Where to Stay in Fajardo (Best Places & Areas)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Fajardo | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQs

I’m a Puerto Rico local who loves Fajardo and has visited countless times.

If you’re a first-time visitor to Fajardo, you’ll want to stay in Cabezas, the closest neighborhood to most of Fajardo’s attractions. El Conquistador Resort is your best hotel option with cliff views and luxurious amenities like a private island.

Continue reading to learn the great (and not-so-great) qualities of each neighborhood. But first, let’s look at the best hotels in Fajardo.

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Best Places to Stay in Fajardo

Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Fajardo? Here are my top picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – El Conquistador Resort 
• 🗺️ Best Location – Sueños del Mar
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – El Conquistador Resort
• 👪 Best for Families – Sueños del Mar
• 💻 Best for Business – El Conquistador Resort 
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – Hotel Boutique Calizo
• 🏖️ Best Near Seven Seas Beach – Hotel Boutique Calizo
• ⛰️ Best Near the Mountains – SELVA by DW
• 🪥 Best with Additional Amenities – El Conquistador Resort 
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Fajardo Inn

Click here to see all top Fajardo hotels or here for apartments.

Ok, let’s do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Fajardo: 

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Fajardo

Fajardo is located on the tip of Puerto Rico’s northeast coast. The town is divided into 9 neighborhoods (also known as barrios) including the town center, Barrio Pueblo. 

Of these 9 neighborhoods, six are coastal and three are connected to the neighboring towns of Ceiba and Luquillo.

Cabezas

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Cabezas Hotels: El Conquistador Resort  • Hotel Boutique Calizo • Sueños del Mar

Cabezas is home to some of the best things to do in Fajardo. You’ll find Seven Seas Beach, Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, and Laguna Grande bioluminescent lagoon here. However, because of the available activities, it’s also Fajardo’s most touristy and crowded neighborhood.

It’s also where you’ll find El Conquistador Resort, the most luxurious hotel in the area, with cliff views, a private island, and a waterpark.

The neighborhood is one of the best in Fajardo for families because it has plenty of lodging and entertainment options including beaches, restaurants, and tours.

Pros of Staying in Cabezas:

• Premium location near the best Fajardo attractions
• Lots of restaurants and bars
• Near Fajardo’s bioluminescent lagoon
• Variety of hotels and apartment rentals
• Lots of tour opportunities 
• Tourist-friendly

Cons of Staying in Cabezas:

• Can be pricey
• Often crowded

Barrio Pueblo

👉 Best Area For Culture Fans | ✨ Best Barrio Pueblo Hotels: Fajardo Inn • Villa Marina Village Apartment

Barrio Pueblo is Fajardo’s downtown area. It’s centrally located and just a short ride from Seven Seas Beach, Las Croabas, and Fajardo’s interior, where you’ll find Hacienda Chocolat.   

Barrio Pueblo is the best area to catch local festivals and shop in the main plaza. You can also buy fresh produce, grab a drink, and try Puerto Rico foods at the local market.

I recommend staying on the Barrio Pueblo coast at Fajardo Inn, a budget and family-friendly hotel.

Pros of Staying in Barrio Pueblo:

• Restaurants and bars within walking distance
• Lots of festivals
• Easy to explore on foot
• Variety of apartment rentals

Cons of Staying in Barrio Pueblo:

• Limited hotel offer

Río Arriba and Naranjo

👉 Best Area For Couples | ✨ Best Río Arriba and Naranjo Apartment Rentals: SELVA by DW • Hacienda Las Flores • Mountain Ranch

Unlike most of Fajardo’s neighborhoods, Rio Arriba and Naranjo aren’t located on the coast. Instead, these neighborhoods offer mountainous views and seclusion. 

Rio Arriba and Naranjo are far less crowded than the coastal neighborhoods and while you won’t have direct access to the beach, you’ll be close to Hacienda Chocolat, one of the best farms in Puerto Rico.

You’ll also have one great alternative to saltwater, Las Tinajas Waterfall, a popular Puerto Rico waterfall.

These mountainous neighborhoods in Fajardo have multiple farm stays, cabins, and secluded houses if you prefer a more rustic experience.  

