7 Things To Do In Puerto Rico At Night

1. See the wonders of a bioluminescent bay

Puerto Rico is home to three bioluminescent bays: Laguna Grande (in Fajardo), Mosquito Bay (in Vieques), and La Parguera (in Lajas). Mosquito Bay is the brightest bioluminescent bay, and water sports like kayaking through the glowing waters are some of the most surreal experiences you could ever have.

In Fajardo, there are kayaking tours as well, and there’s also a tour given by Las Cabezas Nature Reserve. This tour consists of a trip to El Faro, the Fajardo lighthouse, to do some epic stargazing on the lighthouse deck and learn about bioluminescence, the bioluminescent organisms in the bay, and light pollution and its effect on bioluminescence. After the presentation, a guide will take you through the mangrove swamp boardwalks, where you are given a long pole to swirl the water with. The less light there is, the more likely you’ll see a glow, trailing your pole. I recommend going on a moonless night.

Laguna Grande

Address: Las Cabezas Nature Reserve, Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Website: Bioluminescence and Light Pollution

Mosquito Bay

Address: Vieques, Puerto Rico

Website:

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2. Have a night out in San Juan

There are so many places to go at night in San Juan - including bars, clubs, and restaurants. Some of the most popular nocturnal hot spots include the Nuyorican Café (312 Calle San Francisco), Colmado Bar Moreno (365 Tetuan Street), Los Pinos (655 Avenida Ponce de Leon, Miramar), and in particular La Factoria (Calle San Sebastian #148), which made it into the World’s 50 Best Bars and comes highly recommended by tourists and locals, alike. There are also some shops still open at night, and be on the lookout for places with live music - including the streets. Some restaurants, like Carli’s Bistro, and even museums, have musical events.

A night out in San Juan

Address: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Website: Puerto Rico Nightlife

Facebook: La Factoria

Website: Carli’s Bistro

3. See a show at Teatro La Perla in Ponce

This neoclassical theater is the second oldest in Puerto Rico, (that’s still used, anyway) and it’s named for one of the city’s nicknames: “The Pearl of the South.” It was destroyed twice in the early 20th century, first by an earthquake and then by a fire, but rebuilt in 1941. They put on a variety of shows, from theater to music and you can check out their upcoming shows on the Ticket Center website, below.

Teatro La Perla

Address: On the corner of Calle Mayor and Calle Cristina, Ponce, Puerto Rico

Website: Teatro La Perla

Website: Tickets

4. Take a walk under the lights

The Plaza las Delicias, or the Plaza of Delights, in Ponce, is all lit up at night - perfect for a solo stroll, a romantic stroll, or a stroll with friends or family - basically, any kind of stroll! Take in the pretty lights, admire the monuments and the Fountain of Lions, and enjoy some ice cream on a park bench. Some places to visit are Parque de Bombas and the Ponce Cathedral, while you’re here. It’s in the center of town, so it’s the perfect place to go, after an evening out.

Plaza las Delicias

Address: Plaza las Delicias, Ponce, Puerto Rico

Website: Plaza las Delicias

5. Take salsa lessons at Triana Tapas in Old San Juan

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re looking for some fun things to do, visit Triana Tapas at night. Aside from their live music, dance shows, and other dancing events, Triana Tapas has free salsa lessons on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm. They’re also known for their Flamenco shows. It’s also a restaurant and bar and they serve - you guessed it - a variety of tapas.

Triana Tapas & Flamenco

Address: 251 Recinto Sur, Old San Juan - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Website: Triana Tapas & Flamenco

6. Go on a night hike in El Yunque

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The organisms of the bioluminescent bays aren’t the only living things that glow in the dark! If you take a night tour of El Yunque, you’ll likely see some bioluminescent insects and mushrooms. A majority of the wildlife in El Yunque is nocturnal, so it’s a whole different experience at night. The rainforest closes at 6:00 pm, so you have to join one of the tour groups for a night hike. Along the way, you’ll likely learn about some of the plants and wildlife, like the coquí frogs, take in the night-views, and maybe even take a dip in Rio Mammies, a river swimming hole. These tours are only offered on certain days, at certain times, so be sure to check out their websites.

Twilight Nature Walk to River Adventure with El Yunque Tours

Address: El Yunque Tours Office, Rio Grande, PR 00745

Website: Twilight Nature Walk to River Adventure

Magical Nights in El Yunque with AdvenTours

Address: El Yunque, Puerto Rico

Website: Magical Nights in El Yunque

7. Party in Vieques

Vieques may be a small island, but it has a lot of history, and if you want to do the bioluminescent bay tour, you’ll likely have to stay overnight, so it has a pretty substantial night life. There’s nothing like a good bar and live music, after a day of adventure. There are several great options for this in Vieques, but Fodor’s claims the most popular bar on the island is Duffy’s Esperanza, known for its coveted location, food specials, and live music.

Duffy's

Address: 140 Calle Flamboyán, Esperanza, Vieques, 00765, Puerto Rico

Pull an all-nighter

With all the things to do at night in Puerto Rico, you may be up all night long. No matter what part of the country you’re in, you can bet there’ll be a place to hang out. After all, there are plenty of resorts and luxury Airbnbs to accommodate you at the end. Puerto Rico is a great example of a wonderful night in the Caribbean.