BABY-FRIENDLY PUERTO RICO ITINERARY
When I began traveling, I didn’t think twice about whether a destination was kid or baby-friendly. Now that I’m in the throes of motherhood, that’s all I think about. Sometimes it can be hard to find destinations that are both accommodating and engaging for children. You won’t have that problem when you visit Puerto Rico. We traveled here in February over my birthday and it was one of my favorite locations. Being Puerto Rican (my mom’s family is originally from there) it was so great to experience the areas of my own heritage.
If you’re looking for a near perfect beach destination that is also baby-friendly, then this Puerto Rico itinerary is just what you need.
PUERTO RICO HOTELS
There are a few areas to choose from when looking at a baby-friendly area in Puerto Rico. I was torn between staying near Isla Verde, Condado and Rio Grande. We ultimately chose the Rio Grande area because we wanted to stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico. While you will want to see as much of Puerto Rico as possible, parents with small children will understand that choosing the right hotel—with plenty of amenities in close proximity—can make or break the vacation, as you’ll most likely still spend a majority of your time there. The Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico has everything for kids of all ages and I highly recommend it. Here are a few other hotels I recommend:
+ Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico
+ Caribe Hilton
+ El Conquistador
+ Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto
To browse other options, use the booking finder below.
GETTING AROUND PUERTO RICO
The easiest way to get from town to town in Puerto Rico is renting a car. Puerto Rico is a very drivable island and once you’re in the town, we found parking to be very easy. For the best deals on rental cars, I always use rentalcars.com.
BEST BABY-FRIENDLY PUERTO RICO ACTIVITIES
Exploring Puerto Rico with a baby was super easy given the island’s variety of baby-friendly activities that cater to those who want some adventure but also relaxation. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful beach spot to let your little one play or something a bit more entertaining, these activities will make your visit to Puerto Rico a breeze.
+ HIKE AT EL YUNQUE
Seeing El Yunque National Forest was on the top of my list when visiting Puerto Rico. The park offers rainforests, waterfalls and some of the best views on the island. Keep in mind, you’ll need a car to explore as the park is massive. If you’ve ever driven Maui’s Road to Hana, it’s a similar experience—you drive, park and stop at various stops—but without the windy and narrow roads and on a much smaller scale. There are multiple hiking trails, each one varying by difficulty and so many places to take in the gorgeous scenery. Here are the baby-friendly stops I suggest:
+ La Coca Falls
+ Yokahu Tower
+ Juan Diego Falls
+ Mt. Britton Tower & Trail
+ Angelito Trail
+ TOUR OLD SAN JUAN
Another baby-friendly activity in Puerto Rico is visiting Old San Juan. Being the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan is a huge tourist attraction and Old San Juan feels like stepping back in time into Puerto Rico’s rich colonial history. There’s so much vibrant Puerto Rican culture wrapped up in Old San Juan that you can’t miss it. And, visiting here with a baby carrier or stroller makes it easy to get around with your little one. Here are some can’t-miss stops:
Catedral de San Juan Bautista
+ Esquina Calle del Cristo y Calle Fortaleza
+ Plaza de Armas
+ Fortaleza Street
+ Paseo de la Princesa
+ a Fortaleza
+ Castillo San Felipe del Morro
+ RELAX AT THE POOL
For families traveling to Puerto Rico with a baby, having a pool at your hotel is almost a non-negotiable. It’s such a convenience that you truly don’t appreciate until you travel with young children! The pool at the Hyatt was absolutely perfect for families with children of all ages and big enough that you never felt crowded.
+ ENJOY A SUNSET PICNIC
The sunset picnic was one of my favorite things we did while in Puerto Rico. This was an excursion offered through our hotel, but you can book this as a non-guest. They take you to the top of a mountain in Puerto Rico that is totally secluded and decorated with twinkle lights, where you get to take in the most gorgeous view of the island. They have staff on-site to provide drinks and food, but they give you space to relax and take in the sunset. I highly recommend this if you have the time.
+ DISCOVER THE BEACHES
Puerto Rico is known for its beaches so you can’t pass up an opportunity to visit one or more throughout the island. We were lucky to have a beach right on the property of the Hyatt, which made it easy on us with Meyer. However, we also took a trip to Luquillo Beach and it was great for children being it had calm waters. I would recommend adding on this beach after visiting El Yunque if you have time.
+ SEE THE ISLAND FROM A BOAT
If we had enough time, I would’ve loved to take a boat tour around the island or visit one of the smaller surrounding islands. I always find boat tours to be one of my favorite activities on a trip because they offer such a different point of view. After researching a few in the area, here is what I recommend Sailing Catamaran Icacos Beach.
RESTAURANTS IN PUERTO RICO
Ahh, Puerto Rican food! I can’t get enough and there are endless options to enjoy while there. Here were the ones we visited and loved!
+ SANTAELLA
+ LA CASITA BLANCA
+ LOS KIOSKOS DE LUQUILLO
+ BARRACHINA
+ NECTAR
Using this baby-friendly Puerto Rico itinerary, I hope you enjoy your time with your little ones as much as we did. I truly hope it’s a trip you’ll never forget! And, if you ever have questions or need travel advice, reach out on Instagram!
happy travels, liz stanford
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you purchase something using these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only link these companies because I have used them or truly recommend them based on their quality and the experience I had.