From the colorful streets of Old San Juan to rainforest waterfalls and luxury resort living at El Conquistador in Fajardo, this Puerto Rico family vacation gave us the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories.
We flew into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) and rented a car directly at the airport, which made getting around the island incredibly easy—especially when visiting Puerto Rico with kids.
Our 8-Day Puerto Rico Family Vacation Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Location | Main Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | San Juan | Arrival + Ocean Lab Brewing + Caribe Hilton |
| Day 2 | San Juan | Old San Juan sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Río Grande → Fajardo | El Yunque + Las Paylas + Check-in El Conquistador |
| Day 4 | Fajardo | Resort + Palomino Island |
| Day 5 | Fajardo | Father–Son Fishing Charter + El Bohío |
| Day 6 | Fajardo | Seven Seas Beach + Costa Mía + Dinner at El Estación |
| Day 7 | Fajardo | Resort + Palomino Island |
| Day 8 | Luquillo → Depart | Water Park + Luquillo Kiosks + Fly Home |
Where to Stay in Puerto Rico With Kids
Caribe Hilton – San Juan (2 Nights)
We spent our first two nights at the beautiful Caribe Hilton San Juan, a beachfront, family-friendly resort with multiple pools, on-site dining, and a private beach. It’s also famous for claiming to be the birthplace of the piña colada, so of course everyone had to try one on arrival.
San Juan With Kids
Day 1: Arrival in San Juan
After landing at SJU and picking up our rental car, we headed straight to Ocean Lab Brewing Company, located less than 10 minutes from the airport with a beautiful waterfront view of San Juan. It was the perfect first stop—great beer, solid food, and an unbeatable view to kick off our vacation.
After lunch, we checked into the Caribe Hilton, spent the afternoon swimming, relaxing on the beach, and of course sipping piña coladas at their birthplace.
Day 2: Old San Juan With Kids
Exploring Old San Juan was one of our favorite days of the trip. We:
- Walked the colorful cobblestone streets
- Grabbed breakfast at Cafe Manolin
- Explored Castillo San Felipe Del Morro Fort
- Made quick stops at Pigeon Park (Parque de las Palomas) and Basilica de San Juan National Shrine
- Cooled off with Piraguas (icees), shaved ice street vendors
Lunch was at Barrachina, another spot that claims to have invented the piña colada. We headed back to the Caribe Hilton for a relaxed afternoon of swimming and downtime.
Day 3: El Yunque Rainforest + Drive to Fajardo
We checked out of the Caribe Hilton and headed east for a full day at El Yunque National Rainforest.
Our stops included:
- Yokahú Observation Tower
- The Mount Britton Tower hike
- San Diego Waterfalls (veer right once you get to the first falls for the larger waterfall)
- La Coca Falls
After our rainforest adventures, we stopped for lunch at Dos Panza Taqueria y Cantina in Río Grande, a casual Mexican restaurant perfect for refueling after a morning exploring El Yunque National Rainforest.
Afterwards, we cooled off at Las Paylas natural water slides, which quickly became a favorite with the kids. This family-run attraction is $10 to park plus $1 per person to enter. When we visited, it wasn’t crowded, but it can get busy, so be prepared for tight parking and a potential line for the slides. Las Paylas is one of the best kid-friendly activities near El Yunque and a must-visit on a Puerto Rico family vacation.
That evening, we checked into El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo.
El Conquistador Resort – Fajardo (5 Nights)
Staying at El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo was truly a dream. The resort is perched cliffside above the Atlantic Ocean, just 30 minutes from El Yunque and a little over an hour from San Juan.
We stayed in Las Casitas Village, which features villa-style accommodations with full kitchens—a game-changer when traveling with kids. Even though Las Casitas feels private, we still had full access to the entire resort via walking paths and golf cart shuttles.
What Makes El Conquistador Perfect for Families
Everything we loved was right on-site:
- Multiple infinity and family pools
- A full water park with three big-kid slides, zero-entry kiddie area, and lazy river
- The iconic funicular ride to the marina and water park
- Hourly ferry service to Palomino Island, the resort’s private island with complimentary towels and toys, restaurant & bar, crystal-clear water, and water sports
We visited Palomino Island almost every day, usually for a few hours at a time—it became part of our daily routine and one of our favorite parts of the entire trip.
While El Conquistador Resort is not all-inclusive, staying in Las Casitas Village helped us save on food since we could prepare breakfasts, snacks, and some meals in our villa. For times we wanted to dine out, the resort offers several restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining, making it easy to enjoy a mix of home-cooked and resort dining options during our Puerto Rico family vacation.
Day 4: Resort & Palomino Island Day
We spent our first full day soaking in resort life with pool time, lazy river rides, and our first ferry trip to Palomino Island. It was the perfect mix of rest and play after several active days.
Day 5: Father & Son Fishing Charter + El Bohío Dinner
On Day 5, my three oldest boys and husband headed out on a Father and Sons Fishing Charter in Fajardo.
Despite choppy weather, they caught nine fish in six hours. The crew was professional and knowledgeable, handled mild seasickness flawlessly, cleaned the fish, packed it for transport, and recommended El Bohío Restaurant where your catch is prepared fresh for dinner.
This was a $$$ experience, but without question the highlight of the boys’ portion of the trip.
The rest of us enjoyed another resort and Palomino Island day.
