Fajardo, Puerto Rico, is the perfect place to unwind in the tranquility of the wild. Of course, this retreat, just an hour from San Juan, also offers plenty of opportunities for adventures in paradise. Travelers are drawn to Fajardo for its perfect blend of peaceful attractions and unmatched convenience. Located on Puerto Rico’s eastern tip, Fajardo is just 45 minutes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.
Guests will find stunning natural reserves, famed glowing bays, and one of the best collections of hotels and resorts in Puerto Rico. Whether you’re seeking adventure or want to enjoy a peaceful change of pace from everyday life, check out these incredible things to do in Fajardo.
A tour we think you'll love
1) See A Rare And Magnificent Bioluminescent Bay
While there are many incredible things about Fajardo, the attraction that brings most people here is the Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay. Sheltered by mangroves, Laguna Grande emits a gorgeous blue glow at night that’s caused by the presence of microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates.
At Puerto Rico Bio Bay Tours, we’ve been bringing visitors into the bay to experience its rare, illuminated ecosystem for three decades. Here’s a look at our tours:
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Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayak Adventure – Kayaking in the moonlight in a glowing bay is one of the most incredible activities you can experience in a lifetime! Our signature tour guides you by kayak through mangrove channels to enter the glowing Laguna Grande. During this magical experience, you’ll paddle through glowing waters while your experienced guide shares information about the ecosystem around you. Our after-dark kayak tour is appropriate for all skill levels.
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Full Moon Kayak Adventure – Designed for times of year when moonlight is bright, this amended tour option takes advantage of the added visibility around the bay to highlight mangrove forests, birds, iguanas, and a nearby lighthouse.
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Wild & Scenic Rainforest Nature Walk – Savor a morning walk through El Yunque National Forest via Angelito Trail that ends with a swim in the Las Damas natural pool that offers a clear, deep swimming area fed by waterfalls. This experience is designed for all hikers ages 6 and up.
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Twilight Night Nature Walk – Take a guided stroll through El Yunque Rainforest as the sun sets over the greenery. Guests learn about the ecosystem and the activities of its wild inhabitants.
If you’ve always wanted to spend time floating on a glowing bay, our bio bay tour is one of the most amazing things to do in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Operating since 1997, we are the original outfitter for guided kayak tours in Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bay in Fajardo. We even tailor our year-round tours to give you the best experience based on visibility according to the lunar cycle.
Let us ignite your sense of wonder with a unique adventure that connects you with one of the world’s rarest natural phenomena! We offer so many different ways for people of all ages to commune with the natural world.
2) Get A Perfect Blend Of Action And Relaxation While Playing At Coqui Water Park
If you’re looking for a fun hotel stay with plenty of activities and action for all ages during your visit, it’s good to know that Coqui Water Park, located at El Conquistador Resort, is considered one of the most exciting spots in Fajardo.
This 2.4-acre water park has wild slides, rapids, and plenty of places for resting in the shade. When not splashing, you can simply savor a meal or cocktail at the bar and restaurant within the water park.
Good To Know: You must be checked in as a guest at the resort to enter the water park.
3) Learn About Sustainable Cocoa Cultivation On A Cocoa Tour
Hacienda Chocolat offers guided cocoa tours that bring you to a cocoa farm at the edge of the wilderness, offering incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and El Yunque Rainforest. This woman-owned small business specializes in single-estate, tree-to-bar chocolate production in northeast Puerto Rico.
Nestled in the lush mountains of Fajardo, this cocoa farm cultivates more than 4,000 cacao trees using sustainable practices. Agrotourism experiences offered by Hacienda Chocolat include:
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Cacao Walking Tours – Walk through an award-winning cacao farm, learn how cacao fruit is processed to make chocolate, taste cacao fruit pulp, and sample chocolates and spiced hot chocolate drinks.
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Weekend Rum, Tobacco, & Chocolate Tasting – Enjoy four rums, four single-origin artisanal chocolates, two cocktails, and a full charcuterie board with beef sliders, local artisanal cheeses, almonds and nuts, local artisanal jams, fresh and dried fruit, and more!
