sea views and cute wooden houses. Your next stop is La Chiva Beach, also known as the Blue Beach where you get to relax with a stunning view of the sea. Next is Puntas Arenas, also known as the Green Beach due to its lush green surroundings. It is part of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.
Sailing Locations in Puerto Rico
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