Comparison Puerto Rico vs Jamaica – Puerto Rico and Jamaica are two of the most traveled Caribbean countries in the world. Compared with Jamaica, a Puerto Rico trip includes a lot of Spanish cultural sites and forests to explore, while Jamaica is full of beaches and a more lounge-type trip with a mix of the Reggae vibe and beach parties. Read here Dominican Republic vs Jamaica
If you’re choosing between Puerto Rico vs Jamaica for your Caribbean vacation, we are here to help you decide. Both Puerto Rico and Jamaica have their own charms and Puerto Rico is the right choice for us.
Comparing Puerto Rico vs Jamaica
While Jamaica is an all-out Caribbean vacation with crystal blue beaches and luxurious hotel stays, Puerto Rico gets its charm from its rich colonial heritage cities and all the natural and forest beauty in the country.
Let’s look at things to do in both countries, and help you plan your next best Caribbean vacation.
Read here for more Puerto Rico guides: Best eSIMs for Puerto Rico, 4 Day Puerto Rico itinerary and Puerto Rico vs Aruba
Read here for more Jamaican guides: 33 Top Instagrammable Places in Jamaica, Best Jamaican eSIM for tourists, 30 Top Restaurants in Kingston Jamaica for you to Visit and Best Jamaican Breakfasts for You to Try
Where To Stay – Puerto Rico vs Jamaica
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Things to do in Puerto Rico
Exploring Puerto Rico is a mix of discovering its heritage preserved in Puerto Rico’s capital and of course all of its natural beauty from the mountains, the forests, and the beautiful beaches.
Let’s look at the things you can do in Puerto Rico.
1. Old San Juan
Puerto Rico’s rich heritage can be seen and felt just by touring around the old San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital. Here you’ll see historic buildings, 500 of them. Five centuries of castles, churches, and restored buildings – it might just transport you back in time.
If you’re exploring San Juan and the San Juan National Historic Site, most of the preserved heritage suites and the fort will be in the San Juan National Historic Site while the San Juan town itself is beautiful on its own for walking around and seeing spaces for photographs.
2. San Juan National Historic Site
San Juan National Historic Site is a National Park in Puerto Rico housing some of San Juan’s top historic moments and colonial forts like the Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
3. El Yunque National Rainforest
This is the El Yunque National Forest.
When it comes to natural beauty, Puerto Rico is simply one of the top destinations that you can go to. Visit El Yunque National Forest, in Luquillo, Rio Grande.
Explore nature trails, and enjoy all these in the Rio Grande. El Yunque is one of the world’s natural wonders of the world and you’ll be in awe to witness it on your own.
4. Bioluminescent Bays
Seen in only some parts of the world, the phytoplanktons are water organisms that create a blue and glittering effect in the waters at night. This is what makes bays bioluminescent. In Puerto Rico, you can see the bioluminescent bays in Mosquito Bay, Vieques, in Laguna Grande (Fajardo) and La Parguera (in Lajas).
5. Cayo Icacos
Puerto Rico’s incredible beauty is just incomparable. You can visit the beautiful Cayo Icacos and experience its beautiful blue waters, and do activities like the catamaran, snorkeling, and enjoying a bit of some sun.
Cayo Icacos is a small uninhabited island that is reachable by water taxi from Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
6. Culebra
Visit the Culebra for a beach trip in Puerto Rico and enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. You can see a few beaches in Culebra Island in Puerto Rico: the Flamenco Beach, Zoni Beach, Playa Tamarindo and Playa Tortuga.
7. Cabo Rojo – Puerto Rico
If it’s wildlife that you want to see, then there’s no better destination to see and experience than Cabo Rojo Wildlife Refuge. In addition the wildlife that you can experience in Cabo Rojo, this island also has some of Puerto Rico’s and the whole Caribbean’s top beaches.
Cabo Rojo is 28 miles long, all coastline which gives you access to various beaches – Buyé and Combate for more family-friendly beaches that have restaurants close to them. If you’re looking for more remote beaches, then you can visint the La Playuela Beach.
8. Giligan’s Island
If you’re visiting Guanica, Puerto Rico never miss Giligan’s Island with all its natural pools.
9. Camuy River Cave Park
The Parque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río Camuy is a cave system in Puerto Rico. Add this to your things to do in Puerto Rico.
10. Cueva del Indio and the Seven Arches
Visit the beautiful destination in the city of Arecibo, Puerto Rico and see the Cueva del Indio and Seven Arches, and lavish in the beauty and things to do here – Caves, more nature and just incredible scenery.
Things to do in Jamaica
1. SEVEN MILE BEACH
Seven Mile Beach is one of the most Instagrammable places in Jamaica with its shimmering ocean and white gold sand. The Seven Mile Beach is located near Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril, a small hamlet with a population of slightly over 3,000 residents.
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2. FLOYD’S PELICAN BAR – Jamaica vs Puerto Rico
Floyd’s Pelican Bar is located one mile off the coast of Parottee in St. Elizabeth and won the title of the coolest bar in the Caribbean. Floyd’s Pelican Bar, a fascinating bar resembles a large bird nest fashioned from driftwood, palm leaves and coconut tree trunks and is positioned on a sandbar in the center of the azure Caribbean Sea. Dining here and posing with a cold Red Stripe in hand is pretty Instagrammable!
