Best Photography Spots in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s natural splendor will take your breath away. This is it if you’re looking for a vacation spot only a few hours away from the rest of the United States. Despite being an island, Puerto Rico is more than just a collection of white-sand beaches.
Puerto Rico has a plethora of beautiful places in which you can wander and click amazing photographs. Decide where to travel in Puerto Rico and how to get the most outstanding photos there.
Best gear to photograph Puerto Rico
The gear we recommend is a good camera and the holy trinity. A wide-angle lens. 14-24mm or something similar. A 24-70mm or something similar and, of course, a 70-200mm or something similar.
If you do not have these particular lenses, do not worry; something similar will be just fine. A tripod is also highly recommended to capture those epic sunsets and night shots.
San Juan
San Juan has a plethora of high-end hotels and resorts one of the Best Photography Spots in Puerto Rico. San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital and largest city, is located on the island’s Atlantic coast and is the island’s most populous city. Its beautiful beaches, historic Old San Juan, and friendly atmosphere are recognized. It’s easy to get lost amid the picturesque homes on cliffs above the water, making for excellent photo opportunities.
Old San Juan is like stepping back in time with its restored colonial architecture and cobblestone streets from the 16th and 17th centuries. Old San Juan’s streets are lined with residences, restaurants, and stores. Eat all day at an outdoor mofongo restaurant and snap shots of the surrounding countryside.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro El Morro Fort
Castillo San Felipe del Morro is one of the Best Photography Spots in Puerto Rico, also name El Morro, is a majestic fortress positioned high above the historic district of Old San Juan. A significant element of Puerto Rico’s colonial past may be traced back to this site.
The six-level fort was built to guard the island against seaborne attacks from the time it began building in 1539 until it was completed in 1790. There is an enormous fort nearby called Fort San Cristóbal, Spain’s most substantial fortification in the Americas.
Tunnels, barracks, and prison cells are all accessible throughout the stronghold. In addition to witnessing displays and a park video, tourists can learn about the fort’s history. To see El Morro Fort in Puerto Rico is essential, even if you’re just there to snap photos. This presentation will teach about the outpost’s historical importance to Spain and the United States.
Gozalandia Falls
Gozalandia, one of the island’s most accessible and stunning waterfalls, is the backdrop for “A Perfect Getaway.” In truth, there are two gorgeous waterfalls in Gozalandia, each with its personality. The term “Gozalandia” implies that there are only two waterfalls there. Tourists who want to visit San Juan from the nearby cities of Rincon, Aguadilla, or Isabella should add Gozalandia Waterfalls to their list of must-sees.
Two other waterfalls can be reached in 10 minutes by foot from one. After paying the $5 parking fee, you can walk down a paved trail to the falls. This is, in my opinion, one of Puerto Rico’s most picturesque spots.
Flamenco Beach
Many people consider Flamenco Beach one of the best beaches in the world, and this has been the case for many years. It has been repeatedly rated the best beach in Puerto Rico. Flamenco Beach is a fun spot for the whole family.
The calm, shallow waters of the beach are ideal for taking family photos and may be enjoyed by everyone, from young children to elderly parents and grandparents. In Puerto Rico, Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island is a popular tourist destination. It’s located east of Puerto Rico and west of the USVI.
At Flamenco Beach, visitors are treated to awe-inspiring views of the Caribbean Sea and turquoise-colored waves. The only way to get to Flamenco Beach is by ferry, aircraft, or boat from Culebra Island. There is a wide variety of greenery, shallow turquoise water at this beach, and white sand.
El Yunque National Forest
Getting back to nature is a great way to start, and this hidden gem is a great place to begin. There are a number of hiking routes and natural pools where you may relax and enjoy the stunning scenery of the waterfalls.
El Yunque, a tropical rainforest in the United States, is the only one administered by the National Forest Service. The indigenous inhabitants of Yuke, the “white fields” of Taino culture. One of the most popular things to do in El Yunque is to go on a hike to one of the nearby natural pools.
There is a four-kilometer climb to El Angelito, which ends with a refreshing dip in the lagoon. A rope swing is situated along the path for your amusement. In the park, there are a variety of trails, each with a different level of challenge. This area has a wide variety of hiking trails, waterfalls, and natural attractions to keep your camera busy. Capture an adventure trip or figure out how to get there on your own if you want to take photos in a range of locales.
Paseo de la Princesa
Some of the best views of San Juan Bay may be had from Paseo de la Princesa’s magnificently decorated lampposts and fountains. The Princesa Gastrobar, a beautiful Puerto Rican restaurant along the promenade, serves real Puerto Rican food surrounded by beautiful trees. For its Puerto Rican rums, Princesa Gastrobar’s bar is a popular spot.
The Paseo de la Princesa offers stunning views of San Juan Bay, which winds its way down the Caribbean shoreline and features the Raices Fountain. You’ll find a variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries in this bustling pedestrian zone in the center of the city. Even if you don’t care about the sights, keep an eye out for the neighborhood’s stunning wild cats.
