Top Spots to Watch and Play Sports in Puerto Rico

A tropical island with ideal weather and diverse geography means Puerto Rico is naturally a paradise for athletes and fans of a variety of sports. Here’s a rundown of what you can play and watch around the island throughout the year.

Baseball

Baseball is one of the most celebrated sports on the island, with homegrown stars (Carlos Beltrán, Roberto Alomar, Roberto Clemente, and more) and its own league (the Liga Profesional de Beisbol).

Where to Go

Baseball can be experienced all over Puerto Rico, but the most well-known park is the Hiram Birthorn Stadium in Hato Rey, San Juan.

The Season

Puerto Rican baseball runs from November to January.

Boxing

In Puerto Rico, boxing boasts a storied legacy that began in 1899. The island has produced some of the sport’s all-time greats, including Hall of Famers Carlos Ortiz, José “Chegui” Torres, Edwin “El Chapo” Rosario, and recent icons like Hector Camacho, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, and Miguel “Junito” Cotto. Currently, there are seven Puerto Ricans in the Boxing Hall of Fame, a staggering achievement for the size of the island and a testament to its boxing pride.

Where to Go

The Coliseo de Puerto Rico, or Coliseum, hosts the biggest matchups and ticket sales in the sport.

The Season

There is no specific season.

Equestrian

Spanish colonizers brought numerous things to the New World, among them horses. Notably, they introduced Paso Fino horses to Puerto Rico, a breed cherished for its elegance and smooth gait, providing a remarkably smooth ride. This makes Paso Finos delightful to learn on and show off, with competitions, trails, and stables spread across the island.

Where to Go

Here are just a few locations for horseback riding:

• Hacienda Carabali in the foothills of the El Yunque rainforest
• Tropical Trail Rides in Aguadilla
• Pintos R Us in Rincón
• Rancho Buena Vista at the Palmas del Mar resort in Huamaco

The Season

Year-round

Special Events

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are celebrated with a Paso Fino Competition in Vieques.

Golf

Puerto Rico offers numerous delights for avid golfers: a varied landscape featuring stunning ocean views, verdant slopes, and lush flora; championship courses designed by top names; and the recent addition to the PGA circuit. The Puerto Rico Open debuted in 2008. Furthermore, there’s a handy golf portal detailing essential information for golfers across the island.

The Season
Year-round

Special Events

The PGA Puerto Rico Open is the island’s premier tournament, held annually in March. The Puerto Rico Golf Association also organizes a yearly tournament.

Hang Gliding

This roundup highlights hang gliding in Puerto Rico. Team Spirit offers exhilarating adventures soaring above the treetops of El Yunque, providing breathtaking aerial views of the island as you float on thermal wind currents.

Where to Go

Team Spirit operates from Cubuy.

The Season

Year-round, weather permitting.

Kayaking

Kayaking thrives across Puerto Rico and can be enjoyed in various settings: bioluminescent lagoons, mangrove forests, mountainside lakes, and the splendid Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Numerous hotels in Vieques, Culebra, and coastal areas often provide kayaks for guests, while various companies offer tours or rentals.

Where to Go

Virtually all over the island, but here are several useful contacts:

• Island Adventures in Vieques and Yokahú Kayak Trips in Fajardo for biobay adventures
• Las Tortugas Adventures for eco-kayaking tours
• San Juan Waterfun in Isla Verde
• Kayaking Puerto Rico in Fajardo (including biobay excursions)

The Season

Year-round

Rappelling, Canyoning, and Caving

One company excels above the rest for its adventure tourism offerings; even other tour guides respect their prowess. They are Aventuras Tierra Adentro, and they should be your first call if exploring caverns, rappelling down mountains, crossing chasms, and zip-lining over immense drops peaks your interest.

Where to Go

Aventuras organizes everything, including pick-ups and meeting points, guiding excursions both above and below the El Yunque rainforest.

The Season

Year-round

Running and Hiking

Puerto Rico features numerous trails and tracks along beaches, winding through forests, and within its lush parks.

Where to Go

• Hikers will appreciate the trails that meander through El Yunque and the milder paths of the Guánica Dry Forest. Eco Action Tours and Legends of Puerto Rico lead excursions there.
• Runners should reference a handy list of running routes island-wide. San Juan features several parks with jogging paths, including Parque Barbosa (Ocean Park), Parque Lineal Enrique Marti Coll, Parque Luis Muñoz Marín (Hato Rey), and the Botanical Garden (Río Piedras).

The Season

Year-round

Special Events

The World’s Best 10-K Race kicks off in San Juan in February/March, and it stands as the largest participatory sport on the island.

Sailing

Fajardo is known as the sailing capital of Puerto Rico. However, lessons and regattas can also be found in San Juan, Rincón, and Culebra. Please note that this section does not include charters and tours.

Where to Go

• Caribbean Sailing School in Fajardo provides sailing courses throughout the year.
• Sail Caribe in Fajardo offers sailing courses on their beautiful Hunter 33 yachts.
• Rincón Sailing has affordably priced 3-hour and 12-hour courses, along with a summer youth sailing camp.
• The Club Náutico de San Juan in Miramar has courses designed for both kids and adults.

The Season

Year-round

Special Events

The largest event on the island is the Club Náutico’s International Regatta.

Surfing

If Fajardo is the sailing capital, Rincón is the definitive home of surfing. Nevertheless, you’ll see surfers, wind-surfers, and kite-boarders riding the waves across various Puerto Rican locations.

Where to Go

• Velauno in Ocean Park is an excellent surfing resource in San Juan. As for surf locations, Punta Las Marías, situated between Ocean Park and Isla Verde, is a popular surf spot.
• Rincón Hangout features the best surf spots along the west coast.
• Playa Azul and Playa La Pared near Luquillo Beach are favored local hangouts.

The Season

The surfing season in Rincón spans from November to March, while the rest of the island typically enjoys surf from October to April.

Special Events

The Professional Surfing Association of Puerto Rico hosts pro events throughout the year.

Swimming

It’s no surprise that you can dive into the water from almost any location in Puerto Rico. Between sea, ocean, lagoon, lake, and pool, there is no shortage of destinations for swimmers.

Where to Go

The list is virtually endless: San Juan? Check. Vieques and Culebra? Definitely. Fajardo? Of course. Rincón? Indubitably.

The Season

Year-round

Scuba Diving

As one of the most popular water sports in Puerto Rico, numerous locations cater to scuba divers along with many for snorkelers. Here’s an overview of scuba diving.

Where to Go

• Explore the top dive sites in Puerto Rico.
• Blackbeard Sports in Vieques is the island’s most comprehensive scuba outfit.
• Culebra Divers is highly recommended for diving excursions from Culebra; Walter and Monika Rieder are excellent guides.
• Ocean Sports in Isla Verde serves as a solid resource for divers wishing to remain near San Juan.
• Sea Ventures in Fajardo is recognized as a PADI 5-Star Dive Center.

The Season

Year-round