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Weekend Art, Wine, & Chocolate Events – Includes a 30-minute guided tour through the cacao farm, direction from a talented local art instructor, materials to create a work of art on canvas, a charcuterie board with locally sourced food, two glasses of wine, and three to four single-estate artisanal chocolate bars.
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Whiskeys & Chocolates of the World – Experience a tasting with four whiskeys, two whiskey cocktails, four single-origin artisanal chocolates, and a charcuterie board with beef sliders, artisanal local cheeses, almonds and nuts, artisanal local jams, fresh and dried fruit, and more.
Pro Tip: Read all cocoa tour itineraries carefully before booking. While most tours run two to three hours, some can be four to five hours. Additionally, some tours are offered in Spanish only.
4) Take An Excursion To Remote And Stunning Cayo Icacos
Feel the stress melt from your body as you step foot on the sandy terrain of Cayo Icacos! This uninhabited island, located 1.5 miles off Puerto Rico’s east coast, boasts powder-white sand, ultra-clear blue waters, and a vibrant marine ecosystem.
It is located directly off Cabezas within Fajardo. To get here, you’ll need to journey by catamaran or water taxi. While Cayo Icacos is known for its serenity, tour boats do pull up to shore to play dance music to keep the vibe lively!
Good To Know: This is a true deserted island! With no electricity or access to water, it’s important that you bring your own water and snacks.
5) Plan Some Beach Time At Playa Seven Seas
You don’t need to visit a remote desert island to find peace and seclusion; Playa Seven Seas is a quiet beach that’s part of the La Cabezas Reserve. This clean, calming beach offers the added safety of on-duty lifeguards.
Spend your visit exploring a stunning beach terrain that’s broken up by shade-giving trees and a rocky shoreline in places. There’s also a restaurant across the street.
Pro Tip: Playa Seven Seas is a wonderful place for snorkeling and other water activities due to its warm, protected waters. Expect to see tons of coral and fish! A local rental shop right on the beach can provide snorkel gear.
6) Visit The Marina For Dinner With Gorgeous Views
Marina Puerto del Rey is the Caribbean’s largest marina, hosting more than 1,200 boat slips. As a result, it’s the starting point for many opportunities to sail away to explore nearby islands and cays.
While you may not have a boat parked here, you can still live a piece of the yacht life by grabbing dinner reservations at Waterside Restaurant at Marina Puerto del Rey. Nibble on fish tacos or tuna tartare with gorgeous marina views at this popular oceanfront restaurant.
Good To Know: If you go spearfishing during your trip, the restaurant will often agree to cook up fresh catches and provide side dishes for patrons. Call ahead to inquire!
7) Shop For Some Art At An Exclusive Gallery
Do you want to take home an unforgettable keepsake? One of the best ways to remember your trip is with a piece of authentic Puerto Rican art from Fajardo’s premier art gallery. The D’galeria fine art gallery is home to paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures by an acclaimed local contemporary artist named Jaime Díaz.
You can even get your gift framed. If you’re looking for an even more immersive experience, the gallery offers paint-and-sip workshops from time to time. If you intend to stop into the gallery, you must call ahead to reserve an appointment.
Good To Know: Don’t stress about flying home with a large painting or sculpture. D’galeria ships worldwide!
Come Glow With Us – A Bio Bay Tour Is One Of The Best Things To Do In Fajardo
Let us help you plan the ultimate change of pace from everyday life with activities on one of the world’s few bioluminescent bays. Our passionate guides are driven to share their local knowledge as they immerse you in Puerto Rico’s history, culture, and lush ecosystems!
No tour offers such a complete experience in Fajardo’s glowing bay and rainforest terrain. Our fun experiences are designed to be educational and safe while ensuring that we leave no trace in the beautiful landscape we are respectfully exploring.
Don’t wait to take action! Reserve one of the popular tours to save your spot!
