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HOW TO GET TO FAJARDO

Fajardo is a popular destination for vacation travelers on the island, and it’s no surprise why. Fajardo not only has some of the most beautiful beaches on the whole island but is also conveniently located close to one of Puerto Rico’s most popular natural attractions, El Yunque Rainforest. To get to Fajardo from San Juan you’ll need to drive about an hour east on Route 66, then continue on Road 3, and pass the municipalities of Rio Grande and Luquillo until you get to Fajardo.

WHERE TO STAY IN FAJARDO

EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT

During our visit to Fajardo, we stayed at one of the most iconic hotels in Puerto Rico, El Conquistador Resort. El Conquistador, which was originally built in the 1960s, is perched on a 300-foot-high cliffside overlooking the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and neighboring islands and cays. Its lavish modernist and continental Spanish architecture, as well as its numerous amenities such as a fabulous circular casino featured in James Bond’s Goldfinger, made this the Caribbean’s finest resort and the epitome of glamour in its early days. However, after the passing of Hurricane María in 2017 it was left abandoned and deteriorating until 2019 when it was bought by a group of Puerto Rican businessmen with the mission to restore it to its old glory.

And in 2021 they did just that when it reopened along with its numerous amenities such as its award-winning 18-hole golf course, numerous pools, restaurants, tennis courts, and its very own private island called Isla Palomino. If you’re looking to stay in El Conquistador, you have several accommodation options, including rooms at the very top of the cliff, rooms near the marina, as well as private villas.

LAS CASITAS AT EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT

During our visit to El Conquistador, we opted to stay at Las Casitas Village. These private villas are absolutely gorgeous and wandering around them gives you a sense of being in a small Mediterranean town thanks to its charming small plazas, elegant fountains, and colorful blooming trees. Our room was on the second floor of a villa and featured a spacious bedroom with a huge king-sized bed next to a comfortable balcony with a spectacular oceanfront view.

Las Casitas Village in El Conquistador Resort

If you’re staying at Las Castias Village you’ll be able to enjoy a refreshing dip in any of their four distinct pools located throughout the village including two infinity pools with unmatched views of the Caribbean Sea and neighboring islands. Not only this, but you’ll also have access by walking or golf cart to the main hotel area where you can also enjoy all of their amenities. However, one crucial thing to note is that if you book a room at Las Casitas Village through Airbnb you might NOT have access to the main hotel’s amenities, including the Coquí Water Park. So, if you want to stay at Las Casitas and guarantee that you have access to all the amenities, make sure to book a room through El Conquistador Resort’s official website where you’ll also be able to view other room types and rates.

WHAT TO DO AT EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT

COQUÍ WATER PARK

One of the most popular amenities that you definitely don’t want to miss when you visit El Conquistador Resort is the Coquí Water Park. To get to the Coquí Water Park from the main lobby you’ll need to head down to the marina area by hopping onto the quirky funiculars, a cable railroad system that runs down the cliffside. While riding down this unique mode of transportation you’ll have impressive views of the marina area and the residential island called Isleta Marina. Once near the marina, you’ll walk to your right until you see the entrance of the Coquí Waterpark.

The Coquí Water Park truly offers something for the whole family. You can go from playing with your kids in the shallow swimming area to lounging around in the many beach chairs available, followed by spending some time admiring the ocean in the infinity pool. But, by far the main reason most people want to visit the Coquí Water Park is because of its three exhilarating water slides.

To get to the water slides you’ll need to go up some stairs in the Torre de Yocahú where you’ll first encounter the Huracán and Marohu water slides. On both of these slides you’ll go down thrilling twists and turns, however in the Huracán water slide you’ll go down without a floating tube while on the Morahú water slide you’ll be required to use a one-person or two-person floating tube. After having a great time with your family going down these slides, you’ll definitely want to head up to the very top of the tower to the highest water slide in the park called El Gigante Dormido, or The Sleeping Giant. On this intimidating 253-foot-tall, heart-pounding speed slide you’ll need to lay on your back and catch your breath before launching down a nearly 90-degree slope that will thrust you down at blazing speeds into the pools below.

