10 Puerto Rico Airbnbs to Book for a Healthy Dose of Vitamin D
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Courtesy of Airbnb
Any of the best Puerto Rico Airbnbs have what it takes to make your next vacation the one you'll still be reminiscing about for summers to come, with the kinds of enviable terraces and wide, sweeping windows that facilitate indoor-outdoor living of the highest order. Whether you’re looking for a tiny home on the beach, a hidden gem with a private pool, or anything with even a hint of an ocean view, the territory ensures that you’re touching grass, soaking in the sun, and leaving more relaxed than you came in.
Before you nail down a spot, remember that while Puerto Rico isn’t massive—roughly the size of Connecticut—your trip will require a little bit of regional planning. The island is a quick Caribbean getaway to visit popular beach towns like Rincón, Fajardo, Luquillo, or Aguada, but also the place to be for a historical tour of Old San Juan’s Spanish colonial architecture or a cultural immersion into the local culinary and nightlife scene (where good salsa music and great rum is plentiful). Visit the El Yunque rainforest to see miles of lush vegetation, or lose yourself in the tunnels of Río Camuy Cave Park.
It’s worth noting that Puerto Rico has been dealt a heavy hand of natural disasters over the past decade, so balancing your relaxation days with volunteer opportunities or farm stays can also add to your experience in a meaningful way and help locals directly.
Ahead, we gathered the best Puerto Rico Airbnbs that combine stylish, sun-soaked interiors with an abundance of perks, from dome homes in the country to architectural treasures in San Juan.
Airy Loft in San Juan
Perks: Soaking tub, smart TV, air conditioning, rainfall shower
The seven-minute beach proximity isn’t even half the appeal of this lofty, light-filled space where pops of greenery and warm textures balance out Brutalist concrete walls. The two private terraces are ideal for enjoying your morning coffee, taking a siesta or bath en plein air (thanks to the outdoor tub), or indulging in a nightcap. Indoors, you’re just as well equipped for comfort between the king-size bed in the main sleeping space and the fully-equipped kitchen that gives you a break from running your card at all the restaurants and bars within walking distance. From $269 per night.
Baez Haus Tiny Treehouse at Finca Victoria
Perks: Outdoor shower, complimentary vegan breakfast and yoga classes, air conditioning
For those seeking a more remote getaway, hop on a quick flight from San Juan to Vieques. The island is home to bioluminescent bays, black sand beaches, and a wildlife refuge. This one-bedroom treehouse-style rental is surrounded by greenery, with open terraces that promote seamless indoor-outdoor living. Even when you’re in the privacy of your room, clever window placements give you sneak peeks of the verdant surroundings. Communal spaces are cozy and inviting for socializing, curling up with a book, and soaking up as much sun as possible. From $387 per night.
Tropicalia in San Juan
Perks: BBQ grill, in-unit washer and dryer, free parking, Smart TV
With two bedrooms and enough bed space to sleep six, consider this a major contender for your next group trip to San Juan. The pretty-in-pink interiors, dotted with blond wood furniture and beige decor, are soft and calming. Meanwhile the Bluetooth speaker-enabled home offers a private spot to practice your moves before a night out dancing. The terrace opens up to a patio with a hammock for lazing with a beach read. Plan for at least one night dining in via the outdoor grill and dining area, with the Santurce Farmers Market a short walk away for picking up supplies beforehand. From $263 per night.
Casamerica in Cayey
Perks: Indoor fireplace, washer and dryer, pool, koi pond
Cayey is an hour’s drive away from San Juan for anyone who wants to keep the hustle of a metropolis at an arm’s length. This four-bedroom hillside villa with a lush outdoor space sleeps up to eight people, with enough bathrooms (four of them, not including a powder room) to ensure that no can complain about someone else hogging the mirror for too long. The rooms are decorated with African-inspired furniture and artwork for a safari-inspired escape, with massive windows and terraces that look out onto sweeping mountain views and of course the grounds themselves. Admire the swimming pool and hot tub, koi pond, and outdoor dining area from your perch indoors or experience it first-hand. From $1,200 per night.
