Puerto Rico’s east coast is rich in natural wonders, making it the most popular destination for day-trippers from San Juan.
There are two officially designated scenic drives in the east coast.Less than an hour’s drive from the island’s capital are three quintessential Puerto Rican sights: El Yunque Caribbean National Forest, Balneario La Monserrate (Playa Luquillo), and Bosque Estatal de Piñones, all on the north end of the east coast. Farther east is Fajardo, the island’s boating center renowned for its water sports, and Laguna Grande, a bioluminescent lagoon. Fajardo is also the point of departure for the ferry to the islands of Vieques and Culebra.
Travel map of Puerto Rico’s East Coast
The southern side of the east coast is less developed and lacks the big-draw tourist sights found farther north, but its sleepy towns and beaches offer a quiet getaway for those wanting to escape the bustle and crowds.
The east coast is also home to several spectacular resorts, including El Conquistador in Fajardo and St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort in Río Grande. Río Grande also boasts several world-class golf courses, including the Robert Trent Jones Jr. course at the St. Regis and the Trump International Golf Club at the Gran Melia.
There are two officially designated scenic drives in the east coast. The Ruta Flamboyan (along Carretera 30 from Carretera 52 to Humacao) affords a lovely view of the spectacular flamboyan trees that bloom throughout the summer. These huge trees, also known as royal poinciana, have a broad, umbrella-shaped canopy that blooms a brilliant orange-red from June to early August. The Ruta Coqui doesn’t necessarily get you any closer to its namesake, the coqui tree frog, than does a walk through any other forested part of the island. Instead the route (along Carretera 3 from San Juan to Humacao) passes by the east coast’s most popular attractions—Playa Luquillo and El Yunque—and the town of Fajardo.
Flamboyan trees blossom throughout the island in summer months. Photo © Suzanne Van Atten.
It’s actually possible to take a drive-by tour of the east coast’s triumvirate of spectacular natural sights—Piñones, El Yunque, and Playa Luquillo—in a single day if you’re pressed for time. But a better option is to spend a full day exploring each one. The attractions are less than an hour’s drive from San Juan, and only minutes apart from one another.
When it comes to natural treasures, El Yunque Caribbean National Forest is Puerto Rico’s shining jewel. One of the world’s most accessible rainforests, it offers hours of hiking, swimming, and bird-watching in a lush, tropical setting.
La Coca Falls at El Yunque. Photo © Suzanne Van Atten.
Coming in a close second as Puerto Rico’s most popular attraction is Playa Luquillo, officially named Balneario La Monserrate. This is what picture postcards are made of: a long crescent of pristine sand gently lapped by the Atlantic Ocean and shaded by a thick palm grove.
Despite its proximity to San Juan, Bosque Estatal de Piñones is one of the most beautiful spots of coastal wilderness to be found on the island. It’s easy to spend a day hiking or biking through the mangrove forest along the newly constructed bike path, kayaking through its lagoons, and swimming in the Atlantic surf beside palm-lined beaches.
Spending at least a long weekend in Fajardo is recommended for sports enthusiasts who want to enjoy all the boating, diving, fishing, and golfing to be had here. Reserva Natural Las Cabezas de San Juan is home to a diversity of ecosystems, as well as Laguna Grande, a bioluminescent lagoon that must be experienced at night.
Excerpted from the Fourth Edition of Moon Puerto Rico.
