Picturesque beaches, watersport adventures, and boating opportunities abound in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Located on the eastern side of Puerto Rico, Fajardo is an excellent place to stay while exploring the area’s nearby islands and cays.
Last fall, I spent a few days in east Puerto Rico with my fiance, and we used Farjado as our base. With a central location on the east side of the island, it provided easy access for everything we wanted to explore. Based on my trip to Farjado, I created this guide to help you learn about all the fun things to do in this section of Puerto Rico, and what you should know before going. Keep reading to learn more!
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About Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Established in the late 1700s, Farjado was one of the places that American troops first invaded Puerto Rico. Located in the northeast section of Puerto Rico’s main island, Farjado is about 50 kilometers from San Juan, or about an hour-long drive.
Today, Farjado boasts tons of great beaches, delicious food, historic landmarks, and stunning wilderness areas. If you’re going to Puerto Rico, you can’t go wrong in this central location that offers so many things to do!
- Weather and Climate: With average high temps in the 80s year-round, Fajardo, Puerto Rico weather is usually warm. Hurricane season lasts from June to November, so the best time to visit Farjado is likely in the spring when the weather is perfect, and the crowds are thinner.
- Getting Around Fajardo: Because public transportation isn’t the best in Puerto Rico, I highly recommend renting a car to explore eastern Puerto Rico. If you want to venture out of Farjado, a car is the quickest way to get to other areas.
- Safety: Is Fajardo, Puerto Rico safe? The short answer is yes! I always feel very safe in Puerto Rico. I have traveled here as a solo female traveler and have never had any problems!
- Currency: As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico uses the U.S. dollar. With no need for currency exchange, this makes it easy!
- Language: Both Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico. English is widely spoken in eastern Puerto Rico, and the language barrier was never an issue for me!
Best Places to Stay in Fajardo
We stayed at an Airbnb studio apartment in Fajardo, which was very affordable, clean, and cute. While this unit was a bit of a walk from the beaches, the incredible ocean views from the apartment were well worth it! The huge private deck, with two hammocks and plenty of lounge chairs, was a lovely spot to relax after a day of sightseeing.
The owner of this rental lives onsite, and he was very kind and helpful during our stay. He is also a passionate gardener, so the tropical landscaping was unparalleled!
Side note…
We loved the cafe next door, Las Vistas Cafe. This cafe’s brunch was the perfect way to start the day; they offered everything from pancakes to fresh fruit. See photos of the magnificent views below!
Best Things To Do in Eastern Puerto Rico
Vibrant wildlife, fresh seafood, and magnificent scenery are just a few of the highlights of eastern Puerto Rico. Keep reading to discover the best things to do near Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
1. Visit Luquillo and Check Out the Strip of 60+ Roadside Diners
Take a 12-minute drive and visit the town of Luquillo, home to “Kisokos De Luquillo.” Here, you can choose between 60 different family-owned food stands, ranging from traditional Puerto Rican cuisine to burgers and pizza.
Perfect for food lovers, this is an excellent place to try many different kinds of local fare at one time. Many of these kiosks offer beach views and live music on the weekends.
2. Kayak Through the Mangrove and View the Bioluminescent at Laguna Grande
Marvel at Puerto Rico’s glowing waters by going on a kayaking tour in the evening. The bluish glow in Laguna Grande is caused by dinoflagellates, organisms that react to water movement by activating a glowing defense mechanism. Witnessing this mechanism in action is truly enchanting.
We booked a kayaking tour through Puerto Rico Bio Bay Tours. Tours are offered almost every night, except for Sundays. Simply click the day and time that works for you and follow the easy online booking instructions. Prices are in the $50 range, and it is totally worth it!
3. Snorkel Along the Shore at Seven Seas Beach
Only a short walk from our Airbnb, we knew we had to snorkel at Seven Seas Beach! We saw plenty of precious marine life while snorkeling in these clear blue waters. I especially loved the tiny hermit crabs and several colorful fish.