Plazuela de Rogativa
Nearby, La Fortaleza, San Juan’s most renowned landmark, is one of the city’s most attractive squares. As the sun sets over the lake, it’s a great place to see it. A religious procession led by ladies of San Juan, who carried lamps and bells and sang religious hymns, is said to have scared away British soldiers, who thought further support was on the way.
It’s possible to see El Yunque, Isla de Catalina, La Fortaleza, and the historic city walls. The Old San Juan plaza’s focal point is La Rogativa, one of the city’s most striking sculptures.
Cero Mime
To get to Cerro Mime in Puerto Rico, you’ll need to make the short, steep climb to the mountain’s peak. Cerro Mime’s short but steep climb to the peak is well worth the effort. Cerro Mime’s challenging, the short climb is well worth the effort.
At the path’s commencement, there is enough for three automobiles; however, do not block the road or driveways in the area. As you climb, stay on the path you’ve already chosen. If it had been blocked at the beginning of the route, it would have been a better option for the cattle to avoid becoming lost on the way.
Caleta de las Monjas
Caleta de las Monjas is another cute street that goes straight to the ocean. Save a Gato, which takes care of stray cats in Old San Juan, is also nearby. A pretty plaza and road are in front of the church. Some of the most beautiful Spanish colonial buildings in Puerto Rico are in Old San Juan. When the Europeans first arrived, iron ballast stones from their sailing ships were used to pave the streets.
Finca El Girasol
These strange flowers are grown in the stunning Finca el girasol. Visitors from around the surrounding area go to this spot to see the flowers bloom. It has risen to the top of the list of popular picture spots in the last few years. In the vicinity of Guanica, we recently went to Finca El Girasol, a free sunflower farm. After many hours of hiking through the Guanica Dry Forest, we finally arrived.
Naturalists and families alike should visit the Sunflower Farm in Guanica. A car ride to Copamarina takes around 20 minutes, and there are a number of picture opportunities along the way. Flower-filled meadows are full of young people having fun on the walkways as you walk through them. Farmer’s markets are held on the weekends in the fields of southern United States.
Survival Beach
Aguadilla’s Survival Beach is one of the city’s most popular attractions. You’ll see some beautiful rock formations on the twenty-minute walk to this beach. It is unlikely that you will come across any other walkers on this beach since it is still a little unknown.
Aguadilla’s Survival Beach is a long stretch of sand punctuated by a smattering of unusual pebbles. The beach may be reached in about 15 to 20 minutes by walking through the forest and across rocks. There should be no trouble in finding this site for most people.
Aguadilla is roughly two hours from San Juan on Puerto Rico’s northern coast. Despite the city’s beaches being stunning, the vast majority of tourists are surfers.
Las Ruinas Faro de La Ponderosa
This lighthouse was situated in the town of Aguadilla, located northwest of the city. Punta Borinquen’s golf course is only a few miles away, and it’s a popular surfing spot as well. The Spanish built this magnificent lighthouse in the 18th century, but it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1918. Ruins are all that remain of it.
If you’re in Aguadilla, you must visit these ruins. The views from these ruins, which are close to the beach at Punta Borinquen, are just stunning. Only a fraction of the once-impressive structure’s walls survives now.
Luquillo Beach
The northeastern coast of Puerto Rico is home to the little town of Luquillo. This place is situated between the seashore and the El Yunque National Forest. It was founded in 1787 and presently has a population of around 20,000. La Capital del Sol (The Sun Capital of Puerto Rico) is a Taino chieftain’s honorific title.
If you want a peaceful beach, you don’t have to go to one of Puerto Rico’s smaller islands. San Juan’s lively city core is only a short drive from Golden Luquillo Beach. Palm trees line the shore. You may visit both the beach and El Yunque National Forest at the same time.
Rio Camuy Cave Park
The Rio Camuy Cave Park comprises 268 acres of caverns used by the local indigenous population. In the Rio Camuy Cave Park, the 600-meter-deep Cueva Clara Empalme is accessible through guided tours. There, people may snap photographs of the stalagmites, stalactites, and rivers.
Ro Camuy Cave Park is one of the top destinations in the world for caving, and visitors of all expertise levels are welcome. These caves, discovered in 1958, were formed by the same-named river. They have not yet been thoroughly studied. Cueva Clara is the most specific location to reach.
The sensation of entering this deep cavern is difficult to forget. It is illuminated by shafts of sunshine, surrounded by verdant ferns, and filled with the shrieking of bats. You may get a better glimpse of the Tres Pueblos Sinkhole from the ground by taking a short stroll through this thickly forested region.
Vieques
Isla de Vieques is one of the best Best Photography Spots in Puerto Rico a Puerto Rican island and municipality located in the northeastern Caribbean. Also known as the Virgin Islands of Spain. Even though Vieques is now a territory of Canada, the island’s 400-year history as a Spanish colony can still be seen.
