Luquillo is a favorite destination in Puerto Rico.
It’s the location for “El Yunque Rainforest”, an ecological treasure and UNESCO world heritage site.
The town is located approximately 45 minutes from the San Juan Metro area where I live, and neighbors the town of Fajardo. This makes it ideally situated to reach many of the most interesting attractions in Puerto Rico.
Below are the 12 best tours & excursions in the Luquillo area for you to consider when planning a trip to Luquillo:
If you visit Luquillo, you can’t miss El Yunque Rainforest and a visit to Luquillo Beach.
You can see both of these beautiful destinations in a day.
El Yunque National Park has 4 unique forests and several historical sites. To visit the rainforest you must schedule a tour, or make a reservation with the park service.
The “Balneario La Monserrat” is the public beach in Luquillo. It’s famous for its beachside food kiosks, lively music, and gorgeous beach. The highlight of this beach is its view of El Yunque mountain and a calm protected bay.
There are also many services available on this beach including lifeguards, bathrooms, food, and activities.
Check out the El Yunque Rainforest tour in the following video:
You can book this tour with Rico Sun Tours.
Learn more about the area in our guide to Luquillo Beach.
This rainforest tour takes place on the outskirts of El Yunque National Forest. It includes a popular river where the rushing water has hollowed natural waterslides into the stone.
Here you will enjoy a more wild unmanicured part of the forest, and a pristine river with waterfalls.
Check out the natural waterslides and forest in the following video:
You can book this tour with Paradise Tours Puerto Rico.
Learn more about this area in our guide to El Yunque National Forest.
Enjoying an excursion with a knowledgeable guide will give you a much greater cultural context during your visit.
Local guides share information about the history, indigenous cultures, ecology, stories of Spanish colonization, as well as present-day information.
Guides in Luquillo have to pass rigorous certifications by local tourism authorities to guarantee that the information you’re receiving is of high quality.
Below is a video of the Angelito trail, one of the locations on this tour:
You can book this tour through the Airbnb website.
Learn more about the area in our article Is Luquillo Safe For Tourists?
Choose between the backcountry of the El Yunque Rainforest, or trails that cross rivers and beaches on this horseback riding eco-excursion.
Horseback riding is a great way to connect with nature and explore the natural terrain in Luquillo. Horseback riders of all levels are welcome (beginner, intermediate, and advanced).
This activity is not recommended for children under 3 years old, or pregnant women.
Check out the horseback riding tour in the following video:
You can book this tour with Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park.
Step up your adrenaline with a ziplining rainforest excursion.
These adventure excursions include ziplines, rappelling, hiking, and a canopy bridge adventure. Take in all of the nature of the area, while activating your heart rate.
Specialized guides are available to outfit you with the safety equipment, and show you a great time.
Below is a video showing rainforest ziplining:
You can book this tour with Ecorainforest.
Check out our guide to the 12 Best Ziplines In Puerto Rico to learn more.
If you’re looking for something different to do with the family, then an off-road 4-track/ ATV adventure may be the perfect selection.
Rent them for your group, and then ride through the backcountry of El Yunque. Expect to get muddy on these motorized vehicles. At one point of the activity, you will pass a stream with crystal clear river waters which is the highlight.
Check out the rainforest ATV tour in the following video:
You can book this tour with Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park.
If you want to continue thrill-seeking on your vacation, then consider renting jet skis at the Balneario La Monserrat (Luquillo Beach).
The conditions on this beach are good for jet skiing because the barrier reef keeps the ocean waves out. You can really accelerate on this flat water beach. I recommend the morning before the crowds arrive.
See what it’s like jetskiing in Luquillo in the following video:
You can book this tour with Puerto Rico Jet Ski Rentals.
One of the more unique experiences in Luquillo is the Flyboarding activity.
This is a special board that connects to a Jet Ski and elevates you several feet above the water with jet propulsion. Try to maintain your balance, or you will risk plunging into the water below.
The jet propulsion of the flyboard can lift you as much as 15 feet into the area. It’s a fun experience, and good for some laughs.
Below is a video featuring flyboarding in Luquillo:
You can book this tour with Luquillo Flyboard.
Playa La Pared has a great area for learning surfing. The waves in the learning area are small but powerful. The water is waist-deep for adults, and the ocean bottom is sandy.
Surf Experts are on hand to rent you equipment and provide you with lessons.
Some parts of the beach can be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. So make sure you’re in the right area and have reviewed the weather conditions beforehand.
Below is a video showing the surfing class session:
If you would like to book a surf class, visit the Surfing Puerto Rico website.
The Corredor del Noreste is 3000 acres of undeveloped land that has been protected.
Spend the day hiking and enjoying the beach.
It can get quite hot in this uninhabited reserve.
I recommend that you pack water before setting out to explore.
You can see what the Corredor Ecologico de Noreste looks like in the following video:
To book this tour, visit the Corredor Ecologico del Noreste website.
If you need a break from jungles and beaches, then a day of golfing can be a welcomed retreat.
You can schedule golf lessons with a pro, and enjoy one of several manicured golf courses in the area. Expect to be treated with first-class hospitality.
Check out Wyndham Rio Mar Golf Course in the following video:
Make an appointment with Wyndham Grand Rio Mar.
Learn more in our guide to the 12 Best Golf Courses In Puerto Rico.
For those of us who never get tired of connecting with nature, you simply have to experience the bioluminescent bay.
This stunning natural phenomenon occurs in 3 locations in Puerto Rico, and one of the most popular is a short distance away from Luquillo.
Guides will take you to the bio bay in kayaks at night to experience the glowing effects.
Check out the bio bay kayaking adventure in the following video:
You can read more about the bio bay in our Bioluminescent Bays article.
The best tour in Luquillo is hands down, a visit to the rainforest. There are a variety of tours that can match your activity level. However, I recommend the adventure tour with the natural water slides. The cold river water is so invigorating, and climbing can be lots of fun too.
No, there are plenty of ways to connect with the beauty of Luquillo that don’t require a tour. Spending time in the natural parts of Luquillo such as Playa Azul, el Corredor Noreste, or El Yunque Rainforest will leave you feeling recharged. You should also visit the Kiosk of Luquillo while in town.
We’ve looked at 12 of the best tours & excursions in Luquillo, but there is so much more to this town.
You might also enjoy our article 23 Best Things To Do In Luquillo.
The culinary scene has so much to offer with fresh seafood, and savory “criolla” recipes being my favorite. Puerto Rican music and different restaurants are also fun.
However, it’s the people that make this destination extra special. Be sure and soak in as much of nature as you can, and take the time to meet the warm and kind people that make this town so nice.
Writer at PuertoRico.com. I am a Santurce local in Puerto Rico who is obsessed with following cultural trends in art, music, sports, and fashion. I hope to uncover the perfect setting for your next experience. When I’m not writing, I am working in the live events industry, or sailing the coastline.
