Translating as “Great River”, Rio Grande is a small town known for its championship golf courses and palm-lined beaches in Puerto Rico’s east. It’s home to the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service, El Yunque, which provides a setting for hiking and waterfall swims.
Things to do in Rio Grande
For a day on the sand, head to Playa las Picuas, a beautiful beach where you can swim in the refreshing waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Further east is Playa de Luquillo, a palm-backed stretch of golden sand that’s ideal for swimming, kayaking and standup paddleboarding. Surfers can tackle the breaks of La Pared before grabbing a bite to eat at the Boardriders Surf Bar.
Sprawling to the south of Rio Grande is El Yunque National Forest, which encompasses picturesque cascades, ancient petroglyphs and a high-altitude dwarf forest. Begin your visit at El Portal Visitor Center to learn about Puerto Rico’s endemic species, then stretch your legs on the aptly-named Big Tree Trail. You can cool off with a swim in one of the natural pools along La Coca Trail or take advantage of the lagoon rope swing on El Angelito Trail.
A short drive east of Rio Grande is Carabalí Rainforest Park, an outdoor adventure hacienda where you can go mountain biking, ATV-ing and horseback riding. Fly through the rainforest on the park’s network of zip-lines or test your driving skills on the go-karts before refuelling at the Carabalí Bar & Grill.
Getting around Rio Grande
Rio Grande is a 30-minute drive from the centre of San Juan and 25 minutes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Buses connect to Rio Grande from the Puerto Rican capital, while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the surrounding attractions.