13 Best Things to Do in Rio Grande (in 2023)

If you’re an outdoor lover, then you can’t miss out on all the incredible things to do in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

Rio Grande not only hosts El Yunque National Rainforest, one of Puerto Rico’s top attractions, but you’ll also find beaches, hiking trails, rivers, and farms.

I’m a Puerto Rico local with a passion for outdoor adventures, and in this post, I’ll walk you through the best things you can do in the Rio Grande.

Table of Contents

13 Best Things to Do in Rio Grande
FAQs About Things to Do in Rio Grande

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13 Best Things to Do in Rio Grande

El Yunque National Forest

Explore the only tropical rainforest in the United States

El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s most iconic landmarks, and it’s mostly located in Rio Grande. El Yunque is an outdoor lover’s paradise with multiple hiking trails, waterfalls, a rainforest zipline park, and viewing towers.

Travelers interested in its history can stop at the visitors’ center for a tour through exhibitions that showcase how El Yunque came to be. Besides the waterfalls and hiking trails, El Yunque is home to historical structures like Baño de Oro, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in Puerto Rico.

Juan Diego Waterfall

Bathe in one of the most frequented falls of El Yunque National Rainforest

Considered one of the most popular waterfalls in Puerto Rico, Juan Diego Falls is located on route 191 inside El Yunque National Forest. The waterfall has three different cascades making more than one natural pool where visitors can bathe and enjoy the surrounding nature.

The hike to the first and second fall is easy and takes just five minutes from the main road. After the second fall, a muddy steep path leads to a bigger fall that nature lovers can’t miss.

👉 Did you know? Rio Grande is one of the best places to stay in Puerto Rico, with luxurious hotels and breathtaking outdoors. Browse hotels in Rio Grande to find the best stay for your trip.

Yokahu Tower

Admire the area’s lush rainforest from this popular viewing tower

The Yokahu Tower is a viewing tower with an elevation of 1,575 ft above sea level. The tower is right by route 191 inside El Yunque and is a popular stop for photographers and drone owners.

Spiral stairs allow visitors to climb to the top of the tower where you can see top-notch panoramic views of the forest and the northern coastline.

Rio Espiritu Santo

Take a boat tour through the only navigable river in Puerto Rico

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 612-3075 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 3 pm Thur-Sun, Closed Mon-Wed

One of the top activities to do in Rio Grande is to take boat tours through Rio Espiritu Santo. This large river is the only river in Puerto Rico open to navigation and is great for a family day trip or a private celebration.

La Paseadora offers boat tours, but also has kayaks and facilities for photoshoots and parties.

👉 Local Tip: You need to book ahead of time to use La Paseadora. The rental price of the boat is $200 per 10-person group and the ride to the sea takes about 2 hours.

Playa Las Picuas

Relax on this hidden beach in Rio Grande

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free

So many travelers focus on El Yunque that they miss out on the beautiful beaches of Rio Grande.

Playa Las Picuas is a beach with crystalline waters, soft sand, and a calm tide that makes it feel like a private beach. Nature lovers will love taking long strolls and sunbathing on this almost deserted beach. I do recommend checking out my beach packing list before you go!

👉 Local Tip: This beach is difficult to access if you’re not staying in one of the luxurious beach resorts by the coast. Lucky for you, all Puerto Rico beaches are public, and if you’re up for the challenge, you can make your way to this beach through the coast.

Santuario de Amosito

Visit this unique-looking mausoleum

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 888-7559 | Website | Hours: Available with previous appointment, Closed Saturdays | Entrance: Free

If unique-looking structures are your thing, then you can’t miss a visit to the Santuario de Amosito in Rio Grande. This building is both a museum and a mausoleum for Amós Tosado, the founder of Pueblo de Amós Church.

The structure resembles the famous Taj Mahal with golden domes and multiple arches. Santuario de Amosito is also surrounded by a lovely green space you can tour with a guide.

Puente Roto

Enjoy a family-friendly river adventure

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free

Puente Roto is one of the best areas in El Yunque for a day trip. The area is accessible without reservation and it has a riverside space perfect for sitting and relaxing. Hiking lovers can hike up the Mameyes River, and families can swim in the large pond the river forms under the bridge.

The area doesn’t have any facilities, so make sure to take all your trash back with you, and make sure you have all the hiking essentials you need for a day trip.