3. DUNN’S RIVER FALLS
Dunn’s River Falls is a living legend of Jamaica that offers magnificent Instagram opportunities. Dunn’s River Falls, its famous shimmering waters draw a large number of tourists and photographers. As a result, ascend the waterfall with a tourist guide who will guarantee that you have enough time to shoot amazing images and footage!
4. RICK’S CAFE
Rick’s Cafe on the West End cliffs in Negril is one of the best places to watch a Jamaican sunset. Rick’s Cafe first opened in 1974, when Negril was still a small seafaring village, but it is now a major tourist destination visited by thousands of visitors every day.
5. HOLYWELL – Jamaica Things to Do
Holywell is a pleasant respite from Kingston’s heat, nestled in the tropical mist forests of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. The aroma of pure mountain air and pine trees fills this 330-acre “park within a park,” and the cold temperature at 900 meters or 3,000 feet above sea level allows Holywell‘s environment to maintain a vast variety of ferns, flowers, and trees that are rarely seen in other parts of Jamaica.
6. BLUE HOLE
Blue Hole is situated into the hills just outside of Ocho Rios, is one of Jamaica’s wonderful hidden jewels. Guests can swim, cliff jump, and swing off ropes into the Blue Hole‘s turquoise waters!
7. COUPLE’S TOWER ISLE PRIVATE ISLAND
The breathtaking views Couples Tower Isle Private Island is located in the heart of the Caribbean, surrounded by dazzling turquoise waters. White crystal sand and breathtaking scenery characterize this image scenery.
8. BAMBOO AVENUE
Bamboo Avenue is located in the parish of St Elizabeth, between Middle Quarters and Lacovia, on the main South Coast Highway. The Bamboo Avenue was established with Bambusa Vulgaris, a bamboo species that was the first to be brought to Jamaica. Bamboo Avenue is around two and a half miles long, with the tall bamboo forming a canopy over it.
9. YS FALLS
After Dunn’s River Falls, YS Falls is Jamaica’s second most popular waterfall, and it’s simple to see why. The abundance of limestone rock on the island allows for the creation of numerous beautiful, perfectly-tiered waterfalls, and YS Falls is no exception.
10. FRENCHMAN’S COVE
Frenchman’s Cove is a secluded beach and estuary where you can swim in both fresh and salt water at the same time located in Port Antonio. Frenchman’s Cove beach earns a spot on the list thanks to its silky powder-white sand, crystal clear water, and Instagram-worthy swings!
11. BLUE AND JOHN CROW MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Jamaica’s Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is a protected area. The park is 495.2 km2 in size and comprises 4.5 percent of Jamaica’s land area. Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park biodiversity is well-known around the world. A perfect place for taking Jamaica photos.
12. REACH FALLS
Reach Falls are a succession of lovely falls down the Driver’s River. Reach Falls was first found centuries ago by runaway slaves seeking shelter in the John Crow Mountains from plantations in the neighboring parish of St. Thomas.
13. MARTHA BRAE RIVER
Martha Brae River is located in Trelawny Parish on Jamaica’s north coast, snakes its way through the lush rainforest. Jamaica photography at Martha Brae River will be amazing with these clear blue waters.
14. NEGRIL
Negril is a city in Jamaica’s west coast. Negril is famous for miles of sandy beaches in small bays with calm, turquoise waters. If you loke taking Jamaica photos Negril is one of the Jamaica Instagram spots that tourists love it so much.
15. MONTEGO BAY
Montego Bay is the capital of Jamaica’s parish of St. James. By population, the Montego Bay is the fourth-largest in the country. Doctor’s Cave Beach and Walter Fletcher Beach, which has an amusement park, are two popular beaches. Montego Bay is amazing to have Jamaica photography if you love blue waters and beaches.
Rose Hall Great House is one the most famous houses in Jamaica. Rose Hall Great House was built in 1770 and provides the perfect backdrop for your Jamaican photography, as well as some interesting history.
16. HELLSHIRE BEACH
Hellshire Beach is the exquisite tropical getaway you’ve always imagined. In Hellshire Beach, the picnic facilities and seating places are excellent! Relaxing on the sand or picnic mats allows you to take in the splendor of tropical nature and the ocean. In Hellshire Beach, you’ll most likely take your most popular Jamaica photography!
17. WINNIFRED BEACH
In Portland, Jamaica, Winifred Beach is a popular local public beach. With local food vendors, donkey rides, and a lovely beach, Winifred Beach offers a completely unique Jamaican experience.
18. OCHO RIOS
Ocho Rios is a port city on Jamaica’s north coast. Ocho Rios is currently a resort with a cruise ship dock and a busy bay beach flanked with hotels, and it was formerly a fishing community. Ocho Rios can be a great place to take photos of Jamaica and at the same time relaxing in their luxury resorts.
Final Thoughts – Puerto Rico vs Jamaica
Our choice is Puerto Rico because of the historical cultural heritage and great beach combination. Jamaica will be your choice if you prefer to combine adventure and beach destination. Both of them are a great choice for your next trip!
There you go. Hope this post helped you decide to visit Puerto Rico vs Jamaica, and let us know of the two compared islands, which one did you choose! Happy travels to you and on to our next travel guide.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.