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Routes · Americas

Berlin to Puerto Rico: Old San Juan, El Yunque and Vieques

Berlin → San Juan, Puerto Rico → Vieques

Castillo San Felipe del Morro
"Castillo_San_Felipe_Del_Morro_(16869927311).jpg" by Chad Sparkes from Kissimmee,Florida, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Vieques Bio Bay NR (Vieques)
Photo: USDA, DRNA PR, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Spanish forts, rainforest & a bioluminescent bay Best season (general guide): Dec–Apr

Puerto Rico, a US territory in the Caribbean, combines Spanish colonial history, a tropical rainforest and quiet offshore islands. This route spends three nights in San Juan and three on Vieques. From Berlin you'll connect through the US or a European hub. Old San Juan is a walled city of blue cobblestones and colourful houses. The forts of El Morro and San Cristóbal guarded the harbour for centuries, and UNESCO lists them with La Fortaleza. Mofongo, mashed plantain with garlic, is a classic dish.

El Yunque National Forest, east of the city, is a rainforest with trails, waterfalls and viewpoints. Vieques, a small island reached by short flight or ferry, has beaches with few people. Its Mosquito Bay is a bioluminescent bay, where microscopic organisms glow when the water moves. Kayak tours go out on dark nights. December to April is the driest time. Hurricanes are possible from June to November.

In Old San Juan, walk early or late to avoid the midday heat, and rest in the shaded plazas whenever your feet start to tire. On Vieques, roads are quiet and beaches spread out, so plan a different one each day. Book the bay kayak tour as soon as your dates are fixed.

Good to know: In Vieques, a car or golf cart helps for the beaches. Book bay tours for nights around the new moon, when the glow is strongest. Use only licensed operators in the bay, and don't wear sunscreen in the water there.

In San Juan, the plazas fill with music and families in the evening, so stay out late at least once to enjoy the atmosphere. Carry plenty of water and a sun hat.

Getting there and around: fly into San Juan, Puerto Rico, fly on to Vieques, and fly home from Vieques.

Suggested outline

  1. Berlin

    Start

  2. San Juan, Puerto Rico

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Blue cobbles, Spanish forts and day trips to El Yunque rainforest.

  3. Vieques

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Quiet beaches and a bay that glows at night.

    Vieques, Puerto Rico
    "Vieques_Bio_Bay_NR.jpg" by USDA, DRNA PR, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · San Juan, Puerto Rico — Arrive; Old San Juan· Berlin → San Juan, Puerto Rico (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · San Juan, Puerto Rico — El Morro and San Cristóbal
  3. Day 3 · San Juan, Puerto Rico — El Yunque rainforest
  4. Day 4 · Vieques — Hop to Vieques· San Juan, Puerto Rico → Vieques (by air)
  5. Day 5 · Vieques — Beaches
  6. Day 6 · Vieques — Kayak on the bioluminescent bay
  7. Day 7 · Vieques — Travel home from Vieques· Vieques → Berlin (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Vieques

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Plan the trip: Vieques

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