San Juan to Fajardo (4 Best Ways to Go in 2023, By a Local)

Looking for the best ways to get from San Juan to Fajardo, Puerto Rico? 

Fajardo is a city in eastern Puerto Rico that attracts plenty of tourists for its unique attractions. But, because it’s located an hour from the capital city, many visitors wonder how to get between the two cities easily and efficiently.

I’m a Puerto Rico local that’s been to Fajardo multiple times, and this article contains my best tips to help you travel between San Juan and Fajardo to enjoy your vacation. Before we dive in, make sure to bookmark my guide to the what to do in Fajardo.

Now, let’s break down the best ways to get to Fajardo and back to San Juan!

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4 Ways to Get From San Juan to Fajardo (& Back)

There are four different ways for visitors to get from San Juan to Fajardo including rental cars, private shuttles, taxis, and carros públicos. Although all these options are by land, which method you choose will depend on your budget, time, and flexibility. 

Let’s break them down:

From San Juan to Fajardo by Car 

🚍 Best for: Freedom to explore, and comfort
💵 Cost: $$
👉 Where to Book: Discover Cars

Renting a car in Puerto Rico is your best option if you want to explore and make stops at famous Puerto Rico landmarks like El Yunque National Forest before reaching Fajardo. The driving system in Puerto Rico is similar to the United States so it’s fairly easy to move around and, depending on the season you visit Puerto Rico, you can find cheap fares every day.

Pros of Going to Fajardo via Car: 

• Flexibility to explore
• Cheapest way in the long run
• Not being limited by transportation hours

Cons of Going to Fajardo via Car: 

• Pricey if only one person is paying
• Differences in driving in Puerto Rico

📚 Related Reading: Fun Places to Visit in Puerto Rico

From San Juan to Fajardo by Private Shuttle

🚍 Best for: Comfort
💵 Cost: $$-$$$
👉 Where to Book: Viator,  Luquillo Taxi, Go Puerto Rico Shuttle

If you hate the idea of driving in a foreign country and you’d rather sit back and enjoy the view, then using a shuttle to get from Old San Juan to Fajardo is your best bet. Private shuttles depart from different points in San Juan, including the San Juan Airport and Old San Juan, and they can accommodate larger groups than a taxi.

Pros of Going to Fajardo via Private Shuttles: 

• Stress-free trip to Fajardo
• Great for large groups
• Cheap if paid by multiple persons

Cons of Going to Fajardo via Private Shuttles: 

• Limited stops
• Pricey if it’s for one person

From San Juan to Fajardo by Taxi

🚍 Best for: Comfort
💵 Cost: $$-$$$

Taxis are similar to private shuttles when traveling to Fajardo as they offer flexibility with pick-up and drop-off places and hours, but they can be a bit more expensive. Taxis base their prices on distance and charge additional fees for late hours, luggage, and extra passengers, so a ride from San Juan to Fajardo can quickly add up. 

Pros of Going to Fajardo via Taxis: 

• Flexibility with pick-up and drop-off
• Stress-free trip to Fajardo
• More private than a large shuttle

Cons of Going to Fajardo via Taxis: 

• Can be pricey
• Additional fees for extra luggage 
• Additional fees for extra passengers

📚 Related Reading: How to Get Around Puerto Rico 

From San Juan to Fajardo by Guagua Pública

🚍 Best for: Saving money
💵 Cost: $

Visitors sometimes have a hard time understanding how the carros públicos transportation system works in Puerto Rico. While there aren’t fixed hours, and they’re often unreliable, a carro público can indeed take you from San Juan to the Fajardo town center for less than $8. 

If you want to go to Fajardo by carro público, then you’ll need to head over to the Guagua Pública terminal in Río Piedras and find the van heading to Fajardo. Keep in mind that guaguas depart only when they’re full, regardless of how long people are waiting to depart.

Pros of Going to Fajardo via Guagua Pública: 

• Cheapest way to get from San Juan to Fajardo
• Daily routes

Cons of Going to Fajardo via Guagua Pública: 

• Don’t run after 4 pm
• Lack of comfort
• Drivers hardly speak Spanish

3 Tips For Getting Between San Juan and Fajardo

Stop at El Yunque National Forest

If you’re driving to Fajardo from the San Juan Airport, then you must make a stop in El Yunque National Rain Forest, one of the top things to do in Puerto Rico. El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest System and it boasts beautiful waterfalls, rivers, fauna, and vegetation. Check out my local’s guide to El Yunque Tropical Rain Forest for more information.

Stay a Few Days

If you’re traveling to Fajardo from San Juan, then I recommend taking a few days to tour the northeast area. Fajardo is known for its turquoise water beaches such as Seven Seas Beach and Icacos Beach, its bioluminescent lagoon, and the nature reserve (it’s perfect for spotting local wildlife). 

Neighbor cities also have attractions like some of the best waterfalls in Puerto Rico, beaches, rivers, and historical structures.

🛎️ Need a hotel? If you’re staying a night in Fajardo, then I recommend booking a stay in El Conquistador Resort. This hotel features a waterpark with slides and pools and a private island you can visit when staying with them.

Take a Tour to an Outside Island

After you’re done exploring Fajardo, make your way to the ferry terminal in Ceiba. From here, you can catch a ferry to Culebra and Vieques, where you’ll find the brightest bio bay in the world. You can also choose to take Catamaran tours from Fajardo to visit Icacos, Vieques, or Culebra. 

👉 Local Tip: The ferry terminal to Culebra and Vieques is no longer located in Fajardo. If you’re interested in visiting, then you can find shuttles that offer transportation directly to the Ceiba terminal from San Juan, Puerto Rico. My guide on getting from San Juan to Culebra will tell you exactly how to make the journey.

FAQs About Getting from San Juan to  Fajardo

Map of How to Get Between San Juan and Fajardo

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Thanks for reading my guide on how to get from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Fajardo! 

If you want to explore more things on the island, then check out these popular activities to do in Puerto Rico.

You can also check out my full library of San Juan travel guides, including:

• What to Do in San Juan, PR
• Where to Stay in San Juan, PR
• Best Restaurants in San Juan, PR
• Best Beaches in San Juan, PR

Happy exploring!