With its historic old towns, exotic rainforest and white sand beaches, Puerto Rico is an amazing destination for a memorable girls weekend. If you are planning a San Juan, Puerto Rico bachelorette party, you’ve come to the right place as I personally hosted my own celebration on this Caribbean island.
Choosing to host a San Juan, Puerto Rico bachelorette party was one of the easiest wedding planning decisions. I was one of my last friend’s to get married so we’d been to Miami, New York, Austin and Nashville already for bachelorette parties.
It was going to be January so it had to be somewhere warm and definitely a place I had not been to. I wanted to sip margaritas in the sun and white sand and get to be somewhat active in exploring a new destination. Puerto Rico offered all of this on one easy to reach island!
There are plenty of things to do including boating, beaching, exploring the rainforest, wandering old San Juan and the old Spanish forts, and much more. Here is my complete guide for your San Juan Bachelorette Party, but honestly, it would make a great girls trip, honeymoon, or bachelor party, too!
This site participates in affiliate programs. When you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support allows me to continue providing this free content. Thank you!
How to Get to San Juan, Puerto Rico
You will fly into San Juan to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) to reach Puerto Rico. It’s an easy flight from the East Coast costing about $300-$400 with many direct flights or single connections. The airport is located only 20 minutes from the main areas of San Juan.
Do you need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a US territory so there is no need for a passport. Additionally, they use the USD and everyone speaks English in San Juan for the most part.
What to expect in Puerto Rico
A few important basics to know about Puerto Rico:
- Currency: USD
- Passport: not required if US citizen
- Language: Spanish and English widely used
- Electrical: 120v (same as US)
- Water: Safe to drink!
- Costs: The food and drinks once in Puerto Rico are incredibly inexpensive.
Weather in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean so you can expect warm, summer temperatures year round! The weather averages from about 70F to 90F throughout the year in this tropical locale. It can be windy though, but is usually a warmer breeze.
Best Time to Visit San Juan, Puerto Rico
The best time to visit Puerto Rico is their high season which runs December through April. This time of year it is cold in the US so makes a perfect escape to the Caribbean while it is not oppressively hot!
I visited in January (winter) and it was very warm during the day and into the evenings. I never found that we needed even a light jacket, but it’s always smart to pack a light denim coat or sweater.
Where to Stay for your San Juan Bachelorette
One of best areas to stay is in Old San Juan, which will put you in walking distance to all of the historic sites, shops, and restaurants. I would actually recommend one of the airbnbs in this area because they are beautiful!
Next, I recommend the Condado area which is where we stayed. It is considered the “new San Juan” and is right next to the historic area. It has several nice hotels along great beaches. We chose this area for the beaches actually. If you are in Old San Juan, you won’t really have direct access the beach since it’s a walled city.
Lastly, Miramar is across the lagoon from Condado and is a cool area that is a mix of business and residential. They are known for their food truck park and art museum. This is also where you will find the Puerto Rico convention center along with several limited service hotels making it a budget friendly choice.
Best Hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico
There are plenty of airbnbs and hotels to stay in for your Puerto Rico Bachelorette. I preferred a hotel for the safety it offered, amenities, and beach front location. It worked out great for our small group.
Condado Ocean Club
We stayed at Condado Ocean Club (formerly Serafina Beach Hotel) which is located along the beach in the Condado area of new San Juan. The boutique style property is equipped with an infinity pool, fresh coastal decor, and onsite restaurant.
We booked two rooms, one with a balcony overlooking the pool and Atlantic Ocean and another looking towards the bay. The rooms were surprisingly spacious and allowed plenty of room for us to all gather in one room at a time.
Leisurely Tips for this hotel:
- Prime time for sun at the infinity pool is in the morning and afternoons are shady. Plan accordingly as it could get a bit chilly in January afternoons. If it’s summer months, you’ll of course want the afternoon shade!
- Hotel bar has great cocktails and snack platters for a pool day.
- We did not reserve a cabana as it didn’t seem necessary and glad we didn’t!
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
We spent a lot of time at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel as it was located next door to where we stayed. It is a 5-star hotel with multiple restaurants, spa, and retail stores.
They have a great pool area with a mojito bar that we visited one afternoon. We also loved their casual restaurant, Tacos and Tequila, for lunch. It would be a great option if you come back for your honeymoon!
Things to Do in San Juan, Puerto Rico
There are so many amazing things to do in San Juan anytime of year. From exploring the rainforest, taking a sunset sail, wandering the historic district, or spending an afternoon at the spa, there’s something for every type of traveler.
I am sharing below all of the best things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico for a bachelorette trip and the things we actually did!
El Yunque Rainforest
El Yunque Rainforest is the only rainforest in the US National Park Service and I knew we had to explore it! We booked a fantastic guided tour making transportation and navigating the forest simple for a larger group.
