Fajardo – Location and History

Fajardo is a small but popular city in Puerto Rico located in the east region of the island, neighboring the Atlantic Ocean, north of Ceiba and east of Luquillo. Fajardo is spread over 7 wards and Fajardo Pueblo is the downtown area and the administrative center of the city. Fajardo is known as “La Metrópolis del Sol Naciente” (the city that guards the sun of the Caribbean). Fajardo was founded in 1772. It was originally named Santiago de Fajardo.

Fajardo – The Places of Interest

Fajardo is one of the most originally beautiful spots on the island's shores. It is a major boating center, with a wide range of rentals and charters available, with daily and sport-diving excursions as well as scheduled ferries and air service carrying passengers and cargo to Culebra and Vieques. Its perfect beaches are bounded by calm, clear water ideal for snorkeling. Seven Seas Beach offers plentiful water sports facilities, offshore points for sailing, snorkeling and plenty of scuba diving.

Las Cabezas de San Juan in Fajardo is one of the most important natural areas in Puerto Rico. Las Cabezas, which means ‘headlands’, refers to 3 promontories that extend into the Atlantic Ocean. It represents seven different ecological systems including coral reefs, beaches, lagoons, mangroves and dry forest within its 316 acres/128 hectares. The preserve is home to many endangered species. There is a 19th century lighthouse, known as “El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan”. The lighthouse has an information center and observation deck, from which you can have a spectacular view of El Yunque. Off shore near Fajardo few islets can be found like Icacos, Palominos, Palominitos and Diablo, uninhabited coral islands.

El Conquistador Golf Course is designed by Arthur Hills in 1993. It features changes in elevation more than 200 feet with strategic bunkering and water features. Its 15th hole is the one with the most elevation. This golf course is managed by Troon, a world’s luxury brand of golf only dealing with 4 and 5 stars hotels. Some notable places which are worth seeing include Bioluminiscent Lagoon, Old Fajardo Sugar Cane Refinery, Icacos and Palomino Keys, Natural Reserve Las Croabas and Puerto del Rey Marina. Due to its rich ports and closeness to smaller islands, Fajardo is also known for its fishing industries.

Fajardo - Lodging

The town contains various hotels; the El Conquistador Resort is one of its most famous hotels. This massive $250-million complex is a world unto itself, balanced dramatically atop a 300-foot bluff overlooking the Caribbean, the Atlantic and the El Yunque rain forest. Las Casitas Village is an exclusive enclave of just 155 spacious casitas or cottages complete with personal 24-hour butler service. Apart from these two popular hotels, there are other hotels and guest houses like Las Delicias Hotel, Anchor’s Inn, Fajardo Inn and Scenic Inn.