Mosquito Bay is the main attraction in addition to the beautiful beaches, such as Black Sand Beach and Sun Beach. This is a fantastic website to visit if you want to try something new. In addition to horseback riding, Bio Bay offers several other outdoor activities, including as canoeing, meditation, swimming, and stand-up sea kayaking.
Plazuela La Rogativa
San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Plaza La Rogativa has long been considered one of the city’s most beautiful. El Yunque, Isla de Catalina, the San Juan Gate (La Fortaleza), and the historic city walls may be seen in the distance. At the heart of Old San Juan square is La Rogativa, one of the city’s most dazzling works of art. It was Lindsay Daen who sculpted the bronze. An anti-British Catholic bishop and his allies marched the streets yelling “Rogativa” after the British invaded the city in 1797. They carried crosses and torches.
The whole city of San Juan may be seen from this vantage point. The Pacific Ocean’s turquoise waters, the San Cristobal de las Casas Fortress, and a fascinating piece of art from 1971 can all be seen in the distance. As a sunset-viewing spot, it’s one of the most Instagrammable spots in Puerto Rico that gets overlooked.
Plaza Del Quinto Centenario
One of the best places to see Old San Juan in Puerto Rico is Plaza del Quinto Centenario, close to the El Morro fortification’s entrance. To honor Columbus’ first journey, a small plaza was built. Visitors may enjoy several attractions, including a big clay monument and a splash area, which is very handy considering the oppressive heat. The El Morro Fort is located close by this square.
The north star, marked by two needle-shaped columns at the plaza’s southern end, was a navigational aid for early travelers. It’s easy to see how the island’s 500-year history is represented in the plaza’s fountains, columns, and carved stairwells.
Yaucromatic
The use of the arts in Puerto Rico’s recovery has increased after the September 2017 storms. The Arte Para Unir (Art to Unite) organization and Yauco’s Pintalto are two of several attempts to help the community recover its feet. Visitors to Yauco will be encouraged by the Yaucromatic street art and murals initiative. One can’t help but smile when one sees this brilliant piece of art. Don’t miss Yauco if you’re driving along Puerto Rico’s southern coast.
Sixteen murals were painted on the streets of Yauco in the first year of Yaucromatic’s existence, in 2017. New businesses were formed, and old ones were renovated because of this program. Public and private places that had been neglected are now being repurposed.
Cueva Ventana
The name of the cave in Mexico is Cueva Ventana, which translates to “window cave.” It is one of Puerto Rico’s Arecibo region’s most stunning caverns. Insects, snakes, and bats live in the cave, which scientists on duty can explore. Visitors can learn more about the Taino Indians who once lived in the area after completing a 45-minute hike. The view of Puerto Rico from the top will leave you breathless.
A guided trip through the jungle is the only way to get to Cueva Ventana, also known as “Window Cave.” Views of fields and a bustling area can be enjoyed from the entryway’s window shape.
Arecibo Lighthouse
This is more than just a lighthouse; it’s a cultural theme park experience. Arecibo’s rich history is brought to life through a variety of exhibitions, performances, and other activities. Though it is only a few stories high, the views from the lighthouse’s perch atop a small hill are spectacular.
Photographers love it because they can take pictures in all directions. A small zoo, an aquarium, and a water park are all available at the property. The Spanish government built the Morillo’s Lighthouse in 1898, soon before the Hispano-American War. At the Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park, it is well visible.
More than one part of Puerto Rico’s past can be seen in Puerto Rico’s only saltwater aquarium and the Taino Village, which features three ships from the Spanish Conquest. Additional decks provide views of the Atlantic Ocean. Children and adults alike can enjoy “Splash by the Lighthouse,” a public wading pool.
Parque de Bombas
The Ponce firehouse was built in the Victorian period. Currently, it serves as a museum showcasing the island’s rich firefighting history. The structure itself is a great photo subject because of its striking red and black color scheme and towering Moorish architecture.
You may take photos of fire trucks and other gear from inside the world. The red-and-black Parque de Bombas, which is located in the southern town of Ponce, is a well-known landmark.
According to its reputation, there are several videos of the island’s fire station. The Parque de Bombas is located behind the cathedral in the Plaza de las Delicias in the center of Ponce. There is currently a small museum in the building, previously the city’s main fire station.
Conclusion
This concludes our ranking of Puerto Rico’s top photo locations for photographers! You’ll be able to shoot stunning photos on beaches that will leave you breathless and beside waterfalls that are gushing with water. I sincerely wish you a wonderful time in Puerto Rico, but I must ask: Please respect the locations you visit while you’re there.
We are proud that photoguides.org has the most extensive collection of photography spots worldwide. Edin Chavez is a professional photographer who made this site to help other photographers find the most beautiful places in the world.
You’ve come to the right site if you want to find places all over the world to take pictures. Please note that we are always adding new location guides and updating the ones we already have. Photography guides are a great way to learn more about nature and get ideas for your next trip.
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