10 Best Resorts in Puerto Rico for an Incredible Vacation—No Passport Needed
Updated: Jul. 27, 2022
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Resorts in Puerto Rico you’re guaranteed to love
Dreaming of a warm-weather escape but don’t feel like busting out your passport? We’d suggest Puerto Rico. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly vacation with tons of activities for kids or a more romantic getaway, there are tons of fantastic resorts in Puerto Rico with sprawling swimming pools, sandy beaches, lush landscaping, delicious food, and top-notch accommodations.
And, of course, since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, a trip to this sun-splashed Caribbean island is considered domestic travel. That means you won’t have to deal with the ever-changing reentry COVID protocols to get back into the country—or worry if you accidentally let your passport expire. All you will have to worry about is packing enough sunscreen.
How we chose the best resorts in the Puerto Rico
To determine the best resorts in Puerto Rico, we considered each property’s accommodations, amenities, on-site activities, off-site excursions, and dining options. It was important for us to give you a great mix of spots that appeal to families and couples, so the availability of kids clubs as well as romantic offerings also played a role in the decision-making process. We factored in location—beyond just being beachfront—too. Obviously, there’s a lot to do at these awesome resorts in Puerto Rico, but access to shops and restaurants and even walkability may be important to some travelers. And, as always, we consulted TripAdvisor reviews. Because who knows better than past guests?
One important note: While these aren’t all-inclusive resorts, they do feature great packages and, depending on your choice, reasonable prices. If you’re looking for a place where you can leave your wallet in your room (and still don’t need a passport), check out this list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the United States.
Best for families who want a five-star experience
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
An incredibly ritzy place for a vacation with the kiddos, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel, isn’t your regular family resort. It certainly has plenty of water sports, pools, and bike rentals to keep everyone happy the whole time, but the elevated ambience and five-star service also make it a totally enticing escape for the grown-up members of your group. The resort’s top-rated kids club certainly helps with the latter. While the youngsters cook up organic pizzas in the solar-powered oven and play to their hearts’ content, you can sneak away to the serene spa or bliss out in your large, in-room soaking tub for a few hours.
Pros:
- Private beach
- Well-appointed rooms and suites
- Top-rated kids club
Cons:
- Pricey
- Room service can be slow
Best for travelers who want to relax
Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa
Far removed from the hustle and bustle of San Juan, Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa sits just outside the low-key southern Puerto Rico town of Guanica, and it’s all about leisure. Located on a secluded crescent of palm-fringed Caribbean coastline, this lush 20-acre property offers a private white-sand beach, two swimming pools, tennis courts, hammocks for lounging, a full-service spa, al fresco dining, and sunset sails. The rooms, which were also designed with unwinding in mind, feature plush bedding and furnished patios. If you want to mix in some water activities, choose from kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling on one of the best beaches you’ll fall in love with.
Pros:
- Relaxing atmosphere
- Friendly, attentive staff
Cons:
- Limited dining venues
- Remote location
Best for active travelers
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort
Many properties purport to have stuff for everyone, but the 500-acre Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort, tucked between El Yunque National Forest and the Atlantic Ocean on Puerto Rico’s northeastern coast, really delivers. It’s got three pools, two championship golf courses, tennis courts, 10 restaurants and bars, two nature reserves, and a casino. Even the most active travelers will want to chill a bit after all that action. We’d recommend booking a massage at the spa or even just hanging in your spacious guest room and ordering room service.
Pros:
- Tons of amenities
- Great restaurants
- Close to the rain forest
Cons:
- Need to get up early to reserve beach chairs
- Limited evening entertainment
Best for lovers of luxury
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort
When it comes to Puerto Rico lodgings, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, the island’s first and only AAA Five Diamond resort, ranks at the very top. Situated on a former coconut plantation between El Yunque National Forest and the Atlantic Ocean, the 483-acre property is a luxurious escape that can be as relaxing or action-packed as you desire. It has top-notch facilities—including cabana-framed pools, tennis courts, a Robert Trent Jones Jr.–designed golf course, and a lavish spa. There are also tons of water sports, hiking trails, a bird sanctuary, and a huge sandy beach. The level of service is unrivaled, with the St. Regis butlers available to cater to your every whim. Guest rooms show off a coastal color palette, while bathrooms reinforce the overarching sense of luxury with rainfall showers and giant tubs.