We explored the rainforest and even got to swim under the waterfalls. My friend emailed them separately had them add a stop for us at Luquillo Beach which I highly recommend! We loved dining beachside from the kiosks – isaac said #20 was the best and it was. Think: fresh fish, veggies, and minty mojitos!
Our guide Isaac was awesome – similar in age and wanted to make sure we had a great time. We learned so much about the forest and their country overall. 10/10 would do again!
>>>Check out the tour we did here!
Best El Yunque Tours
Luquillo Beach
If you end up here at all (and you should), you will find a white sandy beach and wonderful lunch options. Kiosk #20 is the best lunch choice and was highly recommended by our local rainforest guide. We dined on our towels beachside to fresh grilled fish, veggies and rice. Make sure to try their super fresh and minty mojitos!
Whether you go with a guided tour or not, don’t miss Luquillo Beach!
San Sebastian Street Festival
San Sebastian Street Festival takes over old San Juan each January and is their largest festival in Puerto Rico. It coincides with MLK weekend in the states so worked out perfectly for us to catch it! You will not be able to catch a ride into Old San Juan easily so we took an uber for drinks at Caribe Hilton then walked.
Sunset Cruise
Our Sunset Sail with Sail Old San Juan and captain Sebastian was so much fun! They provide plenty of drinks and you get to see the beautiful walled city from the water! It rained a bit while we were out, but captain Sebastian took us to a completely local spot for a couple coronas while we waited it out.
Best Sunset Cruises in San Juan:
- Sail San Juan Bay – Sunset sail
- Sunset Sailing by Old San Juan – Daytime tours
- Sunset Harbor Ride
Explore Old San Juan
Old San Juan reminds me of Charleston in many ways. The architecture, cobblestoned streets, and brightly colored buildings make these places similar in their quaint charm. Be sure to explore the historic city including 5th century forts, one of the second oldest US cathedrals, and museums.
I wish we had time to book a historic walking tour to learn more about the PR and have the chance to snap lots of photos!
Don’t miss a visit to the following sites:
- Castillo San Felipe del Morro – largest fortress built by the Spaniards in the 16th century Caribbean to protect the city from sea attacks
- Castillo San Cristóbal – built to protect the city from enemies approaching by land
Best San Juan Walking Tours:
Snorkeling Trip
Take a day trip via catamaran to enjoy the water and snorkel along the reefs of Puerto Rico. Live your little mermaid dreams under the sea! This would be so fun if you wanted to do a whole boat day!
Best Snorkeling Tours in San Juan:
Take a Salsa Class
Salsa dancing is super popular in Puerto Rico. Taking a dance class is always sure to get a lot of laughs. This would be such a fun activity for your bachelorette group and bride-to-be. Later, show off your moves at the bars.
Check out this highly rated salsa class!
Beach Yoga Class
A beach yoga class is always a good idea for a bachelorette party. This experience has tons of amazing reviews and would be perfect for a relaxing girls trip.
Spa Day with Massages
A spa day is the perfect way to spend time on any bachelorette party. Plan a morning to visit the spa at Condado Vanderbilt Hotel for treatments, then have lunch at Tacos & Tequila as everyone finishes. Contact the spa directly to get a group quote for the bridal party.
Interested in more? Read my full post here with 19 fun things to do in San Juan!
Recommend Group Tours in San Juan
A few of the top rated tours to check out before your trip!
Restaurants and Bars in San Juan
San Juan has some amazing restaurants that are great for groups! Be sure to try all the local flavors like fresh seafood, plantains, passionfruit and more. Mofongo is a must try dish made with fried plantains.
In addition, Puerto Rico nightlife is quite vibrant with its salsa dancing, open air squares, and tropical clubs. Visit popular night clubs like Jungle Bird and La Factoria.
Cocina Abierta
Cocina Abierta was our collective favorite restaurant of the trip. The bomba rice (paella), mahi, gnocchi, and pumpkin were all amazing. We also enjoyed nice champagne for only $6 per glass!
Jungle Bird
We stopped for drinks after dinner at JungleBird (heard they have great food too) which is a San Juan bachelorette must. They have fun, tropical drinks for a taste of the islands.
La Placita
After Jungle Bird, we enjoyed a taste of local life at La Placita which is a big square where everyone drinks and dances salsa in the streets. This was so much fun and San Juan is so lively and welcoming! You can run into the bars to grab a drink and then head back into the square for dancing al fresco and maybe some good ole fashioned people watching.
Verde Mesa
Verde Mesa in old San Juan looked amazing, but they didn’t take reservations and filled up by the time we got there. Next time, I will plan to go early to get on the list!
Marmalade
Marmalade is a great restaurant and wine bar in San Juan for groups. They have a long community table that can easily fit a large party. It is definitely a “foodie” type of place with creative dishes, a fun atmosphere, and inventive cocktails!
