There is something magical about landing in a new place at night, picking up a rental car, and driving into the unknown. That’s exactly how my friend and I kicked off our first trip to Puerto Rico, heading straight for the historic city of Ponce. Little did we know, this would be the start of an unforgettable, slightly chaotic, and utterly beautiful journey.

Day 1: Ponce and the West Coast

Our home base was the Hilton Ponce, a perfect spot to recharge. Ponce, founded in 1692, is known as La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South) and is famous for its elegant neoclassical architecture. We spent our first morning at the Parque de Bombas, the iconic red-and-black striped building in the town square. Designed by Máximo de Meana y Guridi and opened in 1882, it served as a legendary firehouse for over a century before becoming the museum it is today. We also attempted to visit the Castillo Serrallés, a stunning 1930s Spanish Colonial Revival mansion that overlooks the city, but arrived to find it closed. Lesson learned: always double-check those operating hours before you go!

From Ponce, we hit the road for the west coast. We stopped by the famous Lajas PR flag chair for a quick photo and grabbed some delicious pork empanadillas from a nearby food truck. Our major goal was the Cabo Rojo Salt Flats (Las Salinas). They are indeed pink, thanks to a high-salinity-resistant microalgae called Dunaliella salina, which is consumed by brine shrimp. While they are beautiful, the color can be subtle depending on the salt collection process, and I have to be honest—the smell from the hypersaline lagoons is quite intense and earthy!

We cooled off in El Combate, enjoying the salt air and jet skiing. This area feels like the heart of the island; its rugged, authentic coastal vibe is the kind of setting that often inspires artists like Bad Bunny, who frequently highlights the beauty of these rural coastal towns in his music as a “love letter” to his home. We couldn’t leave without hitting the Pork Belly Bar and Grill for our first Piña Coladas of the trip—they did not disappoint! We ended the night back in Ponce at El Triangulo for some amazing seafood.

Day 2: Humacao, Beaches, and Glowing Waters

We woke up early for the long drive to Humacao, my friend Pablo’s hometown. This beautiful coastal city on the eastern side of the island has a deep history dating back to 1722. We fueled up at Cafeteria Mi Berjori, a family-owned spot where the owner, Jorge, was incredibly welcoming. On his recommendation, we checked out Palmas del Mar, a massive, lush resort community set on 2,750 acres. It was here that we met the biggest iguana I’d ever seen!

From there, we drove to 7 Seas Beach in Fajardo and trekked through a mucky trail to reach the hidden Playa Colora. It was beautiful, empty, and 10/10 worth the walk. To cap off an epic day, we headed to La Parguera that night for a bioluminescent bay boat tour. Swimming in those glowing waters was a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Day 3: El Yunque and Natural Slides

The mission: El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. It’s incredibly biologically diverse, covering nearly 29,000 acres. We hiked to the top viewing station—if you’re like me and skipped cardio, be prepared to question your life choices at every turn! We also followed the La Coca trail to a teeny-tiny waterfall. Fun fact: slippery rocks and I aren’t the best of friends, and I typically fall—something I forgot until I immediately bruised my booty.

On our way out, we traveled down 983 to a natural rock slide. You pay the homeowner to park and walk down the trail in their backyard to reach the slides. Note: this area is often closed during very rainy seasons for your safety, but it was 100/10 worth it. Afterward, we headed to San Juan for a coffee at 787 Coffee Co. to walk around and see the vibrant murals.

Day 4: Ink, Old San Juan, and New Digs

We packed up to leave Ponce, but first, we dressed in our best pink outfits to try out Fercol, a cute cafe in Ponce with tons of pink decor. The coffee and food were both delicious!

I had an 11:30 tattoo appointment in Levittown. I had researched local artists and chose Sullay (aka Bu Tattoo), a talented female artist whose work really resonated with me. We bonded over photos of our pets, and I left with the perfect sweet tribute to my dog. Afterward, we drove into Old San Juan, walked the Paseo del Morro to the Castillo, and enjoyed the slow pace and colors of the old city.

Since I was less than prepared, I spent the day combing Airbnb to find our last rental. We found the cutest studio near the airport. We dropped our bags and headed back to town for a “splurge” dinner at Serafina, which was top-notch and elegant.

After a good night’s sleep, we said goodbye to PR with some coffee on our Airbnb patio—look at these cute vibes! I definitely left thinking, “until next time!”—and next time turned out to be only seven months later!

What’s your favorite “hidden gem” or local spot you’ve discovered while traveling?