Pros:
- Unparalleled service
- Exquisite setting
Cons:
- Pricey
- Limited dining options
Best for history buffs
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
When this San Juan hotel opened in 1919, it was the first luxury stay in Puerto Rico. A century and a $220 million renovation later, it’s still an upscale choice with heaps of history (Bob Hope, Franklin Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy Jr. all stayed here), lavish interiors, sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, and gracious hospitality. While it’s called a hotel, the beach club, butler service, three pools, sundecks with chaise lounges, a plush spa, four acclaimed restaurants, and some of the swankiest bars and lounges on the island really put it in the category of a five-star resort.
Pros:
- Elegant interiors
- Excellent restaurants and bars
Cons:
- Main pool is small
- Rough surf
Best for golfers
Royal Isabela
The Royal Isabela is a resplendent, 426-acre oceanfront resort on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast. People come from far and wide to play a round on the Links golf course, which features natural sand dunes, sod-faced bunkers, tropical plants, and dramatic Atlantic views. There’s also a caddy program, club rentals, and lessons. Don’t feel like teeing off? You can always walk the world-renowned green, which is sustainably maintained. Royal Isabela’s dedication to environmental conservation also comes to life through rainwater recycle efforts and organic farming practices that supply ingredients for the on-site restaurant. Casita-style suites offer ample privacy and feel like a true respite.
Pros:
- World-class golf course
- Casita-style suites
Cons:
- Only one restaurant
- Some reviewers report service hiccups
Best for design lovers
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
Another “hotel” with a laundry list of resort amenities, the newly restored 388-room Fairmont El San Juan Hotel has heaps of history (Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Liza Minnelli have all performed on its iconic stage) as well as dazzling design. We know you’ll agree when you enter the breathtaking hand-carved cherry mahogany lobby and see the oval-shaped handblown chandelier—the third largest of its kind in the world. The old-world-meets-contemporary style extends to the bars, restaurants, nightclub, grand ballroom, and guest rooms. Of course, the visual appeal isn’t limited to indoor areas. Four photogenic pools and 12 acres of pristine beach await outside.
Pros:
- Grand lobby
- Beautiful beach
Cons:
- Potential airport noise
- Some reviewers report service hiccups
Best for travelers on a budget
Villa Montana Beach Resort
On a budget? Puerto Rico has some excellent wallet-friendly options, and our favorite just may be the independently owned Villa Montana Beach Resort. It feels warm, intimate, and boutique-like, but the amenities are more akin to what you’d get at a resort—two pools, fishing, windsurfing, complimentary snorkel equipment and beach cruisers, and a wine cellar. There’s also an excellent restaurant and three miles of beach to explore. The white-washed aesthetic, punctuated by floating rattan chairs and oversized floor-set sofas, is breezy yet polished, and it gives this affordable, 35-acre property an upscale vibe.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Intimate
- Top-notch restaurant
Cons:
- Dated rooms
- Some reviewers report service hiccups
Best for business travelers
Royal Sonesta San Juan
Isla Verde’s Royal Sonesta San Juan provides business travelers and holiday goers alike the opportunity to kick back in a fabulous resort setting that’s just 15 minutes from the financial district and close to the airport. The property has meeting spaces and executive breakout rooms, but you know what they say about all work and no play, especially in a setting like this. Between work commitments, snag a chair on the beach, float in the lagoon-style pool, sweat it out in the ocean-facing fitness center, book a treatment at the full-service spa, or grab a bite (or beverage) at one of the seven restaurants and bars. Rooms also offer a great mix of style and functionality, with contemporary comforts such as flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and whirlpool tubs.
Pros:
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Great restaurants
Cons:
- Potential airport noise
- Small balconies
Best for casino lovers
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
A vacation at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino in the lively Condado district is like hitting the jackpot, which indeed you can do at the 24-hour casino’s slot machines and card tables. But you don’t have to be a high roller, or even gamble, to have a blast at this sprawling, 527-key oceanfront property. Just go outside and catch some rays on the beach, swim in the two pools (kids will love the waterslide), or play tennis. Six restaurants and bars mean plenty of places to eat ceviche and sip mojitos while soaking in the stunning views.
Pros:
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Walkable location
Cons:
- Rough surf
- Potential airport noise