Day 6: Seven Seas Beach + Costa Mía Lunch + El Estación Dinner
We ventured off the resort to Seven Seas Beachm, just five minutes from El Conquistador. The water was bright turquoise and the sand was perfect for building sand castles. We went to snorkel, but we were unable to find the right snorkely area and our crew didn’t want to walk the half mile beach to find the spot!
Lunch was right across the street at Costa Mía Restaurant—and the mofongo is a must.
That evening, we had an incredible dinner at La Estación, which had amazing barbecue with a caribbbean twist and was a perfect way to end a day of beach exploring and soak in more local Puerto Rican flavors.
Day 7: Final Full Resort Day
We spent our last full day enjoying everything we loved most—pools, water park, Palomino Island, and sunset views. It was the perfect way to wrap up our time in Fajardo.
Day 8: Water Park Morning + Luquillo Beach Before Departure
Our flight didn’t leave until 4 PM, so we spent our final morning at the El Conquistador water park squeezing in one last round of slides and lazy river time.
On the way to the airport, we stopped at Luquillo Beach for one last beach walk and lunch at the famous Luquillo Kiosks—the perfect casual, local goodbye before heading home.
Best Time to Visit Puerto Rico With Kids
- December–April: Best weather, peak season
- May & November: Fewer crowds, better prices
- June–November: Hurricane season (September highest risk)
Puerto Rico With Kids – 8-Day Budget Breakdown
- Flights: $250–$600 per person, look for deals and points (we found a great deal and we used Southwest points!)
- Car Rental (8 days): we rented a mini van, it was under $500 for week but we used credit card points for this also)
- Hotels (7 nights):
- Caribe Hilton (mid-range)
- El Conquistador & Las Casitas (premium)
- Excursions:
- El Yunque: Free
- Fishing Charter: $$ but unforgettable
- Food: $12–$40 per person per meal, or head to the grocery store 🙂
Puerto Rico Packing List for Families
- Lightweight clothing & swimsuits
- Rash guards & water shoes
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Reef-safe sunscreen & bug spray
- Snorkel gear
- Dry bags & waterproof phone case
- Motion sickness remedies if doing a fishing charter
- Portable chargers
Puerto Rico With Kids – Quick FAQ
Puerto Rico With Kids – Quick FAQ
Do you need a passport to go to Puerto Rico?
No, U.S. citizens do not need a passport, making it an easy tropical getaway.
Is Puerto Rico easy to drive?
Yes, but renting a car is highly recommended for families. Roads are generally good, but some rainforest and beach roads can be narrow or winding.
Is El Conquistador good for families?
Absolutely. The pools, water park, funicular, and Palomino Island make it one of the best family resorts in Puerto Rico.
Are the beaches family-friendly?
Yes! Palomino Island, Seven Seas Beach, and Luquillo Beach all have calm waters, soft sand, and nearby amenities, making them ideal for kids.
What’s the best way to explore El Yunque with kids?
Plan for short hikes like Mount Britton Tower, bring water shoes, and pack snacks. Las Paylas natural water slides is a fun, kid-friendly highlight nearby.
Is Puerto Rico expensive?
Costs vary. Accommodations like Caribe Hilton are mid-range, while El Conquistador & Las Casitas are premium. Food ranges from casual $12–$20 meals to $30–$40 per person at sit-down restaurants. Excursions like fishing charters are pricier but unforgettable.
What’s the weather like?
December–April is warm and dry—perfect for a family vacation. May–November has fewer crowds, but June–November is hurricane season, with September being the peak.
Can you find kid-friendly food?
Yes! Most restaurants are accommodating for kids, and having a villa with a kitchen at Las Casitas made it easy to prepare simple meals for picky eaters.
Final Thoughts on Our Puerto Rico Family Vacation
From Old San Juan and El Yunque Rainforest to Palomino Island, Seven Seas Beach, unforgettable fishing adventures, dinners at El Bohío & El Estación, and luxury resort living at El Conquistador, this 8-day Puerto Rico family vacation was truly one for the books.
If you’re looking for:
- A tropical getaway without passports
- Family-friendly resorts & beaches
- Easy driving & road trips
- Adventure mixed with luxury relaxation
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Check out our other family-friendly flight destinations and expert travel tips for flying with kids to make your next trip stress-free.
Puerto Rico Family Vacation FAQ
Is an 8-day trip enough time to see Puerto Rico with kids?
Yes! An 8-day trip is perfect for families. It allows time to explore San Juan, visit Old San Juan, experience El Yunque Rainforest, enjoy beach and resort days in Fajardo, and still travel at a relaxed pace without feeling rushed.
Is El Yunque Rainforest doable as a day trip with kids?
Absolutely. El Yunque is very family-friendly and easy to visit as a day trip from San Juan or Río Grande. Short hikes, waterfalls, and swimming spots like Las Paylas make it a fun and memorable experience for kids.
Why stay in both San Juan and Fajardo during a Puerto Rico trip?
Staying in San Juan gives easy access to Old San Juan, dining, and cultural sights, while Fajardo is ideal for resort relaxation, beaches, Palomino Island, and day trips. Splitting your stay helps you experience different sides of Puerto Rico without long daily drives.
Are Palomino Island and resort days worth it for families?
Yes! Resort days and Palomino Island are highlights for families. Kids loved the boat ride to the island, the calm beaches, water activities, and downtime after sightseeing days, making it a great balance to a busy itinerary.
What’s the best way to end a Puerto Rico family trip?
Ending your trip in Luquillo is perfect. The water park, beach time, and famous Luquillo Kiosks offer a fun, low-stress final day before heading home. This could also be a fun day excursion for a change of scenery.