La Marqueta
La Marqueta is a few doors down from Condado Beach Club hotel and one of my faves of the trip. We stopped in here for drinks once we arrived and got to catch a beautiful sunset! It’s made from container boxes housing many different bars and food outlets in an open air space.
Caribe Hilton
Caribe Hilton is where the piña colada was invented so it was fun to enjoy a drink there before walking to Old San Juan. This is a must do for any Puerto Rico bachelorette!
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel – Tacos & Tequila
Mojito Bar at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel pool was so much fun for day drinks and music. You can definitely go there and use their pool/beach access. The hotel restaurant, Tacos and Tequila, was great for lunch and we had exactly that – tacos and margaritas!
La Factoria
La Factoria has been voted a best bar in the world and no San Juan, Puerto Rico bachelorette is complete with out it! This is a big area where people congregate in the street and not so much inside the buildings. This makes it very easy to pop into the bar to grab a drink minus the wait!
Sabrina Brunch and Bistro Bar
Sabrina Bistro was actually a recommendation from some locals we met in San Juan. It is a great spot to go for brunch on your bachelorette trip. The Sunday brunch menu is incredible and the decor is perfectly girly with floral, pinks, and greens throughout.
Café Tresbé
And, finally, Café Tresbé was also a recommendation from the locals. They serve all kinds of things which will ensure even the picky eaters will find something they like! The menu has items like burgers, tacos, sliders, chicken wings and even sushi! There is outdoor seating available and they play reggae music on Sundays!
What to Pack for a Puerto Rico Bachelorette Party
San Juan, Puerto Rico is warm year round with average temperatures in the 80s! They experience hot summers and warm winters. In January, we were able to soak up the sun in swimsuits and wear our cute sundresses at night.
It is a causal Caribbean destination so you can wear casual outfits or your best resort wear! I recommend flowy dresses and breathable materials to be the most comfortable in the high temperatures.
For shoes, be sure to pack comfortable options as the streets in old San Juan are historic and often uneven. You will likely do a lot of walking so comfy white sneakers are always great!
If planning a rainforest outing, pack a cute workout set, tennis shoes, and bug spray or these bracelets that I love so you don’t have to worry about flying with liquids.
See my complete guide for what to wear in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Packing List
Here’s everything you need to bring:
- Swim suits like this perfect white floral set – top and bottom!
- Swim cover ups like this skirt from LSpace!
- Sundresses or sets
- Cute shorts and skirts
- Sandals
- Workout set and tennis shoes for rainforest
- SPF – reef safe!
- Aloe
- Beach Tote
- Sunglasses
- Sun hats
- Wedges if you want for a nice dinner – we never wore them
- Tropical Bachelorette Party Decor – my friends had everything shipped there pretty easily since its a US territory!
- Cute white dresses for the bride to be!
Puerto Rico Outfit Ideas
Lastly, here are few outfits for the bride and bachelorette party to shop for the big weekend!
*CLICK ANY IMAGES TO SHOP! EVERYTHING COMES IN WHITE 🙂
Puerto Rico FAQ
You will want to pack the following for 4 days in Puerto Rico: sundresses, swimsuits, coverups, athletic set, shorts, tops, tennis shoes, sandals, reef safe spf, bug spray, sun hat, sunglasses, beach tote, and lightweight pajamas.
The best time to visit Puerto Rico is their high season which runs December through April. This time of year it is cold in the US so makes a perfect escape to the Caribbean while it is not oppressively hot!
Puerto Rico is a nice place to visit year round due to its warm climate. However, avoid August and September as this is peak hurricane season. Technically, hurricane season is June-November, but most months do not usually see activity. Be sure to buy trip insurance if traveling during this time.
Continue Planning Your Puerto Rico Bachelorette Trip
Finally, check out my related posts to make sure you plan the best vacation!
This is a beautiful article! Me are going to PR in July for our family’s July birthday’s. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much! I am glad you liked it. This sounds like an amazing celebration! Have the best time and happy birthday to you all 🙂
Thank you for your perfect article and I loved the choices you provided. I just went to PR and loved it so much I want to go back and experience it with my girls for my bachelorette. How did you guys get around? Did you guys just use uber and taxis?
Hi Chantal! So glad to hear that! Puerto Rico would be amazing for your bachelorette. We either walked where we could or used ubers! For the rainforest excursion, we booked a tour that included a driver to take us there from our hotel.
Thanks so much for sharing this helpful guide! How many people were you able to fit in 2 rooms at the Coronada Ocean Club? And are you able to share a total cost estimate per person for the entire trip? I am considering doing something very similar for my bachelorette party and am trying to get a handle on the cost up front to give a heads up to friends I’ll invite 🙂
Hi! So glad it is helpful. We did 4 per room (2 queen bed rooms) and they were pretty spacious so didn’t feel too crowded. Cost really depends on the season with hotel rate fluctuations and where you are flying from. Hotel and airfare are definitely the most expensive pieces and everything else was super affordable once in Puerto Rico! Hope that helps!