Shallow and Infinity Pool at the Coquí Water Park

After all this action, you’ll definitely want to take a break and relax while going around the lazy river. Here you’ll grab a floating tube and let the current take you through a serene landscape around the water park where you’ll encounter waterfalls coming down from the main tower.

ISLA PALOMINO

Even though the pools at the Coquí Water Park are amazing, most people who visit Fajardo look forward to spending some time lounging around at one of its many beaches. And given that El Conquistador Resort is right next to the water, I wouldn’t blame you if you assume that you’d have direct access to a beautiful beach within walking distance from the hotel. However, because of its cliffside location, El Conquistador’s shoreline is not apt for beachgoers. But don’t worry, because guests staying at El Conquistador have exclusive access to its very own private island called Isla Palomino.

If you want to visit Palomino, you’ll need to request a spot during your check-in process for the ferry boat that takes guests to the island from 10AM to 3PM with the last boat returning guests to El Conquistador from Palomino at 5PM. Although your spot on the ferry boat is pretty assured once you reserve it, make sure to arrive at the marina area a couple of minutes before your assigned departure time to make sure you’re one of the first people to hop onto the 15-minute ferry ride to Palomino.

Once you get to Palomino, you’ll be welcomed by a pristine white sand beach lined with palm trees, turquoise-colored water from the Caribbean Sea, and incredible views of El Yunque and the main island of Puerto Rico. Palomino also has incredible amenities such as complimentary beach chairs, towels, a beachside bar, a gift shop, changing rooms, and bathrooms. All of this makes Palomino the perfect place to have a quintessential Caribbean beach experience without lacking the comforts and amenities of a luxury resort.

Not only this, but the island also has a full-service restaurant called Palomino Bar & Grill. This restaurant has a tropical atmosphere thanks to its open-aired environment allowing in the coastal winds and providing a serene view of the beach nearby. Here we ate a Churrasco Poke Bowl with steak and sweet plantains called amarillitos, piña coladas, corn fritters called sorullitos, a juicy burger, and even tasted El Conquistador Resort’s signature beer produced by a local brewery.

After experiencing the seaside paradise that is Palomino, don’t be surprised if you find it difficult to leave. But, whenever you’re ready to come back to the resort, just make the line to hop back onto the ferry that arrives at Palomino every half hour to take guests back to El Conquistador Resort.

POOLS AT EL CONQUISTADOR

Those looking for a more relaxing afternoon under the sun might want to check out the numerous outdoor pools at El Conquistador Resort. These large pools offer a serene and glamorous ambiance surrounded by palm trees, beautiful architecture, pristine landscaping, and elegant fountains and waterfalls. Here you’ll be able to get a tan in the many lounge chairs available, swim your way to the poolside bar for a tropical cocktail, and even relax in a secluded jacuzzi overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT

We have to say that we were overwhelmingly satisfied with our stay at El Conquistador Resort. Everything we experienced exceeded our expectations. From the customer service, the pristine landscaping and cleanliness, the top-notch facilities, and the variety of amenities and activities to do. You could easily spend several days at El Conquistador Resort without getting bored or having to leave at all and still not do everything there is to do. Our only regret is that we only stayed for one night. We would have liked to experience everything at a slower pace and enjoy more of the amenities such as the tennis courts, the spa, and the in-house restaurants. But that just means, we’ll need to go back soon.

Now, I know that because of all of these amenities, it can be tempting to not leave El Conquistador at all during your stay, but I encourage everyone to venture out of the resort and explore the amazing coastal municipality of Fajardo.

THINGS TO DO IN FAJARDO

BIOLUMINESCENT BAY KAYAK TOUR

If you’re visiting the east side of Puerto Rico, it’s more than likely that you’re looking forward to one of the most popular things to do in Fajardo, the Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay. The Fajardo Bio Bay is one of three bio bays in Puerto Rico and one of few around the world. Although the bio bay is located within the Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve, to begin your journey you’ll need to head over to Las Croabas, a community located near the coast where you will also find many great seafood restaurants. There you’ll head over to the Kayak Village where most of the kayak tour operators begin their journey into the bio bay. If you search “Kayak Village Fajardo” on Google Maps you will see many of these tour operators which you can contact to coordinate your visit, but you should also check out the fajardo bio bay tour operator we used during our visit.