Casa Lola in Isabela
Perks: Infinity pool, full kitchen, outdoor shower
Watching the sunrise and sunset should be on the itinerary for anyone who stays in this cabin surrounded by mountains. Start each day with a splash under the outdoor shower, preferably followed by a quick disco nap on the hammock (hey, waking up is hard). The best place to lounge is the neat “terrace” jutting out from the second floor. The location, a hidden spot in Isabela, definitely leans “off the grid” when it comes to vacation rentals. While it’s no oceanside house, you won’t see landscapes like these from your beach chair. From $239 per night.
Dome Home in Cayey
Perks: Outdoor kitchen, private pool, outdoor shower, air conditioning
This single-bed dome is 10 minutes from the town of Cayey but the vibes are far from bustling. Best for nature lovers looking to disconnect (and reconnect), the small pool is the perfect spot for a post-breakfast dip. The outdoor shower is steps from the domed sleeping space housing a king-sized bed with views of the jungle and distant mountains. A fully equipped alfresco kitchen can handle breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From $298 per night.
Villa Blanca in San Juan
Perks: Air conditioning, crib, beach chairs, and cooler
This historic villa is your best bet for a Puerto Rico Airbnb getaway that gets you up close with all the old world architecture of the city center, Old San Juan. Staying here is essentially a lesson in Puerto Rican art as the walls are covered in vibrant works from all corners of La Isla del Encanto, too. Plus, the interiors themselves have been renovated to preserve historic design touches such as arched windows, ornate doors, and sky-high ceilings. Plaza de Armas is a quick stroll away, as well as the never-ending nightlife of Calle San Sebastian. But don’t worry: The two-bedroom home is tucked away on a quiet street so you can still get in your beauty sleep before another day of exploring. From $490 per night.
Jungle Bungalow in San Juan
Perks: Plunge pool, garden patio, air conditioning
You may not find much of a jungle in San Juan but this one-bedroom stay brings some of that very same vibe indoors. While it isn’t oceanfront property, guests are steps from Ocean Park Beach. The interiors are cozy, with plush linens and plenty of spots to lounge. But it’s the outdoor space that caught our eye—an intimate alfresco dining nook was made for happy hours and late-night dinners. The hanging chairs are perfect for reliving the day over a glass of wine. And don’t forget about the plunge pool. It’s not heated, making it a solid choice for cooling down on hot summer days. From $316 per night.
Chic Escape in San Juan
Perks: Espresso maker, soaking tub, pets allowed
Fair warning that you may never want to leave the concrete soaking tub in the sunny tiled bathroom of this San Juan one-bedroom. The design is closer to a boutique hotel than a standard rental, with sumptuous yellow accents that brighten up earthy details such as the stone-slab desk and bench in the workspace, the textile art above the bed, and the woodwork in the kitchenette. Your temporary home is located in the Santurce neighborhood—home to the Puerto Rico Museum of Art and Condado Beach—where a bevy of hip cafes, restaurants, and bars are a short stroll away. From $277 per night.
Yuma at Shacks Beach in Isabela
Perks: Patio, soaking pool, outdoor shower
Beautiful beaches are plentiful in Puerto Rico but you don’t want to get stuck fighting for space on a crowded strip of sand. Located in Isabela, a 90-minute drive beyond San Juan, this tiny home is located steps away from the playa, a quiet spot that’s known for its snorkeling and minimal crowds. The moody, earthy-hued interiors extend to the fully equipped kitchen and the calming, tribal-themed bedroom that gets an A+ for all the natural light that floods in during the day. When you’re not lazing on the terrace or soaking in the small pool out back circled by lush greenery, you can venture into town for more adventures. From $336 per night.
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