The SELVA by DW is a villa that offers a luxurious stay with a rustic feel, and it even has its own private hiking trail with a view of Fajardo’s mountainous side.

Pros of Staying in Rio Arriba and Naranjo:

• Seclusion
• Fresh mountainous temperatures
• Uncrowded

Cons of Staying in Rio Arriba and Naranjo:

• Far from the coast
• Not many things to do
• Limited hotel and apartment rental offer

Quebrada Fajardo

👉 Best Area For Town Hopping | ✨ Best Quebrada Fajardo Rentals: The Hummingbird’s Lookout • Comfortable and Central House in Quebrada Fajardo • Casa Tamarindo Vacation Home

Quebrada Fajardo is a Fajardo neighborhood that connects with the neighboring town of Luquillo. 

Although it’s less crowded and touristy than Cabezas, it’s the best neighborhood to stay in if you want to have a central location between Luquillo and Fajardo. 

You’ll find multiple shopping malls and restaurants in this area. You can also access the Northeast Ecological Corridor and its remote beaches, like Las Paulinas and El Convento Beach, although you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle.

Hotels are limited in this area, but you’ll find apartment rentals like Casa Tamarindo, which is close to the shopping malls and allows you to easily access both towns.

Pros of Staying in Quebrada Fajardo:

• Easy to jump between Fajardo and Luquillo’s attractions
• Lots of apartment rentals
• Access to shopping malls and stores
• Less crowded than Cabezas

Cons of Staying in Quebrada Fajardo:

• Not many things to do
• Lack of hotels in the area

Tips for Staying in Fajardo

Stay in Cabezas if You’re not Driving

If you don’t want to drive around, choose Cabezas for your stay in Fajardo. It’s where you’ll be within walking distance of most of Fajardo’s attractions and hotels.

Take a Boat Tour

Fajardo extends beyond the main island of Puerto Rico. From the town, you can take boat tours to the offshore islands of Icacos, Palomino, and Cayo Lobos. 

You can also visit Vieques and Culebra on some of the best Puerto Rico boat tours.

Visit on a New Moon

If you plan to visit Laguna Grande bioluminescent lagoon during your stay in Fajardo, then book your visit during a new moon phase. The bioluminescence is better appreciated during moonless nights. 

Rent a Car

While you’ll find plenty of taxis and shuttles in Fajardo, I always recommend renting a car to move around, especially if you plan on moving between the towns of the northeast. 

Renting a car in Puerto Rico is an easy process and in the long term, it is also the most cost-effective way to move around. I recommend starting your car rental search with Discover Cars.

Explore the Outdoors

Outdoor enthusiasts will be glad to know that Fajardo offers plenty of outside activities. 

Seven Seas Beach is one of the most popular places to go camping in Puerto Rico, due to its facilities and cheap nightly rates.

You can also go mountain biking on Fajardo’s MTB Trail or go off-road with a 4×4 vehicle in the Northeast Ecological Corridor. 

Take Day Trips to Neighbor Towns

Fajardo is surrounded by some of the best towns to visit in Puerto Rico including Luquillo, Ceiba, Naguabo, and Rio Grande. 

In these towns, you’ll find popular Puerto Rico sites like El Yunque National Forest, Medio Mundo y Daguao Nature Reserve, Luquillo Beach, and El Malecón de Naguabo.

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Fajardo for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in Fajardo for first-timers are Cabezas, Barrio Pueblo, and Quebrada Fajardo. These are the areas where you’ll find most of Fajardo’s attractions and hotels.

What are safe areas to stay in Fajardo?

Some of the safest areas to stay in Fajardo include Cabezas, Quebrada Fajardo, and Barrio Pueblo. These are tourist-friendly areas due to their attractions and hotels.

What are the best parts of Fajardo to stay with kids?

The best part of Fajardo to stay with kids is Cabezas, where you’ll find most attractions including the best beaches for swimming and snorkeling. The area also has Las Croabas Park, where kids can skateboard and cycle.

What are the best-secluded neighborhoods to stay in Fajardo for?

The best areas to stay in Fajardo for seclusion and mountainous views include Naranjo, Río Arriba, and Florencio.

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You’ve reached the end of my guide to where to stay in Fajardo. Now that you know where to stay, learn all about what to do in Fajardo next. Safe travels!