Once you arrive at the Kayak Village, you’ll begin your adventure by hopping into the water on a two-person kayak and row your way into the bio bay through a waterway that meanders through the mangroves. After rowing for about 20 minutes while marveling over the beautifully unique natural landscape and going through luscious tree canopies, the narrow waterway will open up to reveal the grand Laguna Grande. Here, you’ll make your way to the center of the lagoon and wait patiently for the sun to set. As the night darkens, the tour guides will place a large tarp over the kayaks to block out any remaining light pollution and help the group appreciate the bioluminescence of this natural wonder caused by microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates.

Now, I was fortunate enough to have visited the Fajardo Bio Bay more than 15 years ago, and if I’m being completely honest, it is evident that environmental and light pollution has had its toll on the brightness of the bio bay since then. But, don’t get me wrong, if you’ve never seen a bio bay before, I would still recommend visiting the Fajardo Bio Bay because you will still be able to see this natural phenomenon, especially during a new moon.

However, if you want to have by far the best bioluminescent bay experience in Puerto Rico, try staying at least one night in the island municipality of Vieques so that you can visit the vibrant Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay. If you’re interested in visiting Vieques, make sure to check out my Ultimate Vieques Travel Guide where I share with you everything you need to know including how to get to Vieques, things to do, and what to expect from the Vieques Bio Bay.

LAS CROABAS

After your roughly two-hour adventure in the Fajardo Bioluminescent Bay, you might want to get something delicious to eat, and what better place to do this than Las Croabas. As I mentioned before, at Las Croabas you’ll find multiple delicious seafood restaurants serving traditional Puerto Rican dishes. But, apart from its quality gastronomical offerings, Las Croabas is a fantastic friendly place to visit during the day and night where you’ll generally see locals and families spending quality time together.

If you visit Las Croabas during the day, you’ll be able to take great vacation photos in front of the beautiful murals painted on the side of the center stage or in front of the giant Puerto Rican flag mural painted by local artist Hector Collazo Hernandez. Kids can also let their inner pirate come out while playing with their friends in the nautical-inspired playground while their parents buy the whole family a delicious Puerto Rican frozen dessert called piragua. And, if you can’t get enough of the sea, you’ll be able to take a stroll on the beachside walkway and even dip your toes in the water and walk a few feet into the ocean to discover a tiny island right off the coast of Las Croabas.

LA ESTACIÓN RESTAURANT

Now, even though Fajardo is known for its delicious seafood, it is also home to one of the best BBQ restaurants in the Caribbean called La Estación. This award-winning restaurant’s unique approach to traditional BBQ mixed with Puerto Rican cooking styles and locally sourced ingredients has won praise from many influential publications such as Conde Nast, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times.

La Estación is conveniently located near the entrance of El Conquistador, and its decoration and open-aired environment are inspired by the structure of the gas station that used to inhabit its place. Its menu is filled with so many delicious options that we decided to go for the BBQ Sampler which included an assortment of meats and appetizers inspired by local cuisine such as brisket, Guavate style ribs, pulled pork, arepas, and cornbread.

I must confess that even though I am not a ribs type of person, I was absolutely blown away by the flavors of everything we ate. Without a doubt, if you’re near or staying in Fajardo, you must stop by La Estación if you want to eat at one of the most delicious BBQ restaurants in the Caribbean.

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PANADERIA MONTE BRISAS

And, I know that I generally suggest brunch options for breakfast on my travel guides, but this time I wanted to highlight the traditional and local Puerto Rican bakeries such as Panadería Monte Brisas. At panaderías similar to Monte Brisas you’ll find extremely friendly employees serving simple yet hardy breakfasts such as sandwiches and scrambled eggs served with delicious toasts made with authentic Puerto Rican style bread called pan sobao or pan de agua. Here you can also get authentic Puerto Rican pastries such as questions, mayorcas, tres leche, and tembleque. So, next time you’re looking for an authentic Puerto Rican breakfast experience, make sure to check out Panadería Monte Brisas if you’re in Fajardo or any of the great panaderías all around the island.