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort

Showcase your golfing skills in this award-winning course

View of a lake on a golf course in Rio Grande

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 474-6627 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $150 tee time

Besides being one of the most luxurious resorts in Rio Grande, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar also features two breathtaking golf courses.

The 18-hole River Course goes along the Mameyes River for 6,945 yards and it has El Yunque mountains as background. The Ocean Course has an astonishing view of the Atlantic Ocean and is often considered one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean.

Finca Neo Jibairo

Enjoy a meal with fresh ingredients from the farm

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 598- 0240 | Website | Hours: 3 pm – 10 pm Fri-Sat, 3 pm – 8 pm Sun, Closed Mon-Thurs

Many travelers miss the magic of Finca Neo Jibairo on their path through Rio Grande, but this farm offers multiple experiences for nature lovers, camping enthusiasts, and even foodies. The half-day tour through the farm allows you to walk around the fields of the farm and learn about agroecology.

But the highlight of the Finca Neo Jibairo is the Farm to Table five-course experience. During this dinner, you’ll delight your taste buds with Puerto Rican dishes and ingredients that come directly from the farm itself.

Carabalí Rainforest Park

Ride a horse surrounded by the beauty of a forest

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 889-4954 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily

For those that like to combine the outdoors with a little adventure, Hacienda Carabalí is one of the best places to visit near Rio Grande. This ranch on the outskirts of El Yunque offers a traveler ATV countryside adventures with plenty of mud, rain, and green foliage.

An alternative? Check out the hacienda for horseback riding either in El Yunque or on the beautiful beaches.

Laguna Grande

Kayak in a bioluminescent bay

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

If you’re visiting Rio Grande, then you’ll be happy to hear that, only a short car ride away, you’ll find one of the three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico. Laguna Grande is located in the city of Fajardo, and is one of the best attractions in Fajardo.

Visitors can choose from many bio bay tours including the adult bioluminescent bay glass kayak tour or a bio bay boat tour. You should visit during a night with a new moon to appreciate better the glowing phenomenon.

Tito’s Paintball Park

Play paintball on the largest paintball field in Puerto Rico

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 642-7755 | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Sat-Sun, Closed Mon-Fri

Another great way to spend the day in Rio Grande is at Tito’s Paintball Park. This park offers large facilities with many obstacles like boats, buses, tires, and airplanes.

Besides playing paintball, families can ride ATVs or swim in the nearby Mameyes River. If you want to celebrate a birthday, you can also rent a gazebo on their property.

👉 Pro Tip: Call ahead to know if they have space available for the time you’re planning to visit.

Luquillo Beach

Take a beach tour to Luquillo Beach

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 889-5871 | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm high season, 9 am – 5 pm low season | Parking: $4-5 | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

A short ride away from Rio Grande you’ll find one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico, Luquillo Beach.

This beach is popular among locals and tourists for its duality, perfect for doing water sports or swimming with your kids. Luquillo Beach is also right across the Luquillo food kiosks, where you can enjoy some of Puerto Rico’s top foods.

👉 Local Tip: Luquillo Beach is also known as La Montserrate Beach. The gate from the parking lot is temporarily closed, but visitors can still access the beach from different points on the coast, including the Luquillo Food kiosks.

FAQs About Things to Do in Rio Grande

What is Rio Grande Puerto Rico known for?

Rio Grande is known as the city home to El Yunque National Rainforest. Although El Yunque covers multiple cities, the main entrance to the forest is located in Rio Grande. The city is also popular for its luxury hotels and internationally renowned golf courses.

Does the Rio Grande have waterfalls?

Rio Grande has multiple waterfalls you can find inside El Yunque National Forest. Some of the most popular waterfalls in Rio Grande are La Coca Falls, La Mina Falls, Juan Diego Falls, and Cascada Rio Espiritu Santo.

How do you get to Rio Grande Puerto Rico?

Travelers that want to visit Rio Grande need to arrive at the San Juan Airport and from there take a taxi or rent a car to get to the city. The trip driving from San Juan is under an hour. Public transportation doesn’t reach the city of Rio Grande from Old San Juan.

📚 Continue Reading: Renting a Car in Puerto Rico

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Thanks for reading my picks for the top attractions in Rio Grande! If you’re looking for more awesome things to do in Puerto Rico, check my list of the best activities to do in Puerto Rico.

Enjoy the many fun things to do in Rio Grande!