Fajardo Travel Guide

Fajardo, on the east coast of Puerto Rico, is the island's scuba diving hub. Dozens of boating companies offer charters and diving excursions on a range of craft, most based at the town's Puerto del Rey Marina, the largest marina in the Caribbean.

Besides having two beautiful beaches just minutes away from town, there are also several uninhabited small islets just offshore, surrounded by coral reefs. The neighbouring islands of Vieques and Culebra are reached via ferry and air charters, with Fajardo in striking distance of a variety of water-sports playgrounds.

Fajardo itself does not offer much in the way of attractions, but it serves as an accommodation centre for this delightful part of Puerto Rico. It is also a social hub for holidaymakers thanks to the presence of the luxurious Wyndham El Conquistador resort, which has a lively casino and world-class golf course, among other attractions.

Things to do in Fajardo

Although Fajardo is not a major tourist destination, the city's forest-fringed public beaches, Seven Seas Beach and Luquillo Beach, offer calm, clear waters ideal for snorkelling and swimming. It's perfect for those among visitors who are in search for some quiet holiday relaxation.

Known as the scuba diving hub of Puerto Rico, Fajardo is the ideal holiday spot for those who enjoy their water sports. Fajardo's main attraction is its proximity to Vieques and its Bioluminescent Bay, drawing thousands of visitors to experience its magical glow. While there may be limited other attractions, Fajardo promises a quiet and less commercial holiday for those who choose to visit its shores.

The small city is equipped with cafes and lovely spots to grab a meal. Those wanting a break from the ocean blue can visit El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest administered by the United States National Forest Service, noted for its biodiversity and stunning walking trails.

Bioluminescent Bay photo

Bioluminescent Bay

When disturbed, the waters of Mosquito Bay sparkle like a starry sky due to the massive concentration of bioluminescent plankton living beneath the surface. Vieques's Puerto Mosquito holds the Guinness World Record as the brightest of similar bays found elsewhere on the plane. A trip to Bio Bay, as it's locally known, is one of the best tourist attractions in Puerto Rico and well worth the excursion from San Juan. Several tour companies offer kayaking and snorkelling in the magical water, creating a genuinely dreamy environment of ethereal romance. The bioluminescence is at its brightest during the full or near-full moon, and this is considered the best time to visit.

Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve photo

Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve

Located on three promontories on the extreme northeast corner of the island, Las Cabezas reserve is one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse natural areas in Puerto Rico. The reserve is close to Fajardo, a major marina, snorkelling spot and diving resort, located about an hour's drive from San Juan. The reserve contains seven different ecological systems, including coral reefs, sandy beaches, lagoons, mangroves and dry forest. It is also home to several endangered species. Boardwalk trails provide easy access to the different natural sites. A restored 19th-century lighthouse, El Faro, is situated on one of the headlands and offers incredible views of its gorgeous surroundings.

Culebra and Vieques photo

Culebra and Vieques

Dubbed the 'Enchanted Isles', Vieques and her smaller sister Culebra are found off Puerto Rico's east coast, accessible from San Juan by air and from Fajardo by ferry. The two islands' chilled and peaceful populations live lives that enrich rather than impact the islands' natural beauty.

Vieques consists largely of the biggest wildlife sanctuary in the Caribbean, containing beautiful beaches with azure clear waters and pearly white sand. Visitors to Vieques should stay overnight to experience its premier attraction: Bio Bay. On moonless nights, the bay glows with bioluminescence radiating from microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates.

Smaller Culebra is renowned for the clarity of its waves lapping at its shores, thanks to the island having no rivers or streams that may cause runoff. This quiet, unspoilt island offers unrivalled snorkelling and scuba diving in its magnificent encircling reefs, as well as kayak expeditions, hiking trails and bird-watching trips through the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge.

Puerto Rico travel info

Electricity

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat attachment plugs are in use.

Language

Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico.