BALNEARIO SEVEN SEAS

Now, what would a travel guide about Fajardo be without mentioning some of its beautiful beaches? After having a delicious breakfast at a traditional Puerto Rican panadería, you’ll want to head over to one of the most popular beaches in Fajardo, the Balneario Seven Seas. The Balneario Seven Seas is a calm and family-friendly beach where you’ll find tranquil waves gently crashing on the shore which is lined with tropical pine trees that provide a refreshing shade perfect for those looking to escape the warm Caribbean sun.

The Balneario Seven Seas also counts with large bathrooms, showers, BBQs, and a campsite for those looking to reconnect with nature and spend as much time as possible at the beach.

PLAYA ESCONDIDA

And if for some reason you want a change of scenery while also having an adventure, you can visit the Playa Escondida and Playa Colorá, two hidden beaches within walking distance of the Balneario Seven Seas.

To get to the trail leading to the Playa Colorá and Playa Escondida you’ll need to walk west along the coast of the Balneario Seven Seas until you see an opening surrounded by trees. During this trek, you’ll be surrounded by interesting plants and ecosystems such as mangroves growing out of seawater swamps, mysterious trees that provoke an eerie sensation, and the occasional opening to the sea. After a ten-minute walk, you’ll come up to a crossroad where you can continue forward to visit Playa Escondida or go right to visit Playa Colorá.

Entrance to Playa Escondida & Playa Colorá Trail

If you decide to continue to Playa Escondida, which is Spanish for hidden beach, you’ll need to walk for about six more minutes from the crossroad on a trail that gets narrower and narrower the further you go. However, once you get closer to your destination the trail opens up to reveal the beautiful Playa Escondida.

This breathtaking beach, which seems to go on as far as the eyes can see, is perfect for those looking for a secluded and calm environment away from the crowds. The water at Playa Escondida is impressively crystal-clear and the perfect temperature to relax and unwind. However, despite its beauty and peacefulness, Playa Escondida does have a powerful underwater current that can drag you out into the open sea if you get too confident and let your guard down. For this reason, I suggest that when visiting Playa Escondida or any other beach in Puerto Rico, you should stay close to the shoreline where you have firm footing to walk out of the water at any moment, to prevent an unfortunate situation.

PLAYA COLORÁ

When heading back on the trail from Playa Escondida, you’ll definitely want to turn left at the crosswalk to see Playa Colorá. Playa Colorá derives its name from the peculiar reddish color of its sand caused by the erosion of the volcanic rock nearby which deposits minerals such as iron that create this vibrant color.

However, Playa Colorá is equally as dangerous as it is breathtaking. Here, you’ll be able to fully admire the dominant force of nature as the fierce waves rush in and out of the coastline, making this beach incredibly dangerous to get into. Despite this, Playa Colorá is a must-see beach in Fajardo to simply sit on the shore, admire the volcanic rocks in its surroundings, dig your feet into the vibrant red-colored sand, and develop a newfound respect for the powerful force of mother nature.

RESERVA NATURAL DE LAS CABEZAS DE SAN JUAN

If you enjoyed walking through the trails to get to Playa Escondida and Playa Colorá and want to see more of the interesting natural ecosystems in Fajardo, you should definitely book a guided tour of the Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve. The Reserva Natural Cabezas de San Juan is an impressive 300-acre natural reserve located within walking distance of the Seven Seas Beach that is managed by the non-profit organization Para La Naturalreza which also provides guided tours of the natural reserve. To book your guided tour of the reserve simply go to Para La Naturaleza’s website and choose the date, time, and language for your tour.