With Blue Flag status, this beach is one of the cleanest and safest beaches in the area. The water is usually calm, and lifeguards work here during the day, so this is a great place to swim.
Across the street, you can find a handful of fantastic eateries and places to grab a drink. Enjoy a cold Modello (a.k.a.- beer!) while recovering from a long day of swimming.
4. Pose in Front of Fajardo’s Historic Lighthouse
Known as “Faro Las Cabezas de San Juan,” this historic lighthouse is located on the highest point of Cape San Juan in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Built in 1880, this lighthouse became the first to be transferred to a non-governmental organization, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust.
Today, this lighthouse is the perfect excursion for panoramic ocean views and a dose of Puerto Rican History.
5. Use Fajardo as a Launching Pad for Exploring Vieques and Culebra
The Fajardo, Puerto Rico ferry is an excellent starting point for exploring several islands off the coast of Puerto Rico. One of these islands, Vieques, is about an hour-long ferry ride from Fajardo. Here, you can explore dozens of undeveloped beach coves, bioluminescent bays, and many secluded beaches. Due to ferry times, Vieques is usually best explored as an overnight trip.
Culebra is a 40-minute ferry ride from Fajardo, making this an easy day trip. This tiny island is one of Puerto Rico’s hidden gems. With some of the top beaches in the world, the powdery sand and abundant ocean life make this island worth a visit.
If you want to learn more about these stunning tropical islands, check out the link below!
Culebra vs. Vieques: Which Puerto Rican Island Should You Visit?
6. Zipline Through El Yunque National Rainforest
As the only rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, El Yunque is a must-visit while in Puerto Rico. Only a 25-minute drive from Fajardo, the longest zipline in this forest is over 2300 feet! Explore the top of the canopy and relish views of this tropical rainforest.
If ziplining isn’t your thing, you can also play on the several hanging bridges, experiment with some repelling, or go on a hike. Exploring the rainforest in Puerto Rico is guaranteed to be an unforgettable adventure!
7. Enjoy Local Seafood at the Oceanfront Las Croabas
When the restaurant has pictures of the food, you know it’s gonna be good! Oceanfront Las Croabas Park serves some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in the area.
Specializing in mofongo, a traditional Puerto Rican dish with deep-fried plantains and pork or seafood, this is a great spot to try the local fare! Other menu favorites include the seafood paella and seafood tostones, which you can enjoy on the large outdoor patio.
8. Swing and Swim at Las Tinajas Waterfalls in Ceiba
If you’re a fan of outdoor adventures, you need to check out Las Tinajas Waterfalls in Ceiba. The Fajardo River offers two experiences, the Charco Frio and Las Tinajas.
Charco Frio offers a series of pools, perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Las Tinajas has a rope swing, rock water slide, several waterfalls, and natural pools for swimming, an ideal area for those who are a little more daring.
9. Hike Through the Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve
Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is a top attraction in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. With coral reefs, mangroves, bioluminescent lagoons, sandy beaches, rocky coasts, and forests, you can experience all of these ecosystems in one place.
Two of the top trails in this nature reserve are La Zanja Trail and Natural Reserve Path. No matter which one you choose, you are guaranteed to witness some incredible scenery and wildlife.
10. Soak Up the Sun at Puerto Rico’s Gorgeous Playa Escondida
Translating to “hidden beach,” Playa Escondida is a 25-minute hike through a mangrove forest from Seven Seas Beach. This secluded shore showcases bright blue water and golden sand.
While you might be tempted to cool off in the water after all that hiking, be careful! This beach is infamous for strong currents and rip tides, so swimming is not recommended.
Ready to Start Planning Your Puerto Rico Vacation?
With island excursions, secluded beaches, and impressive landmarks, Fajardo, Puerto Rico is the perfect spot for your next Caribbean vacation. If you are looking for more things to do in Puerto Rico, check out these other Big World, Small Girl Travel Blogs:
- Heading to Old San Juan? Best Things to Do in Old San Juan
- Want to know more about beaches? Guide to Puerto Rico Beaches
- Get the Puerto Rico ULTIMATE Travel Guide here