What is the largest municipality in Puerto Rico?

The largest municipality in Puerto Rico by population is San Juan, the capital of the island. San Juan is the main economic, historical, and cultural center of Puerto Rico and part of the metropolitan area.

What is the difference between a town and a city in Puerto Rico?

In Puerto Rico, the terms town and city are commonly used to describe municipalities. All municipalities have their own local government regardless of their size or population. Some are large urban centers while others are smaller rural communities.

What can visitors find in the municipalities of Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico's municipalities offer a variety of attractions including historic town centers, cultural festivals, traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, beaches, natural reserves, mountains, rivers, and tropical forests.

Which municipalities are located on the islands of Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico has two island municipalities located outside the main island: Vieques and Culebra. Both are known for their beautiful beaches, natural reserves, and unique marine ecosystems.

Why explore Puerto Rico by region?

Exploring Puerto Rico by region helps visitors discover the island’s diverse landscapes and cultures. Each region offers different experiences, from Caribbean beaches and historic cities to mountains, rainforests, and traditional towns.

Municipalities of Puerto Rico by Region

Q: How many municipalities are in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico has 78 municipalities, which function as the main administrative divisions of the island. Each municipality has its own local government, mayor, and municipal legislature responsible for managing local services, infrastructure, and community activities.

Q: What are some of the most well-known municipalities in Puerto Rico?

Some of the most well-known municipalities in Puerto Rico include San Juan for its history and Old San Juan, Ponce known as The Pearl of the South, Mayagüez as an important university city, Rincón for surfing, and Cabo Rojo for its beaches and the Los Morrillos Lighthouse.

The island of Puerto Rico has 78 municipalities, each with its own cultural identity, history, and natural landscapes. From historic cities such as San Juan and Ponce to coastal towns like Rincón, Luquillo, and Cabo Rojo, every municipality offers unique experiences for both residents and visitors.

Despite its relatively small size, Puerto Rico presents remarkable geographic diversity. In a single trip, it is possible to explore Caribbean Sea beaches, Atlantic Ocean coastlines, tropical mountains, rainforests, colonial towns, and natural reserves.

To make exploring the island easier, Puerto Rico is commonly organized into five main tourism regions, each with distinct geographic, cultural, and natural characteristics.

The tourism regions of Puerto Rico are:

Below you can explore the cities and towns of Puerto Rico organized by region, with links to detailed information about each municipality.

How Many Municipalities Are in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico has 78 municipalities, which serve as the main administrative divisions of the island. These municipalities are distributed throughout Puerto Rico and include cities, coastal towns, rural communities, and major urban centers, each with its own local government and traditions.

Each municipality has cultural and geographic characteristics that distinguish it. Among the elements that often define Puerto Rico’s municipalities are:

A historic town center
Local culture and traditions
Traditional cuisine
Natural attractionss
Festivals and community celebrations

Exploring Puerto Rico by municipality allows visitors to discover a wide variety of landscapes and experiences, from tropical beaches and natural reserves to mountains, rivers, and historic towns.

Complete List of Municipalities of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is administratively divided into 78 municipalities, which function as the main units of local government on the island. Each municipality has its own mayor, municipal legislature, and local administration, responsible for managing community services, urban development, culture, and municipal activities.

Municipalities vary considerably in size, population, and geography. Some are large urban centers such as San Juan, Bayamón, or Carolina, while others are smaller towns located in mountainous areas or along the coast.

Among the characteristics that distinguish the municipalities of Puerto Rico are:

Unique cultural identity
Local traditions and patron saint festivals
Historic architecture and traditional town centers
Regional cuisine
Natural attractions such as beaches, mountains, rivers, and natural reserves

Exploring Puerto Rico’s municipalities allows visitors to experience the island’s cultural diversity and discover historic towns, natural landscapes, and authentic experiences beyond the most well-known tourist destinations.

You can explore the municipalities that are part of the Porta Atlántico region below.
Select any city or town to learn about its attractions, history, and points of interest.

North Region

Porta Atlántico

Región Central Porta Cordillera — Northern Region - Porta Atlántico

The northern region of Puerto Rico, known as Porta Atlántico, stretches along the Atlantic Ocean coastline. This area is famous for its caves, scenic beaches, underground rivers, and historic sites.

Among its main attractions are:

Camuy River Cave Park
Atlantic beaches
Coastal landscapes and natural reserves

Cities and Towns of Porta Atlántico

Central Region

Porta Cordillera

The central region of Puerto Rico, known as Porta Cordillera, is dominated by the Cordillera Central, the largest mountain range on the island.

This mountainous landscape offers:

Tropical forests
Scenic viewpoints
Coffee routes
Waterfalls and rivers
A cooler climate

Cities and Towns of Porta Cordillera

Eastern Region

Porta Antillas

The eastern region of Puerto Rico, known as Porta Antillas, is home to some of the island’s most famous natural treasures.

Here you will find El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.

The region also includes spectacular islands such as Vieques and Culebra, as well as beaches, mangroves, and natural reserves.

Cities and Towns of Porta Antillas

Western Region

Porta Del Sol

The western region of Puerto Rico, known as Porta del Sol, is famous for its beaches, surfing, and spectacular sunsets over the Caribbean Sea.

This region stretches from Isabela in the northwest to Guánica in the southwest, and it is one of the island’s most popular destinations for water activities.

Cities and Towns of Porta del Sol

Puerto Rico and Its Municipalities

Puerto Rico is composed of 78 municipalities distributed across five main tourism regions: Porta Atlántico, Porta Cordillera, Porta Caribe, Porta Antillas, and Porta del Sol. Each municipality offers a unique combination of history, culture, natural landscapes, and local traditions that reflect the island’s geographic and cultural diversity.

Exploring Puerto Rico’s municipalities allows visitors to discover historic towns, Caribbean and Atlantic beaches, tropical mountains, nature reserves, and cultural festivals that form an essential part of the island’s identity.

Explore More of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico offers much more than beaches. Its history, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty make the island a diverse and vibrant destination.

After exploring the cities and towns by region, you can also discover:

North Coast Beaches – Porta Atlántico
West Coast Beaches – Porta del Sol
East Coast Beaches – Porta Antillas
South Coast Beaches – Porta Caribe

These guides include information about beaches, natural reserves, coastal towns, and local attractions to help you explore each region of Puerto Rico in greater depth.