MANGROVE AND DRY FOREST

You’ll begin your approximately two-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the Cabezas de San Juan by meeting your guides in the main building close to their spacious parking area. From here you’ll hop on a comfortable trolley that will take you around the reserve, with the occasional stop at certain areas to explore and learn more on foot. During your first stop, you’ll walk into the mangrove forest on a wooden walkway to learn more about the mangrove’s lifecycle, how they have adapted to the hypersaline environment, and how they contribute to their ecosystem and the animals that inhabit it such as fish, coastal birds, and crustaceans like the Blue Crab.

PLAYA CRATER

After this, you’ll hop back onto the trolley that will take you to the northeasternmost tip of the main island of Puerto Rico where you’ll then walk to Playa Crater. This beach is unique because its shoreline is mostly composed of many small rocks that make an intriguing sound caused by their movement as waves crash back and forth along the shore. Here, you’ll learn how this curious shoreline was formed as well as hold sea sponges, corals, crustacean exoskeletons, and other organisms that form part of this ecosystem.

FAJARDO LIGHTHOUSE

Your final stop during this guided tour of the Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve will be the beautiful Fajardo Lighthouse. This lighthouse, built in 1880 by the Spanish, has neoclassical and Spanish colonial architecture and is considered to be one of the oldest lighthouses in Puerto Rico. Its privileged location on the highest point of the reserve allows it to serve as a reference point for ships sailing near the coast of Fajardo and provides visitors with breathtaking views of the island and cays nearby including Icacos, Palomino, Vieques, Culebra, and St. Thomas.

Without a doubt, the Cabeza de San Juan Natural Reserve's numerous ecosystems, such as the Laguna Grande, dry and mangrove forests, rocky beaches, and others, make this a must-see place in Fajardo for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in the wonders of Puerto Rico's ecological diversity.

HACIENDA CHOCOLAT

Now, if you’re vacationing in Fajardo you more than likely only think about it as a coastal community, but Fajardo is not just beautiful beaches and palm trees. The municipality of Fajardo stretches from the northeasternmost tip of the main island of Puerto Rico all the way into the island where it forms part of El Yunque Rainforest. This inland area of the municipality of Fajardo can’t be any more different from its coastal community. Here you’ll find luscious vegetation, high mountain peaks, and a more humid climate perfect for growing all types of crops. And it's precisely here where we find Hacienda Chocolat, the last stop on this list of things to do in Fajardo.

Hacienda Chocolat is a cacao farm located on the foothills of El Yunque Rainforest which offers a variety of tours and experiences in their farm. Because of its location, to get to Hacienda Chocolat you’ll need to drive uphill on country roads that get slightly more challenging for smaller cars the closer you get to the farm. Once you arrive at the parking area, the staff will pick you up in an offroad vehicle which will drop you off at the starting location for your tour, in our case the cacao walking tour.

Here, we met the farm’s project manager who captivated our attention thanks to his vast experience and knowledge of the coffee and cacao industry. During our walking tour of the cacao farm, we learned about the different types of cacao trees they cultivate in the hacienda which produce different colored cacao pods, how they harvest the cacao pods that carry the seeds used to produce chocolate, how they’ve organized their farm so that different types of crops work together to produce a better harvest, and even the challenges that they face in Puerto Rico to produce cacao such as powerful hurricanes and droughts induced by global warming.

Varieties of Cacao at Hacienda Chocolat in Fajardo

After this, you’ll head over to the building at the very top of the farm where you’ll be welcomed with hot chocolate with spices produced from cacao from their farm and a breathtaking view of the forest and Fajardo’s coastline. Here the staff will give you an in-depth explanation of how the cacao seeds are turned into chocolate while you’re served their local artisan chocolate made from 75% and 55% cacao. You’ll also be able to hold the cacao pods, taste the cacao pulps they carry inside before they’re processed, and even taste 100% pure cacao after being toasted.

Finally, you’ll have the chance to buy some of the products they make from their cacao trees including their artisan chocolate and tea made from the roasted cacao husk. If you’re interested in a wonderful and interactive agricultural learning experience to round off your trip to Fajardo, make sure to book a tour of the Hacienda Chocolat, by simply visiting their website where they have a variety of experiences for you to choose from including an art, wine, & chocolate experience and a rum, tobacco, and chocolate tasting.

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