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No passport required. No elbowing due to the hustle and bustle of the resort.
2 selling points for a great beach holiday from the start.
While everyone else flocks to the usual tourist traps of San Juan, travel experts quietly sneak over to a pristine, rainforest-lined beach town just 45 minutes away. If you’re looking for cheap regional beer, world-class surfing, and cookie-free resorts, This is why you should visit Puerto Rico’s best kept secret.
We delve deeper into Puerto Rico’s treasure trove in search of a spectacular getaway that’s just been touted by fellow travel experts as the ultimate paradise to relax, recharge and trade the tourist crowds for rainforest-lined shores in this virtually unknown beach destination within an hour of San Juan.
Luquillo: the Caribbean port you never knew you needed
Hidden in plain sight on Puerto Rico’s main island, which is typically the gateway for most vacationers, it seems many have gone all wrong by following the crowds to San Juan.
Those looking for a relaxing escape among some of the island’s clearest waters and the best surfing conditions should make their way to Luquillo.
No frills, no flash, and no selfie sticks taking up your space, this unspoken hideaway may be Puerto Rico’s best-kept secret for a myriad of reasons.
But if there’s one clear claim to fame, it’s the huge range of restaurants (sixty in fact) that master local favorite must-tries like alcapurrias And mofongo.
This area is known as Kioskos from Luquillowhere you can not only enjoy Puerto Rican cuisine, but also a place to buy souvenirs in the many shops or try a cheap local beer on a rickety bar stool that calls your name.
Amazing nature: jungles, mountains and pristine beaches
Luquillo is tailor-made for travelers who want the wilder side of Puerto Rico without venturing far from the legendary capital.
Days here can be as lazy or adventurous as you like: go beach hopping between calm, palm-lined coasts like Balneario La Monserrate and surfer-friendly areas like La Pared, then trade golden sand for dense jungle nearby El Yunque National Forestwhere trails, waterfalls, mountain views and lush rainforest scenery make the island seem a world away from the boisterous nightclubs and hotel zone headaches of San Juan.
For beginners, Luquillo is an easy win: close to San Juan, backed by El Yunque, and chock full of beaches that will make you wonder why it isn’t more famous.
45 minutes from San Juan: easy day trips or longer stays
Luquillo can be your biggest problem or an addition, kind of like my Tinder history, except this town is a lot less messy and drama-free.
Getting to Luquillo from San Juan is quite painless, especially if you rent a car and drive about 40 minutes east on your own time.
Travelers without wheels of their own can also book a taxi, rideshare or private transfer, although it’s smart to arrange the return journey in advance rather than relying on last-minute availability.
Public transport exists in the form of audiencebut for most first-time visitors this is the least convenient option as it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if your Spanish is good muy malo.
Leave the resort bubble behind: Luquillo is truly Puerto Rico
With little-known brands—just Wyndham and Fairfield—Luquillo is the kind of place where you can forgo the wristband entry and experience Puerto Rico without everything being a piece of cake.
While some beachfront accommodations here cost a lot of money, there are some charming boutique stays in the $100 range.
We’ve rounded up our top 4 best value stays in July, inflation and all:
