Things to do in Fajardo & Around
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La Casa del Mar Dive Center
Set inside the grounds of El Conquistador resort, the PADI-certified La Casa del Mar Dive Center is great for all levels. The ‘Bubblemakers for Kids’ appeals to the younger crowd (8 to 15 years; $49); more experienced divers can take the trips to local reefs (one/two tanks $69/99). A two-tank dive over in Culebra is $125.
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Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserva Natural ‘El Faro’
A 316-acre nodule of land on Puerto Rico’s extreme northeast tip, the Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserva Natural ‘El Faro’ protects an historic lighthouse, a bioluminescent bay, rare flora and fauna, lush rainforest, various trails and boardwalks, and an important scientific research center. Despite its diminutive size, the reserve shelters seven – yes seven – different ecological systems, including beaches, lagoons, dry forest, coral reefs and mangroves. Animal species that forage here include big iguanas, fiddler crabs, myriad insects and all kinds of birds. Such condensed biodiversity is typical of Puerto Rico’s compact island status and ‘Las Cabezas’ is highligh…
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Sea Ventures Pro Dive Center
Sea Ventures Pro Dive Center has three outlets in Fajardo, Palmas del Mar and Guánica. They’re staffed by very experienced professionals offering one-week PADI certification courses. For those who just want the basics or already know how to dive, there are multiple trips to Palominos and Icacos Cays daily (one/two tanks $65/99), and on Sunday there are trips to Vieques and Culebra.
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Puerto del Rey
This marina stands behind a breakwater in a cove 2 miles south of Fajardo. It is the largest marina in the Caribbean (1100 slips). You will find a complete marina village here with restaurants, stores, laundry facilities, banking and all manner of boat-hauling and maintenance capabilities. Many yachts stop here to take advantage of the marina’s courtesy car and Fajardo’s supermarkets when stocking up for a winter in the tropics or the ride back home to the USA. Travelers will find that many of the sailing, diving and fishing charters run from here. It’s about 5 miles south of Villa Marina.
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Bahía Las Croabas
You find this spot where Hwy 987 ends at a little seaside park rimmed by seafood restaurants and bars looking east across the water to the peaks of Culebra. There is not much of a beach here, but there's a view of the offshore islands and the air blows fresh with the trade winds. The anchorage accommodates the fishermen's co-op and the last half-dozen nativos, the 'out-island' sloops that everyone around here once used for fishing and gathering conch or lobster.
The fishermen here are friendly, and you can probably strike a deal with one of them for a boat ride.
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Pasión Por el Fogón
Lobster medallions, filet mignon and chicken stuffed with sweet banana and bacon – sound tasty? The governor of New York, Mariah Carey and Carlos Delgado obviously thought so, as they’ve all eaten here at one time or another. Listed as one of Puerto Rico’s leading Mesónes Gastronómicos, Pasión por el Fogón is situated opposite the Villa Marina and – in keeping with its name – has a real passion for cooking.
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Lighthouse
Adding historical value to a potent natural brew on Las Cabezas de San Juan is the splendidly restored 19th-century lighthouse, Puerto Rico's oldest, dating from 1882) that overlooks the peninsula's steep, craggy cliffs where the stormy Atlantic meets the Sonda de Vieques (Vieques Sound). The lighthouse has an information center and observation deck, open the same hours as the reserve, which offers spectacular views of El Yunque.
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Caribbean School of Aquatics
Operating since 1963, the Caribbean School of Aquatics has National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) and Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) scuba classes, and Captain Greg Korwek will take you on all-day boat trips to the best spots around La Cordillera and elsewhere; two-tank dives start from $119 per person.
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East Island Excursions
East Island Excursions has glass-bottomed catamarans that are in high demand, so book early. All kinds of day trips to La Cordillera islands are offered, and it even does quick runs over to St Thomas. One of the catamarans has a water slide that launches you right into the ocean. Day trips start at $69 per person (10am to 3:30pm).
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Playa Escondida
For good snorkeling or to get away from it all, follow Playa Seven Seas about a half mile to the northeast along the Las Cabezas property to an area known as Playa Escondida. The reefs are just offshore. Taking the trail to the west eventually brings you to the nearly empty Playa El Convento, with its beach house for government officials.
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Blue Iguana
The Fajardo Inn has two restaurants, but this one is by far the best, with great Mexican fare, sharp service and unbelievably cheap prices (for sizable portions). In the earlier hours it’s a good option for families; later on the pool table and ample bar attracts a drinking crowd. On weekends it’s very popular after 10pm.
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Erin Go Bragh Charters
Erin Go Bragh Charters offers ecofriendly sunset trips, dinner trips, daily trips (with BBQ and other lunches provided) and overnight charters to Vieques and Culebra. Captain Bill and his wife Ingrid visit various islands in the cordillera where you can swim, fish and snorkel.
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Playa Seven Seas
On the southwestern shore of the peninsula of Las Cabezas, Playa Seven Seas is a sheltered, coconut-shaded horseshoe public beach. While not be quite as pretty as Playa Luquillo, fear not – it is attractive. The beach gets packed on weekends and during summer.
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Eco Xcursion Aquatica
Although technically located in Río Grande, Eco Xcursion Aquatica is a mobile operation with guided flotilla trips to La Cordillera cays for snorkeling, and a sunset trip around Las Cabezas and into the bioluminescent Laguna Grande, where micro-organisms glow in the dark water.
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Yokahú Kayaks
Yokahú Kayaks provides equipment, and guides are very professional. Children under seven aren't allowed on the night trips, which leave at 19:00 and generally last two hours. Their nonpolluting kayaks are one of the most environmentally friendly ways of seeing the Laguna.
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A La Banda Waterfront Restaurant
Live lobsters are easily transferred from the aquarium to your plate here – with a side trip to the kitchen, of course. If you prefer not to see your food swimming before you eat it, go for the Italian dishes or hearty steaks.
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Villa Mar Bakery
A kind of neighborhood bakery in the small row of shops adjacent to the Villa Marina; you can top up on coffee, pastries and sandwiches here. It’s next to the Pizza@net.
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Eco-Action Tours
Eco-Action Tours offers kayak tours (one- to three-person kayaks) as well as excursions in a nonpolluting electric boat (minimum four people).
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Traveler
Traveler offers similar daily tours with all-you-can-eat salad bars and snorkeling equipment provided for reasonable prices.
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Capt Osva Alcaide
Capt Osva Alcaide offers half- and full- day deep-sea fishing charters out of Fajardo, and snorkeling to Icacos and Palomino Island.
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Rosa’s Seafood
Frustrated ferry passengers mix with loyal locals at this much vaunted seafood salon situated within anchor-dropping distance of Fajardo docks. You’ll walk through a gauntlet of rusting cars and snarling canines to get here, but enter the bright-yellow building at road’s end and the smell of fresh fish and the sound of sizzling onions will soon leave you forgetting about your ferry delays. Lobster, red snapper, and fish and chips are the more delectable in-house specialties, though Rosa’s can also knock up a good steak – all for a tidy sum, of course.
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Salty Dreams
Salty Dreams offers day trips with lunch to Icacos, Lobos, Palominos and Palominitos cays in its 46ft catamaran Salty Dogs from $59 per day.
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