Money

The United States Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency, which is divided into 100 cents. It is often referred to as the 'peso' in Puerto Rico. ATMs and bureaux de change are freely available and all major credit cards and travellers cheques are generally accepted. Banking hours are 9am to 3.30pm.

Tipping

Some restaurants and hotels automatically add a 10-17 percent service charge to the bill. If not, a 15 percent tip is expected. Taxi drivers and bar staff also expect tips.

Health

There are no vaccination certificates required for travel to Puerto Rico. Cases of dengue fever occur annually and mosquito protection measures are essential, while it's best to drink bottled water to avoid stomach upsets. Medical services are good but can be expensive so travel insurance is advised.

Safety

Puerto Rico is still recovering from Hurricane Maria with regular power and communication outages and unstable buildings.

Visits to Puerto Rico are usually trouble-free but travellers should take sensible precautions to avoid petty theft.

Many travel and health authorities classify Puerto Rico as having a high risk of Zika virus transmission. Visitors are advised to seek advice from health professionals before travel.

Local customs

Social etiquette in Puerto Rico is typically Latin American, with some North American influences such as a stronger sense of female independence, and a toning-down of the machismo ideal. Western visitors to the country should feel comfortable in most social situations.

Hygiene, cleanliness, and personal appearance are viewed as matters of self-respect, so travellers who've been on the road for a little while might consider neatening up their beards or trimming their hair, especially if they want to make a good first impression.

A final, important aspect of Puerto Rican social life, is the concept of relajo. Generally shy of direct confrontation and open criticism, relajo refers to the gentle, joking manner in which Puerto Ricans will bring up uncomfortable issues around each another. Visitors should be aware of this technique, as they may, on occasion, be required to read between the lines to discover what locals are really trying to express.

Doing business

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory although the resemblance is closer to Latin America. English is understood by many on the island, but Spanish may also be the language in which business is conducted. Dress codes will vary according to different sectors, but suits are favoured on very formal occasions. Shaking hands is common for both men and women. Business hours are generally 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with an hour taken at lunch.

Duty free

Puerto Rico's customs regulations are the same as those for the United States. Visitors over 21 may bring in the following items without paying duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 2kg of tobacco; 1 litre of alcohol; and gifts valued up to US$100.

There is a long list of restricted and prohibited items which may not be imported or imported only under license, ranging from fireworks and matches to pre-Columbian sculpture and Cuban cigars. If in doubt, consult your nearest US Embassy for advice. Any merchandise from embargoed countries (Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Serbia and Montenegro and the Sudan) may not be brought onto US soil.

Communications

The international access code for Puerto Rico is +1 787 and +1 939. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). The outgoing code is not needed for calling the US, Canada, and most of the Caribbean. Mobile phones work throughout the island and local operators use CDMA networks that are not compatible with GSM phones, as used outside North America. Internet cafes are available in most towns and resorts.

Passport & Visa

All passport holders must have an onward or return ticket and documents necessary for further travel. Entry requirements for Puerto Rico are the same as for the United States of America. When arriving from mainland USA there is no immigration control. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

Valid passport or passport replacing documents are required. Visa not required.

British citizens require a passport valid for period of intended stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.

Canadian citizens require a passport valid for period of intended stay. No visa is required.

Australian citizens require a passport valid for period of intended stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.

South Africans must hold a passport valid for period of intended stay and a visa is also required, unless holding a valid US visa.

Irish citizens require a passport valid for the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is not required for touristic stays up to 90 days.

Useful contacts

The Puerto Rican Tourist Company, Old San Juan: +1 787 721 2400 or www.gotopuertorico.com

Emergencies: 911

Embassies / consulates in other countries

United States Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 9000.

United States Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 5335.

United States Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6214 5600.

United States Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 431 4000.

United States Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 668 8777.

United States Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 462 6000.

Embassies / consulates in Puerto Rico

British Consulate, San Juan: +1 787 850 2400.

Canadian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 (202) 682 1740.

Australian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 797 3000.

South African Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 232 4400.

Irish Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 462 3939.

New Zealand Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 328 4800.