Fajardo is an area in Puerto Rico, situated on the north-east side of the main island.
This is a popular vacation destination for locals and tourists alike — but why?
Maybe it’s because you can kayak in a bioluminescent bay and see a colonial lighthouse on the same trip!
I’ve been traveling to the island every summer for my entire life, so I know how much there is to experience in Fajardo.
In this article, I will cover:
– What is Fajardo?
– Where is Fajardo located?
– What is the best way to get to Fajardo from San Juan?
– How much is a taxi from San Juan to Fajardo?
– How do you get around Fajardo?
– What is Fajardo, Puerto Rico known for?
– Does Fajardo have good beaches?
– Is Fajardo worth visiting?
– When is the best time to go to Fajardo?
– Other frequently asked questions
Fajardo is a municipality on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico that was founded between 1760 and 1774.
Fajardo includes attractions like Puerto del Rey marina, Seven Seas Beach, Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay, and more.
Off the coast of Fajardo, there are a few islets, or cays — most notably Icacos and Isla Palomino.
Icacos is a popular sailing destination, and catamaran chargers are available to visit the cay.
Below is a video showing Fajardo’s restaurants and island hopping:
Fajardo is located about an hour’s drive to the east of San Juan, on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico’s main island.
Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Fajardo:
The best way to get to Fajardo from San Juan is to rent a car outside of the San Juan airport.
From there you’ll take Route 66 east, meet with Route 3, and Route 3 will take you all the way to Fajardo.
Since Fajardo is relatively close to San Juan and is a more urban area, taxis and Ubers will most likely be available to and from your destination.
A standard taxi from the San Juan airport to Fajardo would cost you somewhere in the $75-$100 price range.
An Uber for the same distance, from the San Juan airport to Fajardo, would cost about $60 for up to four people.
The best way to get around on your own schedule would be to rent a car.
There are parts of Fajardo that you can walk to, like parks, beaches, and the Fajardo town square, but for the most part, it is difficult to get around without a car.
There are a few things that Fajardo is well known for, but its most popular attraction is the Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay.
Laguna Grande is one of only three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico, and one of only five total in the world.
Laguna Grande is the only bioluminescent bay to technically not be a bay, but a lake.
The Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is found in Fajardo, which is where you can find Laguna Grande, as well as hiking trails and tours of the many ecosystems located here.
One of Puerto Rico’s Blue Flag beaches, Seven Seas Beach, is in Fajardo as well, just outside of the lagoon and nature reserve.
Fajardo is known as a great destination for watersports and recreational boating, like sailing, parasailing, kayaking, snorkeling, chartering catamarans, and many more.
View this post on Instagram
Photo Credit: @turisteandoenpr
Being a popular hub for water sports, Fajardo is also fittingly home to the largest marina in the Caribbean, Puerto del Rey, which can hold over 2,000 boats at one time.
Because Fajardo is home to Puerto del Rey, it is a popular launching port to Culebra, Vieques, and the US and British Virgin Islands.
The video below shows Laguna Grande Bio Bay in Fajardo:
Yes, Fajardo has 46 beaches but is most notably home to Seven Seas Beach.
Seven Seas Beach is a Blue Flag beach, which is an award only given to beaches for excellence in environmental education and management, water quality, and safety.
Seven Seas Beach is a great family destination, with showers, lockers, lifeguards, food kiosks, and plenty for all to experience on your vacation.
Nearby Seven Seas and its kiosks are the Cabezas de San Juan Reserve, where you can visit the Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay, and a campground.
View this post on Instagram
Photo credit: @enjoyfajardo
Two very quiet beaches in Fajardo, for those who like a less busy day out, are Playa Escondida and Playa Colorá.
Playa Escondida and Playa Colorá are located about a 20 to 30-minute hike away from Seven Seas Beach.
Yes! Fajardo is a great place to visit during your vacation to Puerto Rico.
There are tons of activities for you and the family to enjoy, whether it be kayaking in Laguna Grande, spending a day at Seven Seas, or splashing at Coqui Water Park during your stay at El Conquistador Resort.
The best time to go to Fajardo is during the winter months, from November to March.
The weather is cool at night, in the ’70s, and comfortable heat at about 85 degrees during the day.
From November to March, Puerto Rico sees the most foreign travel, but locals on the island aren’t traveling, so you’re not fighting two crowds.
It’s also worth noting that flights in the winter months tend to be less expensive, especially around the holidays.
When planning your next trip to Puerto Rico, have a look at our article How Much Does It Cost to Go to Puerto Rico for Vacation for all you need to know.
Not very well, no. There are parts of Fajardo that you can walk to and from, but for the most part, you will be better off in a car.
Yes, in fact, you can pay to take surfing lessons at La Pared Beach in Fajardo.
Yes! Fajardo is home to the Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay in the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve.
Yes and no. Entrance to Seven Seas Beach is free, however, you do have to pay for parking, lockers, showers, and food.
Fajardo is full of natural beauty and is definitely worth visiting.
While you are in Fajardo, make sure to visit the Laguna Grande Bio Bay; this is the most unique experience in the area.
If you are looking for other fun activities, then check out our article about the 45 best things to do in Puerto Rico.
Writer at PuertoRico.com. Growing up in New York and spending my summers in Puerto Rico, I have always loved writing, travel, and animals. I began my career as a travel writer, and after many different jobs in media, I have settled back into what I love most. I enjoy the beach, exploring the island with my family, and coffee!
About the author
