Puerto Rico’s boating capital, Fajardo, is known both for its variety of boating activities and for being a gateway to the Vieques and Culebra islands, but this place is more than the sum of its marinas.
A day trip to Fajardo will show you a picturesque national park, a stunning beach, great local food, and a magical night excursion to a glow-in-the-dark bio bay, all easily accessible from Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan.
If you are taking a day trip from the city, try to leave in the morning to make the most of the hours of the day, including at least an hour for traffic delays and food stops, even though Fajardo is only 40 miles from San Juan’s main airport.
A day outdoors in Fajardo
Once you get to Fajardo, it’s best to start with Cabezas de San Juan National Park, located on the eastern tip of the island and home to a 19th-century lighthouse. The park has stunning views of the Caribbean, El Yunque, and a variety of eco-friendly settings and is a great place for a mid-morning snack before heading out to the beach.
From Cabezas de San Juan National Park, you will travel along Route 987 until you reach Seven Seas Beach, a beautiful public beach with all the comforts and facilities, named after the seven different shades of blue-green in the water. Here you can swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean, lie on the beach, or enjoy a picnic lunch.
Alternatively, if you want a change of pace from Puerto Rican cuisine, try Blue Iguana, widely considered one of the best Mexican restaurants on the island, or you could travel to the local Pasión por el Fogón spot instead of some locals. rate.
As the sun goes down, you can linger on the beach to see the view or head to El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa for games, spa treatments, or a round of golf to round out your afternoon.
A night of bioluminescence in Fajardo
You cannot leave Fajardo without visiting its natural jewel: the bio bay. Although there are other bioluminescent bays on the island (including Vieques Biobay), Fajardo’s is worth the trip for the chance to catch a glimpse of these single-celled fluorescent organisms at night.
If you can, try to plan your trip around the new moon, when only the stars and bioluminescent organisms in the water will be visible. The best way to see them, whenever you do, is by kayak, and various companies like Yokahú Kayak Trips will take you on a tour of the bay or allow you to rent a kayak to go alone.
Visitors can no longer jump into the water and paddle, watching the water around them glowing bright green, but they can dip their hands and see the neon effect of their paddles in the water. The glowing phenomenon, by the way, is the result of millions of tiny single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates , releasing energy in the form of light.
When you’re done, head back to San Juan on Route 3, but be sure to stop by the kiosks, a continuous chain of about 75 stalls selling all kinds of crunchy sandwiches, fritters, and turnovers, along with cheap drinks and other groceries! and they are open late!
