Cabo Rojo’s Best Hotels & Areas (My Guide for 2025)

Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Cabo Rojo

Cabo Rojo is divided into 8 neighborhoods plus the urban center aka the downtown. These neighborhoods are divided into sub-barrios and areas known as poblados (villages), including Poblado El Combate, Poblado de Boquerón, Poblado de Joyuda, and Poblado de Puerto Real.

Poblado de Boquerón

👉 Best Area For First Timers | ✨ Best Boqueron Hotels: Parador Boquemar • Red Sunset Beach Club • BOHO Beach Club

Boqueron is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Cabo Rojo and one of the most extensive in the city. 

Poblado de Boqueron refers to the most touristy area of Boquerón, where you’ll find lots of restaurants, bars, and hotels within walking distance of some of the best beaches in Cabo Rojo, including Boquerón Beach. 

It’s easy to get caught up at the beach, but I recommend exploring the Boqueron State Forest and Boqueroón’s Wildlife Refuge. And you should absolutely have breakfast at a local bakery like Boquerón Bakery.

Stay in Parador Boquemar if you’re looking for a local and budget place to stay, or opt for BOHO Beach Club for a more upscale and comfortable experience.

Pros of Staying in Poblado de Boquerón:

• Easy access to popular beaches
• Lots of restaurants and bars
• Camping and RV spaces
• Hiking opportunities at parks and reserves
• Variety of hotels and apartment rentals to choose from
• Tourist friendly area
• Nightlife

Cons of Staying in Poblado Boquerón:

• Expensive restaurants 
• Crowded in comparison with other areas

Poblado El Combate

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best El Combate Hotels: Combate Beach Resort • Luichy’s Seaside Hotel • Rooms Boutique by Annie’s

El Combate is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Cabo Rojo and it’s ideal for families looking to have fun. The poblado also has apartment rentals, camper areas, and hotels. 

Combate Beach Resort is one of the most popular hotels in the area since it has an on-site restaurant and bar and is within steps of the beach. 

You and your family can go hiking or biking on the trails near the resort and connect with other beaches like Los Pozos Beach. Or you can rent jet skis and other rentals on Combate Beach. 

Regardless of how you spend the day, I recommend ending it while watching the sunset at Combate Beach – it’s considered one of the best sunset spots in Cabo Rojo. 

Pros of Staying in El Combate:

• Beachfront neighborhood with access to the beach
• Lots of restaurants and bars
• Variety of hotels and rentals to choose from
• Camper areas
• Watersports rentals
• Tourist friendly area

Cons of Staying in El Combate:

• Gets crowded on the weekends

Poblado de Joyuda

👉 Best Area For Couples | ✨ Best Poblado de Joyuda Rentals: Blue House Joyuda • Mi Tierra

Joyuda is a beachfront subbarrio in Cabo Rojo famous for its seafood and beaches. This area is located within the bigger Miradero neighborhood and is one of the best areas in Cabo Rojo for couples.

While hopping between the seafood restaurants in the area is a must-do, I also recommend checking out the roasted pork in Lechonera Joyuda. 

You’ll find plenty of beachfront apartment rentals to choose from, but Blue House Joyuda is definitely one of the best-rated and located in the area. 

Besides visiting the beaches, take a boat tour to Cayo Ratones or a sunset catamaran to enjoy a romantic day trip with your partner.

Pros of Staying in Joyuda:

• Beachfront location
• Lots of bars and restaurants
• Variety of apartment rentals
• Easy to take day trips to Mayagüez

Cons of Staying in Joyuda:

• Can get crowded
• Difficult to access some beaches

Pedernales

👉 Best Area For Tranquil Getaways | ✨ Best Pedernales Hotels: Herbert’s Place • Villas at Chalet De Buye • Del Mare at Buye Beach

While not as popular as the nearby neighborhoods, Pedernales has both beaches and countryside. 

This is honestly the most underrated area to stay in Cabo Rojo, as it houses my favorite beach, Buye Beach, famous for its calm, clear, and shallow waters.

Del Mare at Buye Beach is right by the beach, so you can spend your entire day swimming or sunbathing.

In this neighborhood, you’ll also find the Punta Guaniquilla Nature Reserve, where I recommend you adventure into El Pirata Cave, kayak on lagoons, and sunbathe on secluded beaches.

Pros of Staying in Pedernales:

• Easy access to Buye Beach
• Easy access to Punta Guaniquilla Nature Reserve 
• Less crowded than other Cabo Rojo areas

Cons of Staying in Pedernales:

• Limited hotels and restaurants offer
• Narrow rows in some areas

Llanos Costa

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Enthusiasts | ✨ Best Llanos Costa Rentals: Playa Sucia Condo • Container House • Pitahaya Glamping

Llanos Costa is the neighborhood with the least hotels and rentals in Cabo Rojo, however, it’s the best to stay at if you’re looking to stay near the best outdoor attractions in Cabo Rojo.

In this neighborhood, you’ll find Cabo Rojo’s National Wildlife Refuge and part of the Boquerón State Forest, two of the best outdoor parks in Puerto Rico, with beautiful beaches and caves. It’s also one of the best places to go birdwatching in Puerto Rico. 

