Luquillo is a coastal town & area in Puerto Rico located in the north-east part of the main island.
Known as “The Sun’s Capital,” Luquillo is home to one of the best beaches and the largest adventure park on the island.
I am from mountainous Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and frequent Luquillo whenever I want a sunny escape.
In this article, I will cover everything that you need to know about Luquillo:
– What is Luquillo?
– Where is Luquillo located?
– What is the best way to get to Luquillo?
– What is Luquillo known for?
– How much does it cost to visit Luquillo?
– Can you visit Luquillo without a tour?
– How much time do you need in Luquillo?
– Is Luquillo worth visiting?
Luquillo was established in 1797 by Spanish expedition leader Don Cristóbal Guzmán.
The municipality of Luquillo (loo-KEE-yo) is a famous beach town in northeast Puerto Rico.
Measuring 26 square miles, Luquillo is home to one of the best beaches on the island, the largest adventure park in Puerto Rico, a rainforest, delicious food, and easygoing locals.
Below is a video that shows Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico:
Located on the northeastern part of the island, Luquillo rests between Río Grande, the City of El Yunque, and Fajardo.
It’s sandy coast opens to the warm, biodiverse Atlantic Ocean.
At just about 45 minutes east of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), Luquillo is a quick and easy town to visit if you are staying in the north of the island.
See the location of Luquillo on Google Maps below:
Regardless of where you’re going, the fastest and most cost-effective way to travel in Puerto Rico is by car.
Let’s talk about the best ways to get to Luquillo from five tourist hotspots: San Juan, Carolina, Río Grande, Fajardo, and Vieques.
From San Juan, the best way to get to Luquillo is to follow the Puerto Rico Highway 66 (PR-66). You’ll go from the hustle and bustle of the city to the breathtaking views of El Yunque and the nonchalant vibes of the beach towns.
Local tip: with a 15 minute detour to Canóvanas, you can stop at Outlet 66 for a quick shopping spree, a bite, or some action-packed indoor entertainment.
From Río Grande, take a right to incorporate yourself into the PR-3 S and continue straight on. The trip takes about 25 minutes.
From Fajardo, take a left to arrive at the PR-3 N/PRI-3 N and continue straight on. The trip takes about 15 minutes.
From Vieques, you’ll have to take the ferry to Ceiba (1hr 30 minutes) and from Ceiba drive around 20 minutes. You’ll go from Ceiba to Fajardo to Luquillo.
Luquillo is best known for having one of the finest beaches in Puerto Rico, the Balneario La Monserrate at Luquillo Beach. With 12 miles of coastline, Luquillo Beach stretches through three top attractions.
1. Balneario La Monserrate has access to shallow waters, showers, restrooms, lifeguards and shops. There is a small entry fee.
You can also find kayaks, paddle boards, water jet packs, and jet skis available for rent.
2. Los Kioskos is where upscale dining and Puerto Rican street food meet.
With around 60 kiosks, Los Kioskos caters to most diets and budgets. It’s also an optimal place to get a souvenir made by local artisans.
3. La Pared is a yearlong local favorite spot to catch waves.
La Pared is located a block from the main town square, only eight minutes from La Monserrate. For today’s surf forecast, click here.
Check out the video from La Pared below:
4. Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park is the place to go for an epic land adventure. It has everything from horseback riding to ATV rides to a hayride by the foothills of El Yunque.
Luquillo is a relatively inexpensive place to visit.
A trip to Luquillo can be as affordable as an entry ticket to La Monserrate (usually a few dollars per vehicle) to a luxurious $300 per person experience.
When I go, I always bring my beach gear, food, and drinks. My family and I (four people) spend around $80 as a unit.
When visiting Luquillo, tours aren’t necessary.
All you need is a car (and this article) to navigate and enjoy the best Luquillo has to offer.
One to two days is enough to experience Luquillo to the fullest.
The best thing you can do is spend a day at Luquillo Beach and the other at Carabalí.
Below is a video of Carabalí’s horseback riding tour:
If you’re looking for a quaint, family-friendly beach town to lounge the day away, the answer is YES. Luquillo is most definitely a place worth visiting.
If you love piña coladas… and long sunny days, then there’s no better beach town to visit than Luquillo.
Luquillo is accessible, safe and packed with activities for everyone. With 12-miles of walkable coastline, fantastic restaurants and an adventure park, there’s no way you’ll regret your trip to this beautiful town.
After a day in Luquillo, you will develop an appetite. I recommend that you check out our article about Puerto Rican street food, as there are kiosks that you can buy different local foods from at Luquillo Beach.
Also, check out our article where we cover the 45 best things to do in Puerto Rico.
Writer at PuertoRico.com. I was born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. I know all the ins and outs of the island. For 22 years, I’ve tasted, seen, experienced, and explored most of Puerto Rico’s gems. I still have many road trips planned for all of the things that I’ve yet to experience in Puerto Rico.
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