While you’ll find lots of apartment rentals in the area, I’d recommend staying at any of the camping and glamping sites in Llanos Costa, like Finca Higuaca or Pitahaya Glamping.

But worry not, you’ll also find multiple apartment rentals if you rather enjoy a more comfortable experience, like this Playa Sucia Condo, which is near Cabo Rojo’s Salt Flats and a short ride from the lighthouse.

From Llanos Costas, you’re also a short ride from La Parguera Bio Bay, the only one of Puerto Rico’s bio bays you can swim at.

Pros of Staying in Llanos Costa:

• Easy access to Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge
• Lots of camping and glamping opportunities
• Near hiking and biking trails
• Easy day trips to La Parguera Bio Bay

Cons of Staying in Llanos Costa:

• Short offer of hotels and rentals
• Not many restaurants and bars in the area

Cabo Rojo Barrio Pueblo

👉 Best Area For Culture Enthusiasts | ✨ Best Cabo Rojo Barrio Pueblo Rentals: Renovated Condo Rental • Douglas Highway Hotel

While Cabo Rojo is mostly visited for its beaches and refuges, I recommend staying downtown if you’re into history and culture.  

Explore Plaza del Mercado, the local market where you can buy fresh produce and local candies and treats. Mingle with locals at the main plaza where you can also catch local festivals like the town’s Saint Patron’s Festival in September.

I recommend a visit to Museo de los Procéres too, where you can find exhibits of local artists as well as a recount of Puerto Rico’s history and important figures.

Although you won’t find many hotels in Cabo Rojo Pueblo, the Douglas Highway Hotel is one of the preferred in the area for its closeness to the main avenue. You can also find multiple apartment rentals through VRBO.

Pros of Staying in Cabo Rojo Pueblo:

• Lots of restaurants within walking distance
• Easy to catch local festivals
• Access to museums
• Easy to explore on foot

Cons of Staying in Cabo Rojo Pueblo:

• Lack of variety of hotels
• Beaches aren’t accessible at walking distance

Tips for Staying in Cabo Rojo

Rent a Car

Exploring Cabo Rojo entirely on foot isn’t practical as many streets, particularly in the town’s interior, lack sidewalks. 

Renting a car allows you to explore freely and it’s also best to access the town’s famous beaches if you’re staying at a hotel or rental far from the coast.

Check Out the Local Refuges and Parks

Yes, Cabo Rojo’s beaches are definitely worth visiting and honestly, I like some more than the infamous Flamenco Beach in Culebra. 

But, Cabo Rojo also has lots of parks and refuges where outdoor enthusiasts can unwind and take breathtaking pictures. 

I recommend visiting the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge and Boqueron State Forest, which house multiple of Cabo Rojo’s best sites, including the infamous Los Morrillos Lighthouse, multiple caves, and a rock bridge.

Choose Your Ideal Location

While Cabo Rojo has lots of great areas to stay, if you’d rather avoid driving around the town, it’s best to pick a beachfront accommodation.

Stay at Combate, Joyuda, or Boquerón to find hotels, restaurants, bars, and beaches all within walking distance. If you prefer a quiet stay, then choose to stay at Cabo Rojo’s mountainous interior.

Take a Day Trip

Cabo Rojo is a great base to visit attractions in the surrounding cities of Lajas and Mayaguez. 

Don’t miss the chance to take a tour of La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay and go swimming with your kids and family. 

Check our Cafe Mis Abuelos in Mayaguez, one of the best Puerto Rico coffee farms. San Germán is one of the best day trips for history buffs.

Plan for a Long Trip from San Juan

Unless you’re arriving at the Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla or the Mercedita Airport in Ponce, you’ll have to make the trip from San Juan. 

Getting to Cabo Rojo is relatively easy if you’re renting a car. But, the ride from San Juan takes almost three hours. 

Plan a road trip on your way there, so you can have both rest stops and see some of the best sites in Puerto Rico too.

FAQs

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

The best areas to stay in Cabo Rojo for first-timers are Boqueron, Combate, and Joyuda. These are beachfront areas that have lots of restaurants and hotel options. You can also have easy access to popular beaches and attractions.

What are safe areas to stay in Cabo Rojo?

Some safe areas in Cabo Rojo are Boqueron, Combate, Joyuda, Puerto Real, and Cabo Rojo Pueblo. But, overall, Cabo Rojo is a safe town in Puerto Rico for tourists.

What are the best parts of Cabo Rojo to stay with kids? 

The best parts of Cabo Rojo to stay with kids include Boqueron, Combate, Joyuda, and Llanos Costa. These are beachfront areas where kids can spend their days swimming and doing watersports.

What is the best part of Cabo Rojo for party enthusiasts?

Boquerón and Combate are the best areas in Cabo Rojo for party enthusiasts. These areas offer a lively atmosphere with lots of bars, food kiosks, and nightlife. 

What is the best part of Cabo Rojo for outdoor lovers?

The best parts of Cabo Rojo for outdoor lovers are Llanos Costa and Pedernales. These two neighborhoods house multiple beaches and nature reserves ideal for hiking, birdwatching, and kayaking.

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Now you know everything you need to know to choose where to stay in Cabo Rojo. Not sure if you want to stay in Cabo Rojo? Check out our guide to picking what part of Puerto Rico to stay in.